Desván vs. ático vs. buhardilla
In Spanish, there are several words to describe the uppermost part of a house that is usually used for storage or as an infrequently travelled space, commonly known as an 'attic' in English. While 'desván', 'ático', and 'buhardilla' can all be translated as 'attic', they each have slightly different connotations.
Desván
The word 'desván' refers to a small space or room at the top of the house, typically under the roof, often used for storage. This would typically correspond to what in English might be called a 'loft' or 'attic'.
Los niños tienen miedo de ir al desván porque creen que hay fantasmas.
(The children are afraid to go to the attic because they believe there are ghosts.)
Ático
'Ático' can also mean 'attic', but it is more frequently used in Spain to refer to a penthouse apartment – that is, an apartment on the highest floor of an apartment building. Moreover, these apartments often have an outdoor terrace.
Mi sueño es vivir en un ático en el centro de la ciudad.
(My dream is to live in a penthouse in the city centre.)
Buhardilla
'Buhardilla' generally refers to a small, cozy room under the roof with slanted ceilings. The term often carries a romantic or nostalgic connotation and is sometimes translated as 'garret'.
Ella transformó la buhardilla en un acogedor estudio de arte.
(She transformed the garret into a cozy art studio.)
Summary
'Desván', 'ático', and 'buhardilla' each refer to different types of spaces located at the top of houses or buildings. A 'desván' could be any small room or storage space under the roof, similar to an English loft or attic. An 'ático', while it can mean attic, often refers specifically to a penthouse apartment on the top floor of a building and usually imply the presence of an outdoor terrace. A 'buhardilla', meanwhile, has more romantic connotations and describes a cozy room under the roof with slanted ceilings.