Studio Vs. Loft

Space

• The one thing that a studio and a loft share in common is the basic layout that characterizes these types of apartments. In a traditional one bedroom apartment, walls and doors provide a separate bedroom that is closed off from the rest of the suite. This isn't the case with a loft or a studio. Instead, the sleeping area is part of the same open concept space as the living, cooking and office areas.

Levels

• All studios apartments are located on a single level. Typically, when you open the door in a studio, the entire layout of the apartment, with the exception of a bathroom or storage room, will be easily seen. A loft is more complex. Although open concept, a loft often has more than one level in the property with a staircase to bridge the two. Typical loft layouts place the sleeping quarters on the upper level. Not all lofts are on multiple levels, but all studios are on a single.

Space and Status

• Studio apartments are usually very small. There are obvious exceptions to this rule in some buildings, but most rental ads for studio apartments offer suites that are only a few hundred square feet in size. Lofts offer much larger living accommodations in most cases. For instance, some lofts comprise entire floors of buildings. Most people consider a studio space to be a low, entry level apartment. Lofts, on the other hand, are often a status symbol of high-end and stylish urban living.

Buildings

• Studio apartments show up in all kinds of apartment or condo buildings. Any old or new style building might include studio apartments. True loft apartments, however, are supposed to be conversions from old buildings intended for purposes other than living, such as old factories or warehouses. Although some "loft style" apartments are created in new buildings, purists consider true lofts only those that are converted from existing spaces.