skip to main content

Help with a Second Story Loft Room

3 years ago

Our two story condo has a second story loft room that I need help making safe for my grandkids. I have attached two pictures. One shows what the loft opening looks like from the dining room/living room area. The second one was taken inside the loft room. We are considering just closing up the opening. However, I am concerned as there are no windows in the loft room. The room has bunk beds in it and I am afraid my grandkids might launch themselves over. Fortunately so far only toys have gone through the opening.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Comments (11)

Sandybean
3 years ago
These spaces aren't normally meant to be used as a bedroom. I wouldn't leave a kid alone in there for a minute. I'm not sure anyone would want to sleep in there if you closed up the space with no windows. Is it possible to add a window? Maybe someone will have an idea but I can't think of anything you could put there that wouldn't look strange.
bichonbabe
3 years ago
Where I live a room cannot be considered a bedroom unless it has a window for emergency egress.
Related Discussions
Adding second story. Help needed with design ideas.
Q
Comments (24)
The house is actually about 2000 sq ft as is, and a fully remodeled interior. The goal is more so to add some height because the neighbor hoses on both sides tower over it. Also to add a wanted open loft area. I think this is a case where you're making a mistake. You don't need to match the other houses in the neighborhood and in fact being the one different house with 2000 square feet could be a huge selling advantage when the time come if someone wants a one floor house within the neighborhood.
...See More
[San Jose] Help me sanity check price for second story addition
Q
Comments (6)
Way Too cheap. 120K for materials is beyond ludicrous. The labor more do. You can’t live there while that’s going on. That’s 6-12 months of rent somewhere. You’ll have extensive foundation work and seismic retrofitting to even carry a second floor. That’s a huge can of worms. Tearing it down is easier. The house will be open to the elements and you can expect damage from that on the first floor, no matter how many tarps are draped. You’ll be losing space on the first floor, and that floor will have to be reconfigured and redone at the same time. And then there’s the location differential of one of the most expensive metro areas in the county. If this is very condensed area, with little parking, there’s horrible logistics issues that go with it. Every issue or problem adds expense.
...See More
Enclosing second story living room to make additional bedroom?
Q
Comments (44)
Hi TIffany, first let me say how sorry I am you had to go through the fire and then get Covid, not to mention the gypsy-life. I'm glad you came through it with so much drive and enthusiasm. A lot of people would have just given up. So, you will have a dining room in that room. One of the things you could do to bring in more light is to have some lovely built-ins constructed (don't know your style) facing the window with mirrored doors and maybe a mix of clear glass as well to house your dishes, trays and ornaments. I assume you will have a chandelier (light!) and possibly some down lighting or spot lighting. I saw an interesting dining room, though I doubt this is your style, but they painted the ceiling a metallic gold. It was fairly muted but it reflected whatever light was in the room in a subtle way. I saw another application where the designer created a coffered ceiling but instead of paint the little squares were mirrored. It was lovely because in daylight it picked up the green of the outdoors and cast it about the room. You could also hang pictures with picture lighting on top, paint the room a fairly deep rich color and have the pictures pop that way. You might be able to do all of the above if you're careful. Also, could you modify the window and have a glass canopy at a 90 degree angle extend out above it so that even more light will enter. Alternatively you could put in a small bay window there which might bring in more light. Not sure what you're going for in terms of style.
...See More
Two story great room. Close off loft?
Q
Comments (2)
Your house seems to have all hard surfaces: ideal for sound to bounce around endlessly. Are there hard floors upstairs? If your ideas for wall treatments could include fabrics with soft backing I think that would help. Also rugs or carpets upstairs, even a ceiling treatment upstairs. Here's an article on reverberation in homes https://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/soundproofing_tips/html/noisy_residential.htm
...See More
czegan
3 years ago
Can make that whole portion of the wall a feature, perhaps that looks like a slat wall partition? A nice way of adding barriers without just putting bars in the window space
anjiz
3 years ago
You can put in a decorative metal screen, endless patterns and configurations available. That’ll allow for airflow and as long as it is attached to the studs, will keep the kids safe!
tatuggle
Original Author
3 years ago
A window can’t be added because it is an interior room. The idea of making the wall a feature is interesting. I’m not sure what a slat wall would look like?
tatuggle
Original Author
3 years ago
The room cannot be considered a bedroom as it doesn’t have two methods for egress. We aren’t required to have a window. This is a vacation condo and all the owners use the loft area for sleeping. I’m just worried about safety.
tatuggle
Original Author
3 years ago
The metal screens are a great idea. What type of business would I look for to purchase?
bichonbabe
3 years ago
If you’re worried about safety, then no one should be sleeping in a windowless room.
erinsean
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
From your picture it looks like you have a black stair railing in the lower room. Can you put the same thing up in the loft opening....would be closed enough that a child could not wiggle through, Not sure about small toys, though...lol
czegan
3 years ago
http://www.home-designing.com/25-beautiful-examples-of-bedroom-accent-walls-that-use-slats-to-look-awesome
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
Bad place for kids to sleep and IMO best used for a reading space and shoot the architect that designed it . IMO the view of a top bunk is not something I want to see from my LR.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Movin’ On Up: What to Consider With a Second-Story Addition

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn how an extra story will change your house and its systems to avoid headaches and extra costs down the road

HOUZZ TOURS Renovation Helps Tell the Story of a Couple’s Adventurous Life

By Becky Harris

A designer found on Houzz showcases meaningful items the homeowners collected during decades of living abroad

REMODELING GUIDES Room of the Day: Antiques Help a Dining Room Grow Up

By Becky Harris

Artfully distressed pieces and elegant colors take a formerly child-focused space into sophisticated territory

MORE ROOMS Tall Tales: Ideas for Two-Story Great Rooms

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Make a Great Room Grand With Windows, Balconies, Art and Dramatic Ceilings

BEDROOMS Room of the Day: Soft Look for a City Loft’s Master Suite

By Bryan Anthony

An Atlanta-based designer warms up her industrial loft’s master suite with a fireplace, color and texture

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

LOFTS Room of the Day: A World Traveler’s Eclectic Loft

By Becky Harris

His favorite things from Asia, Africa and South America fill this designer’s colorful Vancouver home

LOFTS Designer Helps a Couple Adjust to Loft Living

By Becky Harris

A careful balancing of refined and industrial touches creates an inviting home in downtown Milwaukee

MOST POPULAR The Dream Laundry Room That Helps a Family Stay Organized

By Morgan Province

A designer’s own family laundry room checks off her must-haves, including an industrial sink

LOFTS Room of the Day: A Loft Space Filled With Character

By Mary Jo Bowling

Once a chocolate factory, this Boston space is now designed for relaxing and entertaining

Sponsored

More Discussions

What color trim, shutters, and front door would look best?

9

front of house square landscape design

12

Medium-Sized Tile on Shower Floor??

9

Towel bar placement in master bath

6

how wide should my scissor beams be for 14ft ceiling

0