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The loft style in the living room attracts people of creative professions who reject luxury and bad taste. Impoverished artists and musicians converted warehouses and basements into housing and used cheap materials for decoration. The living rooms of country houses and city apartments are decorated in the loft style. Find out what are the characteristic features of this style. And also what interior items can become the highlight of your design.
The emergence of style
Originated in the United States of America in the mid-20th century. At that time, idle factories began to be converted into residential premises. The popularity of this style instantly spread throughout the world. The loft style is distinguished by its zoning of rooms with huge full-height rooms, a loggia, high ceilings and simplicity in its appearance.
The loft-style living room design is a rather large-scale room in which roughness and airiness, vintage and modernity are intertwined. This design is preferred by lovers of different types of art, as it always has a feeling of incompleteness.
A little history
Loft originated in the 40s of the 20th century in America. Due to rising prices for renting land in the city center, industrial companies were forced to move production to the suburbs. As a result, there were many empty industrial spaces in the cities, which were sold for pennies. Representatives of New York bohemians took advantage of this, and the premises began to be used as inexpensive housing.
Open and free spaces were perfect for creating creative workshops, which is why they were chosen by artists and musicians. Here they not only worked creatively, but also lived. Creative people furnished new spacious housing with special taste. And by the 50s, such apartments became popular and rose in price due to their convenient location, spaciousness and special urban charm.
Thus, abandoned factory and warehouse areas were transformed into luxury homes.
Characteristic features of the style
Initially, loft is rough and simple forms and materials. The geometry of the room is strict, straight angles, laconic use of decor and minimal use of furniture. The interior of a loft-style living room should combine notes of vintage and modernity. Furniture and decorative elements made of glass, metal, wood and plastic are popular. In the loft, huge leather sofas and small glass tables on metal legs look impressive.
The decor is brightened up by open metal shelves with modern appliances and massive shabby cabinets. The distinctive feature of this style is that the more irregularities and imperfections you have, the more stylish your living room will look!
Characteristics
The loft living room is reminiscent of a warehouse or factory space with an emphasis on the raw surface of the walls, floor and ceiling. It is planned to re-equip large rooms with high ceilings, ranging from 100 square meters. m. The living room should be distinguished by large window openings that serve as light sources. From any corner of the room there is a view to the opposite side; your gaze should not stop.
Synthesis of loft and Scandinavian minimalism
Distinctive features of the loft style:
- The design of a two-level apartment is welcome, where metal or wooden stairs will fit harmoniously.
- The surface of the walls has a rough finish. It is recommended to leave the brick wall without plastering, as a feature of the loft style. Concrete walls or surfaces with carelessly applied plaster are allowed.
- Decorating the living room in light colors allows you to add light and airiness to the room. It is better not to use dark colors to avoid absorption of sunlight.
- Large floor-to-ceiling windows without curtains. Pots or vases with plants are not allowed on window sills, with rare exceptions - decorative pillows.
- Place aged but not shabby furniture in the center of the room. Furniture sets are chosen in light colors with catchy details.
- An attribute of warehouse premises is stoves or fireplaces.
Try to avoid a lot of dark colors in your design
Loft interiors include a combination of vintage industrial details and modern furniture. Communication and ventilation pipes are left open, supporting structures and beams are visible. Against the background of raw surfaces, chrome parts of modern technology sparkle, as well as large mirrors that further expand the space.
Organically fit into a non-standard composition
How to make a loft more comfortable
You can create a cozy loft by using warm shades using wood, zoning the room by adding a large number of light sources, using warm color temperatures, and using various textiles.
You can use bright ottomans, pillows, blankets, and curtains as various textiles. To decorate and increase the comfort level of your living room, you should purchase a variety of banners, large floor vases, DIY graffiti, and so on.
The more soul you put into your own loft-style living room renovation, the more coziness and comfort you will experience while in the free space of the room.
Textile
To decorate a room in a loft style, light curtains or roller curtains made from natural materials are suitable. Handmade curtains or blinds are also appropriate. The decisive touch in the design of the living room can be a carpet with a pronounced texture and an unusual color scheme.
The photo shows a loft interior with textile decoration in gray tones.
The decor can be complemented with functional blankets and sofa cushions, which can be decorated with geometric patterns or inscriptions. If the interior of the room is a loft with eco elements, textiles in natural colors will be the basis of such a design.
