Loft apartments are generally the top level of spacious homes converted from industrial or commercial buildings. It is defined as a room or space directly under the roof. The first lofts were built from old warehouses and factories. Artists in the 60s who were financially struggling lived illegally in these old warehouses and converted it into a livable space. They lived in these abandoned lofts without proper ventilation, electricity, water, and sanitation. Once it was legalized, it paved the way for urban-industrial living with improved living conditions. Perhaps due to artists being associated with loft living, it was seen as very trendy and luxurious. This inspired the beginning of “loft-style living”.
Nowadays, it has become increasingly popular. Many businesses use lofts for their workspace due to the ample space. Furthermore, research shows that if workers enjoyed the space they worked in, productivity levels would soar as compared to working in dull cubicles. However, in this case, this article will highlight the use of lofts as apartments. It is extremely chic to live in one due to the abundance of space, ample natural light, the flexibility of the layout, and most importantly, the architecture. If you are trying to decide whether “loft-style living” is for you, this article will help you come to a decision.
Benefits of Living In A Loft
Firstly, the vast space is obviously a sought-after living situation by many. In most traditional apartments, high ceilings are a rarity. The high ceilings create a sense of spaciousness as well. Because of space, most lofts generally have a mezzanine — a second level that overlooks the general living space. Depending on how big the apartment is, most mezzanines work as bedrooms or lounge areas. This is because open-concept spaces usually lack partitions to divide rooms — so the best place to get privacy is on the second level where it is quite divided from the rest of the space.
With the vast space comes a lot of huge windows as well — so you can expect tons of natural light flowing into your space. This immediately lightens up your space and gives it personality. Also, the numerous windows give the loft a lighter and freer feel as compared to a traditional apartment. If you have a green thumb, this is a good opportunity to add a touch of green to your space. Plants can also add character to your space and elevate its cosy aesthetic. Most importantly, it is easy to clean as well.
Also, space gives you the chance to unleash your creativity. You have a lot of space to design and give your space a personality that you identify with. The ample space and lack of partitions offer a flexible layout for any individual’s taste as well. In addition, you would have enough wall space for decoration or art pieces to display. If you are someone who treasures individuality, having a loft fits the bill. It’s trendy, unique and stylish. Perfect for standing out.
An important factor that spurred the popularity of loft-style living is charming industrial features. Many designers love the idea of exposed brick walls, ducts in the ceiling; just the raw quality gives the space a very industrial look. The industrial design just evokes a sense of uniqueness — it is not predictable and just feels very special. Industrial chic just makes a great impression as its simplistic design stands out from the traditional design. This has developed a new aesthetic: integrating modern furniture into an industrial space to create an extremely chic and modern home.
Things To Consider Before Moving Into A Loft
Before you decide to make this transition, there are a couple of things to note. For example, although the vast space is an advantage, it can cause very loud acoustics. Due to the lack of wall partitions, it is hard to block sounds. Sounds from one part of the loft can bounce off the walls and be heard on the other side of it. You might even notice echoey noises.
However, with careful planning and the right furniture, these acoustics can be countered. Textiles such as rugs, tapestries, and upholstery to tackle sound bouncing off walls. So get creative and decorate your space with colour textiles to create style statements and also combat loud acoustics. You should also take note of loud pieces of machinery such as washing machines and dryers. If you value a quieter space, you might have to invest a little more in high-quality machinery.
Another factor is the lack of storage space. Most houses have built-in storage units, but since a loft is not your usual “house”, it tends to lack storage options. In this case, you would really have to think about the furniture you put in your loft. You could consider investing in storage options like shelves, cabinets, drawers, racks, etc. It all comes down to what style you want to achieve for your loft. Multipurpose furniture can help keep it minimalistic and modern while serving versatile functions.
Furthermore, with the lack of partition walls, you might consider buying fabric partitions or curtains to get privacy. This is especially if you do not live alone. This could disrupt the open-concept flow of a loft, but if it is part of your intended style, it should not really matter.
Lastly, lofts have a tendency to be warm due to its architecture and may require additional costs to cool it down. You would need specific thermal window treatment, air-conditioning units, electric fans, ceiling fans and so on. Any type of appliance that can help cool down your space would be essential. Also, if the loft was converted from an older building, maintenance costs could rack up a hefty bill as well.
This could add up to a large sum to pay, so if you are really deciding to get a loft, make sure that you have planned your projected expenses wisely. From extra furniture to utility bills, be prepared to make quite an investment. There is a reason why living in lofts today is seen as luxurious living — space costs money!