Loft Design

The history of loft design

In America, empty workshops, the upper floors of commercial premises or abandoned warehouses were called "lofts". In reality, this is just a converted industrial building. The trend came from New York, and the first loft designs began to appear in Queens and Manhattan around the 20s of the last century. Thousands of factories that were abandoned during the Great Depression began to be rented out at ridiculously low prices to be converted into residential spaces.

Loft design appeared thanks to the authorities of large US cities, which in the 50s of the 20th century began to move factories beyond the boundaries of the city. The empty industrial spaces were supplemented with minimal amenities and rented out for a penny. In a mere ten years, these spaces have gone from poor housing to high-end bohemian style apartments. Around the same time, a crisis began in Europe, and many industries went bankrupt, leaving behind empty factories. Drawing on the American idea, the Europeans began to sell them as housing. It was then that loft design finally took shape as an interior style.

The unusual format quickly attracted some creative Bohemians: artists and musicians became interested in cheap and spacious spaces that could be refurbished to their liking. They quickly organized galleries, studios, workshops and meeting places. In the 60s, Andy Warhol, a big fan of this style, contributed to the popularization of loft design. His own factory apartment was similarly located in Manhattan.

Due to the interest of Bohemians, loft-style design soon turned from a budget alternative into luxury real estate. Lawyers, economists, businessmen decorated their apartments and houses in this style. And now it is one of the most popular styles for apartments, cottages and all kinds of establishments.

Huge spaces with natural light and amazing acoustics attracted American artists and musicians. For little money, they received housing and a place for exhibitions and concerts. The most recognizable feature of a loft- paintings laying on the floor and leaning against a wall, has been preserved since those times.

Features of loft design while designing an apartment

It should be noted right away that there are 2 ways to implement the loft design style: natural (true) and artificial. The first is more suitable for its purpose. As in the distant 40s - 50s, it was used in the design of warehouse or industrial premises, infusing them with the functions of a living space. The natural loft style is characterized by the absence of partitions, the presence of high ceilings and light wells, open structures (trusses, beams), masonry and metal sheeting.

The main features of the loft design style include:

• Open spaces: the more the better. You can try to integrate loft style in a small apartment, but it will rather be a variation of the theme. Classic style involves as much space as possible;
• Panoramic window placement. If you are on the attic floor, windows built into the roof will look spectacular. At the same time, textiles, roller blinds and blinds are not used in the design;
• Wallpaper and plastic panels are not used for interior decoration in the loft style. The priority is untreated surfaces or their imitation - concrete, whitewashing, rough plaster, exposed brickwork, cladding with metal and plywood sheets;
• The main focus in the loft-style interior is on the ceiling - it should be high or create the illusion of being so. Ideally, things like structural elements, ceilings, beams, trusses, electrical wiring, pipes, industrial fans and fixtures should be located on the ceiling;
• Open elements: pipes, ventilation, wiring. All this should be safe for a residential apartment, but at the same time it should remain on the ceiling;
• Untreated surfaces: concrete walls, brickwork, untreated wood. All this organically fits into the loft design, and in it, all of these materials harmoniously combine and intertwine with each other;
• Simplicity: loft design shares some features with minimalism. Only the conciseness of the loft is more refined and original, so you can use brighter, bolder and more creative solutions;
• Direct light around the perimeter of the room and use hanging groups of lamps to focus on individual functional areas. Sometimes, as a contrast, you can use a traditional carob chandelier;
• A fireplace, an open stove, or a potbelly stove is one of the distinguishing features of the loft style;
• Loft-style furniture, and in a high room, a two-level layout of the space is a loft style trend. The design of the stairs should be as simple as possible - made of wood or metal;
• The color scheme is limited, based on 2 - 3 shades;
• The arrangement of furniture is chaotic, as is the principle of its choice.

Typical apartments and private houses cannot boast of a spacious area and free layout, large window openings and seemingly infinitely high ceilings. Therefore, a loft design implemented in an ordinary room is called artificial. For its plausibility, designers use some tricks to create the necessary atmosphere.

One of the main advantages of loft design is the ability to save money on materials without sacrificing quality and aesthetics. The simplest and most concise finishes are enough for classic industrial design.

Benefits of loft design

The popularity of loft design is dictated by its obvious advantages:

• If there are any open elements in the room (pipes, beams, concrete and brick walls), they automatically become design elements. No need to waste time, money and effort on hiding and decorating them.
• There is no need to adhere to strict limits regarding the choice and placement of furniture, as they simply do not exist. The main thing is that the furniture does not become an obstacle when you are walking around.
• Unusual pieces of furniture made from improvised means, for example, a sofa or a cabinet made of pallets. Old things - whether they are worn, scratched, or rusty, take on a new life, becoming a design element in the loft style.
• Loft design is universal. In one form or another, it suits everyone, regardless of gender and age.

