Any modern living room should be equipped in the same style. Connoisseurs of freedom and informal aesthetics choose the direction of the loft. In this way, the main rooms can be decorated both in large mansions and in standard apartments of high-rise buildings. The unique design organically combines old and new trends, vintage and modern elements. He is chosen by creative, constantly evolving natures, open to communication and ready for innovative solutions.
A popular design trend originated in the 20th century. From English, loft translates as upper floor, attic. For the first time they talked about him in the United States in the industrial neighborhoods of Manhattan. In the 40s, due to an increase in land rents in the center of cities, industrial owners were forced to transfer their factories to the countryside, leaving the former workshops empty. Abandoned huge rooms attracted the attention of people of creativity. Artists, sculptors, writers began to convert them into spacious workshops. High ceilings, metal partitions, large windows and brick walls suddenly became popular.
In the 50s, the loft was already at the top of popularity. In the fashionable apartments, bohemian elite meetings were held, artists organized exhibitions. Such housing gradually became prestigious. Premises in old buildings were not affordable for modest creators, businessmen and bankers became their owners. In the 60s they heard about fashion style in Europe. Special designers appeared who created an artificial loft in ordinary apartments, separate rooms.
Characteristics, style features
The main reason for the popularity of the loft style is the blurring of all boundaries between personal space and public life. Such a design exempts from stereotypes, gives a feeling of limitless lightness. To emphasize an active lifestyle, you can use a room of any size. Simple design techniques will help transform the living room into a unique studio. The loft style is distinguished by the following characteristic features:
Industrial features of the interior. Essential elements are brickwork, bare communications and wiring, bare walls, rough plaster;
Open floor plan. Functional areas are divided using design techniques, no solid partitions. Glass panels are allowed that do not violate the basic concept;
Big windows.It can be panoramic designs, horizontal glass under the ceiling. It is necessary to achieve the maximum amount of light. Decor windows and curtains do not use. If necessary, hide the living room from the rays of the sun, you can use blinds of neutral tones;
Furniture. It can be a variety of interior items. A combination of industrial models with modern technological solutions is allowed. You can complement the picture with antiques.
Non-standard accessories. The eclectic style is complemented by various posters, graffiti, metal benches, hammocks, chandeliers on long chains, living branchy plants, stumps instead of chairs, traffic signs and other, at first glance, incompatible elements.
Loft style zoning
The issue of zoning is one of the most important when designing a living room. It is necessary to organize the space by providing a resting place, an office, a dining room, a bedroom and other functional areas. The interior of all areas should be in harmony.
Loft living room does not have clear boundaries, interior walls, plywood partitions. Divide the plots with light, furniture, pedestals and other additional elements. The kitchen can be separated by a curved counter or a long light table. In the central zone they place a sofa, armchairs, a TV, and original coffee tables. When arranging the working area, they are repelled from the owner’s hobbies. It is appropriate to place a computer table, a reading chair, an easel, various equipment for creativity.
There is no hallway or dressing room in such living rooms. Crossing the threshold of a street door, you get directly into the living room. There is no familiar corridor, wall-mounted enclosures for clothes and shoes. To store things use racks, hangers.
Methods and materials for decoration
It is difficult to call the loft living room cozy, although many designers refute this statement, showing examples of a real fashionable interior.Such premises are characterized by a predominance of rough lines, obsessively distinguished metal products. Walls and ceilings with minimal decoration, and the furniture is flashy and varnished. The best result can be achieved by adhering to certain design rules.
Walls
The first thing the loft style is associated with is masonry walls. Finishing horizontal surfaces should be simple with minimal decor. Natural concrete will look good. It can also be varnished or gray, white, beige paint. Ceiling molding and a classic plinth will complement the overall picture.
If the walls are already plastered, you can simulate masonry using wallpaper in the entire room or on one wall. Wood trim is also suitable. The combination of textured elements contributes to the creation of an ideal image. For wall decor, metal objects are used: pipes, frames, beams.
Ceiling
Any element of the living room should be presented in its original form. Any decoration should be hidden as much as possible. A characteristic feature of the living rooms is the beams and communications that run right under the ceiling. Previously, these were natural parts of the interior, which are an integral part of workshops and factory premises. Now they are used as decoration.
