The avant-garde dynamic revolutionary loft style in the interior combines poverty and wealth, underground and bohemianism, modesty and outrageousness. Externally, this area has the feeling of an industrial space and a creative workshop. Large rooms are arranged in this style without unnecessary partitions. The initial base is former factories, attics, warehouses, which were converted into housing by poor people, as well as artists and musicians, where they could create workshops for themselves.
Bright decorative elements and living plants can revive concrete walls
Loft style in the interior - main features and features
The loft originated in the forties of the last century in industrial American cities, when factories and factories began to be moved to the outskirts. The empty huge premises were inexpensively sold and rented.
As a rule, initially poor people settled here, as well as representatives of the creative environment. When decorating, they left the rough texture of the walls, did not mask the pipes, did not remove wooden beams, didn't close large windows. This brought freedom, dynamics, and independence to the interior.
Spacious room, concrete walls and ceiling, large windows - a classic design option for a living room in a loft style
Gradually, fashionable American trends gained popularity in Europe. In urban areas, apartments began to be refurbished, removing partitions.
- Trying to copy industrial manners, rich people began to build residential buildings large areas with huge windows without internal partitions.
- Left exposed wiring, bare brick or stone walls, installed a minimum of furniture. Only bathrooms and toilets are kept closed.
- For zoning purposes, mobile partitions and screens are used, which can be easily transported and folded.
Decorative indoor plants- a new trend in the design of fashionable loft interiors
Basic loft directions
There are three main trends in the loft style, each of which has its own specific characteristics and brings its own unique flavor.
- Bohemian style. While maintaining the dominant features of a factory environment, the bohemian style represents apartments where people with developed creative imagination live.
Along with the rough decoration of the walls, the main distinguishing feature is the placement of paintings, musical instruments, sculptures and other art objects, depending on the direction of the residents’ activities. Furniture most often has retro features with scuffs and chips, but retains its elegance and status.
Comfortable and upholstered furniture is a mandatory criterion for a large living room
- Glamorous style. The predominant feature that distinguishes this style direction when decorating loft-style homes is the color palette. In contrast to the restrained gray and white tones, dynamic, rich colors attract attention in rooms with glamorous design.
They make an interesting contrast against the background of unfinished surfaces with a rough texture. There are always luxury items, for example, very expressive chic chandeliers, modern upholstered furniture with openwork decor, elegant tables, exclusive carpets, cabinets and chairs with elements of exquisite Baroque or Rococo.
- Industrial style. In the most recognizable industrial atmosphere of premises equipped as a loft, pipelines, trusses, heavy workshop doors, wires, and chains are present in an open form.
Metal shelving is being installed. Kitchen aprons and countertops are made from the same material. There are no rich colors here. The furniture is distinguished by strict geometric shapes; excessive ornateness and delicacy are not allowed.
Characteristic colors for loft style
When creating an industrial space, neutral shades dominate with a predominance of natural materials.
- Achromatic tones are considered traditional - white, black, gray, and brown. They emphasize the originality of stone, metal, concrete, wood.
- Present various colors bricks - from dark red to delicate pink. There are also terracotta or time-darkened options.
- Bright, catchy accents appear in separate strokes. Most often these are blue, red, yellow, orange shades. They can be present on the upholstery of upholstered furniture, carpets, in the decoration of a chandelier, or on wall planes when doing graffiti.
Only a real “Loft” is able to combine the incongruous and create an impeccable interior from it
Materials used in loft interior
For residential premises planned to be decorated in a loft style, the dominant material is concrete slabs, which go well with ceiling moldings. A wooden board is used to cover the floor or sew up the walls.
- As protective side planes flights of stairs, as well as partitions and shelves are made of durable glass.
- Gray concrete can be given a lighter texture by painting with white, but more often only one wall plane is left unfinished.
- Interesting variations are created when using brickwork, as well as wooden wall decoration.
Metal in the fashionable loft style also has a worthy use, but it does not dominate. Typically, ceiling beams, pipes, and frames are made from this material.
Interesting design project for a loft-style apartment with brick walls
Posters and paintings are characteristic attributes for loft design
Loft style options in a house and apartment (photo)
In modern apartments, if desired, you can add elements of the loft style even in separate rooms, which allows you to make the surrounding atmosphere non-standard and modern.
Living room
- Since it involves creating a cozy atmosphere, only one wall is left untreated. It can be concrete or brick. The remaining surfaces are plastered or carefully leveled and painted. Usually they are not used in such an interior, with the exception of knitted, textile, and wallpaper imitating brickwork.
Leave the ceiling beams at sufficient height. They can have a wood texture or be painted in white. Windows are left without curtains, but increasingly they are covered with carpets and blinds.
Carpets are not laid on the floors, leaving them open. The center of the interior becomes sofa area with the TV placed opposite on concrete wall.
If space allows, then arrange a fireplace corner. On the walls they place old ones that harmonize with the roughness of the main decoration black and white photographs, posters, retro watches.
A simple idea - how to create unique design interior in loft style from simple or old things
Kitchen
- If the kitchen is isolated from the living room, then when decorating in a loft style it is appropriate to use. For this purpose they look decent artificial materials imitating any brick surface.
Metal or wood beams on ceilings, which are usually plastered, convey industrial features. Kitchen apron made from metal sheets or plain tiles that look static and discreet. Furniture is installed in a simple geometric configuration without excessive decoration. It can combine wood with glass and plastic. The most modern household appliances are allowed.
Advice! IN created interior A TV equipped with a plasma panel will look good. Install hobs, coffee machine. If the kitchen is combined with the living room, then using the details described above it can be easily separated from the common space.
Minimalist kitchen interior in loft style
Bedroom
- To decorate in this style, you should slightly soften the characteristic features of a loft. To do this, you can lay rugs on the floor and decorate the windows with curtains. In this case, the main emphasis is on the bed, which should be laconic in shape. The frame of strict lines is made of metal or wood. Bedside tables are placed nearby and the bed is covered with a plain blanket.
