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Renting a loft: open space, high ceilings and the honest details nobody mentions

A loft is the kind of place that makes people stop in the doorway. Exposed brick, iron columns, a ceiling far above your head, and windows so tall that the city seems to pour into the room. Many lofts started life as warehouses, factories, printing works or storage buildings, and were later converted into homes. Renting one for a city break, a work trip or a longer stay lets you live in that space for a while instead of just admiring it in photos.

The same features that make lofts beautiful also make them different to live in. An open floor plan, a sleeping platform up a steep stair, bare concrete and giant glass all have practical effects. This guide walks through where lofts are found, who they suit best, and what to check before you book.

From factory floor to living room

The loft as a home became famous in New York, where artists in the second half of the twentieth century moved into empty manufacturing buildings in SoHo, drawn by the space and light. Cast-iron facades, large windows and floors built for heavy machinery turned out to be ideal for studios. The idea spread, and cities around the world began converting their old industrial districts into apartments, studios and workspaces. Today the word loft covers several types of space:

• True conversions in former warehouses and factories, with original beams, brick, concrete floors and oversized windows.
• New-build lofts that copy the look with high ceilings, open plans and industrial finishes, but with modern insulation and soundproofing.
• Mezzanine lofts, where a sleeping area sits on a platform above the living space, reached by a staircase or ladder.
• Artist and live-work lofts, often raw and very large, sometimes with a studio area still in use.
• Compact lofts, common in cities such as Tokyo, where the word often means a small apartment with a raised sleeping platform rather than a huge warehouse floor.

Loft cities around the world

Most big cities with an industrial past have loft neighbourhoods. In North America, New York's SoHo and Brooklyn areas such as Williamsburg and DUMBO are classic examples, Chicago has converted warehouses in the West Loop and River North, and Montreal has lofts in Old Montreal and former industrial districts along the Lachine Canal. In Latin America, Buenos Aires has restored brick warehouses in Puerto Madero and loft-style spaces in Palermo and San Telmo, while Mexico City offers airy apartments in neighbourhoods such as Roma and Condesa.

In Australia, Melbourne's inner suburbs such as Collingwood and Fitzroy and Sydney's Surry Hills and Pyrmont are known for converted factories and wool stores. In Africa, Cape Town's Woodstock has turned old industrial buildings into studios, galleries and apartments. Berlin's Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain and London's Shoreditch and Clerkenwell are famous for their warehouse conversions, and in Asia, Shanghai has given many former factory buildings a second life as creative spaces and apartments.

Who a loft suits, and who it might not

Lofts are wonderful for couples, solo travellers, creative people who want space to work, and friends who like spending time together in one big room. They are also popular for photo shoots, small gatherings and remote work, thanks to the light and the space.

They can be less ideal for groups who need privacy, light sleepers, families with small children and anyone who struggles with stairs. None of this rules a loft out, but it helps to read the listing with these points in mind.

Living in one open room

The defining feature of a loft is that there are few walls. The bed may be in the same space as the kitchen and sofa, or on an open platform directly above them. That means:

• Little privacy. If one person is cooking or watching a film while another sleeps, both will know about it. Travelling with friends or colleagues? Check how many truly separate bedrooms there are.
• Bathrooms that are only partly enclosed. Some designers use glass walls or sliding doors for the bathroom. Stylish, but not for everyone.
• Echo and noise. Hard surfaces like concrete, brick and glass bounce sound around. Voices carry, footsteps on a mezzanine are audible below, and street noise can come through old windows.
• Light, all the time. Huge windows are the joy of a loft, but they may not have full blackout blinds. Pack an eye mask if you sleep late.

Stairs, mezzanines and children

Mezzanine sleeping areas are one of the most charming parts of loft living, and one of the most important to check. Some are reached by steep open staircases or ladders, and some platforms have low or no railings along the edge. That can be a real risk for toddlers, sleepwalkers, or anyone getting up in the dark. If you are travelling with children, ask for photos of the stairs and the edge of the platform, and ask whether a safety gate is available. Also consider older guests who may find a steep climb difficult at night.

Heat, cold and big windows

Large windows and high ceilings make temperature a challenge. South-facing glass in the Northern Hemisphere, or north-facing glass in the Southern Hemisphere, can turn a loft into a greenhouse on a sunny afternoon, while warm air rises and gathers up on the mezzanine where you sleep. In winter, old single-pane windows and tall rooms can be hard to heat. Remember that seasons are reversed south of the equator, so a July stay in Melbourne or Buenos Aires means winter. Ask about air conditioning, heating, fans and window coverings for the time of year you are visiting.

Buildings with an industrial past

Former warehouses often come with quirks. Entry may be through a large freight lift, sometimes with manual gates, or up several flights of wide industrial stairs if there is no lift at all. Doorbells and building entrances can be hard to find, especially at night. Loft districts are frequently also nightlife areas, full of bars, galleries and clubs, which is great for going out and less great for sleeping on a Friday night. And in some cities, the streets around a converted factory are still a mix of workshops and warehouses that are quiet or empty after dark.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is the sleeping area separate, open to the living space, or on a mezzanine?
• How steep are the stairs to the mezzanine, and is there a railing along the edge?
• Is the bathroom fully enclosed with a door that closes?
• Is there a lift, and if so, is it a freight lift that guests operate themselves?
• How do the windows affect the temperature, and is there air conditioning or heating?
• Are there blackout blinds or curtains in the sleeping area?
• Is the street busy at night, and are there bars or clubs nearby?
• Is the loft suitable for children, and is a safety gate available?
• Are events, photo shoots or extra guests allowed?

Tips for a good loft stay

Bring earplugs and an eye mask, even if you are a good sleeper. Choose a loft on a higher floor or facing a courtyard if quiet matters to you. If you are working remotely, ask about the Wi-Fi and whether there is a proper table, not just a kitchen island. And enjoy the space: cook a meal for friends, spread out a project on a huge table, or sit by the window and watch the city.

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The lofts on this page are grouped by continent, country and region. Each link takes you to the owner's own website, where you can view the space, check availability and book directly. Do you rent out a loft? Add your link for free with the button above, and let travellers find it.