The color of these living rooms is poor. Only a simple, unfinished interior is allowed. The best materials for the ceiling are raw concrete, brick, metal, wood. Decorate it with polyurethane beams. Communication parts are painted black or made of stainless steel.
The concrete ceiling may be polished or roughened. Designers achieve the perfect result with the help of special building mixtures. The tree ennobles and gives comfort. The easiest finishing option is the use of lining. Plates are placed closely or at a distance, filling the voids with decorative nets. Non-standard solution - stretch ceilings.Thus, you can simulate a whitewashed, concrete surface, brick and other materials.
Floor
The most suitable flooring for a loft is floorboards, laminate. Wooden elements necessarily complement transparent varnish. The shade should correspond to window frames, beams under the ceiling. To create a homely atmosphere, you can leave gaps between the lamellas. Often used bulk, stone floors, with imitation of marble, granite. The budget option is linoleum in the color of dirty concrete.
Designers do not recommend using a tile floor, carpet, bright shades of coatings in the interior of a loft. To divide the space are allowed the correct form of rugs with a long pile. Zones can be designated with various finishing materials.
Color schemes
Cold tones, bright single designations will create the right mood and emphasize the industrial style. Gray is the standard color for loft living rooms. It is used everywhere. The interior can be present absolutely any shade of it. There are no strict requirements in this case. An experienced designer is able to design both a modern living room in Khrushchev in restrained colors and realize the most creative color idea.
It is customary to make a classic loft gloomy in muted tones. Obsessive colors are used only to highlight details. Achromatic colors lead the interior. Shades of brown, olive, bronze are also popular.
When choosing color solutions, it is necessary to take into account the features of all zones. For the living room, brown and gray are suitable. It is better to make the kitchen white, and a gentle beige or olive will favor a relaxing holiday in the bedroom.
White living room
The traditional choice of lovers of the original interior loft. White color gives it additional value. In such a living room it is pleasant to spend time, light walls relax and pacify. White color is in perfect harmony with any other, emphasizing the necessary details.The following key features of white rooms can be distinguished:
They look more spacious and spacious;
Do not lose brightness with a lack of lighting;
Combine any interior elements;
Looks whole, even with clear zoning.
Beige living room
Many designers consider beige color to be universal, so they use it on a level with white when creating loft interiors. He copes with the main and secondary roles. All shades of beige are delicate, refined, in good harmony with blue, olive, turquoise.
Best of all, natural beige combines with other colors of the natural group. It is gray, green, blue. The interior is decorated with stone decor and wooden furniture. More often in the living room loft beige serves as a backdrop. This is a great solution to showcase original designer gimmicks. Refined shades have a pleasant conversation, help group areas in a large, multi-tiered room.
Brown living room
The brown interior is particularly warm and comfortable. This color is associated with soft chocolate and aromatic coffee for many. Living room loft will look stylish if you think through the combination of colors. Brown - the color of wood, an indispensable material in the decoration of the premises. Leather furniture and decor elements emphasize the status of the owner, will characterize him as a person who values quality and durability.
Use brown parts with caution. Excess dark shades in the decoration will visually reduce the living room. It is enough to apply them on several accent walls, mark the boundaries of the zone with an original wooden lamp or highlight the kitchen. Go well with brown, orange, bronze and green. It must be remembered that there is always a lot of light in loft living rooms, any inharmonious combination of shades will immediately catch your eye.
Yellow living room
At the time of the origin of the original style, it was difficult to imagine the premises in yellow.Modern designers consider bright loft living rooms to be an interesting and bold decision. Fans of creativity will love extravagant furniture, screaming textiles, complemented by a living lemon tree in the middle of the room.
Yellow must have a companion color. His presence is only possible as minimal accents. You should not decorate the walls in the loft of the living room with yellow, it is enough to indicate the sunny mood with individual elements, pieces of furniture, bright communication areas.
The brightest color in the spectrum has a tonic effect, associated with spring, heat. Its intensity in the interior should be selected taking into account the level of lighting. Saturated yellow harmonizes well with wood, stone, silver.
