Loft Apartment
Make the Most of Your Loft Apartment – For Yourself or as a Rental
By Buyincomeproperty.com
Oct 20, 2005, 16:57

The loft apartment has become an increasingly popular trend in real estate. A couple of decades ago, areas away from downtown became favored as residential areas. Today, more effort is being put into moving people back into the busy downtown areas, and loft apartments are an important part of that effort.

The loft apartment floor plans are typically wide open. Beams may be dotted across the area, but there are often few or no interior walls. So you may think that space planning for a loft apartment is going to be a breeze. After all, you’re not going to be confined by the walls of a traditional house. But you may find that making your loft apartment into a home is more of a challenge than you expected.

The first key is in the selection of your loft apartment furniture. Having few walls to constrict size and layout is going to help you here. Depending on the overall size of your loft apartment and the amount of furniture and possessions you’re going to put in the loft, you’re probably going to be looking for furniture on a larger scale. Soft lines and curves are going to fit in well here.

Loft apartments typically have high ceilings, and this should also affect what kind of furniture you choose. If all your loft apartment furnishings are short and squat, you’re probably going to be left with a feeling of “vacancy” instead of the look of open space typical of a loft apartment. Look for at least a few taller pieces of furniture, and consider lighting fixtures that make the most of those open spaces.

No walls may sound like an incredible opportunity, but you’re still likely going to find the need for areas dedicated as rooms. You can create the feel of rooms without enclosing by several means. Use your furniture groupings. Corner sectional sofas make excellent boundaries for a “living room.” Screens can provide a bit of privacy without totally enclosing a particular area. A tall bookshelf can also give the impression of a wall for a particular room.

The beams throughout the loft may become natural room boundaries. Cabinets that stretch from beam to beam may mark the edge of the kitchen, or you may decide that stretching cabinets along the wall is a better use of the space. Whether you fill the open space or leave it as open as possible becomes a matter of personal choice.

The outer walls are often bare brick and you’re likely to have exposed pipes and ductwork in the ceilings. Make the most of these features by either following that theme throughout the loft apartment or creating some contrast. Soft curtains behind a bed will make the room more appealing. An iron bedstead may very well be just the item to carry over the “industrial” look.

Whether you’re moving into a loft apartment yourself or you’re getting it ready for rent, making the most of the features inherent in the loft apartment is important. Those who rent loft apartments are typically looking for those wide open floor plans and a chance to express themselves.