How to Create a Loft Without a Designer: 5 Secrets

A loft can be made minimalist and brutal, or you can add colors and decor to achieve a cozier atmosphere. Also, such an interior is easy to create by yourself, without the help of a designer — here are a few tips.

If possible, create an open-plan layout

Of course, even a typical Khrushchyovka can be decorated in the loft style, but it works completely differently on a large area without unnecessary partitions. For example, you can avoid dividing the kitchen, dining room, and living room areas as the designers at the studio did. However, keep in mind that this approach is only suitable if you have an electric stove — a kitchen with a gas stove must be separated from living spaces.

Another successful idea is to use glass partitions that define zones without taking up space.

Design: Artpartner

Design: Victoria Smelnytskaya

Design: Olga Rayskaya

Design: Marina Bocharova

Design: Dasha Ukhlinova

Focus on material textures

Modern loft is not just red brick. Today's industrial style implies a rich variety of finishes: concrete, microcement, textured plaster, stone — especially striking is combining several textures.

Design: Daria Avdeenko

Design: Andrey Popov

Of course, using concrete for finishing is quite expensive and labor-intensive: you need to clean and degrease the wall, apply primer. We recommend choosing a cement imitation instead. For those who like modern loft but want more warmth in the room, we suggest art concrete with a soft touch effect from Volare Loggia. It looks like real concrete but feels soft and less cold in a living space.

Finish: Loggia Volare

Another modern trend is using art concrete in the bathroom, both for the shower area and the sink. For such finishing, you need original microcement Loggia rather than its imitation: it must not only be water-resistant but also specifically designed for areas where water hits directly. Especially effective is combining microcement in the bathroom with other materials like tiles, wood, or stone-like finishes.

Design: 2artstudio

Design: Kidz Design

If you prefer brick and have enough space, you can face the walls with brick. If you need to save square meters, use brick tiles instead. You can even create a facade with real old bricks — it looks very beautiful, but also costs more.

Budget option: face the walls with MDF or PVC panels imitating brick. They are easy to install, hide wall irregularities, and can last up to 15 years. The downsides include possible deformation after installation and the release of harmful substances, especially in hot rooms.

A more accessible and original solution is decorative plaster Loggia Infinito. It is produced in collaboration with MAD (World Association of Top Decorators), easy to use, and allows creating any effects including brickwork, granite, concrete blocks, or natural stone.

Finish: Loggia Infinito

Another benefit of this type of finishing is that you don’t need to hire specialists for it. To learn how to decorate walls using decorative coatings, just attend one free masterclass — Loggia regularly holds such events.

Finish: Loggia Infinito

Design: Dasha Ukhlinova

Finish: Loggia Infinito

Don’t be afraid of vibrant shades

The trend of decorating loft interiors solely in dark gray and black tones is already outdated. Harmonious will look bright but complex and deep shades: burgundy, muted blue, pistachio, mustard. Alternatively, you can play with contrast: add soft tones to a gray concrete interior — for example, pink.

Design: Alena Gorskaya

Design: Dmitry Boldyrev

Plan lighting: different scenarios, exposed wiring

Creating several lighting scenarios is a traditional way to zone a loft interior. For example, in the kitchen, place a large pendant over the dining area, several small lights above the work surface, and spotlights around the ceiling perimeter.

By the way, you can choose almost any kind of light fixtures: either with minimalist metal shades or without them at all, or more classical ones that will contrast beautifully with the brutal atmosphere.

Design: CENS Architects

Design: Andrey Popov

Design: We Create Studio

Another easy-to-implement trick without a designer is to leave the wiring visible instead of hiding it in walls — it can serve as decoration.

Design: Evgenia Razuyavea

Design: Geometrium

Add original decor

Loft doesn’t have to be minimalist. Interesting details, natural fabrics, items with history, and art objects will add individuality to the interior and make it more “livable.” Also, decor is an excellent playground for experimentation if you want to introduce something new into the setting but aren’t ready for radical changes yet.

Design: Yuri Zimenko

On the cover: Daria Avdeenko’s design project