A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A small loft bed is a fantastic option for a room for children as it lets children to use the space below for play or for studying. This West Elm pick has a elegant Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.
The instructions are simple and easy to follow. Note that this loft bed is only used with a mattress 9 inches or less; anything higher could extend beyond the safety guard rails.
Storage
It may seem inconvenient to make use of an elevated bed as a way to make more storage space, but this is a very useful idea. A lofted bed, for example, can be used as a bookcase, saving floor space. The sides can be used to create a reading nook, or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be utilized as a workstation, allowing a child to create a workspace for doing homework and other tasks without taking up the living space of a small room.
Many kids' lofts beds come with a desk area beneath. You can add one to any loft bed or build it yourself, or by modifying the space beneath the bed using some shelves as well as an improvised table. This loft bed (shown in white) from Wayfair has a desk built into the front and an bookshelf that doubles as a side rail. The simple design of this bunk makes it suitable for any bedroom with kids and the safety rails with slats are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
This model from Ikea has plenty of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety of finishes to suit different decor styles including modern and rustic. The bottom of the loft is equipped with two drawers, while the top can be opened to reveal more storage space. This model is a good option for those looking to convert their bedroom into a home office or for bunkbedsstore children who require plenty of space for books and toys.
If you have a little one who loves to read, you could turn your loft into a little library by adding some shelves and a comfy bean bag chair to curl up with a great book. You can create a cute composition with a little rug, a chair or tables, and a few baskets or boxes to store additional items.
This loft bed is a fantastic choice for young children, but teens can also appreciate the design if they require an area to study or do homework. This model from Kidkraft is a little simpler to construct than others and comes with plans that include step-by-step directions with pictures for cutting the parts and assembling the bunk and constructing the stairs. The plans come with a list of the tools and materials you'll require.
Space
The space that is created beneath tiny loft beds can be as important as the bed itself. This extra space can be used for an office space or as an ideal sitting space. This can be a great method to add a unique design element to a tiny bedroom for adults or a kid's room or a studio apartment.
Loft beds are a great option to give a room with low ceilings a rustic or industrial feel. For instance this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder leading up to the mattress set on the wooden platform. A simple chair, with a few accent pieces make the room look more complete.
If your ceilings are tall enough, you can go even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds for instance, come in two sizes with different finishes. They also have plenty of space beneath the bed, which gives you a comfortable bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It has an incline staircase that is staggered to ensure safety and accessibility.
The bottom portion of this loft bed could be used as a study area or playroom with a combination of open cubbies, drawers for storage and an ottoman that doubles as a staircase to the top bed. This is a fantastic option for children's bedrooms or teens' rooms and can be reconfigured as children grow up and out of it.
Many loft beds come with built-in shelves for books as part of the design. This is particularly beneficial in homes with limited space or if you want to keep books and other items away from the floor. A cozy reading space with a lamp as well as comfy seating is another great use of this space, and is especially beneficial for an adult or teen's room.
A loft bed can be an ideal workspace for a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk pulls out has plenty of room to accommodate a laptop and a computer and shelving units on both sides to store toys, books and other things.
Fun
You can make a loft bed enjoyable for your children. It's not just about storage space. A small slide beneath a loft bed is a great option to add some playtime excitement to their bedroom and also an easy and quick descent out of the top bunk. This kids' bed from DONCO has a built-in slide and ladder that's guaranteed to please any child and it can be added later on if they'd prefer to take the easy route up the road in the future.
If slides aren't the best choice for your child's age but you can still add a unique aspect to your loft bed by transforming the bottom of the bed into a cozy hangout area with a couple of chairs and a rug. The area can be used to read or relax, play games or enjoy a movie with friends. It's a great method to keep the room tidy and provide a great space to relax.
Kids can feel like they are in their own castle when their loft is designed to look like an old-fashioned cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can make your loft unique design by putting up wallpapers and wall stickers, or paints that look like a sky, forest or other outdoor elements. Your children will enjoy playing and having sleepovers in their loft, especially during snowy days.
You can also add some design to your home by replacing a ladder with spiral staircase. You can buy one of these spiral staircases or create your own to create a small loftbed, as seen in the bedroom designs on HGTV. The staircase has a nice design with an X-shape along the sides and can be redesigned as your kids grow.
Another great idea is to build a loft bunk bed with desk and storage beneath for your children to work on their homework or other chores. You can find a variety of plans online for this type of loft bed, and many are easy enough to construct yourself, as shown in this plan from House of Wood. The plans have all the directions you require along with a list of supplies and cuts needed for each step of the project. This loft bed is spacious enough to accommodate a full-size bed and also has space for seating, a desk or seating.
Safety
Kids love bunk and loft beds, but they're not without their risks. Each year, bunk and loft beds cause injuries to thousands of children, including head and neck injuries, broken bones, and scrapes and cuts. Fortunately, the majority of these injuries can be prevented and easily avoided with the right precautions in place.
The first thing to do is ensure that the loft or bunk bed is placed correctly in the room. It shouldn't be set against the wall as this could result in children being wedged between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. Instead, allow a clear space of at least 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.
When positioning the bunk bed ensure that it is not in close proximity to things like curtains, blinds windows, and ceiling fans which could block a child's view or cause her to fall off the bunk's edge. The bunk bed should not be positioned near anything that could hang on the rails, such as cords or toys.
A sturdy, solid frame is a must for any loft or bunk bed. Choose a frame that is constructed of sturdy materials such as metal or pine. A platform or slatted frame is another option that can be safe and comfortable for your kids. Loft and bunk beds that have an solid platform or slats do not require a boxspring which is safer for toddlers.
In addition to the frame, look for loft beds that have guardrails on both sides of the top level and a ladder that can be locked in place. Children who are younger than six years old shouldn't sleep on the top bunk. Be sure to remind them of the dangers of sleeping on top bunks by reminding them often. Also an evening lighting placed on the single top bunk mattress bunk can aid children in finding their way back down the darkness.
A loft safety net is an important precaution to take. It attaches at the corners of the top bunk to stop children from falling. These nets are available in various colors and sizes to match any decor in the bedroom. They are also easy to put up.