Spend height where you stand
The bed occupies the lower side of the roof. The clearer, taller strip beside it is kept for arriving, dressing and opening drawers, rather than filled with furniture simply to centre the bed on the gable.
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ROOM 81 · Bedroom
The attic bedroom looks sideways
Published
A cottage attic arranged around the height it actually has
An attic gives you plenty of floor that is awkward to stand on. This guest room puts the bed beneath the slope and keeps the taller side useful, with rose-pink plaster, a low oak footboard and drawers for the overnight things.
See the product sourcesTHE DESIGN
The bed is the largest object here, but it does not get the tallest part of the room. It runs beside the low eaves, leaving the clearer strip between mattress and chest for standing and dressing. The view follows that strip towards the gable window. It is a useful reversal of the instinct to centre everything beneath the roof.
A low foot end keeps the Amsterdam bed from dividing the small room into boxes. Its slatted oak headboard sits below the slope, with a tiny caramel-coloured bedside fixed beside it. The plugged Akoli wall light leaves the little top free for a glass. The larger chest belongs on the taller side, where its drawers can be approached without ducking beneath the roof.
Pink covers both wall and slope. It gives the room a settled colour rather than leaving the roof as a separate white lid, with brick red repeated in the skirting, quilt and small checks. The cat-and-flower print supplies a welcome streak of eccentricity above otherwise sensible oak storage. Guests get a room with its own character, along with somewhere to put their clothes.
WHY THE ROOM WORKS
Place the bed along the lower edge and reserve standing height for arriving, dressing and moving around.
Colour palette
- Dusty rose
- Brick red
- Cream
- Scrubbed grey
- Oak
Keep the foot end low
The plain low foot rail lets the eye travel along the mattress and towards the window. A tall footboard would add another upright barrier to a room already shaped by the falling ceiling.
Give the pillow a small landing place
A compact floating bedside holds a water glass and book without a second chest beside the bed. Its position matters more than its size: it is close enough to be useful from the pillow.
Let the roof belong to the room
Rose pink continues over the slope, avoiding a sharp white triangle above the bed. The dark timber purlin and brick-red skirting still describe the structure, so the roof remains legible.
Make guests feel expected
Folded towels, a place for small belongings and a characterful cat print make this feel prepared for a stay. The oak furniture is straightforward enough to give the more playful details room.
WHAT TO BORROW
Draw the places where you need to stand before arranging an attic bedroom. A bed can use a lower edge; dressing and opening drawers need the better headroom.
THE PIECES BEHIND THE DESIGN
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The design began with these pieces from our Shop. Open each product for its exact size, finish and retailer details.
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Amsterdam Oak Low Footed 135cm Double Bed
Living With Luxury
£642.99
Mini Honey Caramel Wall Mounted Bedside with Open Slot
Living With Luxury
£199.99
Akoli Glass Wall Lamp
Clear
Nkuku
£185.00
Marlborough 4 Drawer Chest Assembled
Living With Luxury
£515.99
Cat and Floral Pattern III
ArtFab · Black (5/8″ Depth) · 24"x36"
Big Wall Decor
Example option: US$165.00
Check availability at retailer