The color scheme of the design in the loft style

The color scheme of the design of the loft style is calm and restrained. If we recall the look of a real factory and factory interiors, then we can see that they tend to be simple, not eye-catching shades. Only a small amount of bright accents are possible. But do not think that the color scheme of the interior in the loft style is so simple that it becomes boring.

The most common base colors are a combination of white, gray and black, as well as warm beiges and browns. Accents: blue and red in different tonalities. Bright printed rugs or abstract paintings are acceptable as a decorative element.

If a bright shade is used to decorate a wall, then a couple of decorative elements of the same color should be introduced into the interior. This technique will visually make the interior look solid and organic.

Choosing the design materials in the loft style

Another design feature in the loft style is the minimal amount of d?cor needed. This is the case when the textures of the materials used in the decoration perform a decorative function:

• With the help of concrete slabs, a "non-residential" atmosphere is created in that same original industrial spirit. For example, a concrete floor can be left unpolished, just like the walls. If you cannot use this construction material for whatever reason, then concrete can be imitated with the help of a special plaster, overlay panels, and in some rare cases - photo wallpaper.
• Wooden boards can be used for flooring, furniture, and wall cladding. A painted barn style door with an overhead guide will fit in very well if you chose to use wooden boards.
• Using glass allows you to maintain the illusion of having a lot of empty space, so the partitions in the loft-style studio apartment are made of it. To give the glass a brutal look, it can be placed in an iron frame that's painted black.
• Brick - red or white, on the whole wall or just a piece of it, or even on the ceiling - all this is a part of a loft-style design in the interior. If the room is small, then the brickwork can be painted white. If we are talking about creating a loft style room in an ordinary panel apartment building, then the "brick" wall should be made out of artificial decorative stones of the similar characteristic color, texture, and size.
• Any exposed metal parts, heating and water supply pipes, ducts and channels of exhaust equipment serve as elements of decor.

Wall design in loft style

The design of the walls in loft style is as simple and uniform as possible: metal, concrete, paint in cold shades, brick, and stone. If the budget allows, use natural stone, rare woods and copper - this will give the interior a special look.

Plain walls are a great background for any decor: posters, paintings, creative reproductions and contemporary art. A simple finish shifts the focus to large open spaces and bright accessories.

Different textures are good for zoning and decoration, but do not overuse complex combinations. For example, you can leave one red brick wall against a concrete background. So you can designate a recreation area, a work area, a dining area - and whatever else you desire.

Loft ceiling design

The loft-style ceiling design actively uses plasterboard ceiling structures, but unlike classic styles, here they are deliberately made rougher. There is no need to try to make a perfectly smooth flawless ceiling - rather the opposite.

Open pipes, wiring, and ventilation shafts - all this runs right along the ceiling in loft interiors. Just do not forget about high-quality insulation and safety of electrical wiring and pipelines.

Loft style floor design

The ideal loft-style floor design for an apartment is an old restored coating or its imitation. For example, wooden boards covered with clear varnish or a thin layer of paint. A rough aged or bleached herringbone pattern can also be used, and if you want something more impressive - stone slabs or porcelain stoneware.

Lighting and lighting in loft-style interior design

Lighting in a loft design most importantly should be both functional and diverse. Multi-level lighting systems will look great: rough ceiling spotlights in combination with sconce lamps, table lamps and local illumination of niches, wall decorations made of plasterboard or furniture.

A characteristic element of loft design is hanging lamps on long chains or cords. They are look best in the seating area, above the dining table, or above the bar. Ordinary incandescent lamps, lamps that resemble kerosene fueled or street lamps, and metal lampshades with glass inserts fit in well into this style.

For zonal lighting in the loft design, ceiling rail lights can be used. Lamps are hung on special tracks and can light up individual areas or elements of the interior. This is the simplest and most practical source of overhead light with a changeable intensity.

When choosing floor lamps, look for ones with a bizarre shape or an unusual silhouette. For example, photo studio lamps, spotlights, or classic lamp models with a large metal or textile shade.

Color schemes in loft design

When designing a loft style apartment, mostly dull colors that don't attract the eye much are used. Bright colors are used as accents and in individual elements that complement the interior.

Gray tones in loft design

The simplest and most used shade for loft designs is gray. This is the color of raw concrete walls, metal ventilation ducts, pipelines, etc. In loft apartments, gray is used in all its variations: from a neutral pale background to dark graphite and metallic shades.

Black color in loft design

Primarily black interiors are rare, because this requires large rooms with tall and wide windows throughout the wall or complex multi-level lighting. But black is actively used in individual design elements, furniture, and decor to emphasize bright accents.

