A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A small loft bed is a popular choice for kids' rooms, allowing the kids to make use of the space beneath to play or study. This West Elm choice has a sleek Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.
The instructions are simple and clear. Note that this loft bed is only used with mattresses that are 9 inches or less. Anything higher could extend beyond the safety guard rails.
Storage
It may seem inconvenient to make use of the loft bed as a way to increase storage space, but it can be incredibly useful. A lofted bed, for instance can be used as a bookcase and save the floor space. The sides can also be used to create a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed can also be used as a workspace which allows children to create an office area for homework or other chores without encroaching upon living space in a tiny space.
A lot of loft beds for kids include a desk nook beneath, but you can also add one to any regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or modifying the area beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and an improvised desk. This loft bed (shown in white) from Wayfair comes with a desk built into the front and an bookshelf that doubles as an end rail. The bunk's simple design is ideal for a child's bedroom and the rails that are slatted make it suitable for rooms with low ceilings.
Another option is to make use of a loft bed as dresser and this model from Ikea is a hefty amount of storage capacity. The loft bed comes in a variety finishes to suit different decor styles including modern and rustic. The loft's bottom features two drawers, while the top opens up to reveal more storage space. This design is perfect for adults who want to convert their bedroom an office, or for children with a large collection of toys and books.
You can transform your loft into a library for your child who loves to read by adding shelves and a beanbag chair that they can cuddle up with their favorite book. You can also create an adorable composition by adding an area rug, a couple of chairs and a coffee table and some boxes or baskets to store your books in.
This loft bed is an excellent option for children of all ages, but teens can also appreciate the design if they require space to do their homework or study. This model from Kidkraft is a little less complicated to build than other models and comes with plans that include step-by-step directions with illustrations for cutting the parts and assembling the bunk and making the stairs. The plans include an inventory of the tools and supplies you'll require.
Space
The space created beneath small loft beds could be just as important as the bed. This extra space can be used as an office space or as an ideal sitting space. It could also be an opportunity to make an impressive design statement in a small bedroom for adults, a child's room, or even a studio for teenagers.
Loft beds are a great way to give rooms with low ceilings a rustic, chic or industrial vibe. This bed, made by the Polish interior firm Home and Wood, has a minimalist ladder that leads to a mattress that is set on an wooden platform. A simple chair, along with a few accessories, completes the look.
If your ceilings are high enough, you can get further with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance, is available in two sizes as well as a variety of options for finishes. It has plenty of space beneath to give you a comfy bed and a whole lot more space. Another option that is great is this X-shaped bunk bed by DHP, which boasts stairs that are staggered and slide for easy access and security.
The bottom portion of this loft bed can be used as a study space or playroom by combining a set of open cubbies, drawers for storage, as well as a bench seat that doubles as a ladder to the top bed. This loft bed is ideal for bedrooms for teens or children rooms. It can be rearranged to fit your child's needs as they become more mature.
Many loft beds come with built-in shelves. This is particularly useful for homes with small spaces or if you just prefer to keep knick-knacks and books off the floor. This space can be used to create a cozy reading area by incorporating a lamp, comfortable seating and some comfy furniture. It's ideal for an adult or teen's bedroom.
A loft bed can be an ideal workspace for a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that pulls out, and offers plenty of space for a desktop and laptop and shelves on both sides to store books, toys, and other items.
Fun
A loft bed for your kids does not just mean storage space, it can also make it enjoyable. A small slide under the loft bed is an enjoyable way to add a bit of play to your child's room. It also permits an easy and quick descent from the top bunk. This bed for kids from DONCO features a slide and ladder that's sure to delight any kid, and it's possible to add later on if they'd prefer to take the easy way up the road in the future.
If slides are not for your child, you can still make their loft bed cool by transforming the lower level into a cozy area with a rug and chairs. The cozy spot can be used for reading, relaxing, playing games or watching TV with friends. It's the ideal way to keep their space tidy while providing a great place to hang out.
Children can feel as if they are in their own little castle when their loft is designed to look like an old-fashioned cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can give your loft a unique design by putting up wallpapers, wall stickers or paints that are reminiscent of a forest, sky or other outdoor elements. Your kids will love to retreat into their own little cabin for sleepovers or playtime especially during winter months when they can't go outside.
For a little extra flair, you can also switch out a standard ladder for a fun spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these spiral staircases or build your own to fit into an existing loft bed, as shown in this bedroom design from HGTV. The spiral staircase has an attractive X design on the side. bed loft can be expanded as your children get older.
Another cool idea is to build a loft bed with a desk and storage beneath for your children to work on their homework or other tasks. There are a number of plans online for this kind of loft bed, and many are simple enough to do on your own, as you see in this design from House of Wood. The plans include all the instructions and a list with the required materials and cuts for each part. This loft bed is large enough to accommodate a large bed and has space underneath for a desk, seating or an extra seat.
Safety
Loft beds and bunk beds are popular with children however, they carry dangers. Every year, bunk beds and loft beds result in injuries to thousands of children, which include head and neck injuries, broken bones, and cuts and scrapes. Fortunately, the majority of injuries are preventable and easily avoided with the right 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 as this can cause children to become stuck between the wall of the bunk and the top of the mattress. Instead, leave a space of at least 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.
When putting the bunk in place be sure to keep it away from curtains, blinds and windows that may block a child’s view or cause them to fall off. The bunk bed should not be positioned close to anything that hangs from the rails such as toys or cords.
Every loft or bunk bed must have an extremely solid frame. Choose a frame that is made of durable materials such as metal or pine. A slatted frame or platform is another option that can be safe and comfortable for your children. Bunk and loft beds with a solid slatted platform solid platform doesn't require boxsprings, making it more secure for children.
In addition to the frame, look for loft beds that have guardrails on both sides of the top and ladders that can be locked to the bed. Children younger than 6 should never sleep on the top bunk and be sure to enforce this rule regularly by reminding them of the dangers. Also an evening light on the top bunk will help kids find their way back down in the darkness.
Another important safety precaution is to put up loft safety nets, that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk and prevents children from falling off. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors that will match any bedroom decor and are easy to install.