The loft style is at the peak of popularity today - it is used for furnishing country houses, apartments, and offices. Such interiors look rough, but at the same time unusual and stylish. In addition to the brick wall decoration characteristic of the style, it uses appropriate furniture, the central element of which is a loft sofa, which is distinguished by its versatility and originality. One of the advantages of this design is its ease of implementation. Having studied the basic rules for arranging this style, you can try to implement it in your home. The collected material will tell you what types of loft sofas there are and how to place them correctly.
Style Features
The loft style is industrial-urban. It comes from the USA and appeared around the middle of the last century, when factory premises were massively converted into residential ones. In the 1950s, such an interior was at the peak of popularity among New York aristocrats: artists, poets, musicians. Then the loft fell in love with Europeans, and now it is slowly conquering the people of our country. Loft literally translates as “attic”.
The loft style is widely used to decorate apartments, country houses, offices and showrooms. Interestingly, this interior looks very simple and budget-friendly, but in fact it is considered one of the most expensive design options. There are three main styles: industrial, bohemian, glamorous.
Accordingly, furniture must be selected based on the selected loft variation. Since rooms made in this style should be spacious and not cluttered with unnecessary objects, a loft sofa usually becomes the key element of the room. It has certain advantages:
- Originality and uniqueness. The design can be supplemented with unusual elements. For example, swivel wheels, a brutal metal frame, armrests made of artificially aged wood.
- Convenience and functionality. Traditionally, a loft-style sofa has quite impressive dimensions and is equipped with useful additional elements: built-in drawers for storing bed linen, minibars, open shelves that can easily fit several books and a TV remote control.
- Wide color palette. Upholstery can be in traditional neutrals or flashy bright colors. In the second case, the piece of furniture will serve as an accent of the entire interior.
- Modularity. Very often, loft sofas are made up of individual structural elements, which makes them versatile and mobile.
Furniture with a print will absolutely not fit into the style of manufacturing enterprises; it must be plain.
Manufacturers produce loft-style furniture in a variety of configurations, since there are no strict frameworks or clear restrictions. Sofas can be straight, corner, U-shaped or even non-standard - transformable, modular. However, they are all distinguished by their massiveness and originality.
The direction implies the presence of somewhat rough, high-quality and durable upholstery. Genuine leather is considered the ideal option. Such models look expensive and impressive. More budget products may be coated with furniture fabrics with a water-repellent effect.
Furniture in the loft style is a harmonious combination of conciseness and practicality. The main features are simplicity, convenience, creativity. It must be positioned in such a way that it divides the space into functional zones.
An excellent addition to the loft interior will be a handmade coffee table made of wood, diluted with epoxy resin inserts.
Impressive dimensions
Convenience
Modularity
Originality
Functionality
Minimal finishing
What should a loft style sofa be like?
Loft sofas correspond to the “industrial” concept.
- Laconic design: there is no decor, there are only the most necessary elements - a seat, a backrest, simple-shaped armrests, legs.
- The color scheme is restrained: gray, brown, beige, white, black tones. No prints. Everything is simple and functional.
- The cases are mostly massive.
- The effect of aging (scuffs, imitation cracks, faded upholstery) is welcome.
- Horizontal and vertical planes. Straight, angular, semicircular models.
Modern sofas of this stylistic trend have retained the main features of their predecessors, but have become more comfortable. In the production of such furniture, high-quality durable materials are used.
Frames and legs are made of wood, metal, plastic. For upholstery, soft natural and artificial leather and fabric of soft shades without patterns are used.
Bright colors were added to the traditional loft color scheme - red and its shades (burgundy, purple), blue. They allow you to create expressive accents in the interior.
Popular models
When choosing a sofa, you should pay attention to its shape and color. It can be a simple classic or vintage style model. Such furniture is the embodiment of minimalism and conciseness. The shade of the selected model should be in harmony with the color scheme of the rest of the interior.
The design of a sofa in the loft style must be simple. Straight lines and strict shapes look good. And the presence of any patterns and complex decoration is not suitable at all. Several suitable models include:
- Transformable sofa. The mechanisms can be very diverse. Folding sofas are especially convenient because, if necessary, they can be converted into a full-fledged sleeping place. Cool, plain and dark upholstery colors are better suited. When choosing, you should take into account the practicality of the mattress - it is recommended to give preference to orthopedic models.
- L-shaped and U-shaped. Such models are traditionally placed in the corner of the room. You can also place a corner sofa in the center, thus creating an island area.
- Sofa-rook. It personifies the laconicism and brutality of the loft style. It is functional and convenient. Black models look great and fill the interior with status. White “rooks,” on the contrary, will add elegance and suit the ascetic Scandinavian style.
- Modular. Like a construction set, this sofa can be assembled in different ways. Another advantage: individual elements also provide functionality. For such models, there are two types of connections - loose or rigid. Accordingly, in the first case, the sofa can be modified as desired, extended or transformed. Such models, like corner sofas, can be placed in the center of the room.
- Designer. This option is distinguished by uniqueness and originality. Bright upholstery solutions or calm neutral ones are possible.
Pay attention to models equipped with wheels. They will not only fit perfectly into the loft style, but will also make it easier to move furniture, making it more mobile.
The sofa model is selected based on the size of the room, as well as the functions assigned to the furniture. Having decided on the option, it is important not to forget about the material from which the product is made.
