Vintage loft decor: 6 golden rules

Do you want to refresh your interior decor with a vintage loft style , but you don't know where to start? Do you have hundreds of decorating ideas in mind, but you don't know where to begin?

We are passionate about interior design, and our experience has allowed us to help as many people as possible decorate their homes.

By following our advice, you can breathe new life into your decor by adopting a timeless vintage style . In this article, you will discover:

• The definition of loft style
• The essential elements to incorporate into your vintage loft decor
• How to integrate the vintage loft style into the different rooms of your apartment or house
• Tips for a 100% successful vintage loft decor

By the end of your reading, you will have no trouble decorating your interior according to your desires, and the vintage loft style will hold no secrets for you!

I) What is the vintage loft style?

1) The origins of the vintage loft style

It was in the early 1980s that vintage loft decor began to be adopted by many art and design enthusiasts.

Most of the so-called " loft " apartments that exist today were mostly old factories or production workshops (which explains the presence of old furniture in these apartments).

It mainly contains items such as industrial chairs, metal lockers and other small accessories that have been preserved and customized to complement the vintage loft decor.

This style was hugely successful in the United States and quickly spread to Europe. As a result, more and more people began incorporating this type of decor into their homes (whether spacious or not). All it takes is finding a few specific pieces of furniture and accessories, and positioning them strategically.

Note that the vintage loft style can also be combined with other styles, such as minimalist decor .

2) What you need to know about the vintage loft style

In a vintage loft-style home, there might be a hint of incompleteness, but this is entirely intentional. Every detail of the vintage loft decor is carefully considered, and every element is meaningful.

Vintage loft decor stands out from other styles due to its use of raw materials . It often incorporates brick, reclaimed wood, concrete, and metal, creating a raw, industrial feel.

Metal is one of the most commonly used materials for vintage loft decor . This stems from the fact that the majority of older furniture was made using metal (steel, iron, etc.). To create original and stylish designs, it's essential to know how to preserve the material.

It's important to consider that metal lends a modern feel to houses and apartments. The possibilities with this material are endless.

It's important to remember that wood plays a significant role in vintage loft decor. You can find wooden stools, wooden tables, and so on.

Combining wood and metal is also possible . This brings out a more modern look in the vintage loft style.

Vintage loft decor generally involves decorating home interiors in a natural and raw style. This means leaving concrete or natural brick walls as they are (without painting them). This style is ideal for a bathroom or kitchen. However, the most popular colors for a vintage loft style are white, black, brown, gray, and beige.

II) Essential items for your vintage loft decor

Vintage items are very important for creating a successful vintage loft decor. You need to choose them carefully, taking into account the available space and the wall color.

1) Oversized and designer furniture

The furniture to prioritize in a vintage loft style is pieces with a history. These objects are generally old. It's this aged look that completes the vintage loft style. You should also favor old industrial furniture that bears the marks of its use.

Among the many items available, you can choose large clocks . These evoke the industrial era. You can also choose large light fixtures (like floor lamps) which can more easily fill the space of a room. Large tables are also very good for the dining room (with unvarnished wooden chairs).

This type of item is essential for successfully decorating a vintage loft.

2) Recycled items

Upcycled items are ideal for creating a vintage loft decor. These are generally old furniture pieces from former factories. These pieces can be combined with more elegant items.

To find items like antique furniture or accessories, don't hesitate to visit flea markets and antique shops. You're sure to find interesting pieces to complete your vintage loft-style decor.

Examples of vintage items include chalkboards and metal advertising signs . Wooden pallets are also interesting to repurpose for furniture (such as storage units, coffee tables, etc.). Metal lampshades (with vintage light bulbs) and other items can also be salvaged.

These are examples of items you can easily find. Don't hesitate to do some research in flea markets or online to find even more items.

III) How to integrate the vintage loft style into your home?

The vintage loft style can be integrated into any type of room in a home. You just need to find the best piece that matches your interior design.

1) Loft style for her bedroom

A bedroom can easily be decorated in a vintage loft style. The possibilities are numerous; you can choose according to your preferences. You can start by adding a headboard and a footboard to bring a vintage touch to your room.

The choice of color is also important. You can choose colors like white, gray, and taupe. This will enhance the loft style.

