HI there - have others in your street done the same? Always worth checking that out and asking some local roof conversion teams on their views as it will be helpful for your decision making.

In terms of staircase you may need to take some space from bedroom 2 to allow for a return on the landing area. And then with the ensuite - yes above the bathroom means less costs and simplifies everything but that would work. You can position the bed to the other end and use the remaining space for storage/cupboards etc.

Good luck and if you need any help with the interior design then give me a shout!

Tor

What’s the pitch of your roof like - you’d need to consider where the highest point of the roof is for the stairs to come up into.

Next door have had a room put in but they don’t have an en suite as far as i know, and I believe the stairs into the room come from the rear bedroom but arent actually walled off so you have to go into the bedroom to get into the loft. the eaves are at the front and back rather than the sides (don’t know the technical terms for roofing!) if that makes a difference?! I imagine we wouldn’t get a dormer approved for the front otherwise i was thinking the stairs could run straight into the end of the front bedroom and have a turn into the loft at the front. I’m so intrigued as to what we could end up with but just don’t want to spend more than it’d be worth if we were to sell.

Hi Kay!

It depends on the head room and there are a few unknowns here so you'll need more info to really make a decision on. Potentially you could shave a bit off the front bedroom to add a stair in above the existing stair. Then you might be able to make an ensuite above your current bathroom and have a dormer extension to the rear.

These videos I made about loft conversions could be useful for you to watch:

https://youtu.be/XGTQc1irQ8A

https://youtu.be/t1wd3h9SBwI

Best wishes with your home redesign!

Jane

chartered architect, eco-home and conservation area specialist

www.i-architect.co.uk

Join Jane live on facebook for home design tips and expert Q&A. Midday Mondays: https://fb.me/e/fXBDxgZ3x

You're right that if your '90s semi has the ‘W’ shaped supports in the loft, then it’s a truss roof. These can be trickier to convert than older lofts with traditional cut roofs, but it’s definitely possible with the right structural work.

When it comes to the staircase, it’s typically placed above your existing stairs to conserve space and maintain a well-flowing layout. If that doesn't quite work with your layout, it may need to be adjusted slightly to fit into the second bedroom. A good loft designer or builder will be able to advise based on your measurements and ceiling height. They’ll also ensure the stairs comply with building regulations, particularly regarding headroom.

For the en-suite, placing it above your existing bathroom is often the easiest option, especially for plumbing. It means you can tap into the existing soil pipe and water supplies, which keeps things simpler and more cost-effective. That said, if the layout makes more sense to put the bathroom elsewhere, it can be done, just with a bit more work.

The rear dormer sounds like a great idea. It’ll give you much more usable headroom and open up the space properly, especially if you're looking to fit both a bedroom and an en-suite. That’s what often makes the difference in terms of value. For a two-bedroom home, adding a third bedroom and bathroom upstairs can significantly enhance the feel and function of the house, especially if space downstairs is limited.

It’s worth having someone take a proper look and sketch out a few floorplan options. That’ll give you a much clearer picture of what fits and whether it’s worth going ahead. However, yes, it’s totally doable, and many homes like yours have been successfully converted with great results.

Hope that helps.

Happy to share more if you need.

Tom

LoftCompare