About style and its characteristic features
The prerequisites for the emergence of the loft style appeared in the United States in the 40s of the last century. Due to the acute problem with housing, townspeople began to develop unusual areas - abandoned workshops, warehouses, workshops of bankrupt enterprises. There were no funds for repairs, so the interior of non-residential premises remained unchanged.
Industrial style studio Source studiadizaina.ru
This is how the main features of the style were formed: gigantic room sizes, high ceilings, unfinished walls, huge windows without a trace of curtains. In the post-war period, the economy began to boom, but the desire to settle in industrial premises remained. The charm of industrial aesthetics was appreciated by representatives of creative professions, artists, musicians, and actors. Since then, the “attic” style has become a full-fledged direction of interior design.
Combined ceiling lighting Source muscache.com
The loft has gained popularity; they began to use it to decorate private houses and city apartments, which could not boast of either large sizes or high ceilings. The style had to be modernized to meet new realities. In the modern interpretation, the loft has the following characteristics:
- They try to make the space as open as possible, for which they arrange redevelopment and combine, for example, a living room and a kitchen.
In the former workshop Source pinimg.com
- If you did not initially order a loft-style house project with the appropriate proportions, it is almost impossible to change the size of the windows. To decorate the window opening, all that remains is to use blinds (sometimes they are supplemented with curtains of a simple cut).
- The finishing is simple and rough. A popular move is concrete or brick walls, or finishing with plaster to resemble rough concrete.
Ascetic finish Source hackrea.com
- Natural materials in design, furniture and decor. The basis is wood, metal, glass. A characteristic feature is open communications (pipes, wiring, ventilation ducts) along the walls.
- A palette of muted colors. Instead of white - gray, it is complemented by brown, black, terracotta, and shades of beige.
If the size of the room is a given that cannot be changed, then the situation with lighting is completely different. It is this (in the absence of other decor and finishing) that transforms a rough interior and makes it cozy; the result is unusual and stylish.
Industrial style bedroom Source pinimg.com
A little about loft style
Loft style design, like almost all others, came to us from Western countries, and more specifically from the USA. It began in the 40s of the last century, when during the war and post-war years the housing problem for the average American was quite acute. Rich people had their own houses, and just owning at least some real estate made a person automatically a respectable citizen. And those who were not lucky enough to buy or inherit their home had to live anywhere. They also converted initially non-residential premises into apartments - buildings of former factories, bankrupt enterprises, warehouses, etc. All of them were of decent size and had high ceilings, huge windows, but were not properly decorated. Practical Americans have made these features and even shortcomings the highlight of the loft style.
Chandelier in loft style
By the way, translated this word means “attic”. But, of course, such housing can be located on any floor - even on the first.
Loft style chandelier in the living room
Metal chandelier in loft style
Black wall lamp in loft style
Black chandelier in loft style
Black loft chandelier
Ball-shaped chandelier in loft style
Pendant lamp with metal decor in loft style
Features of light in loft interiors
Light in a loft interior is given decisive importance. To make the decor in the room look truly authentic, lighting fixtures are chosen especially carefully. The style is characterized by the following features:
- Lighting is always complex, multi-level. It is impossible to adequately illuminate a large space with one lamp, so they combine several differently illuminated functional areas. Each zone is lit quite brightly, the space between them is filled with diffused light.
Multiple lighting levels Source redd.it
- In large lofts, the industrial setting has a clear bohemian edge. In small and low rooms, the easiest way to achieve the same effect is by using several lighting fixtures. A combination of several sconces, a floor lamp, and a couple of small chandeliers is suitable.
Each zone has its own lighting Source thearchitect.pro
- In order for the lamp to fit harmoniously into the interior, it should resemble industrial pieces, look simple and rough. Suitable materials: metal (except chrome) and glass.
Pendant lamps above the kitchen-dining area Source clavesdeco.puraciudad.com.ar
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior remodeling
- The canons of style change over time, the appearance of modern loft chandeliers in the interior becomes more sophisticated and refined, although the decor is still missing. Many of these lighting fixtures are successfully used in other styles (modern, contemporary, Scandinavian, retro).
Original lamps with black and white frame Source blogspot.com
- Lamps offered by manufacturers include interesting additions: glass of unusual texture, blown glass of complex shape, decor in the form of rivets or metal engravings. The colors do not change, they are still shades of metal: black, white, brass, bronze. Enameled models can be bright: blue, red, yellow.
