Currently, the design of apartments in loft style is gaining increasing popularity. This architectural direction implies a maximum of light and space, as well as the absence of internal partitions in the room. This style has something in common with minimalism, but unlike it, it provides ample opportunities for implementing various creative ideas.
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How the style of the loft
was formed At the end of the first half of the last century, in industrial districts of New York there was a tendency to convert the upper partsindustrial use triples. The fact is that a sharp jump in the price of land forced the owners of factories and plants to take production outside the city - as a result, the vacant premises of former enterprises and warehouses were chosen by local bohemia, attracted by low prices for renting these premises, as well as their functional characteristics. High ceilings, the availability of good light and space allowed them to be used simultaneously as workshops and for housing, in addition, they could open exhibitions and expositions. At the same time, most of the attributes of an industrial character left from the original purpose of the room, in the form of hinged beams, bare brick or concrete walls without any decoration, external ventilation systems were preserved in their original form.
Arrangement of an apartment-studio in the style of the loft consisted in the addition of new metal, chrome and glass details, modern furniture and modern household appliances. Thus, a new architectural trend was gradually formed. Its name is like the English word loft, which in translation means "top floor, attic".By the middle of the XX century it was in the premises, equipped in the style of the loft, concentrated bohemian life of New York. This kind of original housing in the course of time acquired an elite status. A peculiar and very impressive mix in the interiors of loft apartments has come to the liking of many people who prefer the maximum freedom of expression to the generally accepted stereotypes and standards of housing design. Over time, to rent large rooms in the center of the city for most artists was too expensive, and studio apartments loft was chosen by successful representatives of the business community.
In modern conditions, the design of a loft-style room is most suitable:
- for owners of apartments or large-area buildings with high ceilings - in the presence of free space, in the arrangement of them in loft style there is where to "sweep" the design fantasy;
- for representatives of various creative professions - applying this architectural direction, it is easy to arrange a studio in the room or a workshop, which, if desired, can be combined with an exhibition hall for demonstration of works. Similarly, it is possible to implement various creative ideas;
- for homeowners who seek to save on its arrangement, as the main credo of this style is simplicity in combination with minimal financial costs.
Characteristic features of the loft style
Currently, the interior design in loft style is becoming more and more popular. Most often it is chosen by people who, in accordance with generally accepted patterns, prefer a free layout, while striving to design their home in a new, non-standard and creative style.
This line assumes:
- open plan, implying the absence of stationary internal partitions in the room. Differentiation of functional zones can be carried out in various ways - using color accents and contrasts, thoughtful arrangement of furniture. It should be noted that when designing an apartment in loft style it is required to preserve the concept of a single space;
- to obtain the effect of maximum light and space, it is necessary to have high ceilings, as well as large panoramic windows, which are undesirable to be covered with curtains;
- the availability of "industrial" parts - something that is undesirable or even unacceptable for most other architectural areas( exposed communication pipes, brickwork inside, as well as roughly plastered walls or with neutral finish, heavy cast-iron batteries, floor of rough boards), acts as characteristic features - one might say, the raisins of this style;
- mixing of various trends, including a perfectly harmonious combination within the same interior of untreated walls, "factory" staircases, uncovered skeleton of the ceiling, exposed to public view of the pipeline and wiring - with modern details in the form of high-tech equipment and household appliances, as well as convenient andfunctional items of furniture of simple design. In such an interior, the presence of chrome and metal surfaces, partitions of transparent glass, steel tiles in the decoration of walls is welcomed;
- the prevalence of low-key cool tones( restrained shades of gray, blue, brown, terracotta), the presence of window openings of a large area, the lack of a large number of decor items.
It should be noted that the furnishings in such an interior bear an important semantic load. Inside the premises of a large area, in the absence of stationary partitions, furniture is used to separate the individual functional zones - it can be selected in any style, from unusual design solutions to standard standard options. In a room decorated in loft style, a combination of antique furnishings with modern analogues looks very impressive. For example, you can place next to the chrome furniture, Viennese chairs and grandmother's carved buffet, retro furniture from genuine leather - combined with a glass coffee table. With various projects loft apartments can be found on the Internet.
How to make an apartment in loft style
Designers assure that the elements of this direction can be used in the design of any room. Arrangement of an apartment - studio in the loft style implies the absence of internal partitions, as well as cumbersome storage systems( it is recommended to give preference to the built-in structures).In order to preserve privacy, equipment of a separate toilet and a berth is allowed. Ideally, all functional areas should be grouped within a single room. To give a certain zone of privacy it is necessary to use a variety of screens and mobile partitions. It is possible to effectively delineate the perimeter of the loft space by installing "undeveloped" brick, concrete or artificial stone columns and arches, as well as with the help of a thoughtful arrangement of furniture. Design loft flat design involves a minimum number of accessories, furnishings, as well as textiles. By removing partitions and stationary doors, as a result, you can get a significant gain in the form of an optimally structured space that provides tangible freedom of movement within the premises.
Although originally this design was used for converted industrial premises for large volumes of housing, with the desire to really build a cozy small studio or a typical small apartment in the loft style. Designers in such cases practice the application of the following method - the combination of different functional zones. If the apartment has a balcony, you can combine it with the adjoining room. Having completed a reliable waterproofing and insulating the balcony, it is easy to arrange a sleeping, living room or dining area loft. It should be taken into account that any supporting wall can not be removed, the maximum permissible for it changes - to pierce the opening in the form of a semicircular arch and install there point lights that improve the illumination in the room.