White color in loft design

Sterile white being used as a primary color in the loft design is even rarer, but separate white elements are good for small apartments and rooms. For example, paint your red brickwork white to maintain both style and a sense of space and airiness.

Brown tones in loft design

Shades of brown in a loft design can be used in many ways: from all kinds of wood to reddish terracotta bricks. Brown leather upholstery, copper lamps and accessories, wooden shelving with glass shelves - all this goes very well together in loft style apartments.

Blue tones in loft design

A more original alternative to black and gray interiors are blue ones. The loft usually uses dark and muted tones, ones that resemble the color of worn jeans, dirty turquoise, sapphire, cobalt, or shades of a stormy sky. But for accents, rich blue, ultramarine or indigo works best.

Yellow color in loft design

Of the bright accents in a rough and gloomy loft, yellow is often used in all its variations to add life to the interior: from neon lemon to mustard. It goes well with the main palette of loft interiors and enriches the room.

Layout and zoning in loft design

Zoning and planning in the loft-style interior design of apartments is not as simple a task as you might think, as it is important to strike a balance between convenience and style. Massive amounts of decorative modifications to the walls are rarely implemented. On the contrary, if you want to remove some walls, you can combine the living room with a balcony, or make a wide arch instead of a door to the hallway.

Instead of that, you can implement zones into your interior using light, color, and texture. One of the most convenient layouts is the island layout: when different functional areas are separated from each other only by furniture. For example, the sofa and armchairs do not line up along the wall, but are placed in a semicircle at the coffee table.

To divide the space, use functional elements such as a bar counter, bookshelves, open racks for storing things, flower vases, potted plants, and decorative compositions.

Who normally picks loft-style interior design

Loft design is not suitable for everyone. You should not chase its fashionable look if living in it doesn't bring a feeling of comfort to you.

So, who it fits best:

• Loft-style interior design fits those who know how to spend money wisely and do not gravitate toward all out luxury. An economical person will like the concept of using simple and inexpensive materials in decoration or its absence. Your soul will be warmed by the fact that you spent a minimum of money on repairs and decorations, and that the result exceeded all initial expectations, and that you didn't need to throw away old sofa because you managed to find it a new purpose.
• If a person considers themselves to be the a category of people who have an artistic sense of taste, who appreciates antiques in modern interiors, who collects pieces of the past and is able to see something new in boring everyday things, then he will like the loft-style design.
• This style is easy to understand to creative Bohemians - contemporary artists, photographers, and designers. The open-plan room can serve as a workshop. It's not a problem if paint gets on the floor. Do you need to make a photo shoot? The interior is already ready. Need an exhibition space? Loft-style living room is the best solution.
• Can the loft style be called rebellious and freedom-loving? Indeed. That is why it is ideal for decorating a teenager's interior. The loft style allows you to change the decor on the walls at least every day if you really want - posters, photos, paintings, and all kinds of other objects.
• The loft style in the interior is suitable for those who feel comfortable in an open space - without partitions and doors, with plenty of natural light, and with a multi-level layout.

Loft design in the interior of the apartment

Some people decorate their entire house in the loft style, miniature studios, or individual rooms. Over the years of its existence, it has developed so much that you can use some parts of it in any room.

Loft style living room

A spacious open loft living room is the most obvious choice for a loft. Wiring, raw undecorated walls, and bright accents, like colorful posters, are appropriate here. The main element of the room will be a massive and cozy sofa - extravagant, soft, and colorful or, on the contrary, restrained and monumental with leather upholstery.

Loft living room designs are primarily associated with an open plan or a two-level space with a staircase. Even in a small living room, you can create an industrial atmosphere - just choose a light finish for the walls, put only the necessary pieces of furniture, free the windows from heavy curtains, and remove any overabundance of decor.

In the living room, its main function is being a comfortable resting place - soft furniture and a TV. Highlight it with an accent wall behind or opposite the sofa. Loft design in this case involves the use of panels that imitate concrete or brickwork. A small room can be decorated in light colors. A bright, plain sofa or a modern art painting work well as bright accents. It is important that the colors of the ceiling, walls and floor are different. For example, the floor is made of wood with a natural beige tint, the walls are neutral light gray, and the ceiling is white. In this case, the contrast will be created by black elements of decorative pipes and wires.

You should pay attention to interior doors. Stylized barn-like structures made of wood look especially expressive. A door in the form of a metal sheet with rivets looks no less brutal.

Loft style kitchens

Loft design in the kitchen is practical and functional, because the less complex finishes and decor there is, the easier it is to maintain order and cleanliness. Walls can always be repainted, and appliances, gas water heaters, a stove hood, and other kitchen attributes do not have to be hidden under drywall or behind facades.

