A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A tiny loft bed can be a great choice for a child's room because it allows children to make use of the space below for play or studying. This West Elm pick has a sleek Mid-Century design and is available in two finishes.
It is a bit of a task to put together, but the instructions are clear and straightforward. The loft bed is suitable for mattresses of 9 inches or less. Anything higher may extend beyond the safety guardrails.
Stores
It may seem inconvenient to utilize an elevated bed to make more storage space, but this can be extremely useful. A lofted bed, for example can be used as a bookcase and save floor space. The sides can be used to create a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed can be used as an area for children to work from, which allows them to do their homework and other chores in a small space, without taking up valuable living space.
A lot of loft beds for kids come with a desk area underneath. You can add one to any loft bed either by building it yourself, or adapting the space under the bed by using auxiliary shelves and an unintentional table. For example this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) has a desk built into the front of the bunk and a bookshelf that has a ladder that doubles as side rails. The minimalist design of the bunk makes it ideal for any kid's bedroom and the slatted safety rails are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
Another option is to make use of the loft bed as dresser and this model from Ikea is a hefty amount of storage capacity. It is available in multiple finishes to suit different styles of decorating that include contemporary and rustic. The lower part of the loft has two drawers, while the top is open to reveal more storage space. This model is ideal for adults who want to transform their bedroom into an office, or for kids with a lot of toys and books.
If you have a kid who loves reading, you could turn your loft into a little library by adding shelves and a cozy bean bag chair that can be used to curl up with a great book. You can create a beautiful composition using a rug, a chair, a table, and a few boxes or baskets for additional storage.
A loft bed that's built into an playhouse is the ideal choice for a young child however, the design can be enjoyed by teenagers who might require a space to work in and study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit more straightforward to construct than others and comes with a set of plans that include step-by-step directions with images of cutting the pieces, assembling the bunk, and making the stairs. It also includes the list of tools and materials you'll require to begin.
Space
When it comes to small loft beds, the space they free underneath is often just as important as the bed itself. The extra space can be used as an office or an ideal sitting space. This is a great way to add a unique design element to a small adult bedroom or a kid's room or a studio apartment.
Loft beds are a great way to give a room with low ceilings a rustic or industrial vibe. For instance, this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads up to the mattress that is set on an wooden platform. A simple chair, with a few other pieces make the room look more complete.
If your ceilings are high enough, you can make them even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds, for instance, come in two sizes, and different finishes. They also have plenty of space beneath the bed to provide a comfortable bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It comes with the option of staggered stairs as well as a slide to ensure the highest level of safety and easy access.
This loft bed has a bottom section which can be used as an area for study or play. It has an upholstered bench and storage cubbies as well being a stairway leading to the top bunk bed. This loft bed is perfect for teen bedrooms or kids rooms. It can be rearranged to fit your child's needs as they grow.
Many loft beds come with built-in shelves for books as part of the design. This is especially helpful for homes with small spaces or if you prefer to keep your knick-knacks and books off the floor. Creating a cozy reading nook with a lamp as well as comfortable seating is another excellent idea to make use of this space and it's especially useful for a teen or adult's room.
A loft bed can also be an ideal workstation for in a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that pulls out, and offers plenty of space for a laptop or desktop and shelving units on both sides to store toys, books and other items.
Fun
It is possible to make a loft bed enjoyable for your kids. It's not just about storage and space. A small slide underneath the loft bed is a great option to bring some playtime action to the room, as well as an easy and quick climb from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed comes with a built in slide and ladder, which will surely delight any child. It can be added later if the child decides to go the easy way up.
If slides aren't a great fit for your child You can still add a cool element to their loft bed by turning the bottom level into a comfortable hangout space with a couple of chairs and a rug. The cozy area can be used to read, play games, relax or enjoy a movie with friends. It's a great way to keep the room tidy and provides a great place to hangout.
When their loft is designed to resemble an cabin, complete with windows and a roof accent, kids will feel like they're in their own castle. You can make your loft unique design by putting up wallpapers, wall stickers or paints that are reminiscent of a forest, sky or other outdoor elements. Your children will enjoy sleeping in their cozy cabin, particularly during snowy days.
To add a touch of flair, you can also change out a ladder to a more exciting spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these staircases or make your own to fit in a small loft bed as seen in this bedroom design on HGTV. The staircase is designed with a beautiful X-shape on the side and can be added to as your kids grow.
Another great idea is to build a loft bed with storage and a desk underneath for the children to work on their homework or other chores. There are a number of plans online for this type of loft bed and many are easy enough to build yourself, as you see in this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all the directions you require, plus a list of supplies and cuts needed for each step of the project. This loft bed is large enough to accommodate a full-size bed, and it has room underneath for an office, seating area or seating.
Safety
Kids love bunk and loft beds, but they're not free of dangers. Many children are injured by loft and bunk beds each year, including broken bones, cuts, scrapes and head and neck injuries. Most of these injuries can be avoided and prevented by implementing the right precautions.
The first thing to do is make sure that the loft or bunk bed is properly placed in the room. It shouldn't be in direct contact with the wall as this can cause children to become trapped between the bunk's wall and the top. 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, make sure it's away from curtains, blinds and windows that could interfere with a child's vision or cause them to fall off. The bunk bed should not be placed close to anything that hangs on the rails, such as cords or toys.
A solid, sturdy frame is a must for any loft or bunk bed. Select a frame constructed of strong materials such as steel or pine. A slatted frame or platform is another option that can be safe and comfortable for your children. Loft and bunk beds with a solid slatted platform solid platform doesn't require a boxspring, which is more secure for children.
In addition to the frame, look for an loft bed that has guardrails on both sides of the top level and an incline that can be locked into place. Children younger than 6 should not sleep on the top bunk and be sure to adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. Also an evening lighting on the top bunk will help kids find their way back down in the dark.
A loft safety net is an important security measure. It attaches at the corners of the top bunk to keep children from falling. They are available in a wide assortment of sizes and colors that will match any decor in the bedroom and are simple to put up.