How to Decorate a Loft With Style

Loft homes are generally open and airy.

A loft apartment or home typically has all the living areas in one large space. In the past, warehouses or industrial buildings were often converted into loft apartments, but the look is being copied in newly built homes. With the exception of the bathroom, in most loft homes, you can see all the living areas while standing in one large room. It is important to keep this type of home uncluttered, attractive as well as functional.

Instructions

1. Draw the shape of your loft home onto a sheet of paper. Designate areas for sleeping, dining, watching TV or entertaining guests. Planning the area out on paper helps you visualize how you want to incorporate your furniture into the space. This is much easier than trying to move furniture to create the look you want.

2. Place area rugs down in the spaces where you want to create separate areas. This helps break the room up into sections. Your room may have a couple of comfortable chairs in one area with an end table and lamp for reading and a couch set up in front of the TV in another area. The rugs help separate the various settings.

3. Use a room divider or screens to hide areas of the loft, if you desire. This is an excellent way to provide privacy if your bed is unmade or you want to create boundaries within the space.

4. Position large pieces of furniture so that they act as walls and serve to break up the open spaces, such as china cabinets, armoires or bookcases.

5. Purchase multipurpose furnishings, since storage space may be limited in your loft home. Items such as coffee tables, ottomans and chests come with hidden storage departments and some of the items can serve as additional seating. This enables you to keep items close to the areas in which you will use them.

6. Hang decorative artwork on the walls -- even if the walls are exposed timber or brick. You can find hangers appropriate for all surfaces at hardware or home supply stores. Artwork helps define the space and adds color to the walls. Choose large pieces to help balance the open space and to prevent them becoming lost in the room, particularly if you have tall ceilings.

7. Position tall potted plants -- such as ficus trees or large silk plants -- in the corners of the space. This adds an outdoorsy look to the loft home and makes the room feel cozy.

8. Add throw pillows and afghans to your couch and other furniture. They soften the look of the room and help to avoid it looking stark and bare.

9. Purchase tall floor lamps and large sculptures to set around in the room. This is particularly important if you have tall ceilings in the loft home.

Tips & Warnings

• Contemporary furnishings work well in loft homes, such as clean, straight lines in furniture and pale, neutral colors on the walls. Upholstery with minimal patterns and sleek, metallic light fixtures and decor work well with contemporary styles also. You do not have to use this type of decor if it does not reflect your personal style. Choosing the right type of artwork and accessories can add a country, traditional or Victorian appeal to the loft home.

• Keep your loft home neat and tidy by returning each item you use to its storage area once you are finished with it. If even one area of the space is messy, it gives an untidy look to the whole loft.

References

• Modern Interior Decorating.com: Loft Decorating Tips -- Time To Think Outside The Box!