The loft style in the interior of a kitchen is associated with peace and cleanliness, a natural combination of light walls and a kitchen set with the most modern household appliances. A steel sink is adjacent to a fancy faucet. To finish the kitchen counter, you can use not only brickwork made of artificial stone, but also steel sheeting. It is much easier to clean, and the textured surface of the walls can be protected with a transparent tempered glass panel.

Artificial lighting in such a kitchen plays a very important role. The atmosphere of boundless space is created by the absence of any types of curtains on the windows.

Loft design in the kitchen is characterized by the following features:

• The absence of walls and anything that physically separates the room. The presence of large windows without curtains.
• The presence of only the necessary pieces of furniture and household appliances. The decor being only sources of light and open wiring and piping.
• You may use an accent wall in the dining area - here the wall has a lower chance to get dirty than in the cooking area.
• The presence of concrete surfaces and a wooden kitchen shield as accents. You make open shelves using wooden boards by yourself. The brutality of the design will look excellent and go together with the rest of the interior.
• Metal or wooden beams on the ceiling create a special atmosphere. If they are not there initially, then you can install some decorative ones. For example, polyurethane wooden beams are easy to attach and do not exert a significant load on the ceiling. It is possible to mount lights on them as well, which is especially important for small kitchens.

If the loft-style design is implemented in an open-plan apartment, then it is recommended to install a glass separator between the cooking area of the kitchen and the rest of the interior.

There are several reasons for this:

• Noise from working appliances.
• Sounds of pouring water and clanking dishes.
• Smells that spread throughout the interior.
• Strong smells and particles that settle on the upholstery of furniture.

If several people live in such an apartment, then one of them may feel discomfort from all this. A glass separator will protect against these troubles and preserve the feeling of free space. And in order to maintain the loft style, you will have to enclose the glass in a black iron frame. Windows should be able to open to the side.

Loft style bathroom

A loft style bathroom is always unusual and creative, because it is very uncommon. Try to look for retro radiators and heated towel rails, antique fittings, accessories and valves.

Despite the fact that the loft style looks massive and maybe even a little bit a little gloomy, it can be fully implemented even in a small bathroom. And it is not necessary to choose a white background for this. You can safely use the contrast of black and white, light gray colors, or just black.

A large amount of artificial light, glass and mirror surfaces will make the room look bright and spacious.

Here are some recommendations for interior loft style apartment design:

• When choosing a concrete texture, either use it for a wall, as a sink or as the countertop material under said sink.
• Tiles imitating a concrete surface should be large in size with a matte or semi-matte texture.
• If you are going to use brickwork, it is better to paint it with white moisture-resistant paint.
• Wall plaster has excellent moisture resistance.
• The console countertop under the concrete sink can be made from natural wood treated with protective compounds.
• You can not only lay floor out with ceramic tiles, but you can also make a patterned self-leveling one.
• Wood in the bathroom can be used not only as a countertop, but also as a decoration, for example, in the form of a mosaic made up of wooden bars.
• Lighting should be uniform, so recessed lighting on a false ceiling will look very well.

Loft style bedroom

The loft-style bedroom has a completely unique romantic flair. A large spacious bed with soft pillows and blankets looks even more comfortable against a concrete, brick, or stone wall.

Use soft fluffy carpets, fancy lamps, a collection of photographs, forged decorative candlesticks, and LED lighting.

If the style is implemented in an open-plan apartment, then the sleeping place will have to be limited to make it more private, protected from light and noise. To do this, you can use glass partitions with curtains or blinds. If necessary, with one movement it will be possible to hide the bed from prying eyes.

Another solution is an attic structure with a wooden or iron staircase. This option is suitable for high rooms. If the room is small, then with the help of an attic structure, you can combine the sleeping area and the living room.

Do not choose sharp contrasts. The color scheme should be calm, relaxing. Finishing and furniture made of natural materials. Here you will need to move away from the rule of open windows and use curtains to block sunlight in the morning.

Loft-style children's room

The basic outlines of the loft are easy to adapt to the children's room. There are two main reasons for this: the loft lets you use all possible space and allows you to express yourself. Both of these qualities are especially valuable for children who need a place for games, hobbies, and first creative experiments.

In the interior of the children's room, the loft should be decorated in a brighter and more colorful palette. It would be appropriate to use a cork pattern on the accent wall, bright graffiti, and a lot of bright toys. Brick finishing should be carried out on a small section of the wall. The use of slate surfaces and photo wallpapers in the form of a world map, interior letters, and large wall decor are welcome.

Beds should be made of metal or natural wood. The design style of the "loft" type is emphasized - under it you can install a small workplace or wardrobe.

The loft style is especially suitable for teenagers with their minutely changing tastes in music, style, and hobbies. Decorating a room in an industrial style not only embodies the spirit of freedom and rebellion, but is also a great backdrop for a change of scenery.