If you’re looking for housing in Boston, you may be overwhelmed by the options. You’ll find apartments, townhouses, condos, houses, and everything in between. One type of housing you may be overlooking is lofts. Keep reading to learn how to find a trendy loft in Boston.
Lofts are in style right now. Home decorators love the versatility that comes with lofts. But is a loft the right place for you to live? First, left’s define what a loft is:
Typically, lofts are previous structures that have been converted into condos. Because the structure was not originally designed for living, there are usually unique features, like high ceilings or brick walls. Lofts are a great way to transform pre-existing spaces, and many designers love the one-of-a-kind features that usually come with loft spaces.
Similar to studio apartments, lofts are typically designed as an open living space. There are separate bathrooms and closets usually that have been built in when the space was being converted to housing. Lofts can be large and provide a lot more living space compared to studio or traditional apartments. Certain developers have constructed bedrooms in loft spaces, though, which allows families or groups of roommates to live in lofts. Other lofts have been designed to have a second floor constructed.
Lofts are excellent for tenants who love unique architecture, urban living, and flexible space. This type of housing also exists outside of cities. There are developers in all parts of the country who are converting pre-existing structures into housing.
Before you commit to signing a lease on a spacious new loft, learn about the pros and cons of living in this type of housing.
If you’re tired of living in a cramped apartment, you’ll love the openness and spaciousness of a loft apartment. Because lofts are typically industrial structures that have been converted into housing, there are usually high ceilings and lots of space. We recommend touring lofts first. While high ceilings are preferred by many, some dislike the style and find it overwhelming.
This open-concept is very flexible. Many use lofts for living and also hosting events, as an art studio, or simply to give children more space to play. Even if the loft consists of only one-room, the open-concept and high ceilings will make the apartment feel much larger.
If you’re a fan of real estate and home decor TV shows, you’ll know that modern and industrial style-homes are very popular right now. This trend is here to stay, and many people like to participate by moving into converted lofts.
Lofts feature exposed bricks and beams, and this type of industrial style is hot. Add your own modern furniture and minimalistic design to enhance the unique charm of your loft apartment.
Lofts typically consist of a large, flexible space. This open-space is not for everyone, but for those who want to express their unique sense of style, having such a large, flexible space is perfect. You can adjust the design with furniture, carpeting, wall decor, and drapes. You can place a temporary border to divide rooms to your pleasing. For those who love design and have a unique style, lofts can be a perfect housing fit.
One of the downsides of lofts is the lack of traditional storage space. While some lofts have been completely developed by contractors, other lofts are left in their original form. This means that standard commodities like closet space or kitchen cabinets aren’t there. This is a make-or-break for some tenants. But if you can bring your own trunks and cabinets, you’ll quickly adapt to the new way of living.
If you live in a loft space, you’ll lack the typical amenities that come from living in an apartment building. There isn’t any lobby or common space for tenants to gather usually. Additionally, buildings with loft apartments typically don’t have balconies, outdoor space, or any other common amenities. While many tenants are used to living without these types of amenities, for others, this can be a major lifestyle change. Keep this in mind when browsing loft apartments.
Older industrial buildings are charming and trendy. However, they usually come with outdated utilities. Creative tenants can come up with unique techniques to make their lofts more energy efficient – and less expensive. Reinforced windows and energy-saving appliances can lower utility bills, so make sure to ask the landlord about these features.
Having a large space with high ceilings means there is more space to heat and cool. If you live in an area with extreme weather, lofts can sometimes be extremely expensive. Before you move into a loft apartment, ask around and see if you can find someone else who lives in a similar situation. Ask them how much they pay for their monthly utilities to better understand the financial responsibilities of living in this type of housing.