L is for Loft

BARN LOFT

Lofts in barns or stables are ideally filled with hay to be fed to farm animals. On our alpaca farm, we filled our loft with hundreds of hay bales averaging 60 pounds each.

Convenience:

Minimal or no transportation (once they’re in place) to distribute. Just toss bales onto the ground level for easy distribution to paddocks, pens, or fields. We used smaller hay bales which were convenient to be moved by hand (with a good workout) as opposed to huge round bales weighing almost a ton each.

Above-ground storage maximizes barn space and the necessity for additional buildings. It is noted, however, that throwing bales from overhead does create risks for those with breathing conditions, such as asthma. In such instances puffers and face covers (such as handkerchief tied around head, covering nose—like old-time bandits)--are suggested.

RESIDENTIAL LOFT

Lofts in a home or above a garage create potential to utilize otherwise lost space. The majority of lofts don’t have doors or windows, but there are exceptions.

Convenience:

A loft can transform space into a living area, den, teen or study area, bedroom, hobby space, workout room, or storage space. Its use is limited only by your imagination and the amount of space available.

Usually located at the top of steps, a loft creates a look of openness, making a small home feel much larger.

A functional loft reinforces usable square footage in your home rather than wasted space.