When it comes to investing in real estate, penthouses are always at the top of buyers’ lists. Advantages such as magnificent views, natural light, spacious private terraces, and greater peace and quiet (thanks to their distance from the street) give them an edge over other homes. That’s why many are willing to pay an average of 23% more that a penthouse costs in Spain compared to a mid-floor apartment.
Furthermore, their exclusive nature also means that they are usually the first properties to sell when a new-construction development is launched. So securing one is undoubtedly a cause for celebration. Although, deep down, it’s really just the first step toward creating a warm and comfortable home to live in.
Soon it will be time to make other important decisions. So, this time, we’d like to offer you a few ideas so you can decorate your attic to your liking and make the most of the space you have.
Tips for Decorating a Penthouse
One of the features that makes penthouses unique is that they have a private terrace. In fact, on our blog we’ve already shared the best ideas for decorating a penthouse terrace for summer. So now we’re going to offer some more general tips so you can put your personal touch on the rest of the rooms and make up for one of their most common drawbacks: the smaller size of their interior rooms.
Make the most of natural light
A penthouse receives more sunlight than the other units in the building, given its prime location. So don’t let this valuable advantage go to waste—do the opposite: maximize the benefits of natural light with large windows to separate the interior from the terrace, and install sheer, translucent curtains. And for the hottest months, use the ever-reliable blinds and install an awning or pergola on the terrace.
Carefully estimate the space you have available
In penthouses, the layout of the furniture is even more important than in other types of homes. Terraces usually take up a significant portion of the property’s total square meters, so we have no choice but to carefully measure the spaces we have.
In this case, minimalism can be one of your “friends.” Simplicity usually works very well in penthouses, because having just the right amount of furniture and opting for simple shapes ( such as straight lines) will allow natural light to flood the entire space and make the rooms feel more spacious.
Choose the right furniture
Following up on what we just discussed, when decorating a loft, it’s best to choose furniture that makes the most of the available space. For example, an extendable table is perfect for the dining room, because you can make the most of it when you have guests; and a sofa bed for the living room also offers a great two-in-one solution if any of your guests stay overnight.
When it comes to colors and upholstery, once again, we recommend light shades like white. And as for the sofa, it’s best to choose a one-piece design; that way, you can even consider a corner sofa so you can place it wherever works best for you. Later, you can pair it with a simple, functional table with a glass top, as it will enhance the brightness of your penthouse and also create a sense of spaciousness.
Decorate a loft with light colors
Which colors go best with natural light? Exactly—light colors, such as white, blue, gray, green, and salmon. In addition to creating that sense of spaciousness we just mentioned, they’ll reflect more light and won’t trap too much heat, which is especially important in the summer.
Wood: A Great Choice for Flooring and Furniture
What materials should you choose? Let’s not forget that in an attic, proper insulation and waterproofing are essential—especially on the terrace—since we don’t want any leaks to seep into the floors below. So the first step is to reinforce it and prepare it to ensure it will last a long time.
Then it will be time to choose the material to finish it off with. Wooden parquet will always be a good choice, because it adds an elegant and natural touch to the loft; while laminate or vinyl offers more decorative options and stands out for its superior noise reduction. You might even be able to combine these options to create different atmospheres or spaces, choosing wood for the living room and vinyl for the bedrooms.
For the patio, consider using natural stone, ceramic tiles, or concrete. Or you could create your own “garden” with artificial grass—a bold solution that also requires very little maintenance.
Open-concept kitchen
Don’t be afraid to knock down a partition or two in your attic. These homes are ideal for open-concept layouts, so you can consider having an open-concept kitchen (with an island) to gain some space. Or you could combine the living room and dining room to create multifunctional spaces in your home. To do this, just make sure to arrange the furniture strategically and use room dividers, such as rugs.
Make the most of the sloping roof
Due to their design and location, attic ceilings are often unique. The roof will be right above our heads, so we may find exposed beams or areas with lower ceilings in some parts of our home. We can view this as a disadvantage—because of the loss of space it entails—or as an advantage.
Of course, in our case, we recommend that you take the optimistic approach. How? By taking advantage of this dip in the ceiling to place some low-profile furniture or even a decorative item that fits well in the available space, such as a strip of LED lighting or some string lights.
If you love plants, don’t hesitate to add a touch of nature to your penthouse!
Attics are great spaces for botany enthusiasts. The natural light allows them to enjoy species that couldn’t survive in other types of homes, and the natural, eco-friendly style fits perfectly with their decor.
Be sure to use the terrace to display your plants and pots; you can even bring them inside to add a colorful and 100% natural touch to your rooms.
Getting the penthouse of your dreams isn’t impossible
In short, when decorating a loft to make the most of the space, keep it simple. Make the most of the lighting, use high-quality, natural-looking materials, install multifunctional furniture with simple designs, and focus on a light-colored color scheme. With these four guidelines, you’ll achieve great results—and who knows, you might even turn the attic of your dreams into a reality.
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