Olive lounge
All shades of green darken the room. For free loft living rooms this is not a problem. Panoramic windows, large ceiling chandeliers, single lamps favorably present natural olive. When choosing furniture of this color, walls and ceilings must be left light. For a loft, light gray concrete, pale plaster is suitable.
All you need is a couple of olive pillows on the sofa and the living room will sparkle with an overflow of new colors. The highlight of the decor can be a green rug in the middle of the hall in the style of Provence or small table linings. The rear walls of the open shelves painted in olive color look great. Complement the bold decision of tall plants in massive pots.
Window decoration
Most modern loft houses have retained the cold gamut characteristic of the style of the last century. Designers pay special attention to window constructions. The wider they are, the higher the better. Curtains and blinds do not use, you can only experiment with color, thickness, profile design.
It is better to choose a dark profile. Textured products, for example, “grated metal” or “aged wood”, look great.This effect can be achieved by lamination.
Modern designers allow the use of decor in the design of windows. It can be colored fittings, interior linings. The windows do not close with textiles, but if there is an urgent need, the usual curtains can be replaced with electronic ones. They instantly change the transparency of the glass, create a private atmosphere.
Furniture selection
In the industrial living room a variety of furniture can adjoin. The main task is to create the impression that the interior consists of objects that accidentally fell into the arm. A combination of vintage, antique, modern, high-tech elements is allowed. Each detail emphasizes the individuality of the owner of the house, apartment, makes a favorable emphasis on his creative abilities. Loft style allows you to combine conflicting objects. Filling the interior, you should be guided by certain rules:
The furniture should have a clear shape;
Mandatory the presence of vertical, horizontal extensions;
Soft corner, tables should be massive and occupy vast areas of the area;
Only high-quality, functional products;
A chaotic arrangement is welcome.
Furniture on wheels is a normal occurrence in the loft style. This makes it easy to move heavy sofas, chairs, armchairs and wardrobes. The highlight of the industrial fashion trend is the openness of all elements. To store various things use chests, cardboard boxes, cabinets without doors.
A place of honor in the middle of the living room is always occupied by a large sofa. It can be a shabby leather "giant" or textile "yoke" with a mass of multi-colored pillows. It should be alone, so as not to deprive the semantic center of the living room of individuality. An abundance of seats is characteristic of a loft. It can be metal chairs, wooden structures, soft ottomans and other original items.Indispensable attributes: floor lamps, many coffee tables, modern technology.
Lighting and lighting
The "attic" room will turn into an exclusive room, if you correctly approach the issue of lighting. Each bulb must be unique. This style cannot be imagined without eccentric and sometimes frightening lamps. The lighting feature of industrial living rooms is light scattering. This can be achieved if each zone is equipped with lighting devices. Designers use the following options:
Floor lamps. High products of original design will help to create genuine cosiness. They are installed on the floor or a small stand. Appliances will perfectly fit into the interior - railway spotlights, studio lamps;
Luminescent backlight. Creates a sensation of “floating” light without the explicit use of lamps. Light accents can indicate any interior object;
Rail mechanisms. Used to illuminate large interior objects. Instruments installed on tracks or rods emphasize the advantages of silhouettes and textured surfaces;
Lamps of the suspension. An original, functional idea. The height of the instruments is easily adjustable. You can use simple incandescent lamps, metal barrels, lampshades, glass kerosene, street lamps;
Spot light. Decorative sconces and table lamps help create a relaxed atmosphere. You can increase the intensity of lighting by placing several of the same type of devices nearby.
Massive chandeliers are an inappropriate lighting fixture. The use of elaborate, multi-layered designs contradicts the concept of style.
Textiles and his role in style
Avoid the emptiness of the interior and the possible impression of boredom in the vast loft living room by creating “focus spots”. Bright fabrics with a large pattern will help in this. It is important to choose the appropriate color, texture.
Choosing a loft carpet, you must first indicate its purpose.This can be an inconspicuous floor covering, the task of which is only to slightly emphasize the belonging of the living room to the industrial era, or the center of the composition, which carries a certain meaning. The decisive factors are color and texture. Artificially aged, eccentric products are especially popular.