Ceiling lamps without embellishment Source behance.net
Variety of lamps
Lamps for loft-style interiors are distinguished by a simple and functional design, and according to their design (installation location) they are divided into the following categories:
- Hanging (ceiling) chandeliers. Ceiling models are attached using a cord, cable or chain. Chandelier shades are spherical, often missing, and Edison lamps serve as the light source. Elegant models use candle lamps.
The difference in models makes the interior interesting Source pinimg.com
- Pendant lamps. They have a simple geometric shape or copy the style of old industrial lamps with a metal shade. Track designs with directional light lamps fit well into the industrial style.
- Sconce. Antique models with a black or brass body look discreet and respectable. Modern models may have a stationary or rotating mechanism; the appearance is also varied: industrial-looking metal lampshades, round or cone-shaped glass shades, bright enamel models.
Choosing lighting for adjacent rooms Source zapadmebel.com.ua
- Desk lamp. Practical and functional appearance, no decorative elements. The severity of the form is softened by the material of the lampshade: dark antique brass, lacquered steel, polished nickel (color name), dark bronze create the right atmosphere. Sometimes wood is used as a base.
Table lamp in the shape of a robot Source pinimg.com
- Floor lamps. There are directional and diffused light lamps (with lampshade). For a loft floor lamp, size is important: the higher it is, the better, ideally - no lower than average human height. Characteristic models are welcome: in the form of a lamp for a photo studio or resembling a railway spotlight with a protective metal casing. If there is a lampshade, it is large, made of glass, metal or fabric.
- Technological lamps. Directional light fixtures (spots), track systems, spider lamp. All of them are able to brightly illuminate the space, which is what is needed for a loft-style interior.
Floor lamp-spotlight in the loft living room Source adsttc.com
Loft chandeliers depending on the room in the house
Each room of a house or apartment decorated in a loft style, even if they are combined, has different chandeliers.
Chandeliers in the kitchen
The best option for this room are aluminum chandeliers with lampshades. To highlight a work area or a dining area, several chandeliers are suspended directly above the table on a metal rod.
For the kitchen, in general, it is best to use ceiling chandeliers, as they are very functional and do not take up much space. LED lamp models would be an ideal option.
Stainless steel household appliances and cabinet fronts with the same design will help to further emphasize the industrial style of the room. You should not install romantic options in the kitchen, even if they are made of steel, since such light sources will not suit this style.
Bedroom lighting
For this room or area, chandeliers mounted on the ceiling are used, which are supported by flexible cables.
Important! The cords holding the chandeliers must be rigid enough so that the lamp does not loosen with a small gust of wind.
In the bedroom, special places in the room are highlighted with light, for example, the head of the bed or a picture on the wall. To give a cozy atmosphere, light sources should not be very rough; they can only have a slight touch of brutality. Loft-style chandeliers that combine glass and metal in design are ideal. The glass can be not only transparent, but also tinted.
Chandeliers for the living room
The living room is the main room in the house, which guests enter when entering the house. Living room lighting is also based on emphasizing certain areas. Wall sconces that imitate spotlights fit perfectly into the living room and can be directed towards those objects that require highlighting.
A floor lamp with a stand made of metal or plastic can be located next to the sofa or armchair. For chandeliers, the presence of decorative carved pendants is excluded - everything is as simple and rough as possible.
There is no need to purchase lamps with very harsh light; it is better to choose those that give a soft, diffused glow. LED lamps are a great option here. The Spider chandelier, for example, can be complemented with Edison light bulbs, which have an original internal structure that glows, giving a special charm to the entire design of the light source.
Chandeliers with candle-shaped bulbs are also often found. This is also an interesting design move that will additionally decorate the living room of a large house. But it is worth remembering that such designer light sources are quite expensive.
Color of lamps and interior
Those who consider the elegant colors of the industrial style to be dull and boring are mistaken, especially since the modern interpretation of the loft allows for the expansion of the palette with richer shades. In loft apartment interiors, basic “industrial” tones coexist perfectly with purple, orange, and red.
Lamps on original suspension Source yandex.net
Most lamps are black or white, making them easy to fit into any decor. A white model of a chandelier or sconce is suitable if you are going to focus attention not on the ceiling or wall, but on something else. A black lamp on a light ceiling will become an accent of the interior.
Lamps above the table as a highlight of the interior Source hzcdn.com
Metal chandeliers, lamps and sconces, especially vintage or artificially aged ones, have a unique look. The peculiarity of loft-style models is that they do not necessarily need to be matched to the walls or furniture. The same rule applies to track lamps and floor lamps with lampshades. Any, even the brightest or acidic shades are suitable for them.
