Features of loft-style furniture and self-production

In the 40s of the last century, the loft architectural style began to gain popularity in the United States. It originates in the industrial areas of New York, where many industrial premises were abandoned by their owners due to rising land prices. Representatives of bohemians were the first to pay attention to them and, after the purchase, began to use abandoned factory buildings to create housing and place furniture. It turned out cheaply and tastefully, which allowed the style to remain popular to this day. Nowadays, such arrangement of an apartment is very popular, and do-it-yourself loft-style furniture is perfect for both private homes and offices.

Shelves

Rope shelves are a very simple design. All you have to do is sand the pieces of wood, drill holes in them, pass ropes through them and tie knots. The ropes are secured to a rod or special fasteners.

A chain is a great alternative to ropes. All that remains is to select clamps/brackets, threaded rods and nuts.

The most stylish shelves can be made from slab. Buy a beautiful slab from us, cover it with oil and hard wax or varnish, secure the corners and your chic shelf is ready.

With a candle

This is a versatile technique that helps give wood or wooden furniture an antique look. It can be used on both untreated wood and already painted wood and furniture. Suitable for painting in one or several layers.

For example, this is the result obtained when painting white using this method (for a detailed guide, read the article “3 methods to paint wood white”)

Let's take a closer look at how to paint wood using this method, making three layers (brown, white and yellow).

Necessary materials:

• paint (brown, white and yellow)
• brush, candle, rag.

Step-by-step instruction:

Step 1: First coat of paint

1. Decide on the color of paint that you will use as a basis. This will be the first, bottom layer of paint, which we will apply directly to the wood. In this case we use dark brown color.
2. Paint the wood with slightly chaotic strokes, without painting the surface completely and evenly.
3. Leave until completely dry.

Step 2: Use a candle

Take a candle and rub it on the surface of the wood in several randomly selected places (press the candle quite hard so that a clear trace of wax or paraffin remains on the wood).

• Step 3: Second Layer of Paint Select a color for the next layer and apply paint (we're using white here). At this stage, the paint can be applied evenly over the entire surface, and not in strokes, as with the first layer. Leave until completely dry.
• Step 4: After this, take a rag and wipe the surface, using some pressure. In those places where wax was applied, the paint will come off the surface. If two layers are enough for you, then you can stop there, but if not, move on.
• Step 5: Third coat of paint Repeat steps 2 and 3, but the last one using a different color of paint (here it will be yellow). After the paint has dried, you can apply a protective varnish. The latter is not necessary due to the fact that we deliberately gave it an antique look, so if the paint starts to lag a little over time, it will not be noticeable.

DIY loft hanger

A simple hanger in the hallway will not fit into a classic interior, but for a loft style it is perfect.

For those who prefer elegance in everything, it is better to order a beautiful slab and purchase decorative hooks.

Functionality and convenience are the two pillars on which the loft stands

This direction is distinguished by a clearly expressed free attitude to the creation of its own “autonomous” space, only symbolically separated from the surrounding world

The owners arrange it the way it suits them, without taking into account conventions and accepted canons

It uses all the latest technical innovations:

• passive heating due to natural light, solar panels are used;
• large windows are equipped with special heat saving systems, special heat pumps are installed;
• Recirculation systems provide energy savings by heating water and air.

External extensions - a garage, a terrace, a veranda - are located in a way that is convenient, even if it violates the overall proportions. The same principle is observed inside - the stove, fireplace, heating pipes are not masked, but, on the contrary, give expressiveness to the design.

Ultra-modern fireplace with glass screen and stone frame

The potbelly stove heats the room and at the same time serves as a central connecting element in the interior

DIY loft coffee table

Anyone will like a stump table. The rhizome of the tree must be dry. Clean it, treat it with an antiseptic, dry it and coat it with varnish/special oil.

Impact-resistant glass can be purchased from a specialized company and you can immediately order edge processing (bevelling), as well as cutouts in the tabletop.

Here's another interesting idea. As you can see from the photo, the table base is made from the legs of old chairs.

Patination

To obtain the desired antique effect, mechanical processing alone is not enough. Next, you can simply coat the product with varnish. But it is also recommended to perform the so-called patination. This will allow you to better emphasize the relief surface of the product. Patina is a characteristic luxurious gloss that wood acquires over the years. Recreating it at home is done in several stages and requires a lot of effort.

