Loft-Style Living

When my friend Katie first told me she was moving into a one-bedroom loft rather than the townhouse she had been considering, I thought she had gone crazy. Ever the traditionalist, I like my living quarters to have distinct rooms, and I prefer classic style over modern.

But my skeptical views toward loft-style living vanished the minute I entered Katie’s new place for the first time. Yes, it’s essentially still one large, open space, but it’s filled with function and flair. As you can see, Katie’s loft is a prime example of how cutting-edge contemporary style can be comfortable. Here’s how she did it:

Warm hues. Katie’s loft has concrete walls and floors. And although expanses of solid concrete have the potential to look bland, stark, and super-industrial, Katie’s loft is anything but. That’s because one wall is painted a warm, sandy brown color and large pieces of artwork adorn many of her other walls. Plus, her living room furniture—a black futon, olive green sofas, a soft area rug, and plenty of accent pillows—add character.

Flexible furnishings. The key to making the most of undefined space is to strategically arrange your furnishings, and to opt for portable furnishings whenever possible.

• When Katie desires a bit more privacy—or doesn’t want people staring at her closet/bedroom area, she uses a large, painted folding screen (a work of art in itself) to close off the space.
• A moveable stainless-steel kitchen island with a flat top for food prep and space underneath for storage rests in the center of Katie’s kitchen. When Katie needs more space, all she has to do is roll the island against the wall.
• Katie’s closet and living room lacked lighting fixtures when she moved in. So she purchased several floor and table lamps, which she can move about as needed.

Smart storage. Kitchen cabinet space is limited, so Katie relies on tall metal shelves to corral her dishes, cooking gear, and bar ware. Because all these items are exposed, artful arrangement is key—rather than randomly placing items on the shelves, Katie created an appealing display. And she took the same approach in the living room. Though her two massive bookshelves are filled with DVDs and books (this is one avid reader, folks), she incorporates decorative items throughout so nothing appears cluttered. Also in the living room: A pretty trunk and compact black filing system, which keeps papers and other small items out of sight. And in the loft’s only closet—a large space with only one long clothes bar, Katie customized the area with lots of open, stacked storage cubes to house shoes, accessories, and T-shirts, making her morning routine more of a breeze.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

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Once you identify the styles, you can narrow your search for the perfect home