Need another bathroom? Consider the attic

Whether your family is growing or you simply want another bathroom in your home, there’s a space that you might want to consider putting one: your attic. After all, why let your attic go unused when it can be transformed into a functional space? Here’s how to make it happen:

Hire a contractor
While it might be cheaper to take on this job yourself, there’s a whole lot of planning that goes into putting a bathroom in your attic. After all, you have to make sure the space can accommodate plumbing. The floor needs to be able to support the weight of things like clawfoot tubs, sinks and vanities. A contractor can also make sure that your attic is up to par with local building codes. Hiring a contractor to figure this out will save you lots of time, money and frustration.

Try an all-white color palette
If your attic is short on space, try decorating the walls with white subway tiles. The tiles have a reflective surface that can help bounce light around the room and instantly add square footage. Plus, the lighter the color palette, the more spacious your attic will look and feel.

Place the shower in the center
Because attic walls usually slant downward, it’s best to put your shower in the middle of the space to give yourself the most headroom. You can then place a sink or a toilet on either side of the shower. A freestanding tub, however, can be put near one of the shallow walls because standing won’t be necessary.

Add a skylight
Natural light streaming into the space is the best way to help your attic bathroom appear larger. If necessary, add a skylight or a window to let as much light in as possible. After all, you don’t want your bathroom feeling dark and dreary.