Loft apartments originated from industrial buildings that were no longer being used. Over time, these were converted into living spaces that now boast their iconic open floor layout, high ceilings, and a distinctly rugged industrial interior design.
Since its inception, the loft apartment has only risen in popularity due to its spaciousness, airiness, wealth of vertical space, and distinctly modern feel. Solo residents and couples in particular often dream of living in a loft apartment of their own. One happy problem they’re bound to have is how to decorate and furnish the space to keep it from looking plain, all without undermining its natural design. If you’ve just moved into your own place and have this task ahead of you, what should your design strategy be like?
Below are some practical suggestions from DROOL Art, the best place to shop for skateboard wall art, posters, and art prints as well as acrylic poster frames and photo frames that would look excellent in your loft apartment.
1) Designate Your Own Function Areas
Upon dealing with a loft apartment’s open layout for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed about how to begin furnishing and decorating given how much space is available to you. A good starting point is to compartmentalise the space into zones and then to designate function areas for them. Determine which areas in the apartment you’ll want to use as your living area, dining area, kitchen, office, bedroom, and so on.
You can then create partitions to mark each area using furniture or room dividers. For instance, use long couches to box off your living room. Meanwhile, strategic placement of a countertop can make it clear where your combined kitchen and dining area are. Dividers can also be used if you want a clearer separation and more privacy between the areas in your home. Once you’ve demarcated your function areas, you’ll likely find it much easier to start furnishing and decorating.
2) Let Your Apartment Décor Reflect Your Personality
An unfurnished loft apartment can look very austere at first glance. To make your space warmer and more welcoming, introduce decorations that reflect who you are and what your idea of home is. You can, for example, put up a gallery wall containing art pieces that speak to you, or framed quotes that you live by.
Pair cool posters and artworks with photos of your travels or your family and friends, and use neon picture frames to add a touch of colour to otherwise blank or neutral-looking walls. The key here is to try to visualise your apartment as an extension of yourself and your aspirations so that you feel more at home in it.
3) Maximise the Verticality of Your Apartment
Don’t let your loft apartment’s vertical space go unused. Learn about the many ways you can utilise it not only for style, but for added functionality as well. For example, you can lessen the clutter in your home by installing tall bookshelves or wall-mounted cabinets. You don’t have to worry about things being out of reach, as you can always have a rolling ladder installed as well; the latter can even make for a great statement piece.
Similarly, you may also make good use of other decorations such as hanging plants, tall artworks, or wall sculptures to truly maximise your vertical space. This also has the effect of drawing any visitor’s attention upwards, giving the impression of a much grander interior.
4) Add Contrast to the Industrial Aesthetic
Loft apartments are known for their varying levels of exposed brickwork and concrete flooring. You can play off these elements by adding furniture or décor that contrasts your space’s industrial aesthetic. One example would be adding plush rugs to your living area; the soft textures and cosy looks achieved by the rugs will contrast nicely with the sharp lines and rough textures found in your apartment.
Strategic use of colour is also a great way to add contrast to your apartment’s overall look. A splash of colour, such as that of a navy blue sofa or amber cushioning for your dining chairs, will easily stand out and make a striking visual impact.
5) Embrace the Loft Apartment’s Functionality
Functionality is a key aspect of the loft apartment’s industrial-looking design. You evoke that similar sense of purpose and intentionality in the design with multipurpose furniture. Invest in furniture like centre tables with storage space built into them, wall-mounted desks that can be folded to turn into shelves, or sofas that can be extended into makeshift beds. This type of furniture is often designed to achieve a sleek and modern look, which will complement the innate design of your loft apartment perfectly.
6) Make Proper Use of Lighting
Lastly, make sure you’re using proper lighting for illuminating the large amount of space you have available to you. Keep large windows unobstructed and allow natural light in, as this will lend a vibrant and welcoming mood to your living space.
You can also try out statement lighting that suits your loft apartment’s aesthetic, such as pendant lights or exposed bulb lamps. Other great alternatives that will make good use of your loft apartment’s verticality are long pendant lights or chandeliers.
There may seem to be a lot of space to fill up in a loft apartment, and if you’ve always lived in a flat or other type of housing that emphasises horizontal direction, decorating and furnishing your loft may not be as intuitive to you at first. Use these tips from DROOL Art to get a good head start, and use décor like our art prints and posters to turn your loft into the apartment home of your dreams.