It will be possible to advantageously emphasize the loft style in the interior by making one of the walls (usually at the head of the bed) imitate brick or rough concrete. A crystal chandelier and rare floor lamps go well with such surroundings. A plasma TV will fit perfectly here. You can hang posters and black and white commemorative photographs.
Note! If a single space is being designed, then cabinets are installed to separate the bedroom, which will isolate the bed from prying eyes.
Decoration and decor are an integral part of any design style.
Hallway
Open brick or concrete rough walls are often left in the hallway. If they are too dark, then they are covered with light paint. You can lay tiles or laminate on the floor.
If possible, lay boards. The furniture is installed from retro options. An antique hanger will fit perfectly into the space. Having decided to place a wardrobe, they select a copy without glass. A floor lamp or an elegant table is appropriate.
Brickwork in the hallway - simple and beautiful
Bathroom
To add a loft style to the bathroom interior, purchase plumbing fixtures based on two key points. It can be selected from an antique collection with signs of wear, or it can be the most modern.
Note! Brickwork or concrete stylization is most often performed on one wall plane opposite the washing area. Shelves and towel racks are usually installed here.
Designer “Loft” bathroom
Floor, walls and ceiling
The main impression of the interior is based on the wall, ceiling, and floor planes. They must bear the key features of the loft style.
- Loft style walls- left in a rough version without wallpaper or plastic panels. More often there is a concrete surface, sometimes with whitewash, brickwork or wooden board. Can be mounted from plywood or metal.
Role interior partitions glass blocks are made in open space. A bar counter will help separate the kitchen. There are plastic mobile partitions. Increasingly, wall surfaces are decorated with decorative materials with stylized natural textures.
How to properly divide a studio into necessary rooms- example in the photo
- Floors in a loft interior— the original version is characterized by concrete. But in an improved form, they can be made of wood or made of artificial slabs imitating marble or granite.
There are floors made of parquet, ceramic tiles, and laminated boards. Also in modern apartments, self-leveling floors equipped with a heating system are used.
- Ceilings of rooms decorated in loft style- must have good height. Beams, wires are mounted on them, communication pipes, wooden beams, trusses that imitate an attic space, and chains can pass through them.
If you are decorating an ordinary city apartment with low walls, then the ceilings are simply plastered or painted white.
Furniture
They are guided in the selection of furniture for rooms that bear the characteristic features of the loft style, depending on the dominant direction.
Expert advice
A wardrobe is often replaced with an open hanger. The racks look good, even the packaging boxes, the main decoration of which are the manufacturers’ logos, fit in.
Accessories and decor
For decorating rooms created in an unusual loft style, the most diverse and daring ideas are acceptable. Let's talk in more detail about each of them.
- To increase comfort in the relaxation area, swings suspended on chains or large hammocks look excellent.
- A modern plasma TV contrasts organically with the rough finish of the walls, and you can place a chaise longue in front of the huge open window, placing a modern elegant floor lamp next to it.
- The kitchen space can be perfectly decorated with tree stumps replacing chairs or metal barrels.
- Often in loft interiors there are chains that can be hung from the ceiling or decorated leading to the second floor. Some install road signs before entering certain premises.
How to stylishly decorate your interior using additional decor
Lighting
Huge windows that remain open provide plenty of natural light. However, additional lamps are required for evening hours.
The loft style in the interior includes a wide variety of configurations and design solutions - one or more chandeliers, street lamps, wall sconces, lamps, floor lamps. As a rule, several lamps are arranged in one place, highlighting a specific area.
Wires are not hidden behind boxes. Light bulbs are often hung without shades in several rows, creating the feeling of garlands. A convenient option is a ceiling-mounted bus with movable lighting fixtures.
Important! When selecting lamps for one room, they focus on a single design solution. They must be made of the same material or have a certain color tone.
Knowing the dominant features of the loft style, you can independently develop a design project for your own home.
At the same time, it is important to take into account that the demolition of interior partitions in city apartments is possible only after approval from the relevant organizations. We hope that in our article you found suitable options for inspiration.
Today, a whole industry has grown up creating interiors in the loft style, which, although not long, has a very rich history. Loft is an originally American concept that arose in the 40s of the last century in New York. Huge areas of former factories, factories and workshops began to be rapidly vacated, at the same time there were always people who were confused by borders, confined spaces, norms and established rules. People of art began to rapidly occupy spaces in which they could abandon the standard framework and take a deep breath. Free flight artists could combine their studio and home in one room. This was beneficial both financially (no need to rent an expensive studio in the city center) and in terms of convenience and time saving. In addition, large windows provided additional light to the interior space.
Characteristics and main features of the loft style
Loft style design is an excellent choice for creative people. You can implement your plan for home improvement in different ways, but the apartment or house, in any case, will look original and creative.
- Nowadays loft style moved to standard apartments with high ceilings and large areas, because not everyone has the opportunity to rent or buy an abandoned workshop, plant or factory, but you can create the appropriate atmosphere in your apartment or house.
Despite the fact that loft-style design is more suitable for rooms such as an office or den, dining room or living room, it is sometimes used to decorate a bedroom or a room for children.
In the loft there are no interior partitions that are familiar to us, much less doors; this style does not imply autonomy, but a single large space, which is divided into functional zones.
The main features of the style are a large amount of natural light, huge windows, very high. It is important to take into account that the ceilings and walls are not finished in the same way as is traditionally customary in all buildings.
Details that create a loft atmosphere
Fans of the industrial style especially appreciate various communications, such as water or gas pipes, which are usually not hidden or disguised in workshops. In the original “classic” loft they are present by default. In the premises, all open structural elements are highlighted.
