About Loft spaces
A loft is a flexible, multipurpose, blank canvas space offering a more creative, modern, and stylish alternative to traditional event or filming spaces. Lofts' unique design makes them ideal for hosting any kind of occasion or creative shoot. With their high ceilings, exposed brick walls, abundant natural light, and often unique furnishings, they provide an attractive backdrop for everything from pre-event receptions and after-party events to private meetings and product photoshoots.
The interior space may also have modern industrial touches like steel beams and pipes, creating a contemporary aesthetic perfect for any event, gathering, or production. Most loft locations feature outdoor terraces, which provide everyone with airy outdoor views of the surroundings.
Lofts combine some of a venue's most appealing elements while offering the flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of the host or event planner. Most feature soundproofed walls and separated sections that allow hosts to set up demarcated areas such as lounge areas and food stations.
The Best Events for Loft Spaces
- Art Show
Loft spaces provide the perfect backdrop for art shows. Their minimalist design offers plenty of breathing room to view artwork without distraction. With features such as skylights or big windows, light illuminates the artwork on the artwork on display. Additional lighting can help highlight sculptures or 3D pieces. Loft spaces are often large enough to accommodate multiple art pieces without overcrowding. Create a loft art show where the host and artist are the center of attraction.
- Corporate Event
Loft spaces provide a unique and modern take on traditional corporate events. Instead of the usual conference-room setup, they offer more room for a private event with various activities, allowing guests to stand, mingle, sit, and have conversations in higher comfort than traditional seating configurations. The modern look and feel of loft spaces make them an attractive option for businesses that want to make a statement. The high ceilings and large east facing windows also create a modern and flexible atmosphere for creative projects by setting up different displays or presentation screens.
- Weddings
A wedding is a special celebration and many couples like to show their creativity through decor and music. Loft spaces provide an urban chic atmosphere, perfect for couples who want to have a unique wedding indoors rather than a traditional church service. A town loft is like a blank canvas that can be adjusted to suit your event requirements. They allow for the addition of interactive décor options while offering vantage views that double as perfect backdrops for beautiful photo opportunities. The openness of the space also allows couples to decorate in whatever style they prefer and accommodate larger numbers of guests.
- Performance Venues
When it comes to hosting performances such as concerts, comedy shows, theater productions, and poetry slams – loft venues are ideal due to their high ceilings, which allow sound waves to travel without echoing back too much reverberation, and ample floor area, which allows guests to enjoy themselves without feeling cramped up together. If the loft is in a lively neighborhood, then potential patrons may be drawn in by its distinctiveness compared to other venues they frequent throughout their city life.
What to Look for in Loft Event Spaces
- Layout & Design
The location and layout of the loft venue are important as it determines how many people can fit inside and the seating and decor layout. Look for space details with an open floor plan that provides plenty of room for guests to move around and feel comfortable. The loft design should also be aesthetically pleasing and exude the look and feel you want for your occasion. Remember, your rent depends on the space you choose. The rent in a West Side suburb of Chicago may be more than in a location like Wicker Park and so on. It's best to search for a house layout for a loft wedding rather than a studio space.
- Amenities
The loft venue should have amenities to make your guests feel at home. Many lofts offer access to bathrooms, spacious kitchens, catering sections, bar areas, Wi-Fi connectivity, heat/air conditioning, etc. Understanding what comes standard is important if you need extra space for restaurant catering, workshops, baby showers, micro weddings, and more. You should also remember to check for free street parking for guests.
- Soundproofing
Soundproofing is an essential factor to consider when selecting a loft space for a private event. Due to their construction, sound in loft venues can travel easily through walls and ceilings; brick or wood-paneled walls often have sound leak issues. You want to ensure that the occasion remains private and not disruptive to other tenants in the building or nearby neighborhoods. Speak with the property owner or manager about soundproofing measures or recommend installing them, if necessary, before your event. Soundproofing is expensive, so you may have to create a larger budget.
- Location
Consider proximity to public transportation services for easy access for those traveling further away from town and parking availability if needed by guests driving their vehicles. Equally important is finding a spot that fits within budget while still providing a safe and secure environment throughout the event; if possible, research crime rates in each potential area before committing!
How to Make Loft Event Better
- Utilize the Space
A city loft space offers plenty of room for a large event like a wedding. Consider the layout of the space and what furniture and other items you need to make it work, including features for a music studio and workshops. This includes chairs, couches, tables, or even an open floor plan with no furniture. Consider wall décor and lighting fixtures that could enhance a studio's aesthetics to help create an inviting atmosphere. Utilizing the entire space allows artists access to the venues that help their creativity flow.
- Take Advantage of Natural Light
Consider the light if you plan a house wedding with catering and music. Loft event spaces often have large windows that bring in ample natural light. Use this to your advantage by allowing sunlight to flood the room. Not only will this add brightness to the atmosphere, but it will also save on energy costs due to less reliance on electric lights.
- Maximize Air Flow
Loft spaces in the city can become stuffy if the airflow is not optimized correctly. To avoid this problem, open windows or doors when preparing for the occasion and keep them open throughout. If using multiple rooms within a loft space, try leaving one door open between them to create a cross breeze from room to room.
- Add Decorations
Decorations can completely transform an otherwise bland space into an exciting venue for birthdays, micro weddings, music events, and more! Consider booking decor items like balloons or streamers for a playful effect at your event photography or potted plants for a memorable, rustic look that evokes nature's beauty. If possible, leverage any existing furniture to customize the space with pops of bright color, adding throw pillows and blankets that reflect your aesthetic. When planning an event, take care of the decor booking process since you may need everything to decorate a loft that looks like a blank canvas.
- Be Creative With Seating Arrangements
Set up creative seating arrangements such as cozy nooks for photography, a cozy lounge area with couches and chairs around coffee tables in a tiny sunlit indoor garden, a blank canvas for artistic people, long banquet-style tables with benches, or a circular arrangement with chairs for video shoots around one central point like a fireplace or DJ booth area!