Decorative textiles should not be used. Only functional rugs and large sofa cushions are suitable. They can be of various colors and shapes. The style should fit into the urban atmosphere. Gray and blue wool products are ideal.
Decorative items and accessories
The chaotically located decor in the living room carries a real functional load. It should not be much. Sentimental little things, useless figurines brought from different countries are absolutely not appropriate. Suitable decor - large floor vases, designer furniture, original photos in massive frames.
It is better to place the paintings not by the traditional method, but simply leave them on the floor, resting on the wall. You can make a collage of photos, newspaper clippings. The interior is complemented by a real telescope by the window, tall columns with stucco moldings, wooden statues, a fireplace and even a bicycle or motorcycle.
Conclusion
The loft design provides for the connection in one room of all rooms. Before deciding to bring the idea to life, begin repairs, you need to make sure of the possibility and willingness to part with all the partitions. You should also choose the appropriate option for decorating the hall in a private house. It can be a glamorous loft, industrial, bohemian. Any of the interiors will suit creative people with unlimited possibilities, connoisseurs of original ideas.
Any modern living room should be equipped in the same style. Connoisseurs of freedom and informal aesthetics choose the direction of the loft. In this way, the main rooms can be decorated both in large mansions and in standard apartments of high-rise buildings. The unique design organically combines old and new trends, vintage and modern elements. He is chosen by creative, constantly evolving natures, open to communication and ready for innovative solutions.
Content
History of the appearance of style
A popular design trend originated in the 20th century. From English, loft translates as upper floor, attic. For the first time they talked about him in the United States in the industrial neighborhoods of Manhattan. In the 40s, due to an increase in land rents in the center of cities, industrial owners were forced to transfer their factories to the countryside, leaving the former workshops empty. Abandoned huge rooms attracted the attention of people of creativity. Artists, sculptors, writers began to convert them into spacious workshops. High ceilings, metal partitions, large windows and brick walls suddenly became popular.
In the 50s, the loft was already at the top of popularity. In the fashionable apartments, bohemian elite meetings were held, artists organized exhibitions. Such housing gradually became prestigious. Premises in old buildings were not affordable for modest creators, businessmen and bankers became their owners. In the 60s they heard about fashion style in Europe. Special designers appeared who created an artificial loft in ordinary apartments, separate rooms.
Characteristics, style features
The main reason for the popularity of the loft style is the blurring of all boundaries between personal space and public life. Such a design exempts from stereotypes, gives a feeling of limitless lightness. To emphasize an active lifestyle, you can use a room of any size. Simple design techniques will help transform the living room into a unique studio. The loft style is distinguished by the following characteristic features:
Loft style zoning
The issue of zoning is one of the most important when designing a living room. It is necessary to organize the space by providing a resting place, an office, a dining room, a bedroom and other functional areas. The interior of all areas should be in harmony.
Loft living room does not have clear boundaries, interior walls, plywood partitions. Divide the plots with light, furniture, pedestals and other additional elements. The kitchen can be separated by a curved counter or a long light table. In the central zone they place a sofa, armchairs, a TV, and original coffee tables. When arranging the working area, they are repelled from the owner’s hobbies. It is appropriate to place a computer table, a reading chair, an easel, various equipment for creativity.
There is no hallway or dressing room in such living rooms. Crossing the threshold of a street door, you get directly into the living room. There is no familiar corridor, wall-mounted enclosures for clothes and shoes. To store things use racks, hangers.
Methods and materials for decoration
It is difficult to call the loft living room cozy, although many designers refute this statement, showing examples of a real fashionable interior.Such premises are characterized by a predominance of rough lines, obsessively distinguished metal products. Walls and ceilings with minimal decoration, and the furniture is flashy and varnished. The best result can be achieved by adhering to certain design rules.
Walls
The first thing the loft style is associated with is masonry walls. Finishing horizontal surfaces should be simple with minimal decor. Natural concrete will look good. It can also be varnished or gray, white, beige paint. Ceiling molding and a classic plinth will complement the overall picture.
