The concept of living in a loft sounds dreamy . . . high ceilings, wide-open spaces, walls of windows, and a hint of industrial style are incredible features — until you try to outfit that authentically cool space in a style you can live with. One of the key benefits to living in a loft is the open-concept layout of one-room living. But that’s also a big part of the challenge. Even an open plan still needs to be able to function as a collection of distinct rooms in order to meet the needs and challenges of everyday life. While you may not have an abundance of doors and windows to divide “this” area from “that,” it’s still possible to create a home environment that allows you to experience and enjoy each and every inch of your loft while tailoring different areas to the various functions of everyday life.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re on a tight budget for art. You can make your own! All of these images are close-up details of urban graffiti that were snapped on a digital camera (even a lowly point-and-shoot can work wonders). The ready-made frames are inexpensive and come complete with a mat, so all you need to do is select your favourite images, enlarge and print them at your local photo shop, and pop them into frames. You’ll have a fabulous gallery wall at a price you can afford!
Create a grid. For best results with a gallery-style installation, allow a consistent width and height between each image. These have minimum space between so the group reads as a unified whole. When installing your own gallery wall, try laying all the pieces out on the floor to make sure you are happy with the arrangement before you swing the hammer.