Walls and Ceilings - Should I turn my loft into a bedroom?

Good day folks,

I am undecided about this, and welcome your insights. I have a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house, 2400 SQFT with a large loft on the 2nd floor (about 14x20). It overlooks the downstairs formal living room with a full length (about 20ft long w/ 2 supporting beams spread between) spindle bannister rail.

I am considering closing that wall, adding a small closet and door to make it a 4th bedroom, partly for personal use, mostly for future marketability & increased home value.

Pros I can think of in making it a bedroom:
- Makes a 4/2.5 vs. a 3+/2.5 (marketability, increases in profit potential?)
- Better retains the hot or cold air contained within that room
- The cost of the room materials is ~350.00 - would possibly get more back in future home sale
- It adds as a nice noise buffer to what is going on downstairs.

Cons I can think of in making it a bedroom:
- When entering the front door, instead of looking up to a spindle rail, one would see a wall - yet still would have the vaulted ceiling.
- The loft is now open and airy. Closing it would make it appear smaller.
- A great deal of natural light comes to the loft from dormer windows in the formal living room. Making a room would either completely cut off the dormer-fed daylight (there is another window in the loft to the outside), or I could possibly purchase in-wall windows and build them into the new wall.

I was even thinking about some form of compromise and building a 3/4 high (about 5-6 ft high wall on an 8ft high ceiling) wall along the 20ft stretch. That would allow a great deal of natural light into the room. It would leave about 2-3 feet for placing plants, etc to soften the wall, however, I question the impacts to reducing noise into the room, and marketability of potential homebuyers.

p.s. I have no A/C or electrical issues in the room - even if it were closed up. I have a A/C vent in the room, plenty of electrical and lighting.

What to do....What to do...

Most loft "bedrooms" aren't closed off from the downstairs. You will find closing it off won't increase resale value. It will decrease it if anything. People are looking for the loft look, and once you close it off, it will become an albatross.
If you stand in the furthest corner of your downstairs, you can't see up into the loft, so privacy, other than noise, won't be an issue. Many clients I have use their loft area as a home office, with the kid's computer, your computer, entertainment devices (Xbox, etc.) It makes a great study area, away from the TV, and they can leave their "stuff" where it is without trashing your living room.
Just some thoughts. And, do you really need the 4th bedroom?

If you need an extra bed, you can always place a sleeper sofa, futon, day bed in the loft area. These are easily incorporated into decor without having to sacrifice the integrity of a home with a loft. And, you still have a place for the extra overnight guest.

You guys are awesome!

Thanks so much!

Your feedback is consistent with other folks who have actually seen the inside of our house.

Short story? Project cancelled :)