Seattle Lofts come in many shapes and sizes. We have ground floor lofts, high-rise lofts, industrial lofts and modernized lofts throughout the city. These creative spaces feature soaring 20-foot ceilings, brick interior walls, concrete floors, industrial steel beams, exposed heating and conditioning and expansive, yet undefined space.
According to award winning Seattle interior designer Amely Wurmbrand, “For the amateur home decorator, lofts present issues that can become quite frustrating and overwhelming.” Wurmbrand believes that owning a loft, “means a lot more of the things we own have to be either creatively displayed or cleverly stored!”
We tend to agree with our local expert. Although lofts are built and restored to create transparency, these urban living spaces present interesting challenges when styling the space. In my own personal experience in working with owners, developers and designers over the years, I believe that designing a loft is an opportunity for creative expression. Here are a few of my own tips, learned through years of observing the experts, that may help in your decorating endeavors:
- Add color. Unless your style is simply white or black, you can add color with simple (and changeable!) art, images, rugs and pillows.
- Many lofts feature polished concrete floors. Try using rugs to help to define living areas and create more comfort. I love the Rug Company in NYC. These handmade rugs will display your creativity while making your home more comfortable for your guests. For one of our favorite local sources, try Driscoll Robbins.
- Get creative with lighting. Add lamps of any kind and consider hanging light fixtures. This will help create dimension in spaces that are cookie-cutter rectangular.
- Try keeping pieces “off” the wall. Many of us have a tendency to push furniture against the wall as a way to create space. What we don’t realize is this actually makes a space feel more cluttered. Try “floating” your furniture out in the open to create breathing room.
- If you have high walls that need some company, but no art that’s large enough to fill them, try some leaning mirrors and bookshelves, they work well with high-ceilings and vertical space.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. Loft living is both unique and rewarding.
Whether you buy in Wallingford, Capitol Hill, South Lake Union or choose a modern high-rise loft Downtown, use some of these simple tips and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are just a few of my favorite furniture stores to help you get started:
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