If the walls are already plastered, you can simulate masonry using wallpaper in the entire room or on one wall. Wood trim is also suitable. The combination of textured elements contributes to the creation of an ideal image. For wall decor, metal objects are used: pipes, frames, beams.
Ceiling
Any element of the living room should be presented in its original form. Any decoration should be hidden as much as possible. A characteristic feature of the living rooms is the beams and communications that run right under the ceiling. Previously, these were natural parts of the interior, which are an integral part of workshops and factory premises. Now they are used as decoration.
The color of these living rooms is poor. Only a simple, unfinished interior is allowed. The best materials for the ceiling are raw concrete, brick, metal, wood. Decorate it with polyurethane beams. Communication parts are painted black or made of stainless steel.
The concrete ceiling may be polished or roughened. Designers achieve the perfect result with the help of special building mixtures. The tree ennobles and gives comfort. The easiest finishing option is the use of lining. Plates are placed closely or at a distance, filling the voids with decorative nets. Non-standard solution - stretch ceilings.Thus, you can simulate a whitewashed, concrete surface, brick and other materials.
Floor
The most suitable flooring for a loft is floorboards, laminate. Wooden elements necessarily complement transparent varnish. The shade should correspond to window frames, beams under the ceiling. To create a homely atmosphere, you can leave gaps between the lamellas. Often used bulk, stone floors, with imitation of marble, granite. The budget option is linoleum in the color of dirty concrete.
Designers do not recommend using a tile floor, carpet, bright shades of coatings in the interior of a loft. To divide the space are allowed the correct form of rugs with a long pile. Zones can be designated with various finishing materials.
Color schemes
Cold tones, bright single designations will create the right mood and emphasize the industrial style. Gray is the standard color for loft living rooms. It is used everywhere. The interior can be present absolutely any shade of it. There are no strict requirements in this case. An experienced designer is able to design both a modern living room in Khrushchev in restrained colors and realize the most creative color idea.
It is customary to make a classic loft gloomy in muted tones. Obsessive colors are used only to highlight details. Achromatic colors lead the interior. Shades of brown, olive, bronze are also popular.
White living room
The traditional choice of lovers of the original interior loft. White color gives it additional value. In such a living room it is pleasant to spend time, light walls relax and pacify. White color is in perfect harmony with any other, emphasizing the necessary details.The following key features of white rooms can be distinguished:
Beige living room
Many designers consider beige color to be universal, so they use it on a level with white when creating loft interiors. He copes with the main and secondary roles. All shades of beige are delicate, refined, in good harmony with blue, olive, turquoise.
Best of all, natural beige combines with other colors of the natural group. It is gray, green, blue. The interior is decorated with stone decor and wooden furniture. More often in the living room loft beige serves as a backdrop. This is a great solution to showcase original designer gimmicks. Refined shades have a pleasant conversation, help group areas in a large, multi-tiered room.
Brown living room
The brown interior is particularly warm and comfortable. This color is associated with soft chocolate and aromatic coffee for many. Living room loft will look stylish if you think through the combination of colors. Brown - the color of wood, an indispensable material in the decoration of the premises. Leather furniture and decor elements emphasize the status of the owner, will characterize him as a person who values quality and durability.
Use brown parts with caution. Excess dark shades in the decoration will visually reduce the living room. It is enough to apply them on several accent walls, mark the boundaries of the zone with an original wooden lamp or highlight the kitchen. Go well with brown, orange, bronze and green. It must be remembered that there is always a lot of light in loft living rooms, any inharmonious combination of shades will immediately catch your eye.
Yellow living room
At the time of the origin of the original style, it was difficult to imagine the premises in yellow.Modern designers consider bright loft living rooms to be an interesting and bold decision. Fans of creativity will love extravagant furniture, screaming textiles, complemented by a living lemon tree in the middle of the room.
Yellow must have a companion color. His presence is only possible as minimal accents. You should not decorate the walls in the loft of the living room with yellow, it is enough to indicate the sunny mood with individual elements, pieces of furniture, bright communication areas.
The brightest color in the spectrum has a tonic effect, associated with spring, heat. Its intensity in the interior should be selected taking into account the level of lighting. Saturated yellow harmonizes well with wood, stone, silver.
