I absolutely love loft rooms even if they aren’t as practical as rooms that are enclosed. Take the above image for example, by using the loft design for more floor space (i.e. second floor) it retains the openness of the entire space for both the lower and upper levels. However, the downside to loft rooms is they lack the privacy that enclosed second-floor rooms have.

Log homes and A-frame homes are renowned for loft spaces because of the tall ceilings. Whether small or large, they create additional rooms (often bedrooms) while retaining the openness throughout the home.

But as you’ll see in our extensive loft room gallery below, many styles of homes incorporate lofts, upper-level walkways, mezzanines, and interior balconies because they look great while offering some additional functional space.

Common uses for loft spaces include bedrooms, offices, libraries, and reading/TV rooms. In other words, loft space is used for “additional” or optional space as opposed to main rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms (although in some cases, especially with apartments, the loft is the sole bedroom in the home).

One issue all loft designs wrestle with is accesses. Some homes use a ladder, which isn’t the easiest to use. Some homes use a spiral staircase, which reduces the amount of space it takes up, but is easier to go up than a ladder. And then some homes use a typical staircase, which is the easiest to navigate but takes up more space. Our gallery features lofts with all forms of access.

There’s something fun and whimsical about loft rooms… after all, kids love them (we feature some great loft-style bunk beds kids love at the bottom of this gallery) for this reason and so it’s fun to be playful with interior design and creating a loft does just that.

It really doesn’t get a more open concept than this home. The dramatically tall ceiling makes it easy to create a sizable loft space that barely seems to encroach on the rest of the room. Below is an image depicting the staircase behind the kitchen to the loft.

Staircase the loft featured in the first two images above.

Massive living room and library combination where the library is situated on the main floor and the loft space. Circular stairs take you to the upper library that overlooks the living room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

The above 2 images depict a home with a walkway leading to a loft sitting room. The loft space is fenced in with a glass railing which provides unobstructed views of the main floor.

Here’s a large living space with a fun loft. It’s big enough to work well as an office, but not so big that it encroaches on the room. In fact, the loft design enhances the overall design of the room. The spiral staircase reduces the amount of square footage required for access to the loft. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

The above 2 images depict an apartment with a loft system creating 2 bedrooms. It’s an efficient use of space in small homes/apartments. Fortunately, the ceilings are elevated so that each bedroom’s height is respectable.

A gargantuan open living space with an open walkway contributes to dividing the space between the living room and dining room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

This home uses a loft to create two bedrooms. It’s possible because of the cathedral ceiling. The simple stairway leads the way.

The sloped ceiling in this home makes it possible for a large upper level where the hallway overlooks the main floor. This is a common design for homes with sloped ceilings and works well because part of the living space enjoys great height, yet the home’s usable square footage is increased with a partial upper level. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Here’s an interesting hanging loft. The glass floor helps retain the openness of the space. While not a large loft area, it does provide for a home office.

Bookshelves are a spectacular way to decorate a home. This home takes bookshelves literally to the next level in the living room by creating a library loft within the living room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Loft space for upper-level sitting room.

Intricate loft system where the loft space sits like a tray straddling two rooms on the main floor. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Good loft design in how it’s curved to parallel the contour of the home’s outer wall. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

View of loft space from the main floor. The loft area overlooks the backyard with a swimming pool. Going with a loft/walkway provides the main floor with a more open design.

Modern home with loft overlooking the living room.

Loft used for sitting/living room space above the foyer and kitchen.

Interesting double loft. The living room is like an atrium where on one side spiral staircase rises two stories, each upper level being a loft space overlooking the living room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM. Be sure and check out our special feature on sectionals for even more fabulous furniture ideas.

A wrap-around upper level overlooking the home’s great room.

An upper-level open walkway overlooks the living room.

The loft used for the home office is accessed via wood stairs from the living room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Concrete home with loft room above the kitchen overlooking the living room.

Contemporary home with a loft room above the kitchen overlooking the living room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Here’s the first log home loft image in our gallery. Log homes are renowned for loft spaces. The massive log home above features a large, but unobtrusive loft room. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

The above image and the two below feature a large log home with a loft bedroom.

Loft bedroom that actually has a good amount of privacy in the log home.

Loft room in large open log home above the kitchen. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

This large log home has several rooms in the loft space. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

View of the main floor from the loft room.

Grand salon with a loft room on one end. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

Loft bedroom accessible via a ladder. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

For a small loft space, this home uses a large staircase. It’s an example where a spiral staircase or placing the stairs against the wall may have been a better use of space. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.

The above 2 images depict a metal loft system built within an apartment.

An interesting loft room is placed above the in-home mini-bar. This living area has a spectacular stone fireplace. I think the design of the bar is more unusual than the loft itself. Source: Zillow Digs^TM.