How to Design a Loft

Introduction

Architects and interior designers will tell you that the first thing you need to know when designing a space is what you like and what you need. Surprisingly, many people go into the design process without a clue as to what will work best for them. This creates challenges in terms of space allocation and dilemmas with spouses and significant others which can be avoided with a little forethought. Designing a loft space is especially vulnerable to space allocation challenges as there is generally one large room to transform into a livable space with multiple uses. Lofts are particularly trendy in New York, San Francisco and other congested areas where housing is at a premium. Renovating old factories and buildings as lofts is a popular choice for developers and homeowners alike. Designing your loft space will depend on the existing plumbing and other structural components. Usable floor space is typically limited only by the four walls of the loft and not by any interior walls. Metal or concrete posts and exposed ventilation ducts may be a consideration, but these can be worked into the design with a little effort. Lofts created from renovated buildings often have high ceilings and industrial sized windows with extraordinary city views. These charming features will enhance your living space and contribute to the overall ambiance of your loft home.

Outline Your Functions

You must first decide what you need from your new loft space. Is it your home, or is it your work space? Perhaps it’s a combination of both, which will dictate specific features later on. No matter what type of design you intend for your loft space to have, there are a few mandatory functions. Plumbing for a bathroom area is a necessity. Choosing to have a basic utilitarian bath area or a luxurious, spa like bath will likely depend on whether you live or work in your loft. Another helpful function for your space is a kitchen area. Keep in mind the resale value of your loft and create a kitchen that will work for both a homeowner as well as an office, if you plan to work there only. Kitchenettes are cute, but rarely desirable in today’s lifestyle. People enjoy their kitchens and often create living spaces catering to their kitchen design. Other functional designations may include a living space, an office, a bedroom or two, depending on the size of your family, and possibly a dining room. Formal dining rooms are not often found in loft spaces, but you should design your home the way you like to live.

Incorporate Your Features

Now that you know what you need in your loft space, consider what you want. Important features may include an elevated bedroom area for additional privacy. Those concrete posts make nice wall outlines, so use them to your advantage. Other features you may enjoy are fireplaces, both in your master bedroom and your living area. A double fireplace, open to both the kitchen area and the living area is a lovely touch, if your layout allows for it. A media room or a playroom may be something you can’t live without, so add it to your list of desirable features. A laundry room and additional bathrooms are some other features to be considered. If you can have one bathroom for each bedroom, plus a half bath for guests, that would be helpful in terms of your own enjoyment and for added resale value of your loft space.

Layout Your Space

Designing your loft may depend on the existing placement of the plumbing. Most people would like to minimize the costs of relocating existing pipes that are usable, so keep this in mind as you construct your layout. Adding to the pipes already in place is probably unavoidable, but you should try and use what you have as well. Bathrooms should be in close proximity to bedrooms, unless they are specifically designated for convenience to the living area. You should still try to minimize the distance between rooms with water uses. For example, layout your half bath close to your kitchen or place your laundry room close to the master bathroom. Keeping the open appeal of your loft design may be important to you as well, so place any interior walls in such as way as to minimize interference with your view, or your floor space. Design as many spaces as possible to take advantage of any view you may have. Your living space, bedroom, and your kitchen will all benefit from large windows and amazing views. Measure your total loft area then measure the distances between posts and beams, if you have them. You also want to measure any other structurally obtrusive features like the size of exposed duct work. Your ceiling height and your budget will determine if you can add stairs and a bedroom level, but height is not usually a problem in a renovated loft space. If possible, use chalk lines to map out your areas before you call in the construction team. Spend time in your chalk rooms both during the day and at night to try and get the feel of the space before you finalize your design. Use a computer program to help configure your loft, a quick search will help you find one online. Precise layouts depend on accurate measurements, so do so more than once and write everything down.

Live You’re Dream

Lofts are special places; most are filled with history and atmosphere before you ever make any improvements. Designing your perfect loft space may present challenges with uneven flooring or exposed industrial duct work, but these imperfections can be fixed or hidden, and they may even lend a certain allure to your space. Consider staining your concrete floors and keeping the exposed brick or concrete walls for a beautiful and sometimes magical effect. Embrace the historical or industrial aspect of your new home or office while you enjoy the layout and design of your loft.