From characteristic features to the selection of furniture or decor, we have made a detailed guide to decorating a house or apartment in the loft style.
The loft style in the interior is always spectacular, catchy, and a little brutal. But this direction is accompanied by many prejudices: for example, that it is only suitable for huge areas, mansions, or penthouses with four-meter ceilings. And in general – too “urban”, uncomfortable, and not for life. In this article, we will deal with all the stereotypes and tell you in detail how to implement the style within not only a private house but also an apartment.
Loft style: what is it
The history of this trend is quite well known: it originated in the USA in the last century, when, after a large-scale economic crisis, hundreds of factories and warehouses became ownerless. They were quickly turned into creative studio apartments for the local bohemia, whose representatives successfully mixed industrial elements with unusual furniture, colorful decor, and art objects. The modern version of the loft is practically no different from the original one, except that now it is increasingly simplified, adapting to the realities of city apartments. And yet the main markers remain the same.
Features of the loft style include:
- Free open space. This can be literally a huge area (for example, in a country house ) or simply a layout with a minimum of partitions and isolated rooms.
- High ceilings. Here, too, everything is clear: ideally, these are the corresponding initial data, but if not, then the interior uses techniques that visually extend the ceiling upward.
- Big windows. Another characteristic feature of the industrial direction. Ideal – panoramic glazing or at least larger openings than usual. If the architecture of the house limits the size of the windows, they are opened as much as possible, using laconic textiles or completely abandoning them.
- “Brutal” textures. Concrete, brick, untreated wood, metal, stone – these are the materials that create a unique loft aesthetic. But it’s important to balance them out with other, softer, cozier surfaces to avoid a warehouse effect.
- Street elements. One of the most striking features of a loft is the use in the interior of details inherent in the design of exteriors, public spaces, and streets. This could be brickwork, boxes and pallets, real or stylized signs, signs and signs, massive lamps, etc.
Design rules
Let’s look at the design features of a house or apartment in the loft style with photos of the interiors.
Finishing
Finishing is especially important for this direction since most often it is what becomes the accent (even if the surfaces themselves are discreet) and sets the appropriate atmosphere. There are no strict restrictions when choosing materials, but some are used less frequently: for example, linoleum or wallpaper with a traditional pattern.
For floor high-quality laminate, parquet, engineered wood, as well as any type of tiles are suitable: tiles, porcelain tiles, quartz vinyl. The flooring can be the same for the entire apartment (for this purpose, PVC tiles are often used, which are suitable for wet areas, but at the same time tactilely pleasant enough to be laid in the bedroom and living room), or vary depending on the rooms. In order not to visually split the apartment into small zones, especially if it is small, it is better to limit yourself to a couple of materials: for example, laminate and porcelain stoneware. By the way, another design option that is perfect for the loft interior of an apartment is a self-leveling floor, which looks like concrete.
A ceiling, which in most other styles is designed laconically and as discreetly as possible, can play a leading role here from a design point of view. The materials can be any (gypsum plasterboard, stretched fabric, concrete), but it is advisable to add decorative elements. The most popular option is wooden beams. Also, if the ceiling height allows, you can make several levels, thus zoning the open space. In addition to the classic white color, a colored canvas also looks organic in a loft interior: for example, in shades of gray or even black.
Walls can be decorated with any materials suitable for the conditions of the room: from paint to tiles. But ideally, use expressive textures that are responsible for loft brutality. These can be wall panels, authentic brickwork or its imitation, decorative plaster with different effects (rust, stone, concrete), glass block inserts, or porcelain stoneware. The types of wallpaper most often used are paintable ones, without patterns or with imitation of natural materials. Fiberglass is suitable for anti-vandal finishing.
Furniture
The first rule is that there should not be too much furniture. Here the industrial style comes closer to minimalism: as much space and air as possible, no unnecessary objects.
