A loft is a former factory, commercial space, or warehouse that has been converted into a flat. The first loft apartments were built in the 1940s in England and the USA. The layout of the space differs from that in other types of flats, as large rooms with high walls usually dominate the style here. Literally translated, "loft" means something like "attic" or "storage". Modern industrial lofts usually result from the elaborate renovation and modernisation of former factory buildings, which is why this form of housing fetches higher prices on the property market. In addition, new flats with an open design are now increasingly being offered as lofts in Berlin, even if they have not been created from industrially-used areas and are only given the name because of certain design elements such as unplastered brickwork or openly laid pipes.

Anyone who wants to buy a loft flat should be aware of the special characteristics of this type of apartment. The advantages of the loft include the open construction and the extravagant atmosphere created by the visual installation of beams and gables. In addition, Berlin lofts are considered the ideal way to create new living space in times of increasingly scarce living space by converting unused properties. For those who need a lot of space because they work from home, for example, an industrial loft is a flat that creates a lot of free space. On the other hand, there are sometimes sloping ceilings, which can make furnishing difficult, and the often higher costs for heating due to the spacious rooms. Here, attention should be paid to good insulation of the exterior and interior walls as well as multiple-glazed windows.

In Germany, the loft apartment with its industrial style was particularly popular in the 1980s. The loft was and still is particularly popular as an artist's flat, where creative people used the space to set up a studio. In the 1990s, Leipzig in particular became known as a city with many loft apartments, as there were numerous industrial halls from the Wilhelminian period as well as from the Bauhaus era that were converted into living spaces. The still very lively art scene in Leipzig ensures the unbroken popularity of the loft. In Berlin, too, you can find many loft apartments on the property market these days.

The loft apartment is characterised by its generous surfaces and expansive rooms. This allows creative freedom, but tempts you to overload the space. You should avoid this, as it is precisely this typical free spirit that is one of the characteristics of the loft apartment. Use few, but large pieces of furniture to furnish the flat. Above all, Wilhelminian style furniture and pieces in the Bauhaus style blend harmoniously into the overall picture. On the floor, there are numerous options for placing decorative objects such as plants. Ensure a harmonious colour scheme and ideally divide the loft into different zones. Room dividers bring structure to the area and prevent the size of the flat from being compromised by fixed walls. Loft apartments are well suited for older people because they can easily be designed barrier-free and have ground-level surfaces.