WHAT IS A LOFT?
From Paris ateliers to LA warehouses — what we mean when we say "loft."
When some people think of loft living, the images that come to mind are sophisticated penthouse digs from a sitcom. But lofts span many styles and many kinds of owners. Here's a look at why lofts have become such a popular housing choice — and what actually qualifies.
Originally, lofts were multi-function residences that combined living and workspaces. Today they're some of the most fashionable homes you can buy.
The Debate
The Purist View
Purists argue that lofts only refer to factories or warehouses that have been converted into residences. The required accents: enormous windows, exposed beams and columns, brick walls, and concrete floors.
The Modern View
Newer developers consider any home a loft if it fits the principles of loft design: open layouts, large windows, and unique finishes in an urban location.
These discrepancies have produced a whole new vocabulary — new loft, fake loft, soft loft, loft-inspired, mezzanine suite, "true" loft, loft-influenced. Most lofts share one design instinct: a minimalist hand that emphasizes openness.
Architecture
FOUR DEFINING FEATURES
HIGH CEILINGS
14 feet or more is the loft benchmark.
OPEN SPACES
Few internal walls. Living, dining, and sleeping flow as one.
EXPOSED MATERIALS
Heavy timber, ducting, concrete, brick, steel — left honest.
BIG WINDOWS
Light first. Drama second. Both, always.
Some lofts take this even further — adhering closely to the building's original industrial character with exposed timber beams, ductwork, plumbing, concrete floors, corrugated steel or masonry walls, open floor plans defined by partitioned areas, and in some cases, the preservation of an old freight elevator.
Of course, true raw construction can be cost-prohibitive (and against modern building codes), so most new loft projects compensate by blending those industrial cues with contemporary amenities.
Glossary
COMMON LOFT TERMS
HARD LOFT
Open space except for the bathroom.
HIGH CEILINGS
14 feet or higher from floor to ceiling.
RAW LOFT
Unfinished space; doesn't always include a toilet or sink.
SOFT LOFT
Has 3/4-height walls that don't reach the ceiling but still enclose the bedroom(s). Typically includes some, but not all, elements of hard-loft design.
MODERATE LOFT
Mid-priced kitchen and bathroom finishes.
UPSCALE LOFT
High-quality kitchen and bathroom fixtures and finishes.