In interior design, architecture and art, it is very common to come across the terms loft and industrial. Does loft furniture fit both? Often the terms loft and industrial are used interchangeably, less often separately. These are quite fashionable and timeless terms, and, not being an expert on the subject, one most often puts an equals sign between them. Although both styles derive from the austerity of industrial warehouses, production halls or other post-factory buildings.
This aesthetic came to us from New York. In that city, such buildings were plentiful and there was no shortage of those willing to breathe a second life into them. Both industrial and loft styles thus share a common pedigree.
The origins were the same so surely the two aesthetic categories have a lot in common.
However, a seasoned designer and architect on well knows that these are just the basics. As is usually the case, “the devil is in the details.”
Many offers from interior and furniture stores can confuse us a bit because these names are often used interchangeably. Arranging a loft and industrial space is a slightly different look at the interior. This does not mean that the underlying elements cannot be common. The same furniture and accessories cannot exist in both aesthetic concepts.
In both loft and industrial-industrial forms, tall and large open spaces with tall windows “feel” best.
Valuable are the windows that take care of maximum illumination of the rooms. This was also the premise of factories at the time – they used daylight as much as possible. Both styles are dominated by raw materials, concrete, brick and steel. The color palettes can certainly be considered similar. The whole is based on minimalism and visible moderation in decoration, and certainly already avoids unnecessary overload.
Important is the simplicity yet craftsmanship alluding to interesting objects and constructions from natural materials common in the early 20th century. Remember that plastic and its derivatives were popularized in everyday life much later.
Okay – so if so much is in common between loft and industrial styles then what makes them different ?
Is it easy to recognize the differences between industrial and loft aesthetics ? The issue here is … coziness.
That’s what it’s all about – the warmth emanating from the interior of a loft vs. more based on the rawness of the industrial style.
Loft interiors have a lot more extras that warm up the whole thing making you feel more … cuddly ? . A little yes, because usually beiges, light browns, bright yellow colors are used to soften the severity of the interior. It is not uncommon to find a lot more fabrics, curtains in pastel colors or dining accessories in muted colors.
The loft aesthetic also likes elements of nature like potted plants, leaf motifs and dim colors. Loft interiors are certainly softer and more subdued than typical industrial. In the industrial aesthetic, additions are expressive, and sometimes even intense and unambiguous colors aggressively bite between brick, concrete, steel. Ideas in industrial interiors are often judged to be a bit crazy or daring, but that’s exactly the point here. Here we are supposed to feel the element of history, of vintage, so it is not uncommon to see steel objects from years ago. Even structural steel beams or raw steel plumbing pipes are strongly sought after. Wires laid directly on the walls are also natural.
Here the courage, claw and creativity of the originator are to reign supreme. Loft furniture is a hit!
Recycled materials such as pallets, pipes, demolition bricks are also used more often.
Old wooden panels or steel elements such as supports are a real treasure. Here it is to be expressive, imaginative and contrasting, so that steel, wood, concrete, glass or brick shout a little at each other. And what is the question of furniture?
Loft or industrial furniture ?
Loft furniture differs from industrial just as both styles do, however, steel, wood and glass (concrete too) are common in both. In the same way, industrial furniture is more often made more clumsy, not special care is given to welds, protruding screws, bolts because these elements give the very character of industrial type furniture. In short – The more hardware the better.
However, there are fewer such additions in loft products. There is also more concern for comfort, ergonomics, the grinding of welds or the way the wood is secured. Care is also being taken to make the form more simple . However, the final decision belongs to the designer because loft and industrial furniture is successfully used in both interior concepts.
