What Is a Studio Loft Apartment?
As a tenant, you have many types of rental options, from traditional multi-bedroom apartments to multi-story homes to quaint studios. Lofts are a type of rental unit that combines certain elements of a studio apartment with features and locations unique to lofts. Find out what a loft studio is and what the differences are between a loft and a studio apartment so you can find the rental space that suits your lifestyle and needs.
What is a loft studio?
A studio loft is a rental unit built in a former industrial building using modern materials, fittings and furnishings. These apartments usually have features such as exposed brick and pipe and high beamed ceilings.
Like traditional studios, loft studios also feature an open-plan layout with a private bathroom. Other similarities between a loft and a studio include:
- Closets and bathrooms are usually the only spaces that have doors
- Kitchen, living room and dining room meet or overlap
- Bedrooms are often separated from other living spaces by partitions, half walls and other elements
Also read: What is a loft?
Types of loft apartments
Depending on where you are looking to rent, you can find two different types of lofts:
- Hard loft: A hard loft embraces the sturdiest industrial features of traditional lofts, including steel beams, exposed brickwork, exposed pipes, and large industrial windows. You typically find these lofts in reused warehouses and industrial buildings in old factory districts within cities.
- Soft loft: A soft loft has some of the industrial features of traditional lofts, but often uses raised platforms to mimic the feel of a loft space. They generally have less of the rugged appeal of traditional lofts, as they are typically located in apartment buildings that have been redesigned to be more industrial.
If you’re drawn to the truly rugged feel of traditional lofts, you might want to find a tough loft. If you like the industrial look but want a more modern touch, consider a soft loft instead.
Differences between a loft and a studio
While there are some similarities between lofts and studios, there are many key differences that make them unique rental properties. Here are the main differences between a studio and a loft:
- Overall size: Lofts tend to be much larger than studios, which are known for their small size (around 400-500 square feet). Lofts can have multiple bedrooms and living areas, while a studio apartment usually only has two rooms in total – a bathroom and the entire living / bedroom area. Plus, the notoriously high ceilings found in lofts make them feel much taller than studios, and lofts can feature stairs and multiple floors to separate sleeping or working areas from other living spaces.
- A function: Studios may be perfect for young professionals, singles, or couples looking for a place to sleep and relax, but not necessarily to accommodate guests. Lofts, on the other hand, are great for all types of renters, including singles, couples, and families. Lofts allow you to accommodate guests as well as maintain a professional or creative space, such as a home office, studio, retail space, or entertainment space.
- Ease of management: You might consider how manageable you would like your space to be, especially when it comes to furnishing, decorating, and cleaning. Lofts have more space, which means more space to place your things, decorate the space and keep it tidy. Studios, on the other hand, have less space to store items and decorate, but can take less time to clean.
- Kitchen size and amenities: Studios typically don’t have full kitchens, while many lofts have full kitchens, with full-size appliances that are often very modern. In a studio, however, you may find a kitchenette with a stove, microwave, sink, and / or small fridge / freezer, or you may need to bring your own.
- Location: While you can find both studios and lofts in cities with industrial buildings, you usually don’t find lofts outside of these areas. Additionally, lofts can be found almost exclusively in old industrial buildings or apartments renovated to give an industrial look, while studios can be found in many types of buildings, from apartment buildings to spaces above the ground floor. garage.
- Trend: Lofts are often considered a luxurious and trendy place to live, while studios are generally seen as comfortable and welcoming. While the trend for lofts may change in the future, they are, and have been for some time, considered to be one of the coolest places to live in the city.
- Price: Studios tend to be a lot cheaper than lofts because of the square footage and less appliances. Lofts can also be more expensive due to their size, trend, open floor plan, ability to be personalized, and desirable location. Since these rentals are often located in older industrial buildings with less effective insulation, utilities can be more expensive to keep the space at the ideal temperature.
Browse studios and lofts
Advantages and disadvantages of renting a loft
The advantages of renting a loft are:
- Open concept more spacious than a studio
- High ceilings that enlarge the space
- Lots of natural light from large industrial windows
- Unique and trendy features like exposed bricks, beams and pipes
- Flexible space you can turn into anything you want it to be
However, there are a few downsides to renting a loft, including:
- Little or no traditional storage space
- No additional amenities, such as a gym, in the building
- More expensive utility bills, such as electricity for heating, air conditioning and the use of household appliances
- May take longer to clean
- Can be difficult to furnish and decorate if you prefer a cozy style
Lofts and studios both offer fantastic spaces to customize and create a home. Knowing the difference between these spaces can ensure that you are aware of the many rental options you have. Ready to find the loft of your dreams? Check the listings on Zumper to find the rental unit that meets your needs.