Color spectrum
The range of colors belonging to this style is not as extensive and varied as, for example, in the oriental one. It is characterized by minimalism (plain, strict design and brightness in some elements) and a cool color palette.
White, gray, black shades are the most popular and standard colors. The terracotta color creates a feeling of comfort and lightness in an apartment where the living room is decorated in a loft style.
To add brightness to the loft, blue, red and purple shades are used. Black, for example, is a popular color for contrasting style elements.
Sockets
in the loft living room
It is advisable to always make sockets with a reserve; think carefully about their location. Find a suitable place for the floor lamp, table lamps, and also determine their number. Don’t forget that the TV area always has a large number of sockets, which must be hidden behind the cabinet or TV. This also applies to electric fireplaces. We also recommend deciding in advance where you will place the Christmas tree and where you will include the holiday lights. In general, a living room requires approximately 15 outlets.
Wall decoration
There are several options for wall design. The first option is that the walls are painted in a single-color light coating and serve only as a backdrop for bright, large furniture. The second option is that the walls are the main detail in the design of a loft-style living room, as they are painted in dark colors. Such rooms usually have light and varied furniture.
Plaster. Wall decoration using ordinary plaster is especially popular. It gives the walls a stylistic finishing effect.
Concrete. It has a kind of rigor and conciseness. If decorated correctly, it looks very aesthetically pleasing; it is necessary to decorate the walls from the lightest to the darkest shade.
Brick. The main accessory of this style. Easily combined in combination with other materials. It is worth remembering that the walls should remain as empty as possible.
How to arrange furniture
The loft style involves abandoning standard solutions, so furniture for such a room is often made to order. It can be wooden, plastic, metal or glass.
A combination of several materials in the same element is quite acceptable.
Furnishing tips:
- It is better to buy or order elements on wheels, because the style is massive. Thanks to this trick, it will be easier to move elements;
- Antique items will look good;
- Shelving can be open and made of glass or metal;
- The technology must be modern;
- The sofa is usually placed in the center. It is massive, made of leather, leatherette or textile. It can also be bright, if you don’t want to make such a large contrasting spot, you can just make bright pillows;
- Curtains should match the style of the interior; you can choose a roller version;
- If the living room is combined with a bedroom, then it is better to highlight the sleeping area with the help of a podium or close it with a screen partition.
Lighting
You should familiarize yourself with the lighting features. First of all, the living room should have high panoramic windows that will illuminate your room well. Window frames must be wooden or painted with paint that imitates wood.
It is possible to divide the options into: ceiling, floor and wall lighting. It is known that the style, at one time, was assembled from various cheap accessories that could be found on the street or purchased at local markets. As a rule, loft style lighting should be similar to street lighting. Lamps can be hung on various ropes, wires and long cords.
Stylish lighting features: warm light, wrought iron sconces, water pipe floor lighting, unique lamps made of various metals, unhidden cords, vintage light bulbs.
Air conditioner
in a loft style living room
Pay attention to one rule - the cold air flow should not be directed towards the sofa or desk. Also keep in mind that the further the inner casing is located from the window, the more expensive its installation will be.
Air conditioner indoor unit
- cannot be called interior decoration. You always want to make it invisible. By the way, it will be much easier to hide a white block on a white wall.
Below you will see the most popular layouts with the air conditioner located in the living room.
1. The location of the indoor unit above the door is one of the best options.
2. The location of the air conditioner near the window is considered the most optimal for those who do not want to spend money on a groove for installation.
3. Poor location for the air conditioner unit. The cold air flow will be directed towards the sofa.
Floor decoration
It is worth noting that covering the floor with laminate or special floorboards, which are varnished on top, remains ideal and always relevant. Minimalism, which belongs to the loft style, corresponds to a wooden covering.
It is quite rare to find marble stone flooring in this style. But, there will probably be lovers of carpets and runners. Carpets and rugs must be monochromatic and ideally match your interior. The color of the baseboard and walls should be the same so that they merge and the room visually appears larger.
Floor
The floor in the living room, decorated in an industrial style reminiscent of a warehouse, is best made of wood - lay down boards and varnish their surface.
One of the most popular modern floor coverings - laminate - would also be appropriate in such an interior. Another possible option is linoleum; if desired, it can also be used in loft decor. But most often the floors are made of concrete, their surface is sanded and slightly leveled.