- If you intend to create a loft atmosphere in your home, you will need the apartment to have hanging beams under the ceiling, usually wooden.
- For style unity, pipes and other communications are needed outside, as well as simple cast-iron batteries.
- The latest fashion is metal lamp shades in the “Soviet” style, forged railings and the same handles, as well as ventilation systems installed in plain sight.
Materials used for finishing
- Such materials, such as, or, are used indoors to create a certain atmosphere, while others are of fundamental, fundamental importance. The latter include structures made of reinforced concrete, or rough boards and partitions made of wood.
It is quite possible, but not in large quantities; one or two walls is quite enough. Brick can be decorative, but if you have a real, authentic brick wall in your room, then you are a rare lucky person.
It should be noted right away that the loft style in the interior does not apply to budget options. It just seems like the room has bare brick walls, concrete, ironwork and strange lamps, and it’s all cheap.
In fact, this option requires a certain investment of material resources. For example, a brick wall is treated with a special compound to reliably protect home owners from a layer of dust and dirt.
Floor
- The most “correct” floor for loft style- This is a concrete self-leveling surface. However, along with traditional concrete covering often used natural stone or tree. When choosing the latter, wide boards coated with matte varnish will look good.
It is permissible to cover the floor with porcelain stoneware, or, in extreme cases, with a budget laminate. When choosing skirting boards, take into account the color of the walls; they should match each other in color.
In the classic version, durable wood is often used. It could be laminate parquet board and any other modern materials.
Wood imitation tiles are ideal for decorating the floor in the living room. Other materials can be used in the kitchen and bathroom natural origin– stone with natural or ceramic coating.
Ceiling
In a loft, by default, the ceilings are always high. However, it happens that in some apartments their height turns out to be insufficient, and you just don’t want to give up the idea of decorating your home in an industrial style. In this case, the ceiling should simply be painted white, this always works as expected.
The white color you need to choose is not a milky shade, as in rural style, but cold, snow-white. Actually, a real elevator-style ceiling is approximately what the owners see when entering the apartment after the builders. But, if the room is very small, again, it is better to abandon this idea and make simple traditional white ceilings.
Advice! An excellent decorative element for a real loft are massive wooden beams mounted on the ceiling. Pipes made of copper or metal running around the room along the walls or ceiling look good.
Walls
As for the walls, they are often made different colors. For example, three walls in a room can be made of brick, and one can be decorated with wood or simply plastered. If the room is not very large, different walls and proper zone lighting will help to “spread” the space.
- Brick walls in loft style without any processing are still the most popular. This is a great method for creating the right atmosphere. The brick can be painted white, but this should not make the structure of the masonry invisible.
Advice! It’s good to artificially age the bricks first and add small irregularities. If there are no walls made of natural bricks, you can use decorative ones.
Choice of colors
The color scheme of the loft interior is, of course, selected and implemented in accordance with individual preferences and tastes. It is difficult to convince a person to use this or that range of colors in the design of their own home. But the colors of the loft style, initially, were subject to certain frameworks, including historical ones.
Basically, you should choose colors of cool shades. There should be no flashy colors in the room, as many natural and natural colors as possible. Although, in modern loft-style houses and apartments you can see many different original solutions, but these are rather exceptions to the rule.
Note! All shades of gray and brown fit well into a loft-style interior. Bright colors are only permissible in decor, and white must be present - otherwise the home will seem too gloomy.
What and how to furnish your home is your individual desire. But classic version in the loft style there are various products made from simple processed wood without frills, forged stools and chairs, beds with metal elements, shelving and simple bookcases.
It is impossible to force the space into a loft style, so it is advisable to use multifunctional furniture, for example, a bed with a linen closet, a pouf with a hinged lid, a transforming sofa and much more.
It should be remembered that furniture is not only an important detail in creating the right atmosphere, but also an opportunity to demonstrate your bright individuality. If you want a riot in a traditional loft, use “strange” furniture, but at the same time know when to stop.
- Most interesting view furnishings– shelving in production and warehouse style. Sometimes it is quite difficult to find such a set in stores, so it is made to order. The basis is a welded and painted steel frame. Tabletops are made of wood.
In the loft style, shelving serves not only as objects furniture set, but also divide the room into zones. In the traditional classic industrial style, as mentioned above, there are no walls, there is a common space.
If you need to fence off small bedroom or a kitchen from the living room, light curtains or sliding glass partitions will do the job perfectly.
By placing sofas, tables, shelving in a certain way, you can achieve the correct segmentation of a single space in the way you need for comfortable life. It is also very convenient that the “walls” can always be moved and the space can be redesigned in a new way, refreshing the home.
Loft-style interior allows the use of upholstered furniture light colors. At the same time, all items should be of a simple form, without frills.
Note! It is welcome if cabinets, chests of drawers, and racks have a minimum number of open compartments, and there are no open shelves on the walls.
Subtleties of designing proper lighting
Loft style lighting- These are various lamps, similar to lamps in a production workshop or ordinary spotlights. There should be a lot of light in this style and its purpose is to zone the space.
It is convenient to place several spotlights directed in different directions on a steel ceiling rail. A floor lamp, as well as a sconce, can be designed in the same style. This solution will make it possible to illuminate various parts of the entire room in a targeted manner.
In addition to natural lighting, all kinds of chandeliers, lamps, sconces and LED strips are used. It is worth noting that artificial lighting should be of classical forms, without various curls and patterns.
Note! Designers sometimes advise being original and hanging an unusual chandelier on the ceiling, which will complement industrial-type lamps or other, more modern lighting fixtures.
Living room in loft style
In the living area, where the whole family usually gathers in the evenings, industrial design stylization looks beautiful and organic. This room can be decorated with wood panels, leather sofa, hang black and white photographs of the first half of the last century on the walls.
Advice! As a small, unique accent, it is recommended to place an antique sideboard in the living room, and you can draw attention to it with the help of the built-in one. Antique furniture will clearly emphasize the modernity and originality of the loft-style interior.
