The Difference Between a Loft and a Studio Apartment

Written by Choleena DiTullio of Demand Studios for publication on eHow.com. The published article at eHow.com.

The differences between a loft apartment and a studio apartment are size and type of living space. Loft apartments are large living spaces either situated in a loft area (the space just below the roof) of a building or the apartment contains a room that overlooks the main living space. A studio apartment is small with just one or two rooms often containing a combined living/sleeping area. It contains no raised or second-story (loft) room.

Similarities
Both have a self-contained living setup including kitchen, bathroom, living and sleeping space even though some spaces may be combined. They are open-concept with few dividing walls. As apartments, both are rented.

Origin
Loft apartments were most often converted upper-story levels of commercial buildings; a way to reclaim abandoned manufacturing and industrial buildings. Because of their popularity and generally higher rental income potential, today's architects design loft-like apartments into new buildings.

Architectural Features
Because of the origin of loft apartments, they often are large, open spaces with large windows and high ceilings. Since the ceilings are very high, a raised sleeping area (or loft) can be built into the same space, gaining extra floor space. This room overlooks the rest of the living area and can often be reached by steep stairs or a ladder.

Loft Apartment versus Loft (or Loft Area)
As opposed to a loft apartment, a loft area is a space created above a living space that has very high ceilings. It is reached by a staircase or ladder, and is used for sleeping or storage purposes. It does not have to be in the top floor of a building or have the architectural features such as large windows of a traditional loft apartment. Any living space—apartment, house or condo—can have a loft in it.

Etymology
Loft: Middle English, from Old English, air, sky, from Old Norse lopt; akin to Old High German luft air. Date: 13th century. An upper room or floor; a gallery in a church or hall; one of the upper floors of a warehouse or business building especially when not partitioned.

References
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Loft
Vertex Realty: Building and Apartment Definitions
Metro Apartments: FAQ