Today, we’re going to be going over some easy-to-incorporate loft decorating ideas to make your loft space feel like home with a touch of your personal taste.
Lofts are unique pieces of architecture that require a different approach to decorating compared to traditional apartments or condos. Unlike condos which might feature more traditional layouts with drywall and individual rooms, lofts typically feature a more industrial style using reclaimed wood, wood beams, and other features you’d likely find more in a commercial space rather than a residential space.
With that in mind, we’ll go over some unique loft decorating ideas to transform your loft from a cold, industrial space to a warm and homey modern loft.
Let’s get started.
What Is A Loft?
Although I’m sure you already know what a loft is, it’s still important to go over what is a loft for those new to the loft scene.
A loft is a type of living space that is typically characterized by its open layout, high ceilings, and large windows. Originally, lofts were industrial spaces that were converted into residential units. These are known as hard lofts. They were often found in former factories, warehouses, or commercial buildings. However, over time, the concept of loft living has become popular in urban areas, leading to the construction of purpose-built loft-style apartments known as soft lofts. Essentially, the main difference between hard lofts vs. soft lofts is that hard lofts are former commercial spaces converted into residential units while soft lofts were always built as residential units.
Lofts are known for their open floor plans, which usually lack interior walls or partitions, creating a sense of spaciousness and flexibility in the layout. The absence of walls allows for a more versatile use of the space and encourages a more connected and social atmosphere.
High ceilings are another defining feature of lofts. They often have an exposed brick wall, beams, ductwork, or pipes, which contribute to the industrial aesthetic and add character to the space. Large windows are common in lofts, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in and providing expansive views of the surrounding area.
Due to their open and flexible nature, lofts offer a lot of creative freedom when it comes to interior design and loft decorating ideas. They can be designed in various styles, such as industrial, modern, minimalist, or eclectic, depending on the individual’s preferences.
All in all, a loft is a living space characterized by an open layout, high ceilings, and large windows. It offers a unique and adaptable living environment that is often associated with urban and industrial style.
1. Embrace Industrial Chic
Lofts are known for their industrial design. You should embrace this style rather than trying to hide it. The first step to decorating a loft is embracing the industrial chic of the space which will be done by incorporating some of the finer detailed design elements featured below.
2. Open Floor Plan
Embrace the open floor plan lofts possess. As difficult as it may be to want to have a separate dining room, living room and kitchen, the open floor plan lofts provide can create some incredibly unique spaces that offer functionality.
3. Add Area Rugs
Speaking of open floor plans, there are ways to embrace an airy loft while still having distinct areas. One of the ways you can create division is through area rugs which I believe are highly underused.
Area rugs provide an illusion in the division of space throughout the loft to help create distinct areas. Area rugs are great to add texture, colour and bring warmth to the space both practically and figuratively. They also act as a sound barrier between floors to help combat any loud condo neighbours since noise can travel fairly easily in loft conversions.
4. Functional Mezzanine
A mezzanine is an intermediate floor in a loft which is open to the floor below. Typically, you’ll find these spaces used as a bedroom with a low-laying bed or an office with a desk. Depending on the rest of the layout of the loft, it’s important to have a functional mezzanine space to make the most out of a small loft space.
5. Take Advantage Of Natural Light With Floor To Ceiling Windows
If your loft has large floor-to-ceiling windows, take advantage of the natural light. Rather than focusing on large, artificial light to brighten up your space, you should take full advantage of outside light during the day and focus on more intimate mood lighting during the evening hours. We’ll dive more into mood lighting later on as a small decorating idea.
6. Add A Statement Artwork Piece
A key element of interior design is adding art. A statement piece of art is great to incorporate for those large walls. They act as a perfect backdrop and anchor to transform blank, white walls into an eye-catching centerpiece.
7. Complementary Gallery Wall
To get the full use of your wall, add a gallery around the statement piece of artwork. This is especially important if you have large white walls that need a bit more art to help create a more homey feeling. A gallery wall can use the leftover white space around your statement art to tie everything together.
8. Incorporate Flexible Furniture
Since you need to be flexible with your loft space, you need to have furniture that is just as flexible. By incorporating flexible furniture, you can transform spaces beyond their intended use. Here is some flexible furniture you may want to consider:
Murphy bed
Sectional sofa
Extending dining room and living room tables
9. Follow A Colour Palette
It’s important to follow a colour palette that suits the space. Unlike new build condos which are known for their very boring white walls, lofts provide darker, more earth-rich colour tones to the space thanks to the wood beams and wood accents found throughout the space.
You can either add additional earth-tone colours to the space such as black, browns, and beiges, or add colours to contrast the earth elements such as dark reds and blues.
Whichever route you take, make sure it’s cohesive and doesn’t clash too much.
10. Add Ceiling Treatments
The ceiling of your loft will often be 9+ feet above your head with wood beams, piping, and HVAC conduit. To take advantage of this additional space, add ceiling treatments. You can hang items from your ceiling to enhance the feeling of the height you have. Hang potted plants or hang a swinging chair.