Bedroom in loft style
In the bedroom area it is usually placed metal bed, there is a very discreet decor. Additionally, differently decorated walls will help to divide the room into functional zones.
For example, in the living room area you can use photo wallpaper with bridges, views of streets, industrial districts, and in the bedroom you can use traditional brickwork.
Surprisingly, decoration can also have a little functionality. Accessories add a special charm to a loft-style bedroom. bright colors, for example, covers for decorative pillows, bright flower vases, laundry baskets, bedside rugs and more.
At the same time, it is important to observe the restraint inherent in the industrial direction. There should be few decorative elements in this style.
It is preferable that all home textiles in the bedroom be made from natural materials - linen, cotton, leather, wool, animal skin.
Advice! For a bright accent, it is not recommended to use several contrasting shades. It is best to stick to one main color, slightly breaking it up with two additional ones. This technique will allow you not to distract and attract attention.
Loft style kitchen
Kitchen interior in loft style - differs from other rooms in its bright design. This is a secluded and warm place where you can have a good rest, learn how to cook deliciously, and have a heart-to-heart conversation with guests over a cup of coffee.
Modern equipment is usually on display here. Chrome surfaces look very impressive with beautiful metal utensils arranged on shelves. Dining area, like the work one, should also correspond to the loft theme.
Ceiling decoration in a loft-style kitchen is allowed only in white tones, with the exception of very light shades that are as close to white as possible. Walls can be decorated decorative panels under concrete, brick or special plaster. Symmetry is encouraged to organize space.
There should be a lot of light in this place. It all starts with thin curtains on the windows that easily let in sunlight, and ends with a lot of lighting fixtures.
Decor and textiles
Furniture, lamps, vases, hanging beams, railings, tripods are an integral part of the loft style. In fact, there was always plenty of such goods in old factories and warehouses. Given that correct application Every detail can be achieved 100% in the design of the loft space.
Loft-style windows, as a rule, are not covered with curtains, the texture of decorative fabrics should look rough, and towels made of simple unbleached linen are hung in the kitchen area. Sofas are decorated with pillows, which are put in covers made of rough matting or burlap.
The strangest and most unexpected items that have previously been lying around in your garage for years can be used as decorative decorations in the loft.
These are different metal stands, rough candlesticks made from pieces of pipes, a Soviet-style alarm clock - all this stuff is useful for decorating the space. It’s good to hang posters on the walls, graffiti is also acceptable.
Decorative plants in loft style
Flowers in simple ceramic or metal pots will enliven the space. But we need to talk specifically about plants in the loft style.
Important! When choosing plants you need to be restrained. If they are present in too many quantities, it will ruin the idea of an industrial space, and the room itself risks turning into a greenhouse.
Living plants in the room are a win-win option for decoration and decoration.
You can breathe real life into the brick walls of a “loft” with the help of living plants
High ceilings and large expressive windows are all features of the industrial loft style
- Not everyone will look natural in a loft-style interior. For example, bright orchids and spreading ferns will look strange, but cacti and large monsteras will fit perfectly into the style.
Advice! Choose flowerpots of the simplest geometric shapes. Gray pots made from unpainted concrete look good.
In order for your design to look harmonious, it is important to remember that the loft style in the interior is a design direction where, when organizing living space a restrained approach is required. You don’t need to buy a lot of furniture here, including a plush sofa, a bright armchair or a colored carpet.
Forget about heavy curtains, porcelain figurines and souvenirs placed on shelves, tacky rosette wallpaper, landscapes in huge carved frames, lace napkins and chintz tablecloths, all this will look ridiculous. In the first place is respectable rigor and conciseness of forms without extra items.
A newly designed, modern space will change your life forever, and these successful changes will undoubtedly truly delight you.
The loft style has been known since the beginning of the twentieth century and has been gaining the interest of interior designers from then to the present day. Its birth was due to the fact that in America at that time there was a tendency to use various industrial premises for residential purposes.
Artists, musicians and other representatives of the creative world often lived in such rooms, which is primarily due to the cheapness of such housing. Since then, many people associate such an interior in houses and apartments with bohemian life, which is why nowadays you can often find modern houses decorated in the loft style.
Style Features
The design of a loft-style house implies the abandonment of walls and partitions - they can be left only where they are needed. Once you get rid of them, you will notice how spacious and sunny the room has become. The effect will be complemented by huge windows, preferably panoramic ones.
The furniture in such a house will be simple, in no way pretentious, and only necessary - the space should not be overloaded. Remember who the style owes its development to: young people engaged in creativity and living on the income from it - where do they get the funds for luxurious furnishings?
So you should only have pieces of furniture that you cannot do without, and appearance they should not be conspicuous.
Such an environment can be called ascetic, and this does not mean that guests will consider you poor or greedy. If you take into account the peculiarities of the style, your home will be more like the abode of an artist than that of an ordinary person on a tight budget.
Find and look at photos of loft-style houses and appreciate the atmosphere that reigns in them: perhaps it is this that creates the desire to create. At a minimum, such spaces exude freedom, which has a beneficial effect on mood and well-being.
For many, it will be an undoubted advantage that the loft does not require keeping everything located on the same territory in the same style.
Different pieces of furniture can belong to the styles of different eras and traditions, and this will be a highlight, not a bad taste. This will appeal to those who, when choosing various interior elements, are forced to rush between maintaining the general mood in the room and those things that they like. This is called eclecticism - a mixture of heterogeneous things.
In such a house, you don’t need to think about choosing wallpaper or the color of paint for the walls - the loft style means that the brick or stonework will be visible. Of course, in modern world This is not suitable for everyone, and from the point of view of heat preservation this is a bad decision.