Patination is the process of applying special compounds and stains to the surface being treated. They are selected depending on the desired color and shade of the finished product. The compounds are applied in such a way that they get into the pores of the wood that open during mechanical processing.

It is important to achieve a patina effect in which the wood's deep pores appear slightly darker and have more contrast than lighter surfaces. When performing this treatment yourself, it is recommended to use paint of the desired color. To do this, first paint the surface completely, and then use a sponge or cloth to remove the top layer without waiting for it to dry.

As a result, the tree appears more ancient and noble

To do this, the surface is first painted completely, and then the top layer is removed with a sponge or cloth without waiting for it to dry. As a result, the tree appears more ancient and noble.

But patination is not necessary at all. Products painted with antique enamel also look great. With the help of such materials, you can create a real masterpiece that can only be distinguished from a real antique by a true connoisseur of antiquities. One layer of enamel should be applied to the surface. Then the wood needs to be dried and another layer applied. When re-painting, the enamel must be chosen more liquid and of a different color. When the wood is completely dry, you need to wipe the surface with sandpaper so that the bottom layer shows through and creates abrasions.

Furniture made from boxes

Wooden boxes can be containers for storing fruit, but they are also an excellent building material.

You can make excellent multifunctional furniture from them: ottomans, shelving, wall-mounted walls, bedside tables, a storage chest and an exclusive coffee table.

To make loft furniture from boxes you will need a screwdriver, self-tapping screws, sandpaper, primer, paint or varnish, and brushes.

Preparing for work

Different types of wood can be aged using different methods. A number of methods are not suitable for working with certain varieties.

Table 1. Aging methods and types of rocks that can be subjected to the techniques.

Technology	What breeds are recommended to use?
Aging by chemical action	Oak, willow, walnut, maple, beech, mahogany, linden, aspen.
Techniques related to mechanical surface treatment	Everything except teak, maple, cherry, beech and pear. Particularly suitable: pine, larch, oak and ash

Effects on the surface using special compounds can be divided into techniques:

• using a dry brush;
• patination;
• glaze;
• spray;
• crackle;
• technique for creating scuff marks (Shabby Chic);
• etching (use of compositions such as stains).

Processing with physical impact on wooden planes is also possible:

• brushing – a technique using brushes with metal bristles (cord brushes);
• roasting – the use of fire or metal heated to a high temperature;
• in hot sand.

Other methods are also possible - for example, imitation of natural damage, which is achieved using an awl, sandpaper and other tools.

DIY loft furniture from pallets

Just like from boxes, you can assemble almost any piece of furniture from pallets: a bed, a sofa, a dining table and a coffee table, an armchair, a pouf, a bedside table and a TV stand, a rack, a shoe rack, shelves, sun loungers, a bar counter.

You can purchase such building materials inexpensively on Avito. The price for one used pallet is from 50-200 rubles. The cost depends on the degree of wear and tear. It is also possible to purchase new pallets.

To make furniture you will need:

• sandpaper with coarse and fine grain;
• hacksaw;
• hammer and nails, self-tapping screws;
• pliers;
• screwdriver;
• tape measure, pencil;
• paint, brushes, gloves;
• antiseptic, varnish or oil for furniture.

The production process of any furniture is almost the same, the only difference lies in the design itself. Everything is clearly visible from the photographs. But it’s still worth drawing a sketch with calculations so as not to make mistakes.

Stages of work

It is important to prepare the pallets well before you begin assembly.

1. 1. Clean and sand the wooden stands from dust and dirt using sandpaper.
2. 2. Cut them with a hacksaw.
3. 3. Coat the workpieces with primer and dry.
4. 4. Apply a decorative protective coating.
5. 5. Assemble the structure and secure the parts together with screws or nails.

Are you not sure that you will be able to make high-quality loft-style furniture with your own hands? Or maybe you prefer more refined designer furniture? Then don’t hesitate and contact Loft Look .

We carefully check wooden blanks and slabs for defects and always dry them according to all the rules. Each product is coated with German Osmo oil with hard wax. It significantly increases the service life of furniture, repels water and does not attract dust.

