What Do I Do With a Loft Space?

Falling in love with a home often means accepting its quirks. Shutters on windows can be endearing, even if a few are uneven. A built-in bookcase beside a fireplace adds character, although it might look more complete if there were a pair. Nevertheless, there are some interior quirks that are more puzzling than charming, and you might not be sure how to fix them. Take a loft space, for instance. What are you supposed to do with that?

Loft spaces can be a design challenge given their in-between quality. They’re seemingly not private enough to act as an additional bedroom, and they’re often too out of the way to be a de facto living area. But don’t be discouraged, because the possibilities of a loft are part of its charms. Read on six ways to style a loft space so that its quirks work to your advantage.

An office or study spot

It almost goes without saying to turn a loft space into a home office or study area, given that it won’t crowd a bedroom or command the surface of a dining table. You could position a desk on one wall, for example, and surround it with storage to hide a printer and paperwork. But if a study area better suits your home’s needs, then you can be more inventive. A long table can fit multiple people, or a custom seating arrangement can take advantage of a loft’s common nooks and crannies. Either way, work in all its forms will have a dedicated spot when you’re through.

A kids’ hangout space

Teenagers crave their own domains, and sharing a living area can be a challenge — after all, their taste in entertainment often differs from their parents’. A loft space can give them more autonomy without banishing them to their rooms. The best part? They really only need a sectional or sofa across from a television, give or take a side table or two. A mini fridge might score you some major points, too.

An exercise area

At-home workouts make it easy to exercise on your schedule, but more often than not, equipment ends up piled in awkward places: in a bedroom corner, inside a living room basket, or leaning against an entryway landing. A loft can store these items when you’re not there completing muscle-building routines. All you have to do is decide where your yoga mat, walking pad, and weights will go alongside other worthwhile features like a television (for instruction videos) or a side chair.

A craft zone

One of the downsides about a living room is that it’s usually centered around streaming shows — not investing in hobbies. Dedicating a loft space to crafting is a great excuse for uninterrupted creativity. Place a painting easel in a sun-dappled corner surrounded by an array of colors and brushes. Position a sewing table under a window beside a cabinet full of fabrics. No matter how you intend to hone your skills, a loft space can cater to whichever hobby you have in mind.

A guest suite

While a guest room is ideal for accommodating visitors, it’s more likely to be a cozy fantasy than a reality. If you don’t have a private suite for weekend stays, but you do have a loft, then you still have the potential to treat your loved ones to their own hideaway. A pull-out bed from a sofa can fill in as sleeping quarters in seconds, while a decorative screen provides privacy. When the guests have gone, return the screen to a corner and flip the bed back into a sofa.

A mix of all the above

Now that you’ve visualized the potential of this area, you’ve likely transitioned from “What do I do with a loft space?” to “Can’t a loft space be all of the above?” Yes, a loft can be flexible enough to act as an office, hangout area, craft zone, gym, and guest suite with the right configuration.

A pull-out bed within a comfy sofa provides an overnight area when a good hang isn’t in session, while a one-size-fits-all surface can be a hub for working, studying, and crafting. Built-in storage can organize linens, exercise gear, and hobby supplies when not in use.
In other words, it is possible to have it all once you figure out how to solve the loft-space puzzle in your own home.

How to design your loft space

In order to maximize the potential of your loft space, you’ll want to start with a clean slate. Empty the room of all furnishings, and take measurements of its exact square footage. It’s a good idea to download a floorplan tool that can help you visualize and play with possible configurations. Alternatively, you could also use painter’s tape to outline a rough guide of where items will go.

Be sure to take note of furniture dimensions as you bring pieces into your loft, and prioritize function as much as style. Don’t be afraid to make edits to your initial plans as you complete this project, too. Remember, a loft can be as flexible as your goals.