A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A tiny loft bed is a popular choice for rooms for children, allowing them to use the space below for studying or playing. This West Elm pick has a elegant Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.
The instructions are simple and clear. The loft bed is suitable for mattresses of 9 inches or less. Anything higher can extend beyond the safety guardrails.
Stores
A loft bed could seem like an inconvenient solution to make space to store things but it can be a great alternative. A lofted bed, for example, can be used as a bookcase, saving the floor space. The sides can be used to create a reading nook, or display shelves. A lofted mattress can be used as an area for children to work from that lets them complete their homework or other tasks in a compact space without taking up valuable living space.
A lot of loft beds for kids come with a desk area beneath. It is possible to add a desk to any loft bed or build it yourself, or adapting the space under the bed by using shelves as well as an unintentional table. For example this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) has a desk built into the bunk's front and a bookcase with an adjustable ladder which doubles as rails on the sides. The simple design of this bunk makes it a good fit for any kid's bedroom and the safety rails with slats are suitable for rooms with low ceilings.
This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. It is available in multiple styles to match different styles of decorating, including rustic and contemporary. The bottom of the loft features two drawers. The top is open to reveal more storage space. This design is perfect for adults who want to convert their bedroom an office, or for kids with a large collection of toys and books.
It is possible to transform your loft into an area for reading for children who loves to read by adding shelves and a beanbag chair where they can curl up with their favorite book. You can make a charming composition using a rug, a chair or tables, and a few baskets or boxes for additional storage.
A loft bed that is built into a playhouse is the perfect option for a child who is just starting out, but the design can still be appreciated by teens who might require a space to work in and study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit simpler to construct than some others and comes with plans that includes step-by-step instructions with images for cutting the pieces and assembling the bunk and constructing the stairs. It also includes an inventory of the tools and materials that you'll require to begin.
Space
The space created under the small loft beds can be just as important as the bed itself. This extra room can be used for storage as well as a desk or a cozy sitting area. This can be an ideal method to add a unique design element to a small bedroom for an adult or a kid's room or even a studio.
Loft beds are a great option to give a room that has low ceilings a rustic or industrial vibe. For example this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder leading up to the mattress set on an wooden platform. A simple chair and couple of accent pieces complete the design.
If your ceilings are high enough, you can make them even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance is available in two sizes and several options for finishes. It has plenty of space beneath to provide you with a comfortable bed and a whole lot more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another great option. It has staggered stairs and a slide to ensure security and ease of access.
The bottom portion of this loft bed can be used as a study area or playroom with a combination of drawers and open cubbies for storage, as well as an ottoman that doubles as a staircase to the top bed. This is a great option for kids' rooms or teen's bedrooms and can be reconfigured as your children grow up and get out of it.
Many loft beds are equipped with bookshelves as part of the design. This is particularly useful for homes with smaller spaces or if you just prefer to keep knick-knacks or books off the floor. This space can be used to create a cozy reading space with the addition of a lamp, seating and a comfy sofa. It's ideal for a teenager's or adult's bedroom.
A loft bed can also be used as a workstation in a dorm room. This loft bed with a pull-out desk by Naomi Home offers plenty of space for laptops and a desk and a shelving unit on each side to store books and toys as well as other things.
Fun
double loft bed with desk is possible to make a loft bed fun for your kids. It's not just about storage and space. A small slide under the loft bed could be an exciting way to add a bit of play to your child's room. It also offers a quick and simple descent from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed has an inbuilt slide and ladder that is sure to delight any child. It can be added later if the child decides to go the easy way up.
If slides aren't a good fit for your child You can still add a fun element to your loft bed by transforming the bottom level into a cozy hangout area with a few chairs and rug. The comfortable space can be used for reading, relaxing and playing games or watching TV with friends and is the perfect way to keep your room neat while also providing a spot to hang out.
If the loft is designed as an cabin, complete with windows and an accent roof, kids can feel like they're in their own castle. You can also give the loft a unique appearance by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble a forest, the sky or some other outdoor feature. Your kids will be thrilled to retreat into their own little home for sleepovers and playtime especially during winter months when they can't go outside.
For a little extra design, you could switch out a standard ladder for a more fun spiral staircase. You can buy one of these stairs or create your own for a small loftbed, as seen in the bedroom design on HGTV. The spiral staircase is an attractive X shape on the side. It can be extended as your children grow.
You can also construct a loft with a desk and storage beneath it for your children to do their homework or do any other task. There are a number of plans online for this type of loft bed, and many are easy enough to build yourself, like this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions as well as a list of the required materials and cuts for each piece. This loft bed can fit a full-size mattress and also can be used as an office or seating.
Safety
Kids love loft and bunk beds, but they're not free of dangers. Thousands of children are injured by bunk and loft beds every year, with injuries ranging from broken bones, cuts, scrapes, as well as neck and head injuries. Many of these injuries could be avoided and prevented by implementing the right precautions.
The first step is to ensure that the loft bed is placed correctly in the room. It shouldn't be in direct contact with the wall since this could cause children to be trapped between the bunk's wall and the top. Instead, you should leave a space of at minimum 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.
When putting the bunk in place, make sure it's away from curtains, blinds and windows that may interfere with a child's vision or cause them to fall off. The bunk shouldn't be situated near anything that could hang from the rails, including cords or toys.
A bunk bed or loft bed must have a solid, sturdy frame. Choose a frame that is made of durable materials, like pine or steel. Another option for a safe and comfortable bed is a slatted platform or frame. Loft beds and bunk beds with solid slats or a solid platform do not require a box spring which is more secure for children.
Find a loft with guardrails on either side of the top level, and a ladder that you can lock into place. Children younger than 6 should not be sleeping on the top bunk and you should adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. A night light on the top bunk can help kids find their own way to sleep in the dark.
A loft safety net is another important precaution to take. It is attached at the corners of the top bunk to prevent children from falling. These nets come in various sizes and colors to fit any decor in the bedroom. They are also simple to put up.