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Design Tips for Modern Loft Living
By Brian Ogan
I moved into my San Francisco loft because I fell in love with its industrial design and open, airy spaces. But like most loft dwellers, I needed to balance the space's modern form with everyday, practical concerns.
The challenge was to break the space into separate living areas, without sacrificing the loft's overall openness and its modern aesthetic. Based on my own experience, as well as helping clients across the country with the interior design of their lofts, I developed the following tips for balancing form with function:
1. Accentuate tall, open spaces. Don't clutter walls with small pieces of art. Instead, Ogan recommends using one or two dramatic items that are in proportion to a loft's expansive surfaces. A favorite tactic is to fill a large pot with river rocks and arrange tall bamboo stems that fan out and reach to the ceiling. An interesting sculpture also works well.
2. Warm up a wall. Paint a single wall in a soft sage or a warm wine. This adds a welcome touch of color and warmth, and balances the remaining concrete and industrial walls that are the hallmarks of modern loft design.
3. Get smart about storage. Carefully plan every piece of furniture to control clutter. In Ogan's living room, a large wall unit with multiple levels holds a television and a computer. It also has hidden drawers for shoes. Open shelving is also a good option, because it keeps the wall exposed and maintains the open feeling of the room.
4. Use lighting as art. Simple, modern wall sconces are attractive and provide soft illumination without using up valuable surface space. Track lighting, cove lights and bookshelf lights are just a few of the other modern choices available. You can also break up the space of tall vertical rooms by dropping lights down from the ceiling to eye-level, which is what Ogan did in his own space using industrial steel dome lamps.
5. Streamline window coverings. Large, open windows are a key asset of most loft spaces, so avoid obscuring them with fussy or busy window treatments. Instead, use a minimalistic approach. Sheer panels let in light, whereas floor-to-ceiling drapes in a solid color offer privacy and make large walls feel less bare. Ogan suggests using simple modern metal rods to keep them in place.
6. Play up unusual spaces. Like many lofts, Ogan's kitchen was long and narrow. He accentuated this feature with a dramatic and skinny kitchen table. Four chairs are line
d up along one side so when the table is not in use it serves as additional counter space. Likewise, the placement of a concrete beam created a small, awkward space that Ogan transformed into a usable room by walling it off with fuzzy glass. This created separation while retaining the loft's feeling of lightness.
7. Use area rugs as anchors. Area rugs help break down a loft space into separate living areas, without sacrificing overall openness. They also warm up bare floors and help reduce echoes. Contemporary carpets come in a variety of unusual shapes and geometric patterns that are perfect for the small spaces and odd-shaped corners found in many lofts. A striking carpet can also be the focal point of a room, attracting the eye and eliminating the need for extraneous accessorizing.
8. Make use of mirrors. Reflective surfaces extend space and make a room feel more open. Loft bedrooms, which are typically small, will benefit from an oversized full-length mirror leaned against a wall. Not only is it practical, but it reflects light and makes it feel bigger.
9. Maintain open space. Arrange furniture so it does not block views to windows and doors. Modern benches, stools, and ottomans are great because their simple, clean lines don't obstruct views and minimize the feel of a small room. Coffee tables and lamp tables with clear glass will give you extra surface space but won't make a room look cluttered. Avoid overstuffed sofas and chairs.
10. Layer your bed linens. A large bed automatically fills up a room, even more so when it is covered with a bulky and solid color comforter. To make a small bedroom seem more spacious, choose bedspreads, shams, and throws that use a mixture of patterns and colors. A neutral bedspread can be turned down to expose blankets and sheets in slightly different colors and textures. Accent pillows in contrasting colors and bold, contemporary patterns add visual interest without taking up room.
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