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Loft Apartments

Loft Apartments: Alternatives to Apartment Living

A loft apartment is the term used for an apartment that has been built from a former industrial building. The term warehouse- to-loft conversion also applies to warehouse or industrial buildings being converted to apartments. It is not unusual to see loft apartments on top of business establishments. The loft-style of living was formerly popular to artists and those who are more inclined to lead bohemian lives.

Beginnings of Loft Apartments

Loft apartments had its beginnings in New York in the 1950s when struggling artists began to take over the abandoned and mostly dilapidated buildings of Manhattan's non-operational garment district. The 19^th century warehouses and factories were built with cast-iron frames that allowed for large internal spaces unobstructed by columns or posts.  The supporting main columns visible externally were often fitted with large clear glasses allowing natural light in the premise the greater part of the day. The big space, the great natural lighting and the very low rentals made the loft apartment a much coveted asset.

Today, loft apartment style living has spread its influence all across the globe. A loft apartment is no longer restricted to lodgings above warehouses or defunct industrial factories. New constructions are being made with a loft-style apartment in mind. However, there are still areas that are legitimate loft apartments. In the 1990s a revamp of Rathbone Street, a 1920's office block in off London, turned this office block into a highly fashionable and state-of-the-art loft apartment. There are also locations that were badly hit by economic decline that warehouses located in these areas were converted to residential units too. The areas are in: West Yorkshire/South Lancashire, Stoke/Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Derwent Valley and East End of London - especially between Spitalfields and Stratford

In the United States a law has been passed to turn non-economically viable industrial and commercial buildings into residential units. Majority of new loft apartments is a far cry from the bohemian loft apartments of the 1950s but the essence, hopefully, is still present.

How to Tell If It's a Loft Apartment

 Loft apartment living is the rage among the Gen X and Y and some younger baby-boomers. A lot of new constructions - apartment-wise or condominium-wise are advertised as "loft apartments". It is not uncommon to see real estate agents offering a tiny studio unit as a loft apartment for it is a common conception that loft apartment have no walls, same as studio units. How then can you tell if the apartment is indeed a loft or not?

• The space should be one big area with no walls dividing or segregating the kitchen, dining and the bedroom. The division will be all left to you once you do the interior decorating.
• The loft apartment is actually in a former warehouse or factory.
• If it's a new construction, the floor plan should indicate open planning, with high ceiling and big glass windows all over.
• If the loft apartment is located on top of a house, then it's actually a space to live in the loft. The term is there but the true meaning is lost.

Why settle for a Loft Apartment?

Indeed, what is the commotion about loft apartments? Why settle to purchase a large and old space that would take a lot of work, inspiration and money to make it habitable. Why settle to buy an already-converted loft apartment when you have several more viable choices. The main reason is: style and originality.

Owning or renting a loft apartment is "original". Many home buyers have become disillusioned with purchasing over-priced homes that are not unique for your neighbours are likely to have the same units too, in a different colour.  No two loft apartments are the same as the opportunity to renovate and decorate a loft apartment can go any direction. Purchasing an unconverted office or warehouse loft opens up a myriad of "possibilities" for the owner. The loft's open space - no walls and high ceilings- could give you the sense of unlimited and airy space.  You can have your own private nook by erecting low dividers between sleeping and living areas. If you have a family to consider, separate the bedrooms from the living spaces by light walls.

Tips on Decorating a Loft Apartment

An apartment loft is like a blank canvass. You can "paint" it any way you want. If the initial results do not please you, start all over again. For guidelines, here are some tips that could be helpful when decorating a loft apartment.

• Choose simple and sleek lines for your furniture. The essence of loft-style living is patterned after the bohemian lifestyle. Opting to go classics in a space where electrical lines and plumbing pipes are exposed would not bode well.
• Choose furniture that is multi-purpose. For example you can buy a bed with pull-out drawers at the bottom for storage. Buy a square ottoman that can double up as a side table when needed.
• If the floor area is of concrete, throw in some area rugs to accent the floor and possibly keep your feet warm.
• Use a decorative screen to hide the bathroom door from the sleeping and living areas.
• Keep the kitchen well-lit and well-organized as it's visible from the living areas. Use stainless steel or chrome if you want uber sleek and contemporary lines.
• Arrange dining and living rooms furniture in such a way that you could maximize your view of the city.
• Put up blinds or retractable curtains to ward off too much direct sunlight as it could damage your furniture.

As for the colour motif, choose a combination of soft and bold ones. Use the soft colours for base and the bold ones for accent.  The rule of thumb here is, whatever works for you is "fine".

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