Living in a loft apartment: large spaces inspire, awaken ideas and promote creativity – no wonder artists and creative people once discovered the empty halls of disused factories in New York. The spacious, high-ceilinged rooms offered space for a free lifestyle that seamlessly combined work and living and has lost none of its appeal to this day.
But the loft feeling is no longer confined to downtown Manhattan. This special loft style can also be implemented here in Germany – and not necessarily just in the big city. In terms of architecture, a lot is possible today – even new buildings, converted barns or modernized old apartments can be designed in a loft style if they take up the open character and typical design features.
What is a loft style?
A classic loft apartment is a large, open space without clearly defined rooms. Living, sleeping and dining areas flow into one another, separated at most by furniture, shelves or textile room dividers. But even if individual areas such as the bathroom or storage room are structurally separated, the apartment can retain its loft character – the decisive factors are the generous sense of space and the typical industrial elements.
Is it still a loft apartment if the bedroom is partitioned off?
Yes, absolutely. The concept of a loft apartment remains the same, even if individual areas such as the bedroom are structurally separated – for example by a glass wall or a sliding door. It is important that the overall impression of openness and spaciousness is retained. Modern loft apartments often rely on clever partitions that preserve privacy without destroying the open feeling of space. For example:
– Transparent walls: Glass walls or frameless doors provide structure without visually reducing the size of the room.
– Multifunctional furniture: Room dividers such as bookshelves can also serve as storage space and separate areas from one another.
– Sliding doors: These can be opened as required to recreate the loft character.
The right choice of color
There are no fixed rules on how to implement the loft living concept in terms of color – the design is up to you. However, modern lofts often rely on a uniform, light and calm color scheme for floors and walls to emphasize the spacious rooms and set off accent pieces in the best possible way. However, uniform does not mean monotonous: harmonious shades of white, light gray, beige or warm wood tones create a harmonious overall picture. Existing elements such as exposed brick or concrete can be integrated in a targeted manner to give the loft that characteristic touch of industrial charm.
Loft style vs. industrial style: what’s the difference?
Although the loft style and the industrial style often go hand in hand, there are subtle differences:
– Loft style: This style focuses on openness and a modern interpretation of industrial elements. Materials such as concrete, steel or glass are complemented by warm wood, leather or plants to create a homely atmosphere. The loft style is versatile and also allows for individual adaptations – for example through color accents or more modern designs.
– Industrial style: The industrial style is often rougher and more closely based on the original aesthetics of factory buildings. Rustic materials such as untreated wood, dark steel and exposed brick walls dominate here. In terms of color, the industrial style often sticks to neutral tones such as grey, black or dark brown and forgoes decorative details in favor of a functional, “unfinished” look.
In a nutshell, you could say that the loft style is the more homely, modern evolution of the industrial style. Both have their roots in the conversion of industrial buildings, but the loft style is more flexible and easier to adapt to personal living requirements.
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