How to Close Off a Loft

How to Close Off a Loft
Written By
Janece Bass
Janece Bass
Published: Aug 15, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Choose a portable wall design with complementary hues and textures to enhance your existing decorating style and color scheme

Things You Will Need

  • Folding screens
  • Curtain track
  • Draperies
  • Decorative bead or shell strands
  • Furniture
  1. Place one or more folding screens in your loft to provide a visual wall between the open loft area and the room below. Paneled screens are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and designs, so select a screen to complement your existing decor. The Asian-inspired Shoji screen is an enduring favorite, and is constructed with rice paper panels fitted onto a decorative frame. The translucent rice paper panels allow light to filter through the screen, while providing limited privacy. Because folding screens are portable, you can easily fold and store them in a closet when you desire an open-loft atmosphere.

  2. Install a ceiling curtain track outfitted with floor-to-ceiling drapes to provide visual privacy to almost any loft area. Use draperies with an attractive appearance on both the front and back sides, or hang two sets of drapery panels back-to-back to offer a different look for the loft area and the space below. Pull the drapes wide open when you prefer a more spacious ambiance. Hang strings of beads or shells from the ceiling in lieu of draperies for decorative appeal with some visual privacy.

  3. Situate large pieces of furniture between the loft and open area below to supply a partial visual partition. Line up one or more towering bookcases to create a decorative furniture wall for the rooms below your loft, as well as supplying a functional piece for storing books and displaying collectibles in the loft area. Alternatively, opt for an open-shelving unit, two-sided bookcase or oversize armoire instead of the bookcase. Flank the divider furniture pieces with potted floor plants to add visual interest to your faux wall.

The Drip Cap

  • A loft is an openly visible area in your home where the room at the top of the stairs is open to the rooms below.
  • The translucent rice paper panels allow light to filter through the screen, while providing limited privacy.
  • Use draperies with an attractive appearance on both the front and back sides, or hang two sets of drapery panels back-to-back to offer a different look for the loft area and the space below.
  • Line up one or more towering bookcases to create a decorative furniture wall for the rooms below your loft, as well as supplying a functional piece for storing books and displaying collectibles in the loft area.

Photo Credits

Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images

Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images

Janece Bass

Janece Bass is a freelance writer specializing in weddings, family, health, parenting, relationships, dating, decorating, travel, music and sports. She has been writing for more than 15 years and has numerous published pieces on various…

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