Modular
L-shaped transformer
Rook Designer
U-shaped
How to position a sofa in a loft style
The idea of freedom inherent in this stylistic direction is also reflected in the principle of furniture arrangement. Sofas can be placed anywhere in the room. But placing it near the wall around the perimeter of the room is not recommended.
It is better to place the sofa right in the middle of the room or closer to the window, turning its back to the window opening and leaving a wide passage between it and the window sill. You can even place furniture diagonally. No restrictions.
Manufacturing materials
Wood and metal are the main raw materials for interior design in the loft style, which should be taken into account when choosing a sofa. Manufacturers often equip furniture with individual elements made from these materials, for example, armrests. Models with chrome-plated legs fit well into the design of the room.
Loft sofas themselves are traditionally made from natural materials. The classic option is leather or its equivalent, high-quality leatherette. Of course, a leather sofa will cost much more, but the price is compensated by its strength, durability, and comfort. Such models will fit perfectly into the interior, even if they have prints or logos, which is not permissible for textile options.
A folding sofa upholstered in leather is not the best option for sleeping; the bedding on it will slide or bunch up.
Suede or high-density textiles with a rough texture are also used as upholstery. The main thing is to choose plain options, without any ornaments. The following colors can be considered:
- brown;
- grey;
- lactic;
- black;
- Navy blue;
- white.
Those who like to experiment can make a loft-style sofa themselves using old pallets. A base or frame is constructed from pallets. The upper part can be taken from an old sofa or you can sew pillows with your own hands. This budget option will fit perfectly into an industrial interior. Other upholstered furniture in the loft style is made in a similar way.
Leather
Leatherette
Suede
High Density Textile
Materials and design of sofas
Depending on the mood and features of the interior, the appropriate furniture models are selected:
- Classic furniture will add a glamorous mood to an industrial interior. Straight, corner sofas or modular systems with expensive velvet and velor upholstery produce a slightly shocking effect. Against the background of gray concrete or red brick walls, such models in rich pastel colors (lavender, powdery, mint, lilac, light turquoise) look especially contrasting.
Original sofas in pastel shades in an industrial style
Sofa in a loft style apartment
Bohemian luxury is emphasized by products made from natural wood. The furniture can be found in an antique shop, so light wear is quite appropriate. Sofas with forged bases or solid wood elements, fabric or leather upholstery will fit perfectly into a bohemian setting. The color palette is selected in natural shades (brown, gray, beige). The industrial loft is the most common, which is not surprising. Modern furniture with geometrically regular shapes is standard, functional and comfortable. It’s easy to choose a large leather corner or modular system for a spacious living room. A set of neat straight sofa and armchairs with textile blue or gray upholstery will fit perfectly into the decor of a studio apartment.
Leather sofa in loft style
Sofa made of pallets in loft style
Popular models of upholstered furniture
Soft corner in loft style
Manufacturers offer a wide range of sofas for the loft style. If you couldn’t find a model to your taste, it won’t be difficult to make an individual order. It is enough to have a general idea of the shape and size. If you are not satisfied with the color of an existing piece of furniture, you can sew special covers or change the upholstery.
Sofa of laconic design in loft style
Sofa on a wooden frame in loft style
Criterias of choice
According to experts, loft-style sofas must meet a number of criteria. This piece of furniture should be:
- concise;
- multifunctional;
- transformable;
- large-sized;
- upholstered in durable natural materials in muted tones;
- with wheels.
If you can’t find the right sofa in furniture stores, you can always make it according to an individual project. Such a product will cost more, but in the end you will receive an exclusive piece of furniture that exactly matches the rest of the interior. Another option is to order reupholstery for a model you like, the upholstery of which does not match the style direction.
The design of almost any sofa can be easily changed using covers. This is a great opportunity to update your interior without purchasing new furniture.
With wheels
Large modular
Multifunctional
In muted tones
Laconic
Common mistakes
The sofa is a very noticeable element of the room. If you choose it incorrectly, it will stand out from the overall concept of the interior. To prevent this from happening, it is worth considering the common mistakes of other users, collected empirically:
- A small sofa will look awkward in a spacious room - in other words, it will get lost there.
- You should not place an old sofa with signs of wear into the interior. If such carelessness is appropriate for decorating a room, for example, when decorating walls, then this definitely does not apply to furniture. It must be new, without scuffs.
- Excessive finishing. The sofa should be massive, expensive, but at the same time have a minimalist design.
- Bright colors. Furniture in rich colors will immediately stand out from the general style. Upholstery tones should be muted.
The loft sofa is the central detail of the interior. To find the “right” model, you need to take into account a whole list of criteria, paying special attention to plain furniture of a simple configuration with clear geometric parameters. And in order for the sofa to look even more harmonious and impressive in the interior, it can be supplemented with appropriate loft pillows.
Types of sofas in loft style
Over time, several types of loft sofas have emerged, differing quite significantly from each other.
- Bohemians buy at flea markets and antique stores. Some manufacturers offer imitations of such “old” furniture.
- Industrial - minimalist: rectangular sofas with leather upholstery.
- Glamorous - luxurious products in classical or baroque styles, produced in modern factories. A characteristic feature is the pastel colors of the upholstery, and unusual ones, for example, lilac-gray.
- Scandinavian models are ascetic models, in which there is nothing superfluous and there are details characteristic of the high-tech style.
