You’ve just moved into a new loft, and are loving the feeling. You now have high ceilings, great natural light, and flexibility when it comes to furniture arrangement.
But loft living can also come with some disadvantages. So what are some things you can do to make living in a loft as enjoyable as possible?
Keep reading for 7 tips that’ll help you make the most out of loft living.
1. Make the Most Out of Limited Space
Unless you moved into a multi-million dollar loft in Manhattan, odds are your new loft will have less space than you’re used to. This just means you’ll need to get creative.
Look for furniture that is space-savvy yet functional. For your bed, look into one that can fold into the wall in the day. This will let you take full advantage of the space it would otherwise be taking up while still getting a good night’s sleep.
Many modern tables can also be raised and lowered to suit your needs. Consider having a table that doubles as a coffee table and dining table. When you need to eat, you can raise it up. When you’re ready to kick back and relax, bring it back down.
2. Look for Ways to Divide up Rooms
Open floor plans are great, but it can still be a good idea to have some sense of sectionality in your loft.
One way to signal different “rooms” is by using area rugs. Make sure you select a rug that is big enough for all of your furniture to fit on. If there are a table and chairs on the rug, you should be able to move your chair back without it going over the edge.
You can also look at using bookshelves and other large shelving units as dividers. Not only will this help with storage, but it will also give a sense of privacy for some areas of your loft, such as your sleeping area. Some also feature a bookshelf on one side and a wardrobe on the other.
3. Maximize Your Storage Capabilities
Using bookshelves as walls can help with storage, but what are some other things you can do?
As closest are hard to come by in lofts, consider converting an entire wall into a storage center. You can fill it from the ceiling to the floor with cabinets, shelving, and closets. Although it can be expensive, it’ll make your life more pleasant as you’ll have the space to store the things you care about.
Lofts also have a tendency to have an echo. By filling the walls with space and objects, you can help reduce that. Another way to limit an echo and ensure that you’re protected against the elements is with insulation. Check out this guide on how to install the best performing loft insulation.
4. Go Vertical
Loft spaces typically have high ceilings, meaning that you should take full advantage of the verticality.
If you do convert a wall into a storage space, it might be too high for you to reach the objects on the top shelf. Consider adding a ladder, which will not only let you grab the items on the top, but will also take your loft’s aesthetic to another level.
You should also make sure that whatever decorations and lighting you have incorporate the entire wall. A picture behind a couch can look nice, but if it’s too small and the wall is 12 feet tall, it’ll look odd.
Don’t be afraid to go up!
5. Hang Artwork Everywhere
If you haven’t had artwork in your home before, now is the perfect time to buy some.
Lofts have large wall spaces that look great when covered with artwork. Don’t worry about filling the entire wall all at once. Start in the center with one piece, then build around and off of that. Try to maintain a similar style as you expand it outwards
If you don’t want to use paintings, you can also make a wall of photographs. Again, try to have a consistent sense of style when it comes to framing and size. Sites such as Pinterest can help you find the decorative inspiration you need.
Artwork in lofts also looks great due to all of the natural light. Choose your pieces, then let the sun light them up!
6. Make Sure Your Furniture Is the Right Size
Whenever you’re decorating a home, filling a space with appropriately-sized furniture can be difficult. This is particularly true when decorating a loft.
When filling any space, furniture should not be too small. If it is, it’ll feel uncomfortable for you and your guests. Instead, choose pieces that are big, but that still allow you to walk by without a problem.
Keep in mind that some furniture pieces can also be too big. Although you might be able to squeeze the gigantic sectional into your space, consider that it may not be the best idea.
Finding the right balance between quantity and scale will make your loft feel comfortable and inviting.
7. Consider Having an Eclectic Style
One of the coolest features of lofts is that they often combine various styles. Industrial, contemporary, and classic design elements can all be present in the same space.
This means that when choosing your furniture, you have a lot of options to choose from. Unlike decorating a house, which generally calls for a more cohesive style, a loft lets you mix and match to a greater extent.
Don’t be afraid to buy something funky, then put it next to something classic.
Make the Most of Living in a Loft
Living in a loft can come with a lot of great advantages, and by following these design tips, you’ll be able to enjoy it even more.
Do you have any other tips or advice on how to live in a loft? If you do, let us know!
For more guides, don’t forget to check out some of our other articles.