In certain areas of the hall you can use aged tiles.
Tip: paint the baseboards in a shade identical to the color of the walls so that the transition is not noticeable.
Living room zoning
There are various options for zoning the living room in a loft style house. The living room is a free space that connects the kitchen and bedroom at the same time. Curtains, various columns and pieces of furniture are an excellent way to zone a room:
- Bar. A bar counter is an excellent option for zoning the living room and kitchen.
- Dinner Zone. Most often, it separates the kitchen and the seating area. Divided by a dining table.
- Work area. Armchairs and bookcases, computer desks, and so on can be located here. Furniture items are selected depending on the needs of the home owner.
- Wardrobe. The loft style prefers minimalism in furniture and space distribution. Therefore, open metal shelving is used to store things.
Loft living room in the house
A large room without partitions with walls made of brick or concrete is suitable for arranging a loft living room. Zoning of a spacious room in a country house is done using furniture or decoration. The living room smoothly flows into the kitchen and bedroom; the bathroom is often visible.
Design involves combining surfaces and materials of different textures.
When you can combine completely different materials and finishes
Ceiling
On a high ceiling, the joints of slabs or ceilings, communication connections and cladding are left untreated. A good solution is to whitewash or paint the ceiling with light paint. It is enough to apply a layer of white or sand paint to the ceiling.
A successful option for painting or whitewashing the ceiling is up to you to choose
Walls
The loft does not tolerate thick walls inside the living room. The exception is a bathroom with a utility room separated by walls. Partitions made of glass blocks or screens, flooring or furniture are suitable for zoning.
The surface of the walls is in its original form. It is advisable to leave concrete or brick walls untreated; sometimes decorative plaster is applied or tiled. Designers suggest using plaster that forms cracks.
Concrete and brick walls look original and interesting
If the walls are initially dark, it is recommended to repaint them in light colors . The surface is painted with white or gray paint; olive or chocolate shades are allowed. Sometimes three walls of the living room are covered with light paint, and the fourth is painted with a contrasting blue, green or red color.
Floor
It is possible to replace a classic concrete floor with parquet, mosaic concrete, plank flooring, laminate, or artificial stone. It is advised to take care of floor insulation, because carpets are only allowed near the sofa and fireplace.
Concrete or brick walls look original and interesting
In addition to light from windows, they install spotlights, simple lamps on cables, and light bulbs hanging from the ceiling on pendants. Instead of lampshades, metal structures are used. Install tall table and floor lamps near sofas, between windows, and also in the hallway.
Decorative elements depend on the size of the living room. The large volumes of the room allow you to arrange massive furniture and rough finish the walls and ceiling.
For large interiors – large decorative elements and furniture
Furniture arrangement in the living room
When it comes to choosing furniture, there are a huge number of options. You can choose just those models that you like and have been lying in the closet for a long time.
A typical combination of retro furniture and various modern models. A huge leather or suede sofa located in the center of your living room will look stylish.
Features when choosing furniture for a living room in a loft style:
- Convenient and easy movement of the product. Therefore, preference should be given to furniture on wheels.
- Innovative technology.
- The presence of metal open shelves and racks.
- Availability of various antique interior items.
- Furniture upholstered in genuine leather, suede and textiles.
Space
The most important factor in industrial style is space. Therefore, focus on minimalism. Don’t overdo it with the amount of furniture - in loft interiors, the smaller the better. You can also optically enlarge your living room. Mirrors on the walls make the interior appear larger than it actually is.
Living Room Design Ideas
To make the room unique, designers resort to the use of ceiling beams and various decorations made of wood and metal. If your apartment is two-level, it is worth making a concrete staircase, which will be complemented by wooden steps.
A bright accent can be safely placed on the plant insert. This will be a kind of decor with living plants, which will only benefit the residents.
An excellent decorative element would be a built-in fireplace in a brick wall. You can use either a decorative small fireplace or a real one with retro inserts.
Colors
Beige color in loft living room design
It can hardly be said that when decorating a living room, preference should be given only to light colors. There are a huge number of examples of creative and vibrant interiors that use accent walls. This is true for both classical and modern trends. But below we will talk about living rooms decorated in light colors, as there are good reasons for this.
Beige visually expands the space
. One can hardly argue with the fact that in modern apartments it is very important to visually make the space larger and brighter.