Any furniture made in our workshop is a truly unique creation. Don't believe me? Then check out our catalogue.

Use wax

Wax helps to achieve the effect of a destroyed top layer of paint.

You will need

• Paint in two or three colors (depending on what result you want).
• Wax (you can use a regular candle).
• Rag.
• Varnish.
• Fine sandpaper.

Sequencing

• To do the job properly, sand the wood.
• Choose a color that will be the main one. For example, the darkest of the three. Paint the product in it, using wide, uneven strokes, and let dry.
• Take a candle and, pressing hard, rub the places where you think there should be holes in the color.
• Then apply a light shade and wait until it dries.
• Using a rag, thoroughly wipe the areas where the wax was applied. The paint will peel off there, giving the product the appearance of old and shabby.

If you are satisfied with the result, then the third layer does not need to be applied. If you want to change the color, then repeat the entire procedure. At the very end, coat the product with a fixing varnish.

The best materials for the table

Loft involves the use of natural materials. They can be used individually or thoughtfully combined. If you approach the combination of materials wisely, then you will get not only a high-quality, but also an aesthetically pleasing item. Often dining tables are made from the following materials:

• Wood is a strong and durable material that is ideal for creating countertops. For these purposes, the highest quality wood species are usually selected (for example, oak, maple, beech, etc.).
• Metal – often used to make the legs and base of the structure. Metal guarantees stability as well as elegance of the product.
• Glass – harmoniously combines with other materials. Typically used as a tabletop placed on wooden beams or a metal base.

• Slab - allows you to create a spectacular product in the “attic” style. In its appearance, this material resembles a longitudinal cut of a trunk. As a result, the design looks a little rough, but impresses with its spectacular pattern.

Attention! It should be borne in mind that the cost of the table depends on the quality of the material, the popularity of the brand and the complexity of the design.

Main features of the stylistic direction

Loft interior design initially combined elements of poverty and luxury. This was due to the industrial crisis in America, which occurred in the last century. Empty industrial and factory buildings with exposed pipes on unfinished ceilings and unplastered brick walls began to be offered as inexpensive housing. The huge buildings appealed to representatives of the creative community, who converted the premises into workshops, galleries, and rehearsal rooms.

“Loft” can be translated from English as an attic, attic, gallery, top floor of a warehouse or factory building.

Gradually, the space was filled with elegant decor, authentic items, and vintage furniture, which made this style non-trivial and delightful. The rough texture of the walls, the abundance of daylight, and concrete floors brought freedom, dynamics and independence to the living space. This new design solution eventually became popular among the elite, intelligentsia, rich and successful people.

Based on the main listed features of the loft, the following characteristic features can be identified in the style of indoor tables with an emphasis on industrial aesthetics:

• big sizes;
• heaviness;
• restraint in details;
• practicality;
• Ease of use;
• simplicity of forms and raw textures;
• no ornate patterns, clear straight lines.

Advantages of placing a PC in tables, assembling a structure with your own hands Usually a table is made using traditional geometric lines and shapes, but more complex atypical interpretations will help to add some negligence to a laconic interior. In this case, the color scheme of the finish should consist of two or three harmonizing or contrasting shades.

The main advantages of a loft table

The “attic” style originated in the USA back in the 40s. 20th century, when most factories were moved outside the city. The old premises were no longer used for their intended purpose, and creative people began to use them as housing, preserving the original interior. That is why a loft is characterized by brickwork, open ceiling pipes, beams, wires, etc. A table made in this style should be just as simple, but high-quality and durable. Therefore, the main advantages of this product are:

1. Practicality - manufacturers pay special attention to achieving maximum design reliability, and therefore this table serves its owners for many years.
2. Ease of use is a key characteristic of these products, because a person should feel extremely comfortable while dining.

3. Naturalness – natural materials, specially processed carelessly and roughly, make the table especially original and effective.
4. Minimal decor - loft does not accept prints and pretentiousness. Therefore, these pieces of furniture should not be decorated with numerous decorations.
5. Freedom of form - the product can have a typical shape (rectangle, square) or a more original one (in the form of a guitar, oak leaf, etc.).