So you can make an imitation - the modern market provides a wide range of materials, the appearance of which will create any illusion, and it is easy to believe in it if you do not look very closely. By the way, heating pipes You don’t need to cover them either, but you can be creative in painting them.
Private houses
The modern real estate market does not imply the category of loft houses, but many owners of private houses and cottages want to have housing in this style. Therefore, not being able to buy what they want, they are forced to decorate ordinary buildings themselves.
The interior of a private house is created in the same way as the interior of an apartment. The exterior depends on two points: either you already have finished building, which needs to be given the desired appearance, or build a house from scratch. Both allow for the expected result, but in the second case the field for creativity is much wider.
To change the style of the house to a loft, it is enough to use a lot of plastic, steel and glass, black, gray, brown, white colors, decorate the walls ascetically and brutally. The result will be the desired atmosphere, and the house will look quite interesting.
When designing a building from scratch, of course, there are many more possibilities. Here you can reduce the number of partitions by replacing some of the load-bearing walls with columns, and expand window openings up to panoramic views of the entire wall. The ceilings should be made high - this will also add its own zest to the overall look.
Requiring style will save you time and money on finishing - it should be as little as possible. If you are not so comfortable, then you can always find solutions that will help maintain the harmony of the environment and make it functional and of high quality.
Unpainted wood floors will look best. To increase their service life, simply coat them with clear varnish.
The walls, if you are not attracted by the look of brick or stonework, can be plastered or painted, but do not forget about minimalism in the interior - do not try to give them a neat look.
According to the style, they should look like you don't care what they look like, just what they are is enough. This feature has become symbolic: it is believed that for the creative youth who initially chose lofts, the outside does not matter, because the main thing is inside.
How to organize your life?
Initially, the lack of partitions was explained by the fact that various warehouses, workshops, and attics were allocated for housing - that is, premises intended for industrial and public use, and not for living.
Of course, in this case no division into rooms was implied. And the increased popularity of such housing was facilitated by poor people, so they could not afford to independently divide an already not very large room with walls or even simple thin partitions.
Now it has become a highlight of the style, and people deliberately refuse to divide the space into rooms. It was replaced by division into zones.
It is purely visual and consists of color separation. This means that, for example, the sleeping area will be decorated in some colors and style, the work area in others, and the guest area in others. This creates the illusion of a multi-room apartment, but at the same time each “room” looks larger due to the absence of walls.
In general, such a house will have a lot of light, air and space, which can be especially a good decision for initially small areas. The absence of walls not only visually expands the house, but also allows you to correctly arrange furniture, saving more free space.
Thus, beautiful design at home does not necessarily mean thinking through complex details and elements. The loft style is suitable for those who are attracted by a free, creative atmosphere, and most importantly, it is quite simple to implement and allows for any non-standard solutions.
Photos of loft style houses
If you are looking for what a loft is, you have probably already come across information about the history of this term or name. We read about the mid-20th century in New York and found out something about “ top part industrial building, converted for housing." Of course, this is all true; “loft” is generally translated from English as “attic”.
But we will talk about a slightly different meaning of this word - about a loft in a country house.
One of the options for implementing a loft in a private house, loft area ~12 m2
A loft can be called a small half-floor located above a part one-story house. This is a balcony inside the house, roughly speaking. It is also called the “sleeping mezzanine” or simply the “mezzanine floor”.
It's difficult to explain in words, it's easier to show a few examples. So, in the picture above you see a frame kitchen-living room. This one-story house With gable roof and a high ceiling in the living room area. In the rest of the house, the ceiling has the usual height, and the same loft is located upstairs.
Let's stand with our backs to the loft and look towards the windows:
The high ceiling in the kitchen-living room is a second light, and a loft is located above the camera
A high ceiling and similar high windows are usually called. It’s as if there are two floors without overlap, which gives a kind of wow effect, increases the volume of the room, makes it bright. And this brings us to a simple conclusion:
Loft is inextricably linked with second light
Yes, in relation to the concept of a loft in a country house, you cannot do without a second light. At the same time, one cannot say the opposite, because a second light without a loft is quite possible - no one is forcing you to do it.
What's the idea here? And it’s all very simple: we have a house with a large living room, where something like this would be very appropriate and beautiful. high ceiling. And a couple of bedrooms that don't need a lot of height. So why not put the space above your bedrooms to good use? So, instead of a cold attic, you get a cozy loft. This is relevant, as a rule, either in houses with a small area, or in houses with more complex architecture, where one part is high and the other part is simple, one-story.
In general, sometimes the line between a loft and the second floor is quite thin, because if the house is large and there are many rooms, then there may be a living room with a high ceiling, and a full two-story part. For example, like in a house:
This is no longer a loft, but an ordinary (well, not at all ordinary, in fact) two-story house with an attic second floor and a kitchen-living room with second light. This is an example to understand the difference, now let's get back to the lofts.
The loft is usually not walled off
A distinctive feature of a loft is that it is most often fenced simple railings, and not a blank wall. To illustrate this statement, let’s return to Smolyachkovo again, although there is a photo of the intermediate stage, but I think this is not so important:
I’ll show you another example of a loft, although it’s completely atypical, teetering on the verge of gaining the right to be called the second floor :)
Again, a living room with a high ceiling = second light, but it is oriented differently, in the middle of the house, the ceiling goes along the rafters and is made skylights, and a giant loft stretches above the rest of the house. Probably not the best good example, still an extreme. Because usually a loft is needed only for...
Why do you even need a loft in your house?
In their “classic” form, lofts, like small “balconies” above the living room, are popular in guest houses and serve to accommodate additional beds.
The loft above the kitchen of the house in Vaskelovo will have a spiral staircase. Area ~20 m2
Simply put, guests are accommodated there :) Of course, you can use this additional space to your taste - equip workplace, a library, a chill-out area with hookahs and pillows (which, by the way, is planned in Vyborg), with enough imagination.
