What is a loft? Automatic translate

The word Loft means a room or space directly under the roof of a house or other building used for residential or commercial purposes. Another meaning of the word is a large open area in a warehouse, factory or other large building that has been converted into living space.

In the US, the term "loft" is used to refer to the top level of a building - directly under the roof. In the UK it is nothing more than a storage area under a roof and a staircase that usually leads up to it.

However, the attic has many uses as a space. This includes offices, residential spaces, film and photography studios, dance clubs, gyms, fitness studios, retail stores and more. Owners or tenants can also remodel and adapt their premises.

Where did lofts come from?

The loft concept arose from the conversion of old buildings, such as factory hangars, for example, into highly creative spaces, converted into housing and at the same time functioning as studios with professional use.

Artists were the first to embrace this way of living and working in one place. Loft-style furniture, loft-style chandeliers , specially designed materials and decor appeared.

With their characteristic intellectual creativity, artists, designers and architects have reimagined the concept of living and working in one space with highly attractive design, which has Americans looking for properties that can be converted into lofts.

The intensive search for such premises has turned old factory sheds, abandoned schools and even meat processing plants into rare commodities.

The reason for the increase in the cost of these objects, as well as the lack of industrial zones for conversion into residential ones, is that city authorities often prefer to repurpose industrial zones into residential areas through new construction.

What is a loft characterized by?

Having an industrial origin, loft has very specific characteristics.

• Free layout, often lack of obvious zoning;
• Minimum internal partitions;
• Mezzanine;
• Large windows for natural light;
• Industrial heritage as part of the interior design (units, installations - electrical and hydraulic);
• Use of industrial structures, materials and textures.

All these elements, combined with a good design, ended up appealing to people who also identified with this new way of living and working.

Especially lonely people, students and even representatives of the business world. Entrepreneurs have become more and more interested in lofts, even as a second home for those living far from their families, and often as a primary residence.

With increasing demand and shortages caused by the shortage of abandoned premises, the real estate market has created a specific niche for interested parties. And then he began to offer new buildings, but with the characteristics of the original Loft.

The real estate boom has raised the prices of lofts on the market, making them more expensive than many larger, more complex apartments.

Why choose a loft?

Over time, lofts have come to represent a funky lifestyle, attracting people with their distinct lifestyle.

Loft benefits include:

• Practicality and a sense of freedom: Open environment, integrated, for those who do not have much time to care for their home;
• Separation of the environment with the help of furniture, since there is no division of the environment with walls;
• Lots of natural light: Create a more natural environment by reducing energy use;
• Reduced operating costs: Thanks to the openness of the infrastructure, repair time is reduced, which allows you to save even on costs associated with repairs.

How to choose a loft?

Firstly, you should pay attention to the characteristics presented above, the similarities between some of the proposed properties are even attractive on the market, but in fact they do not correspond to the primary characteristics of a loft.

Modern loft - how to distinguish a loft from a studio (kitnet)?

A loft is a space inspired by old abandoned gallery spaces, converted into a home with the characteristics presented above.

What is the difference between a loft and a studio apartment?

Studios are usually very small apartments of up to 50 m² with a small number of internal partitions, usually only a separate bathroom.

A studio is essentially a comfortable space that doubles as a bedroom and living room, has a bathroom and a very small kitchen, sometimes separated by a counter that serves as a table when there is no room for one.

However, today, thanks to the high creative potential of designers, studios have again attracted the attention of those who simply need to live alone while working elsewhere.

Like lofts, studio kittens also bring a new concept of living, they are very close to the concept of minimalism as the idea is to live only with the essentials without accumulating non-essentials.

A studio can truly be a pleasant place to live, and such projects are becoming increasingly sought after by architects who offer incredible solutions for those who want to live well, comfortably, and in a well-decorated environment.

As with a loft, the idea is to live with the essentials.

Adopting a minimalist decor is a good solution to make the space even brighter and more elegant, without exaggerating the decor, adapting it to the arrangement of elements to ensure greater fluidity of the space.

If the loft has a small area, you should always keep in mind the size of the furniture, tables and sofas are the biggest concern, so they should not take up more space than necessary, making the environment heavy and uncomfortable.

Furniture with more than one function may be the solution you need to achieve a multifunctional area. Modular furniture can help with this, and some companies even offer designs to help residents purchase suitable furniture for small spaces.

A cozy loft requires attention when it comes to decor, as the risk of trying to combine all the areas can leave the decor confusing.

Tips for decorating a loft

Try to keep the decor as minimal as possible by choosing complex elements of visual impact.

Adopt a color scheme that balances the room with color without overwhelming it or leaving it too neutral.

Mixing materials can also help balance the decor, especially on floors, countertops, rugs, curtains, fabrics and sofa throws, and pillows.

Integration is the key word when we talk about lofts, so focus on elements that bring the whole decor together to make the space feel cozier.

To avoid leaving rooms without a connection between them, create anchor points, such as a bench, connecting the room and the kitchen.

And if your loft has a great view, bring it inside, leaving access to the windows clear to make your loft even more interesting. Visitors will be delighted.