Floor, Wall & Ceiling
For the installation of the floor, you can apply materials that simulate coarse natural boards and slats, a laminate or a parquet board with the effect of scuffing, as well as a rubber polymer coating. In rooms with a small area visually expand the space will help "mirror" 3d-floor covering( with a picture or a monophonic).For a loft style setting, it is very important to equip a "rough" ceiling in the form of putty concrete slabs - without further finishing, with dedicated beams. In addition, as a typical loft feature is a wall of gray concrete or red brick with untreated masonry. In general, the lack of cladding is a special feature of this style. Most often in the room make out one or two similar accent walls. If there is no exposed brickwork in the room, if it is desired, it can be successfully imitated using modern finishing materials.
It is recommended to leave the windows in a loft-style room without any curtains or curtains. Nevertheless, sometimes they are decorated with Roman curtains that are gaining popularity. It is very appropriate to have panoramic windows with windows in the wall - this layout will get the maximum natural light. In a room decorated in loft style, as a rule, central lighting is not used, as it shifts the accents from the interior composition upwards. Thus, it is more expedient to organize independent local lighting of individual functional zones. The original lighting will give local compositions a special comfort and a feeling of comfort.
Arrangement of furniture and organization of storage areas
Grouping of furniture can be carried out in different ways, depending on personal preferences. The only recommendation - placing it along the walls is to prefer a space in the center of the room, so as to clearly delineate the resting places. The boundaries of the functional zones in this case will outline the backs of the seats and the sofas.
In addition, zoning space will help carpet, as well as a catwalk equipped with a podium( possibly with stairs), with a finish in the tone of the walls - in this case you can use the space below it, equipping the areas for storing various things. Hidden under the catwalk drawers will be an excellent alternative to a bulky cabinet. In general, lofts are characterized by the absence of massive cabinets, although in some cases such structures can act as partitions. Wardrobes are replaced by floor hangers, furniture sections, and also bookcases and open racks are often placed along the wall or perpendicular to it.
If there is a second floor, storage of household utensils is easy to organize - for this it is convenient to use a niche under the stairs, placing shelves in it and manning the dressing room. For lifting to the top you can equip a light ladder from the aluminum profile or a more solid marching option.
Arrangement of functional areas
Open racks, metal shelves on which dishes and cooking equipment are housed, as well as lamps without lampshades, suspended on long cords, act as elements of an industrial style. Modern household appliances for the rapid preparation of various dishes will also be very appropriate. It should be noted that in a single studio space loft kitchen evaporation in the form of smells of prepared food can spread throughout the room, settling on furniture and soaking into textiles - to avoid such problems it will be necessary to equip a sufficiently powerful hood.
To combine the kitchen area with the living room will help the bar, while the table line and the flooring will act as space dividers. In the cooking area, it is advisable to lay a floor tile under a tree, in places to rest, the cycleed plank floor will look great. In the loft-style interior, furniture with a combined finish, for example, with a facade decorated with metal, as well as open racks, chrome bar counters and artificially aged surfaces, will harmoniously fit in.
In the bathroom modern metal and glass accessories look great against the background of walls with untreated brickwork, as well as external water pipes. An expensive plumbing with vintage faucets and a snow-white bowl will be highlighted by unobtrusive wall finishing with fragmentary wood inclusions. Regardless of the choice of cladding and sanitary equipment, the characteristic elements and loft features should be used in the interior of such a bathroom.
It is not difficult to arrange a personal space in a loft-style room, having issued a niche or an alcove and marking the boundaries of the sleeping area with mobile screens of frosted glass, plasterboard partitions or wooden panels with a height of human growth. If you put a small tabletop on the back of the separator, you can get a convenient workplace. Such a decision can be applied to equip the nursery. Various sliding structures help to adapt the space for specific needs, while performing certain aesthetic functions, and if necessary, easily transformed into subtle details.
Useful recommendations
Within the limited space of a loft in a one-room apartment, you can do without a clear separation of the functions of the furniture - for example, a sofa or a chair-transformer will be a convenient place for rest in the evening, and at night it can be easily turned into a cozy bed. In this way, you can achieve significant savings in usable area. Loft in the interior of a small apartment can look very democratic and stylish, and at the same time be comfortable enough for living. Designers recommend in the arrangement of lofts to give preference to stylish models of clear shapes and simple designs. Having installed a wardrobe, it can hide a significant amount of clothes, ironing board, TV and computer. Thus, rationally applying furniture, you can remove all unnecessary and free space, not only visually, but also for functional needs.
Interior design in loft style provides ample opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Roughly processed wooden worktops or in the form of a sheet of plastic laid on top of a metal frame, as well as a glass coffee table will support the impression of an industrial style. In the presence of predominantly monochromatic staining, the use of objects with a clear geometry, in the spirit of minimalism, it is easy to create a sense of a single space in the room.
It should be noted that in view of the lack of piling up of things in the room, you may get the impression of cleanliness, close to sterility. If you want to make the interior feel warm and cozy, you can use warm shades of wood furniture, as well as textiles. Indoor plants placed on the shelves, will come to the interior of naturalness. To avoid obstructing the penetration of sunlight into the room, do not clutter and curtain the windowsills.
To arrange a loft-style space, it is recommended to choose accessories that literally "catch the eye".To decorate an apartment in loft style, you can use unusual lamps, soft puffs of complex shapes and bright colors, floor vases, reproductions of paintings in the urban style. Excellent graphic engravings, posters, portraits, catchy posters and information signs from tin or metal, as well as "factory" items such as hung cogs, coffee tables and lamps from tires, will perfectly fit into this interior.
Interior loft in apartment - photo