Using linen bedding can also be a good way to enhance your vintage loft decor. For this, you should opt for neutral colors.

You can make furniture to give your loft decor an original look, while also being economical. For example, you can make a chair out of pallets .

2) Loft style for the kitchen

The loft style adapts easily to the kitchen. The possibilities are vast.

Black furniture can really make a loft-style decor stand out (like a large black table, for example). Furthermore, this color goes well with industrial aesthetics.

When it comes to shelves, prioritize those that showcase your dishes. This emphasizes the vintage style. For this, use glass-fronted metal shelves . Using a large basin as a sink is also a good idea.

There are also other items you can incorporate into your decor. These include stainless steel kitchen utensils or a metal pendant light . You could also include a vintage refrigerator. You could also reveal a brick wall.

Vintage workshop furniture and storage lockers are also excellent items to complement your vintage loft decor. These are usually reclaimed pieces.

It's possible to add a few modern touches to the vintage style. This can be very pleasing to the eye. Black and gray are the most commonly used colors in a vintage loft-style kitchen. They can be combined with other, bolder colors such as blue, green, yellow, orange, or even red.

3) Loft style for your living room

For the living room, the choice of furniture is very important to achieve a vintage loft decor.

A leather sofa is one of the best pieces of furniture for adding a vintage and retro touch to your living room. It's best if the sofa's color is fairly neutral. You can choose leather sofas that have a cozy and inviting feel. Armchairs are also a popular choice. Ideally, opt for simple leather armchairs.

Adding a metal or raw wood table is also a good idea for the decor. Large tables work very well, as they emphasize the loft style.

A large metal or wooden bookcase is also an elegant and vintage piece. This type of item adds a loft-style touch to your decor.

Using furniture on casters is also a good idea to create an even more vintage feel.

If you don't want brick walls in your living room, you can incorporate the vintage loft style by using brick-effect wallpaper . You can also choose concrete or stone-effect wallpaper. This is also part of the vintage loft decor. And don't forget metal pendant lights, especially if you have them in your kitchen.

IV) Vintage loft decor: optimizing your style

To optimize your decoration, you need to know the main mistakes to avoid.

To achieve a successful vintage loft decor, you must first create space in your interior . It's important to remember that the vintage loft style originated in the old factories located in the United States, particularly in large cities. These spaces were spacious (both in height and depth).

It's best to avoid closed spaces, partitions, and doors, without mixing the different rooms of a house. Mezzanines and glass partitions are ideal for separating rooms without disrupting the sense of space.

For a successful vintage loft decor, it's best to opt for solid materials and raw finishes. This evokes the industrial style of the era. These elements can easily serve as decorative objects in their own right. The key is to highlight features like wooden beams, concrete floors, brick walls, unfinished parquet flooring, and so on. Wallpaper with similar patterns can also be used.

The choice of furniture is also very important. You should choose vintage furniture that is still functional. Therefore, it's not necessary to buy every vintage item available on the market.

Lighting is also very important when it comes to vintage loft decor. Pendant lights are generally the preferred choice. Several should be placed above a work surface. Floor lamps are also a great option, especially in the living room.

People often make mistakes by trying to do too much. They might end up with a house that's cluttered with furniture, or a room that's too empty. In some cases, they might leave too many exposed brick walls. But a single exposed brick wall is all it takes to achieve a successful vintage loft style.

Generally, the colors found in factories are rather dull and monotonous. This isn't what you want to emphasize in your home. You need to add other, brighter, warmer colors to break up this monotony. This can be done by adding more colorful elements (without overdoing it).

Industrial settings are often sparsely partitioned. However, you don't necessarily need to do the same in your home. Try using elements like a living wall , Japanese panels, or large pieces of furniture as room dividers. Feel free to create your own partitioned spaces for areas that require a little privacy.

Don't hesitate to leave the various structural elements as they are to bring out the vintage loft style as much as possible (like the beams for example).

No matter your budget, adopting a vintage loft decor for your interior is easy! It's a style that's accessible to everyone and doesn't require extensive knowledge of design or DIY.

Now that we have detailed the different ways to integrate this decor into the different rooms of your apartment or house, you can start right now on your end!

For an even more successful vintage loft decor , you can add vintage-style paintings, which you can find in our online shop.

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See you soon.

The Lofty Trend Team.