ACCORDING to property experts,turning a loft into a room not only gives you extra space,but can also add up to 15 per cent to the value of your home.

This home improvement is a particularly popular choice with young homeowners who are most likely to carry out a loft conversion before putting their home on the market.

Bernard Rhodes,B&Q ’s build- ing category manager,says: “Pitched roof constructions mean lofts often have limited space so it ’s very easy for the area to feel cramped.Squeezing two or three small rooms in can make a loft space feel top heavy and out of proportion to the rest of the house.Instead,opt for converting the space into a sin- gle large bedroom.”

Bernard ’s top tip is to utilitise areas behind the eaves as cup- board space.“I always suggest insulating your loft,”he adds. “The Energy Savings Trust es- timates that 26 per cent of heat is lost through the roof,making uninsulated loft spaces ex- tremely cold in winter.”

John East,a well-respected es- tate agent,says:“A desirable loft conversion will have an en-suite shower/toilet and enough ceil- ing height so that you ’re not bending to move around the room.

“Opt for a door to the room for privacy rather than a stairway leading directly into it.”