Decorating A Loft Or Small Space In Style

Editor: modloft

Loft living is catching on, but knowing how to blend traditional and modern styles to create the ideal interior loft space can be tricky.

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Today's lofts present architectural features such as concrete floors, exposed piping and brick, among others, that add interest to a home but can also add challenges when decorating. Not dealt with well, a loft's décor can sometimes compete with its architectural features.

But decorating a loft also has great benefits. Designers can play with many styles and are able to mix in pieces from several genres. A loft's unique character lends well to "out-of-the-box" design. There are also fewer rules than there are with a traditional home, which makes the process entirely creative and reflective of the owner's spirit and style.

Define your "rooms." Most lofts have very open floor plans that often include only one great room in addition to the bedroom and bathrooms. This can be both a pro and a con. Openness allows the resident to be creative and customize the area to his or her needs. On the flipside, it can be intimidating and challenging to decide exactly how to use your space and where to create "rooms."

Therefore, the first step in decorating is to determine the function of the space. How will you use it?

Walk around the loft and decide the best areas for working, living and entertaining. Once you've devised a space, plan. It's easy to divide the open areas into "rooms" through the placement of partitions, large pieces of furniture or area rugs.

Maximize your space -- even the most posh lofts are typically smaller than a traditional high-end home. This means the owner has to maximize the use of space and give the home enough storage room without letting it look cluttered or, on the opposite end, cold. One way to do this is by using furniture that doubles as storage.

Ottomans that lift up into file drawers and trunks used as coffee tables are very loft-friendly. Armoires and vintage cabinets are also perfect ways to add character to a loft's interior while creating additional storage options.

If your loft has a very industrial feel to it, contemporary interiors work well. Sleek pieces with defined shapes play nicely off industrial architectural elements like exposed piping and concrete walls or floors.

Paying attention to the materials used in your décor is critical, too. Combining wood, glass, chrome and stainless steel creates an interesting look that blends nicely in an industrial-themed loft.

However, some lofts have a more vintage, warm feeling. These spaces are typically found in older, refurbished buildings. They are known for their exposed brick, decorative moldings and gorgeous columns. All of these elements give great character to a loft and can enhance a room's interior décor.

In older loft spaces, contemporary furnishings might not be the only, or even the right option. Think about incorporating turn-of-the-century antiques or even re-productions. Feminine, glass chandeliers can be prefect in an older loft. Hand-carved chests and rich upholstery on furniture with curved lines also work well to play up the character of the space.

Have fun with your art. The high ceilings and large windows that often adorn a loft make them perfect homes for all kinds of art. Don't let a particular style or genre dictate your selection; have fun with your art collection and choose pieces that you love.

Contemporary or traditional, paintings or prints, the art in a loft can give it an intense amount of personality. If gallery-type art is not your thing, you can think beyond the obvious and use vintage ads or movie posters to give your walls punch.

Let in the light. Suspended lamps can be a fun way to integrate a high ceiling into the room's décor. It is important, though, to have a good mix of up and down lighting so that the flow is balanced. Canister lights are also very effective in a loft area.

At the end of the day, create a space that you find comforting and inspiring: The beauty of loft living is that one size never fits all. And one style shouldn't either.

Categories: Home Improvement | Decorating | Do-It-Yourself