It turns out that the loft kills two birds with one stone: it gives you a cool high ceiling in the living room and extra space.
How to get there?
For a loft, of course, you need a staircase.
This can be a compact solution in the form of an elegant spiral staircase, and a full staircase leading upstairs directly from the living room or, for example, from the hallway.
Unfortunately, I have only three photographs of the spiral staircase, and even then only during the installation process:
The staircase is beautiful, but not the most comfortable; it’s not suitable for a full second floor. But the loft is not the second floor, it is used in a completely different way and such a solution can be considered.
As you can see, everything above is fine. Moreover, additional heating is not provided in a regular loft; warm air rises from the living room.
A similar question was asked to the owner of a house with a loft; I will quote his response letter:
About the loft. At normal system heating and ventilation (like mine, with a recuperator), there is no difference. By definition, it cannot be cold there - after all, it is very open to the general volume, and heat goes up according to the laws of physics. It goes very slowly, because... heated floors, not radiators - therefore there is a very small difference in the temperature of the air and the heat source (floor). It can be rather hot in summer. But I repeat again: if there is good ventilation, there should be no problems. And the thermal insulation is 250 mm, i.e. the heat cannot penetrate into the house. Neither through the walls-roof, nor through the air flow. The house is always the temperature you want. And it’s the same everywhere.
Summary: with the right heating and ventilation system, you get an extra 20 square meters and architectural delights for nothing. Excellent + for a children's or guest bedroom. The only thing is: if they are yelling downstairs, it is impossible to sleep there. Yes, and running up the stairs - I am a principled opponent. But 1 time in the morning and 1 time in the evening, even I agree.
Instead of a conclusion
Is it worth making a loft in your home? It's up to you to decide.
But if you want a one-story house with a truly beautiful living room, it’s time to think about a second light. And where there is second light, there is loft;)
What is a loft? Is this an exception to the rule, breaking stereotypes, unwillingness to obey generally accepted laws? Probably everything together. Resistance to imposed dress codes, shapes and sizes. This style is acceptable for those who see an extraordinary space on a gray concrete wall, for those who know how to inhabit a non-residential space, create comfort with the help of retro devices and an undisguised pipeline. A loft-style house is housing that gives a feeling of freedom.
The word "loft" refers to the upper floors production premises, converted into housing or office. To understand, or rather feel the essence and distinctive features of the style, it is worth turning to its origin.
The loft genre has American roots. Due to the prevailing unfavorable economic circumstances, the owners of factories located in the center of New York began to move production out of the city, and rented out the vacated premises at affordable prices for art workshops.
Without changing the design conditions, the owners of the workshops inhabited the rooms, chaotically filling them with furniture, household items, arranging work corners, places of rest and living. This is how the loft style design appeared.
Tall, spacious rooms began to attract not only artists, but also people with good material income who knew how to think creatively and perceive new things. Not only bohemians, but also wealthy citizens began to settle in loft houses.
Features of the layout of housing in the original loft style can be considered:
- large room sizes;
- lack of partitions;
- high ceilings;
- a large amount of free space.
The design was determined by the following characteristic features:
- maintaining the rough finish of production premises;
- filling rooms with furniture and objects belonging to different styles;
- mandatory functionality of all interior elements;
- lack of decoration.
The popularity of lofts in the 21st century, which requires a high level of self-organization, mobility, understanding of laws and patterns, is understandable. The desire for emancipation, the lack of following certain rules and canons, the possibility of expressing personal tastes, desires, and creative ideas are the psycho-emotional component of this style.
Interesting modern house designs in the loft style
Over time, any genre undergoes changes. Modern buildings that correspond to this trend are separate buildings with different layouts. The proposed photos of loft-style houses show a lot of different projects. These can be plastered whitewashed rectangular buildings with a ground floor where garages and technical rooms are located. The buildings are modest and restrained, white color creates an atmosphere of cleanliness and freshness.
There are many options for buildings lined with brick imitating old masonry. They reek of the romance of the past. They are perceived as timeless mansions. Projects of houses covered with boards are offered. The board is laid horizontally or vertically (but always in one direction), visually associated with a shield. This makes the buildings neat and collected. The board is not painted; a protective coating is applied to preserve the structure of the wood.
Loft house designs may also contain balconies, terraces, and verandas. In this style, these architectural parts of buildings look like platforms with or without fencing, fulfilling a specific functional purpose. Options for buildings where the entrance to the house is not on the front side of the building are considered interesting.
Characteristic Features modern style are:
- flat roofs of buildings (there are high gable roofs, but this is a departure from the style);
- large panoramic windows;
- lack of rounded shapes in architecture;
- discreet design;
- functionality of all elements;
- open communications, clearly contrasting with the design of the premises.
The frame of such buildings is made of steel or reinforced concrete. The buildings are strong and durable.
Useful advice! If you want to buy a house in the loft style, then you should choose an option that adheres to all the basics of this direction. Changing the shape of the roof, wide round steps, carved fences, etc. deprive the building of the charm inherent in this style.
Features of using the loft style in wooden houses
Is it possible to use the loft style for wooden buildings? Despite the mass of projects proposed by developers that are positioned as lofts, we can say with confidence - no. We can only talk about elements of style. A wooden house, frame or log, does not have a flat roof, since this is technically not feasible. Installation is problematic in such houses (and generally impossible in log houses). panoramic windows. In the best case, if the load-bearing basis of the building is a frame, you can make a wall entirely of glass.
The height of wooden buildings due to the specifics construction technology also has limitations. There are projects where wooden house It is built as a two-story building, but there is no solid ceiling between the floors. Its role is played by beams, which are elements of style and support the structure. Visually, these elements limit space, which contradicts the laws of style.
If we omit the basic architectural requirements, then it is quite possible to build wooden building with a minimum of partitions, decorate the walls in a loft style using boards, stone or wallpaper (if the surface allows). You can fill the rooms with appropriate furniture and ultimately organize stylish and comfortable housing.