Backlight distribution in a narrow room Source etagi.com
Inside the loft, it is customary to distinguish three trends, each of which uses its own color palette. When organizing lighting, you can rely on the following data:
- Classic loft. Loft lamps in such an interior are not intended for decoration. They should look as if they were brought from the old workshop. Dull metal, cold shades, carelessly processed surface. An aged look and inclusions of industrial details are welcome: wire, rivets, pipe fragments.
Traditional wall lantern Source pinimg.com
- Loft with a touch of boho. An eclectic direction, the palette of which includes bright shades of brown (brick, terracotta) and beige. Coziness is achieved with the help of bright textiles, so lampshades on lamps can also be bright.
With a floral panel and a chandelier on cords Source birzhaplus.ru
Retro lamps
Everything that can be attributed to the 20-30s of the last century can be safely used in a loft interior. The demand for retro lamps today is so great that it significantly exceeds their popularity in their time. They bring a certain vintage, special charm to the interior, adding originality, sophistication and exclusivity to the interior:
- Edison's lamps are a case when a light bulb turned from just a light source into a design element. They spend an inadmissible amount of electricity, as for our rationally economical times, but they are bought for the unusual, warm light that they generate. In Edison lamps, thin filaments are not concentrated, as in modern incandescent lamps, but are stretched out - in an unusual lattice or spiral shape. That is why such a lamp does not shine - you can simply look at it, as one looks at the sunset or the reflections of a fire. Moreover, the service life of such a lamp is up to 5 thousand hours, which is 4-5 times longer than the service life of a conventional lamp. These lamps are made according to authentic drawings of Edison lamps of the first half of the last century, often manufacturers even designate them by year, for example, 1910 or 1930. The highest quality lamps are produced by the Danes (Danlamp) and Americans (Ferrowatt), but Chinese “remakes” can be dangerous – some of them, due to non-compliance with technology, may explode
Edison lamps will serve not only as a source of light, but as an excellent decorative element
A characteristic loft-style kitchen with an abundance of brick, wood and metal in its design. Edison lamps in integrated track designs and wall sconces highlight the overall theme
- Edison LED lamps - beauty, as you know, requires sacrifice, but every wastefulness has its limits. A high-quality modern Edison lamp is not cheap, and it consumes too much. Therefore, you can compromise - LED lamps, stylized as Edison lamps. In appearance, they are practically no different, but inside the filament is replaced with vertical tubes. The light part is somewhat rougher, and the emitted light is sharper, but such lamps are 9 times more economical and last 5-6 times longer
Criterias of choice
Loft, like any style, continues to develop, and today it is interpreted quite widely. This approach also affects lighting fixtures, however, there are rules that must be followed so that the style can be recognized. If your goal is to create an authentic interior, choose lighting fixtures with the following features:
- The design idea is not as important as the materials and recognizable shape: budget options without pretensions to luxury are welcome.
Chandelier for low ceiling Source hzcdn.com
- Pay attention to models that are combined in material with something else in the setting. The combination of shades is not so important, although it should not be completely ignored.
- The lampshades of loft models are made of glass or metal; There are options made of acrylic, crystal or combinations of different materials. Wooden models are acceptable only in a glamorous interior. Wood adds luxury, and this contradicts the classic “attic” style.
Harmonious combination of colors and materials Source twimg.com
- The fittings of most models are made of metal painted white, black or brown. For interiors with a touch of boho or glamor, the colors of aged bronze, copper or antique brass are suitable.
- The lighting should be multi-level: a chandelier on the ceiling, sconces on the walls, a floor lamp on the floor. The overall dimensions of the items are selected taking into account the height of the ceiling and the area of the room.
Organization of lighting in the kitchen-living room Source pinimg.com
Briefly about the main thing
The comfort of loft-style housing is greatly influenced by properly selected lighting. It is characterized by multi-level design, the choice of certain materials (mainly metal and glass), and the lack of decor. The basis of the lighting scheme is a chandelier, ceiling and wall lamps; they are complemented by sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps.
In its development, the loft was divided into three trends, so lighting fixtures are chosen taking into account how the room will be decorated: in a classic industrial style, with a touch of boho or glamor. Despite the fact that the main thing for a loft is the functionality of the appliances, they should attract attention and be accents of the interior.
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Loft style lamps
Some attention should be paid to the issue of lighting in this style.
Naturally, if there are huge areas, and even with high ceilings, they need to be properly organized with lighting fixtures. In any case, the main functions of light here you should understand are:
- Lighting the space in accordance with sanitary and hygienic norms and standards.
- The area should be divided into zones.
- The interior should be complemented with unique accents and objects.
- The space must be comfortable.
- Attention is focused on design features.
- A unique style is created in housing using unique lighting devices. In most cases, they are made to order.
