The New York-style aesthetic usually comes with a rawness to it, something which retains what was there before; structurally, exposed beams and pipes, polished concrete floors, and bare brickwork are all markings of an inner-city loft-style apartment. Black steel features also help to create a strong, industrial look.
A New York loft was a space originally intended for industrial use. Lofts were built to support the machinery and workers who made clothing, textiles, leather goods, and metal products. After production ceased, artists took this opportunity to convert these spaces into their live-work homes. From this, the NYC loft interior design style was born!
What do you need to achieve the New York Aesthetic look?
1. Play with depth, texture, and the obscure.
It's wise not to go over the top in terms of the number of textures you bring into a room. Too many, and it can start to look muddled. High Street style is minimalistic and restrained.
Look to include textures on your floor, walls and larger furniture items like sofas and tables to set the scene. A dark woodgrain table, a herringbone floor, marble wall tiles or a quality rug in a geometric pattern are a good start. These materials are timeless, and when used as a foundation, they really establish that sense of understated sophistication.
When it comes to accessories, think of fabrics like leather and suede for cushions. An upholstered wall above a bed is a great idea, as are tall sheer curtains. No tassels, no frills, no bells and whistles. This is all about simplicity.
2. Get creative with storage
If you have ever lived in a tiny downtown Auckland apartment, you know that every square metre counts. Making it a functional, yet still open space does require some creativity. Struggling to find room for a wardrobe? Sliding wardrobe doors are a smart and stylish way to boost your storage space.
With plenty of room for all your clothes, shoes and accessories, they are the key to a calm, clutter-free bedroom. Because you don’t need space to open the doors, you can install wardrobes in smaller spaces and make use of all those tricky corners and alcoves.
They work perfectly in rooms with sloping ceilings, or in those tight corners you previously considered “wasted space”. Sliding doors are also great for the hall, under the stairs, and alcoves in the sitting room; in fact, anywhere you need a flexible storage solution.
3. Add greenery
Unless you’re lucky enough to live close enough to a park, you need to carve out some green space for yourself. As humans, there's a natural urge to connect with nature. Creating an indoor garden is a great way to connect, without needing to leave the house!
There are so many options to choose from, like herb gardens, terrariums, cacti, and succulents, to even larger selections like the super-popular Fiddle Leaf Figs and Monstera Cheese Plant.
4. Mix Materials
To pull off an industrial look, make sure to mix materials. Contrasting wood with metal is the simplest way. This goes for finishes as well as decor. For example, hardwood floors and metal stairs create a common juxtaposition. A concrete dining room tabletop and hanging glass pendants are another way to mesh materials according to this style. Blending warm and cold, heavy and light materials like this are key to the New York loft decorating style.
5. Include multi-light windows and doors
Glazed doors can add the perfect touch to physically dividing the space without blocking the light that keeps an area feeling open. They allow you to enjoy the views outside and can brighten your home’s interior. For a long time, when people thought of interior doors, they thought of solid wooden doors – occasionally with a slim glass panel.
Recently, many have begun embracing the possibilities offered by interior steel doors. Minimalism is about thoughtful and economical design. It favours emphasising clean lines, symmetry, and formal simplicity. Slimline interior steel doors, which open up spaces and simultaneously create a sense of privacy within the home, are a perfect example of doing more with less.
Create the New York loft aesthetic with the CS LoftDoor, a glazed sliding door essential for building a strong industrial look. The CS LoftDoor system is manufactured from high-quality aluminium extrusions with horizontal and vertical dividers, providing a low-maintenance alternative to steel. The elegant slender profiles create a minimalist glass door perfect for modern or industrial spaces.
Products mentioned in this article:
CS LoftDoor
CS WardrobeSliders.