Olive lounge
All shades of green darken the room. For free loft living rooms this is not a problem. Panoramic windows, large ceiling chandeliers, single lamps favorably present natural olive. When choosing furniture of this color, walls and ceilings must be left light. For a loft, light gray concrete, pale plaster is suitable.
All you need is a couple of olive pillows on the sofa and the living room will sparkle with an overflow of new colors. The highlight of the decor can be a green rug in the middle of the hall in the style of Provence or small table linings. The rear walls of the open shelves painted in olive color look great. Complement the bold decision of tall plants in massive pots.
Window decoration
Most modern loft houses have retained the cold gamut characteristic of the style of the last century. Designers pay special attention to window constructions. The wider they are, the higher the better. Curtains and blinds do not use, you can only experiment with color, thickness, profile design.
It is better to choose a dark profile. Textured products, for example, “grated metal” or “aged wood”, look great.This effect can be achieved by lamination.
Modern designers allow the use of decor in the design of windows. It can be colored fittings, interior linings. The windows do not close with textiles, but if there is an urgent need, the usual curtains can be replaced with electronic ones. They instantly change the transparency of the glass, create a private atmosphere.
Furniture selection
In the industrial living room a variety of furniture can adjoin. The main task is to create the impression that the interior consists of objects that accidentally fell into the arm. A combination of vintage, antique, modern, high-tech elements is allowed. Each detail emphasizes the individuality of the owner of the house, apartment, makes a favorable emphasis on his creative abilities. Loft style allows you to combine conflicting objects. Filling the interior, you should be guided by certain rules:
Furniture on wheels is a normal occurrence in the loft style. This makes it easy to move heavy sofas, chairs, armchairs and wardrobes. The highlight of the industrial fashion trend is the openness of all elements. To store various things use chests, cardboard boxes, cabinets without doors.
A place of honor in the middle of the living room is always occupied by a large sofa. It can be a shabby leather "giant" or textile "yoke" with a mass of multi-colored pillows. It should be alone, so as not to deprive the semantic center of the living room of individuality. An abundance of seats is characteristic of a loft. It can be metal chairs, wooden structures, soft ottomans and other original items.Indispensable attributes: floor lamps, many coffee tables, modern technology.
Lighting and lighting
The "attic" room will turn into an exclusive room, if you correctly approach the issue of lighting. Each bulb must be unique. This style cannot be imagined without eccentric and sometimes frightening lamps. The lighting feature of industrial living rooms is light scattering. This can be achieved if each zone is equipped with lighting devices. Designers use the following options:
Textiles and his role in style
Avoid the emptiness of the interior and the possible impression of boredom in the vast loft living room by creating “focus spots”. Bright fabrics with a large pattern will help in this. It is important to choose the appropriate color, texture.
Choosing a loft carpet, you must first indicate its purpose.This can be an inconspicuous floor covering, the task of which is only to slightly emphasize the belonging of the living room to the industrial era, or the center of the composition, which carries a certain meaning. The decisive factors are color and texture. Artificially aged, eccentric products are especially popular.
Decorative textiles should not be used. Only functional rugs and large sofa cushions are suitable. They can be of various colors and shapes. The style should fit into the urban atmosphere. Gray and blue wool products are ideal.
Decorative items and accessories
The chaotically located decor in the living room carries a real functional load. It should not be much. Sentimental little things, useless figurines brought from different countries are absolutely not appropriate. Suitable decor - large floor vases, designer furniture, original photos in massive frames.
It is better to place the paintings not by the traditional method, but simply leave them on the floor, resting on the wall. You can make a collage of photos, newspaper clippings. The interior is complemented by a real telescope by the window, tall columns with stucco moldings, wooden statues, a fireplace and even a bicycle or motorcycle.
Conclusion
The loft design provides for the connection in one room of all rooms. Before deciding to bring the idea to life, begin repairs, you need to make sure of the possibility and willingness to part with all the partitions. You should also choose the appropriate option for decorating the hall in a private house. It can be a glamorous loft, industrial, bohemian. Any of the interiors will suit creative people with unlimited possibilities, connoisseurs of original ideas.