Otherwise, there are two approaches to the decor: bright, original, accent furniture or, conversely, neutral. In the second case, it will balance active finishing or unusual decor. But even if you choose products with a simple design, still add authenticity.
It can be:
- Tables or bedside tables made of pallets.
- The dining table made from a single piece of untreated wood.
- Bed, cabinets, metal shelving.
- Finishing facades with cork or boards.
- Sofa made of leather or eco-leather.
- Steel kitchen set.
To reduce the amount of furniture without sacrificing comfort, look for multifunctional and transformable models, use all kinds of modular systems (for example, a sofa in the living room or shelving in the office) and mobile products on wheels (bookcases, armchairs, island ).
Decor and textiles
The little things are always important, but if you are decorating a stylized loft, they have a special meaning. It is the decor and textiles that add characteristic accents.
The main task of textiles is to balance the “coldness” of rough textures and compensate for the lack of bright, cheerful colors (they may be in the palette, but definitely not in the main role). Therefore, choose laconic, but always high-quality, soft, pleasant to the touch fabrics. If you lack color and ornament, you can introduce them through textiles and change them according to your mood.
The decor creates a unique style of the interior. Use:
- Unusual pieces of art that resonate with you.
- Paintings by contemporary artists.
- Bold, perhaps even provocative and slightly hooligan posters.
- Ceramic dishes and accessories.
- Massive vases and candlesticks.
- Any street elements: road signs, signs, graffiti, etc.
- Large and spectacular indoor plants – they, like textiles, will add coziness to the space.
Lighting
Lighting is especially important for the loft style in the interior, as in the photo below.
The functional and aesthetic roles of lamps in this case are equivalent. Regardless of whether you are furnishing a large house with high ceilings and a fifty-meter kitchen-living room or a small Euro two-room apartment, you need to carefully consider the lighting design. Don’t limit yourself to overhead lighting in every room: add local sources and mood lighting if you need to highlight interesting decor or art.
In terms of design pay attention to the patterns characteristic of this direction:
- Spider chandelier.
- Track lights.
- Edison light bulbs.
- Floor lamps in the form of a spotlight.
- Forged sconces.
- Pendant lamps on chains or thick cables.
- Chandelier in the form of a wooden branch or beam.
And, of course, LED lighting will fit perfectly into the loft aesthetics.
Combination with other styles
In its modern version, the industrial style rarely exists on its own – especially within a typical apartment. If desired, it can be mixed in any direction, but some combinations are already established and look especially organic.
Minimalism
Minimalism is one of the best companions for a loft, since ideologically they are very similar: the absence of unnecessary things, the emphasis on textures rather than bright colors, and open space. Most often, an industrial interior already includes elements of minimalism, but if you wish, you can exaggerate them a little, achieving cleaner lines and even some asceticism of the space (if, of course, that’s what you like).
Scandi
The combination of loft and Scandinavian aesthetics works great. On the one hand, these trends also have common features: lack of excessive brightness, plenty of natural light, and restraint. At the same time, scandi remains a very warm, practical, and, most importantly, budget style, so it softens the space and makes it more suitable for everyday life.
By mixing these styles, you get a cozy, bright loft in an apartment, although such a combo is also suitable for a country house. To get a harmonious combination, look for points of intersection: for example, for walls, you can choose decorative brickwork in white or light gray. Combine natural Scandi decor with bolder industrial details. Offset simple Swedish-style furniture with textured finishes, etc.
Classic
Any modern elements instantly revive a static classic, making it more interesting and multifaceted. Depending on how strong and effective the contrast you want to get, loft can be combined with the classic style in its purest form or with the more familiar softened neoclassicism.
Brick and natural wood, concrete surfaces and stucco, rough, unprocessed materials, and luxurious crystal chandeliers look great next to each other. Combine stylistic markers in the proportion that you need: for example, the base can be a neoclassical base or, conversely, you can dilute a catchy loft design with traditional elements.
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