Compatibility
. Beige in gentle forms will look harmonious with both cold and warm tones. Thanks to its versatility, you can not be afraid to add various bright accents to your interior design. Feel free to use furniture, decor or textiles as a bright color accent.
Create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort
. These shades are not boring and have a beneficial effect on the general emotional state of a person.
Beige color in the living room
. For classic interiors, beige in warm shades is used, since its cool shades are more appropriate in modern trends.
A selection of beige living rooms
Gray color in the interior of a loft living room
Gray color in the living room
. This project is a perfect example of how gray is an understated and pleasant color.
If dark shades are used incorrectly, the interior can be filled with gloomy and tragic notes. And the abundance of white in apartment design can make the space dull and boring. In this case, gray color can be called something in between. This is a calm and unobtrusive color. It is extremely versatile and can be combined with any shade.
A selection of gray living rooms
Brick wall in a loft
As a rule, people are accustomed to seeing a brick wall on the facade of a house, but not in the living room as a detail of a loft style. Currently, a brick wall is the most popular wall design element. It is known that the roughness of brick walls, shades of concrete, and lamps made of raw metal are the delights of an industrial-style space called a loft.
A brick wall is a new trend in interior design. They were popular back in ancient times, when brick was the main element of expressing beauty and style in the interior. For example, in Italy, most houses have bare brick walls.
Advantages of using brick:
- Expression of beauty and aesthetics;
- Durability;
- Chemical resistance;
- Waterproof;
- Easy to create a brick wall.
Finish options
The main role when recreating a loft in the living room is played by cladding:
Walls. The main element is brick walls or gypsum tiles that imitate brick. The walls can be left concrete, covered with textured wallpaper, or covered with wooden boards.
Floor. When decorating the floor, you should give preference to natural materials or laminate. The ideal solution would be oak or pine flooring, as well as tiles that imitate stone.
Ceiling. To emphasize the creative interior as much as possible, leave the bare, untreated ceiling, paint it in neutral light colors, or cover it with textured concrete-like plaster.
The photo shows an interior in an industrial style, where the ceiling is decorated with plaster with imitation concrete.
Doors. The design of door leaves made from natural materials combines antiquity with modern details and often has an original appearance. Glass inserts are appropriate, as well as high-quality wood imitations.
The photo shows a small living room with a black wooden door.
Window. Windows with dark profiles and unusual fittings for frames fit organically into the loft style. But the industrial style is a balance of rough finish and lightness, therefore, if the room is small, the windows are decorated in light colors.
The photo shows a stylish living room, the walls of which are lined with brickwork. To optically increase the space, panoramic windows and a large mirror are installed.
Eco-friendly wood is often used to decorate city apartments, which not only has a noble appearance, but also helps create a coziness and warm environment.
Loft style decor
The main advantage of loft style decor is that it allows you to save most of the free space. Decorative elements can give a feeling of freedom and lightness. The decor has several directions: Scandinavian and industrial.
The decor of the room can be: a brick wall, a crack in the ceiling, various light sources, atypical mirrors, hangers, ropes, metal racks. At the same time, it can perfectly combine decorative items from other styles. For example, abstract paintings and posters in pop art style.
Why is it necessary to choose a loft style?
If you want to add a sense of style and flair to your home renovation, then you should lean towards this style. Such renovation will please every family member, as it has many advantages. If desired, it is possible to create a beautiful design for a small living room in the loft style. Experiment, create and develop a sense of style, uniqueness and comfort in your home!
Ceilings
A possible solution for finishing the ceilings in the hall is plain painting, wallpapering or wood cladding. The main requirement is no moldings, stucco or other decorations.
Kitchen-living room - loft, photo
Often in interiors you can see unclosed pipes running along the ceiling, holes for ventilation. This decor is especially natural in a living room combined with a dining room.
A plain white ceiling will also work; This decoration looks simple, there is not the slightest hint of pretentiousness.
Ceilings in their original form are considered one of the most successful options for creating a loft style for a living room or hall in its original form.
A ceiling with decorative wooden beams can become a “feature” of the entire interior.
Boho style in the interior of an apartment is a way to express yourself and your impressions of creativity, travel, and nature. See beautiful photos with design ideas for modern apartments.
Read about how to make a wall in a loft style in this article.
