A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms
A loft bed that is small can be a great choice for a room for children, as it allows children to make use of the space below for playing or for studying. This West Elm choice has a sleek Mid-Century style and comes in two finishes.
The instructions are simple and clear. Note that this loft bed should only be used with a mattress 9 inches or less; anything higher is at risk of extending beyond the safety rails.
Storage
It may seem inconvenient to use an elevated bed as a way to make more storage space, but this can be extremely useful. For instance, instead of the traditional bookcase that takes up floor space, a lofted bed can be used as a bookcase. The sides can be used for other things like a reading area or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be used as a workspace which allows children to have an office space for doing homework and other tasks without taking up living space in a small space.
Many kids' loft beds include a desk nook underneath, but you can also add one to any regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or adapting the space underneath the bed with a few extra shelving and an improvised desk. For instance this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) has a desk built into the front of the bunk and a bookcase with a ladder that doubles as the side rails. The simple design of this bunk makes it suitable for any kid's bedroom and the slatted safety rails are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
Another option is to make use of a loft bed as dresser, and this model from Ikea has an impressive amount of storage capacity. The loft bed is available in a variety of finishes that match different styles of decor including modern and rustic. The lower part of the loft has two drawers, while the top opens to reveal more storage space. This is a great option for adults seeking to transform their bedroom into a work space or for children who require plenty of space for books and toys.
If you have a kid who loves reading and read, you can turn your loft into a library by adding shelves and a cozy bean bag chair for curling in with a good book. You can also create an adorable composition by adding small area rugs and a few chairs and a coffee table and a few baskets or boxes to store your books in.
A loft bed that is built into an playhouse is the ideal option for a child who is just starting out however, the design can be enjoyed by teenagers who may need an area to study and do homework. This model is much easier to build than other models. It comes with set of plans that provide steps-by-step directions to cut the parts for assembling the bunk, as well as making the stairs. It also includes the list of tools and materials that will be required to start.
Space
The space that is created under small loft beds could be as important as the bed. This extra space can be used for a desk or for an area for sitting. It could also be an opportunity to create an attractive design statement in a tiny bedroom for adults, a kid's room, or even a studio apartment for teenagers.
A loft bed is an ideal way to add a bit of rustic modern or industrial style to a room with low ceilings. This bed, made by the Polish interior firm Home and Wood, has an elegant ladder that leads to a mattress on a wooden platform. A simple chair and few other pieces of furniture complete the look.
If your ceilings are high enough, a loft-style bed could be even larger. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for example is available in two sizes and several options for finishes. It has plenty of room underneath to provide you with a comfortable bed and a whole lot more space. Another option to consider is the loft bed with an X shape from DHP that comes with stairs that are staggered and slide for easy access and safety.
This loft bed has an underside section which can be used as a playroom or study area. It includes a bench seat and storage cubbies, as being a stairway leading to the top bunk bed. This is a great option for kids' rooms or teen's bedrooms and can be rearranged as your children grow up and get older and move out.
Many loft beds come with built-in shelves. This is particularly beneficial for homes with a limited space or to keep books and knick-knacks off the floor. Creating a cozy reading nook with a lamp and some comfortable seating is another excellent idea to make use of this space and it's particularly useful for an adult or teen's room.
A loft bed is also an ideal workstation for a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that pulls out and has ample space to accommodate a laptop and a computer as well as shelves on both sides to store books, toys, and other items.
Fun
Getting a loft bed for your kids does not just mean storage space, but you can also make it fun. A small slide beneath the loft bed is a fantastic way to add some playtime excitement to the room and also a quick and easy descent out of the top bunk. This bed for kids from DONCO features a slide and ladder that is sure to please any child, and it can be added to later if they want to take the easy route up in the future.
If slides aren't a good fit for your child but you can still add a unique element to their loft bed by turning the bottom of the bed into a comfortable hangout space with a few chairs and a rug. The comfortable space can be used to read, relax and playing games or watching television with your friends. It's the perfect way to keep their room tidy while providing a great place to hang out.
Kids can feel like they are in their own little castle when their loft is designed to resemble an actual cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can also give the loft a more unique look by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble a forest, the sky or any other outdoor element. loft beds for kids will love sleeping in their loft, especially in the winter months when it is snowy.
You can also add some style to your home by replacing the ladder with an incline staircase. You can buy one of these staircases or create your own to fit into a small loft bed as seen in this bedroom design on HGTV. The spiral staircase is a nice X design on the side. It can be expanded as your children get older.
Another cool idea is to build a loft bed with a desk and storage underneath for the kids to do 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 build on your own, like this design from House of Wood. The plans include all the necessary instructions as well as an inventory of the materials and cuts required for each step of the project. The loft bed is big enough to fit a full-size bed and has space underneath for an office, seating area or seating.
Safety
Loft beds and bunk beds are a favorite among children, but they come with dangers. Every year, bunk beds and loft beds are the cause of injuries to thousands of children, including neck and head fractures, broken bones and scrapes and cuts. Luckily, most of these injuries can be prevented and easily prevented with the proper precautions in place.
The first step is to ensure that the loft bed is properly positioned in the room. It shouldn't be placed against the wall, as this could cause children to be trapped between the bunk's wall and the top. Instead, allow a clear space of at minimum 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.
When placing the bunk ensure that it is away from blinds, curtains and windows that may block a child’s view or cause them to fall off. The bunk bed should not be set near anything that could hang from the rails, like cords or toys.
A solid, sturdy frame is a must for any loft or bunk bed. Find a frame constructed from durable materials such as metal or pine. A slatted frame or platform is another option that can be comfortable and safe for your children. Bunk and loft bed with a solid slatted platform or solid platform does not require boxsprings, making it safer for children.
In addition to the frame, search for loft beds that have guardrails on both sides of the top and ladders that can be locked to the bed. Children younger than six years old should never sleep 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.
Another crucial safety measure is to put up loft safety nets, that is attached to the corners of the top bunk and prevents children from falling off. The nets are available in a range of sizes and colors to fit any bedroom decor and are easy to put up.