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Design Dilemma: Tips for Decorating A Loft

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Many of us covet the idea of living in a loft. All that open space. All that light. All that coolness.

And to be sure, loft living is cool. There are a myriad of benefits, including the ability to host fantastic parties. On the other hand, there is a down side: Lofts can be difficult to decorate if you don’t know what you’re doing. However, just keeping a few tips in mind can help you conquer the problem of the loft. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

1. Consider color carefully.
   The thing about the loft is that you take it in all at once. Without walls to separate the kitchen from the living room, dining room and bedroom, you get one overriding impression at one glance. This means that if color combinations have not been carefully thought out, you could have a mess on your hands. When combinations are well-thought out, they carry a huge impact. For example, in the loft below, complementary oranges blues and greens work well to create a cohesive space.

Below, another view. Notice how a chartreuse accent wall in the bedroom loft area works perfectly with the orange doors below. The bright oranges, turquoises and greens create a happy, youthful atmosphere that feels light and relaxed.

And here, a third view:

2. Light at different heights.

How you use light will help define space in one huge space. Use pendant lights hung low for a more intimate feel, for example over the dining table or a sitting area. Hang them higher in more “public” spaces like the entry hall and kitchen work zones. Below, a loft dining room rendered intimate by the use of three large pendant lamps.

And below here, a floor lamp near a couch and a pendant over a dining table help define space.

And below, a kitchen area is defined by pendant lamps.

3. Define rooms with area rugs.

There’s nothing like an area rug to neatly and quickly define a space. Be sure to use rugs that are large enough — small rugs look silly in large spaces. Make sure at least the front legs of all furniture can sit on the rug so that the rug acts as  an anchor.

4. Use open-backed shelving.

One of the easiest ways to divide space is by using open-backed shelving placed perpendicular to the wall.  The most important thing is to arrange open shelving so that it looks good from both sides.

5. Use flexible furnishings.

The great thing about lofts is they can be used in any way you want. So why not exploit all this space by utilizing pocket doors, convertible sofas, murphy beds and adjustable height tables for dining and lounging.

Follow these few tips and you’ll no longer feel overwhelmed by decorating your one huge space.