A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A small loft bed is a fantastic option for a child's room, as it allows them to use the space below for play or studying. This West Elm pick has a elegant Mid-Century design and is available in two finishes.
It requires some assembly, but the instructions are clear and easy to follow. It is important to note that this loft bed is only used with a mattress of 9 inches or less. Anything higher could extend beyond the safety guard rails.
Storage
A loft bed could seem like a nebulous solution to free up space to store things, but it can actually be a fantastic alternative. For instance, instead of the traditional bookcase that occupies the floor space, a lofted bed can serve as one--and the sides can be used for other purposes such as a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed can also be used as a workspace that allows a child to have an office space for homework or other tasks without encroaching on the living space of a small room.
Many kids' loft beds include a desk nook beneath, but you can also add one to any regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or by modifying the space beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and a built-in desk. For instance this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) features a desk tucked into the bunk's front and a bookshelf that has an adjustable ladder that doubles as rails on the sides. The simple design of the bunk makes it a good fit for any bedroom with kids and the slatted safety rails are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety finishes to match different styles of decor including rustic and modern. The bottom of the loft has two drawers, while the top opens to reveal more storage space. This model is ideal for those who wish to transform their bedroom into an office, or for children with a large collection of toys and books.
If you have a little one who is a reader and read, you can turn your loft into a mini library by adding some shelves and a cozy bean bag chair to curl in with a good book. adult loft bed can create a cute composition using a rug, a chair or tables, and a few baskets or boxes to store additional items.
A loft bed that's built into a playhouse is a great choice for a young child however, the design can still be appreciated by teens who may need an area to work in and study. This model from Kidkraft is a little simpler to construct than others and comes with plans that provide step-by-step instructions with illustrations for cutting the pieces, assembling the bunk, and building the stairs. It also includes the list of tools and materials that you'll require to begin.
Space
The space that is created under the tiny loft beds can be just as important as the bed itself. This extra space can be used as an office space or as a comfortable sitting area. It is also an opportunity to create an attractive design statement in a small bedroom for adults, a kid's room or even a studio apartment for teenagers.
Loft beds are a great way to give a room with low-ceilings a rustic chic or industrial look. 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 and few other pieces of furniture complete the look.
If your ceilings are high enough, you can make them even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance it comes in two sizes and several finish options with plenty of room underneath to provide you with a comfortable bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another excellent option. It comes with staggered stairs and a slide to ensure safety and accessibility.
The loft bed has a bottom section that can be used as an office or playroom. It comes with benches and storage cubbies, as well being a stairway leading to the top bunk bed. This is a great option for children's bedrooms or for teen's rooms and it can be rearranged as your children grow older and move get out of it.
Many loft beds come with built-in shelves. This is particularly beneficial for homes with limited space or to keep books and other items off the floor. Creating a cozy reading nook with a lamp and some comfy seating is another great idea to make use of this space and it's particularly useful for a teen or adult's room.
A loft bed could be used as a desk in a dorm room. This loft bed with a pull-out desk from Naomi Home offers plenty of space for laptops and a desktop and shelves on each side to store books and toys as well as other things.
Fun
Getting a loft bed for your kids does not just mean storage space, it can also make it a fun experience. A small slide beneath a loft bed is a fantastic way to add some fun to their bedroom and also a quick and easy descent from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed has a built in slide and ladder that will surely delight any child. It could be added later, if the child wants to go the easy way up.
If slides aren't a good fit for your child, you can still add a cool aspect to their loft bed by turning the bottom level into a cozy hangout area with a few chairs and a rug. The space can be used to read, relax, play games, or watch TV with your friends. It's an ideal way to keep the room clean and offer a nice place to hangout.
Kids will feel like they're in their own castle when their loft is designed to look like an old-fashioned cabin with a roof accent and windows. You can also give the loft a more unique look by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble trees, the sky, or another outdoor element. Your children will enjoy playing and sleeping in their cabin, especially on snowy days.
To add a touch of flair, you can also switch out a standard ladder to a more exciting spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these stairs or create your own for a tiny loft bed, as seen in the bedroom design shown on HGTV. The staircase is designed with a beautiful shape on the side, and can be redesigned as your children grow.
Another great idea is to build a loft bed with storage and a desk beneath to allow the children to work on their homework or other tasks. You can find a variety of plans online for this type of loft bed, and many are easy enough to construct on your own, as you see in this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all the instructions you need as well as a list of supplies and cuts required to complete the project. The loft bed can accommodate the full size mattress and offers room beneath for a desk or seating.
Safety
Kids love loft and bunk beds, but they aren't free of dangers. Each year, bunk and loft beds are the cause of injuries to thousands of children, including head and neck fractures, broken bones and scrapes and cuts. Fortunately, the majority of these injuries can be prevented or avoided by putting the proper safety measures in place.
The first thing to do is make sure that the loft or bunk bed is properly placed in the room. It should not be against the wall since this could cause children to be wedged between the bunk's wall and the top. You should leave at minimum 3 inches between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of the mattress foundation.
When you are putting the bunk bed up, be sure that it is away from things like curtains, blinds windows, ceiling fans and blinds that could block a child's view or cause her to fall off the bunk's side. The bunk bed should not be positioned close to anything that hangs on the rails, such as cords or toys.
A solid, sturdy frame is essential for any loft or bunk bed. Choose a frame that is constructed from durable materials such as pine or metal. A platform or slatted frame is another option that can be comfortable and safe for your kids. Loft and bunk beds that have solid slats or a solid platform do not require a box spring, which is safer for toddlers.
Look for a loft that has guardrails on both sides of the top level and a ladder you can secure. Children younger than six years old should not sleep on the top bunk. Be sure to remind them of the dangers of sleeping on top bunks by reminding them often. Also, a night light placed on the top bunk will aid children in finding their way back down in the dark.
A loft safety net is an important precaution to take. It is attached at the corners of the top bunk to prevent children from falling. The nets are available in various sizes and colors to match any bedroom decor. They are also simple to install.