The exterior of a wooden building should not have:
- carved and figured parts;
- windows and entrance doors of non-standard shape (only rectangular);
- multi-colored elements, including roofing - white, brown (and its shades) are allowed, gray is possible.
The exterior design of the building should show a desire to imitate an industrial facility.
Internal elements made of rough forms of processed wood contribute to the creation of this style: staircase boards with railings in the form of a board made of slats, wide ceiling beams.
Useful advice! Planning the construction of a wooden house using characteristic features loft style, still at the design level special attention focus on the engineering aspect. Safe communication in terms of fire safety and sanitation in such a building is quite problematic.
Patterns of creation interior design of loft style houses
Bringing the rough and the pleasant into harmony is the main task that needs to be accomplished when creating the interior of private houses in the loft style. It is better to leave brick and cinder block masonry exposed. It is recommended to paint the ceiling beams in a dark color to make them more expressive. On monotonous plastered walls you can paste wallpaper with a print in the form of a dilapidated wall or imitating old boards.
Floors in houses of this style must be wooden. Tiles, linoleum and laminate with pure color shades, straight lines, tight joints can negate all design efforts, disrupting harmony. It is not advisable to use a plinth. If you can’t do without it, you should make it as inconspicuous as possible, merging with the walls.
There are no special requirements for furniture. It can be modern, old, antique, but preferably expensive and of high quality. A classic heavy sofa with carved oak legs would be accompanied by a glass table with elegant metal supports. The shelving will complement the office.
There are three ways to divide a room into zones:
- use the layout, i.e. wall projections, window locations, etc.
- using furniture, arranging it according to its intended purpose;
- using lighting, color shades of walls or floors.
There should be little furniture in the premises. Clutter, fullness of space is gross violation rules for decorating houses of this style. Significant amounts of textiles are also not recommended. Bedspreads, pillows, blankets must be made of natural material; the use of prints and designs is not allowed. It is prohibited to cover windows with curtains, drapes, curtains. If necessary, close the room from prying eyes it is better to use blinds.
In the photo of the interior of private houses, you can choose both creative options for decorating the premises, as well as more restrained ones, but no less interesting.
How to create a modern home inDIY loft style
What to do if the house you live in is decades old, and its architecture and layout are hopelessly far from the modern loft style? And these are exactly the conditions in which you want to live... You can fix a lot of things with your own hands. And the first thing to start with is to tear down the partitions.
Related article:
Facade design, interior design, basic style elements. How to do the finishing yourself.
This is a radical decision, it requires technical assessment experts, determining the functionality of the walls (load-bearing or just partitions), making changes to the project or creating a new one. If it is not possible to remove all partitions, it is recommended to remove one interior partition. The result is a large room that can be equipped in the desired style.
Useful advice! Reconstruction of a building for the purpose of furnishing a loft house should only be undertaken if the ceiling height is at least 300 cm. Otherwise, it will not be possible to create much open space, which means that all design efforts will be in vain.
A staircase can serve as a significant interior element. It should have clear geometric shapes: wooden or metal frames, rectangular steps. The fence should be created only for its intended purpose - safety of movement; decoration is inappropriate here.
Stairs for a loft-style home, like the decoration of the walls, should resemble the atmosphere of an industrial room. Staircase structures are easy to make yourself, if you have timber, solid wood and tools for sawing and grinding. Knowing how to use a welding machine will allow you to make a metal staircase.
You can open communications: remove boxes, remove decorative grilles, false canisters. It is better to paint the pipes not to match the walls, but with paints that, if they do not create contrast, then noticeably highlight the elements of heat, water and gas supply.
Pictures on the floor, scales with weights, natural fleecy rugs of small sizes, laid only in places where household members step. bare feet, – simple details that create a real loft.
How to easily and without significant costs make renovations in loft style
Major repairs with redevelopment, replacement of cladding layers, pipes, windows or even window openings able to change style. But there are not always funds for such repairs. You can create a loft style in your home without significant expenses. To do this, you need to examine the material from which the walls of the house are built. If this is masonry, achieve necessary design walls is simply simple: you need to remove the plaster and smooth out any protruding bulges.
If this option is not suitable, you need to cover the walls with boards. There are a sufficient number of products on sale that, when applied, will make this material “old”. If it is impossible to get to the beams or there are none at all, you can clean the ceiling down to the concrete (or down to the plaster without layers of paint) and make a lattice with cells of about 1 m² from a small cross-section of timber, tinted it with a darker, or, conversely, white color, which depends on the base of the ceiling.
With this type of repair, it will not be possible to get rid of doorways, therefore, you need to make new doors in the loft style or subject existing structures to processing to achieve desired effect- “aging”. Look organic glass doors in a metal frame. If there is swing structures doors, they will have to be replaced.
Additional living spaces should not be ignored. To create a loft-style balcony design, you should use the same types of design as for the main rooms. You can imitate masonry by using decorative facing bricks. You can highlight the ceiling using lamps used to illuminate industrial premises by laying open wiring.
A simple bookcase with a hint of roughness made from metal frame, consisting of wooden shelves, will pleasantly coexist with a low armchair and a light table with a white polished surface. Furniture on the balcony should occupy no more than ¼ of the space. The principle of minimalism and the functionality of all elements for a given room is no less relevant.
Materials used in the design of facades of loft-style houses
Loft-style houses are classified as inexpensive. To organize such facades, a presentable finish is not required. The main types of materials used when decorating the facades of houses in this style:
- brick;
- concrete;
- plaster;
- façade panels;
- slats.
Brick cladding is an old, reliable and proven method. The emergence of new types of this material has expanded design possibilities: “torn”, “old” bricks, with mineral chips, etc. are used depending on the desired effect. Loft style brick is the most common facing material.