11. Add Plants & Greenery
Take advantage of the large windows your loft will likely have. Adding plants or greenery are great decor items to help make your living area feel more welcoming. You can either have potted plants that live on the floor or as mentioned earlier, add ceiling treatments like pots and plants that hang from the ceiling.
However you decide to add life to your space, adding plants and greenery also provides benefits. The benefit of having plants and greenery is adding pops of colour to your decor and they make great accessories to compliment the industrial ruggedness of the space.
12. Creative Storage Solutions
Since lofts are typically large, finding purpose-built storage solutions may be difficult. This is why you need to get creative! Take advantage of the height these lofts have by incorporating vertical storage solutions. This can take the form of floating shelves, libraries, or large standing cabinets.
Creative vertical storage units will provide clean lines that guide your eyes up to enhance the feeling of the large ceilings. They also take advantage of wall space which might have gone unused in traditional settings.
13. Cozy Nooks
Feeling a bit cold in your loft? Try creating a cozy nook for relaxing or reading. A cozy nook with comfortable seating is a great way to bring warmth to your house. Cozy nooks can be found in the mezzanine of your loft or underneath the stairs. Wherever you decide to have your nook, it will help take advantage of any unused space in what may be considered a small loft.
14. Add A Statement Lighting Piece
Although you’ll likely be taking advantage of the sun’s light during the day thanks to your large windows, statement lighting pieces are great accessories to help tie a place together. They have practical advantages to a loft such as a source of light, they help decorate the space adding a unique sense of decor elements, and pending the lightbulb you use, they will provide a sense of warmth.
15. Use Subtle Mood Lighting
I’m a huge advocate for subtle mood lighting. Rather than having bright, white lighting that makes your place feel too commercial, embrace the use of subtle mood lighting through LED strips, floor lamps, or desk lamps. This will help create a more warm and welcoming environment while helping create a distinction between spaces without the need for walls.
16. Embrace Exposed Brick Walls
Brick walls are peak loft style. To really get the full experience of a hard loft, embrace the exposed brick. Rather than trying to hide them or cover them up, these walls can almost be statement pieces in and of themselves.
17. Incorporate Textured Elements
Lofts are already full of texture. From the metal finishings of exposed pipes to the rough texture of exposed brick walls, your loft is probably full of texture. Find additional items that can help bring texture to the space such as soft plush pillows or shag carpets. Consider incorporating storage units or furniture made out of reclaimed wood into your living room for the ultimate loft style.
18. Add Vintage Finds
Lofts have a natural vintage charm already, especially in those hard loft conversions. Try to incorporate vintage finds such as vintage furniture, vintage tables, vintage desks, or vintage lighting to add a unique sense of decor.
This is of course pending your personal taste. If you’re looking for a more modern loft decor, then go with more minimalistic furniture to juxtapose the vintage ruggedness of the loft.
19. Use Reflective Surfaces
Reflective surfaces are great in lofts because they take advantage of the large windows and create a more airy environment. Whether it’s stainless steel appliances in the kitchen or a metal and glass coffee table in the living room, using reflective surfaces are great tactics to help decorate your loft to make your room stand out.
20. Personalize With Personal Items
The worst thing you can do is having a home that doesn’t feel like home. To make a home feel like yours, you need to personalize it with your own belongings. Don’t be afraid to personalize your space to make it reflect who you are. Consider adding family photos, items of your hobbies and passions and other accessories that reflect who you are.
21. Bold Furniture
One of the great advantages of having a loft is the large floor plan you can work with. Having such a large floor plan might make it difficult to decorate with traditional furniture pieces like sofas, seats, and a dining room table. Instead, you need to think bigger and outside of the box.
Over the years, I’ve seen many lofts embrace large, bold, and untraditional pieces of furniture or decorative pieces. Here are some you may want to consider:
Pool table
Motorcycle
Vintage car seats
Sculptures or statues
Swinging chair or hammock
22. Tech-friendly Setup
As we move towards a more smart home-centric future, the best time to adopt a more tech-friendly setup is now. Not only will it help make your life easier, but the technology today can actually help you save money on electricity consumption and other utility consumption. You may want to consider adding a smart home thermostat, voice-controlled devices, and other smart home technology.
Final Thoughts On Loft Decorating Ideas
Whether you’re looking to buy a loft or rent a loft in Toronto, when you find the perfect place to call home, incorporating these interior design elements will help create a welcoming loft style for the perfect loft living experience.
If you’re looking for the perfect loft to call home, contact a real estate broker that can help you navigate the Greater Toronto Area real estate market such as Marco Pedri. Marco Pedri is a broker with Shoreline Realty Corp., Brokerage with years of experience helping families call some of Toronto’s most sought-after lofts, home. If you’re looking for a unique loft style to fit your needs, get in touch with me today.
If you feel overwhelmed with the whole process or feel as though you don’t have the time to give the proper attention to you renter search, contact me, Marco Pedri, to help with your tenant placement needs. With years of experience helping landlords find AAA tenants, I am confident I can produce the same outstanding results for you.
