What Is a Loft Apartment?

This now-trendy habitat originated out of necessity in the 1960s. Old industrial or commercial buildings were converted into living spaces, mostly by artists who loved the lighting provided by the large windows. However, many developers have since noticed the demand for such living spaces and purposefully mimicked them when building new complexes.

Loft apartments are great for those living in urban areas who want a distinctive, rustic, and spacious residence. A loft apartment could be the perfect next place for you to live. Keep reading to learn more about loft apartments so that you can make the most informed decisions.

A loft apartment most commonly features an open floor plan, high ceilings, and large windows. They usually include some exposed architectural and mechanical elements, such as beams, pipes, and brick walls. They are spacious, typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Lofts sometimes feature vertical staircases to extended living areas, such as living rooms or bedrooms. Loft apartments are most commonly found in urban industrial areas, such as big cities. This is due to their inception in abandoned commercial and industrial spaces.

Buildings that contain multiple loft apartments can be considered multi-family homes.

Loft apartments are similar to studio apartments, but they also have important differences. The main differences are in size and kitchen additions. Studios are much smaller than loft apartments, with an average size of 600 square feet. Full-size kitchens are common in loft apartments. Kitchenettes are more common in studios. Consequently, studio apartments are cheaper to rent.

Loft apartments are not traditional apartments. Traditional apartments typically have at least a living area, bedroom, and bathroom. Loft apartments typically have a living area that includes an exposed bedroom area. Loft utilities are usually expensive. Because of this, they sometimes share common spaces.

Loft apartments are typically categorized into two types: hard and soft. The distinction between the two isn’t black and white, but it is pretty self-explanatory.

A hard loft is on the industrial side of the loft spectrum. It has the characteristics of a traditional rugged loft. Think exposed brick, pipes, ductwork, beams, and so on. Ceilings in a hard loft can be up to 10–20 feet. Furthermore, it is common for hard lofts to have cement flooring. Hard lofts are often restored industrial buildings or converted historic warehouses.

Soft lofts are a less rugged spin-off of hard lofts. Typically, soft lofts are built to mimic the most appealing aspects of a true loft apartment. Soft lofts are sometimes restored residential buildings rather than industrial or commercial ones. Soft lofts can include contemporary upgrades and amenities not found in hard lofts because they are newer and designed with the tenant in mind. Some of these modern elements can include raised platforms with staircases, more storage space, better insulation, and sometimes even fitness centers within the complex or building. Of course, these are amenities you can also find in hard lofts, but it’s less common.

No loft apartment is like another. If it is a loft apartment you seek to rent, consider the following factors:

Although financing a loft is very similar to financing any other property, there are some special considerations to keep in mind. For instance, since lofts are typically located in commercial or industrial areas, it is crucial to make sure you have the right permits and that zoning has been changed since some lenders will only consider mortgages for properties that are in residential areas. It’s not unheard of for deals to fall through after lenders have preapproved a mortgage because the property is still considered a commercial or industrial building.

Also, since many lofts require additional work before they can be used for residential purposes, many borrowers try to add renovation costs to their mortgages.

Despite their cons, loft apartments are in high demand for their pros. Because of this, a good loft apartment could be a good investment. Loft apartments could very well stay trendy for many years to come.

Lofts are open floor plan apartments that are larger than studio apartments. They are either restored from abandoned industrial or commercial buildings or built to mimic such.

A loft is different than a traditional apartment. It resembles — or quite literally is — a living space made out of an old warehouse or another type of building. It can have one large living area and a bathroom, and sometimes has additional spaces, such as a raised platform or bedroom.

Loft apartments are generally expensive types of apartments. Some factors that can lessen the rent include locating out of popular areas, compromising on amenities, negotiating financial incentives with a landlord, and searching for apartments in December and January.

Loft apartments are not typically quiet for two main reasons. The ceilings are high, allowing for sound to travel more. The walls are not usually well insulated, allowing sound from neighboring apartments to travel easily.

Yes, a loft has rooms. At the minimum, it has a main combined living room and a bathroom. However, some more expensive lofts can include bedrooms and exposed second stories as well.