Concrete and plaster ( textured plaster not typical for houses of this type) create smooth and uniform surfaces that need to be painted.
Metal or plastic facade panels can be considered new elements in the design of building facades. They have strict geometric shapes, the surface can be smooth or embossed. Houses sheathed in this way look like modern ones industrial buildings or beautifully decorated trailers.
Slat systems are also a relatively new way of cladding loft houses. Their peculiarity is that traces of fastenings are not visible visually. Simplicity, conciseness, straightforwardness create the necessary perception of the building.
Wooden slats are easier to make. You can prepare them yourself if you have a simple woodworking machine, for example, a thickness planer. However, slats require not only preliminary, but also constant treatment during the operation of the house, since wood without an appropriate protective layer is susceptible to precipitation and temperature.
Metal rack systems are more durable, but the method of attaching them is quite complex. The slats are placed at intervals, which allows the base material used in the construction of the house to “breathe”.
Useful advice! When choosing facing material it is necessary to take into account its compatibility with the main construction raw materials. A metal lath system is not suitable for a building made of aerated concrete, and the facade of a cinder block house should not be decorated with a wooden lath.
Specifics of lighting for country houses in the loft style
Lighting plays a special role in creating a true loft style design. During the daytime, the room is filled with a stream of natural light, provided large sizes windows System artificial lighting has a triple function:
- design creation;
- zone delimitation;
- actual lighting.
One of the successful design solutions is placement on beams spotlights. They must match the rough decor of the beams, so light bulbs with a metal frame or closed lampshades. Series connection of ceiling lights and open wiring give the room stylistic expressiveness. The lamps are positioned so that the boundary of the illuminated area is clearly visible.
The large area that this implies is an excellent opportunity to use many lighting fixtures
It is optimal to use LED lamps that, when choosing the appropriate glow temperature, diffuse light close to daylight.
Pendant lamps are also used, the design of which also involves geometric shapes and the absence of decoration. Chandeliers placed in the center of the room cause a certain difficulty in choosing. This is where Edison lamps can come to the rescue. They themselves have interesting shape, and additional lampshades are not required.
It is almost impossible to buy a chandelier that matches the loft style. However, with minimal knowledge and the ability to use power tools, independent production is a completely feasible task. Side lighting fixtures and pendant devices located in different areas cannot be of the same type.
Old-style sockets and switches, which, however, are not so easy to purchase today, will be an excellent addition to the design.
Photos of the loft style depicting various methods of electric lighting will suggest the most unexpected options for placing lamps and other lighting fixtures.
Loft style cottage:internal eclecticism and unity of landscape design
To highlight the design features of a project in the style of a loft cottage, it is necessary to take the following conventional differences as a basis:
- this building always has two floors;
- the architecture of the cottage is more sophisticated;
- the building has all the necessary communications;
- cottage villages are most often located in picturesque countryside;
- there must be a small adjacent plot of land.
Based on the above, we can only talk about the features of the external design of the building and its place in the overall landscape of the site.
The design of the cottage and its color scheme are of decisive importance in the development of the personal space. Paths, areas adjacent to the main building, hard surfaces should either repeat or have a color close to the design of the building. If the structure is white, the hard surface may have a grayish coloration; brown brick cladding involves covering with natural stone of similar shades, etc.
The vegetation is predominantly without variegated and bright shades. Wide trimmed lawns, a minimum of bushes and trees. Tall plants are concentrated in one place; freedom of space should be ensured in the garden plot.
Additional buildings (gazebos, canopies) are made mainly from the same material or are similar to the cladding of the cottage.
If in interior design If eclecticism prevails in buildings, then in landscape design all elements must correspond to each other.
Useful advice! When decorating a plot in loft style, it is better to use perennials. Among them there is large selection decorative deciduous, non-flowering representatives of the flora.
Advantages and disadvantages of one-story loft-style houses
The recognition and popularity of the loft style are determined primarily by its main positive features:
- loft home design is always individual and unique;
- This is an opportunity to show creativity;
- does not require large financial expenses;
- the absence of unnecessary items, restraint and minimalism create comfort and facilitate care;
- free space helps good rest, relaxation;
- use of natural, environmentally friendly materials.
While listing all the undeniable advantages of this modern style, it is necessary to note its disadvantages:
- lack of partitions, large area of premises create problems during heating season, since the building takes a long time to warm up and it is difficult to maintain heat in it;
- large window sizes promote weathering;
- the costs of paying for utilities are significant;
- This interior style is not perceived by everyone. It is especially unacceptable for people with conservative views.
Useful advice! It is recommended to involve household members in the development of the loft style. Compromises will lead to positive result: everyone in the house will be comfortable and cozy.
Loft style house:tips and warnings from design experts
A photo of a loft-style design is a demonstration of the unlimited creative imagination. It often happens that making additions to ready idea or the desire to do it as creatively as possible has the opposite effect: chaos appears instead of style.
A few tips from design experts will help you avoid design mistakes:
- If the room is relatively small, placing furniture in the center to designate a specific area will significantly reduce the space.
- Delineating zones using a long cabinet will also lead to a visual reduction in free space.
- Special lighting is required for each zone. If there are no conditions for hanging stationary lamps, you can install floor lamps.
- Large carpets reduce space, so it is better to use medium-sized products.
- The introduction of an exclusive must be dosed, since an overabundance destroys the idea. For example, stools in the form of inverted tubs are quite enough; experimenting with a table will be unnecessary.
- Replacing plank flooring with linoleum will significantly change the overall perception of the room's design. Equally, you can replace the board only with brushed parquet.
- The abundance of small details overloads the interior.
The loft style, like no other direction, does not accept templates. Living in spacious rooms created by one’s own imagination, taking into account personal taste preferences, is the key to comfort and relaxation. Large volumes expand inner freedom, and energetically charging streams of light fill it with meaning and content.
