This Loft Felt So Industrial, Until A Simple Addition Made It Feel Warm & Inviting

Anyone who has tried to style a loft or studio knows that the open floor plan comes at a cost — without the right decor, these spaces can feel cold and industrial. While the spacious ceilings and exposed architectural elements can work with some aesthetics, they're not the best for creating a comfortable, inviting room. Trying to make such a large space feel cozy is the exact problem one Reddit user faced. Fortunately, they also shared that it only took a couple of decor pieces to transform an empty loft into something more livable.

In a post on r/HomeDecorating, user megagirlmeg2 shared before and after photos of her loft space. The loft was initially very drab and looked more like a warehouse than a place where one would spend time. However, the second image shows a completely transformed room. The key difference? This Reddit user added hints of greenery and functional furniture that serve as room dividers throughout the loft. The result is a space that feels open without being chaotic, and more organic than industrial; it's also a great way to create a bedroom in a studio apartment.

The starring player of the loft's transformation is the gorgeous fiddle leaf fig plant in the middle of the space. Adding plants to any room can make it feel more alive — literally — and a large loft space is no different. The greenery can infuse a room with texture and color (not to mention extra oxygen), and generally make it feel more welcoming. If you want to take this inspiration to your own open-concept home, consider adding extra visual interest with large houseplants that dramatically fill empty spaces, like monstera or yucca, with smaller decorative house plants like snake plants or pothos.

Featured next to the plant is an open shelving unit stacked with books and knick-knacks. Not only does this piece provide storage, but it also divides the room so that there is a dedicated lounging area — there is also a TV cabinet in the background that serves a similar purpose. The designer made the clever choice to use shelves that are open on both sides so that the barrier is subtle and folks can still enjoy the extended sight lines and light flow in the loft. Desks, console tables, and even statement pieces like upright pianos could also work as functional room dividers in lofts or studios. When choosing pieces for your loft, you could also consider an affordable DIY lofted bed.