Warming Up to Loft Beds: What You Need to Know

It is often better to work smart than hard — and a smart way to deal with limited spaces is by looking upwards. Making use of vertical spaces is a common solution that involves combining several features into a single unit. One kind of furniture that adopts this clever solution is a loft bed. The raised sleeping unit creates a feature that can serve a variety of purposes such as storage, studying, and even more napping. For instance, what’s better than catching some Zs just above your reading nook? You would simply close the book, climb up the loft unit, and slumber in comfort.

What is a Loft Bed?

A loft bed is essentially designed to save space and allow for additional functionality. It features a raised bed that is high enough to offer substantial space underneath it — thinks bunk beds minus the bottom bunk. Loft beds minimize the amount of floor area needed by making use of vertical space. This is achieved by raising the bed adequately off the floor on a sturdy set of legs or a framework. The spacious area opened up beneath the bed can serve a variety of purposes. Depending on the height of the bed, the lower space can accommodate anything from a desk to a couch, in addition to storage units, and even a separate bed. The latter option is not to be mistaken with a bunk bed, which is a single unit of two or more beds built on top of each other. 

Measurements to Consider for a Loft Bed

Loft beds are generally available in three main categories characterized according to height. The categories determine the most suitable purpose each loft bed may serve. These include low loft beds, mid loft beds, and high loft beds.

Low loft beds are ideal for children or rooms that have low ceilings. The available space beneath a low loft bed can accommodate storage units such as drawers or cubbies. You may also turn that lower area into a cozy reading nook or a play space for the little ones. Low lofts are slightly over four feet and provide adequate headroom for your kid even in bedrooms with low ceilings. The typical height of ceilings ranges from nine to ten feet. Rooms with ceilings of eight feet or lower will ideally allow for loft beds of this height.

Mid loft beds, also known as low bunks, are suitable if you’re looking for more space beneath the unit. As the alternative name suggests, you can incorporate a lower bunk under the medium loft bed. Alternatively, you could use the lower area for shelving or other storage units. A mid loft bed typically measures up to 5.1 feet. A room with a low ceiling of eight feet may still fit a mid loft bed, leaving a fairly adequate headroom of at least two feet.

High loft beds allow for substantial space to incorporate a desk or a couch underneath the sleeping area. A high or standard loft bed is typically six feet in height. To maintain ample headroom, consider this type of loft bed for rooms with ceilings that are at least nine feet high.

What Is Required Before Getting Loft Beds?

Pros and Cons of Loft Beds

By freeing up a considerable amount of space, a loft bed can make a room appear bigger than it is. Loft beds also provide an added touch of privacy as well as restricted access to your sleeping area. Say you are having a couple of friends over to watch Netflix; instead of making themselves comfortable on your bed, they can take a seat on the couch beneath it. Besides its functional purposes in regards to creating space to sit, study, and store items in, a loft bed may also offer an aesthetic value to the interior. The sheer framework of the unit can be a sight to behold in and of itself. Loft beds are especially popular among kids who enjoy monkeying around.

The only noteworthy drawback of a loft bed has to do with the same aspect that provides many of its advantages: its height. Climbing the unit can carry the risk of falling, potentially resulting in injury. As a result, loft beds are not recommended for the elderly, the clumsy, and anyone under the age of six.

Common Options and Ideas for Loft Beds 

Loft beds are essentially a package-deal type of furniture. Besides potential seating space, innovative options may include anything from wardrobes to shelving, allowing for extra storage and personalization. You can also find loft beds in a variety of designs to cater to a wide range of ages.

Loft Bed With Couch

An ideal way to make use of the space provided by a high loft bed is by incorporating a couch. A small seating area underneath a bed can be an adequate solution for limited living spaces — especially if you’re expecting guests. A metal enclosure around the sleeping area could offer further privacy and seclusion from the rest of the room.

Space-Saving Furniture for Your City Loft

Loft Bed With Storage Units

While loft beds typically involve a framework, you can go for a variation that is adjoined within three walls — almost like a shelf. The bottom area can allow for storage space to display bedroom decor and perhaps an extra bed with built-in drawers. You could alternatively use the piece of furniture beneath the loft bed as a cozy spot for watching TV.

Increasing Storage Space With Loft Units

Loft Bed with Desk

Another common loft bed design involves incorporating a desk beneath the sleeping area. This layout is especially useful in studio apartments often rented by university students. While the affordability of these homes caters to the budgets of undergraduates, it is important to make the most of the limited living space available. A loft bed with a desk achieves that by offering a decent study area as well as a separate space for sleeping all in one unit.

Loft Bed With a Cabin Design

The boxy framework of the loft bed can easily allow for a homey design for kids. And what can be homier than a cabin-themed loft bed? The added coziness as well as the creative aesthetics of the feature will make the little ones look forward to bedtime. The space beneath the bed can serve as a play zone, a place to store toys, or even an additional sleeping area.

Creating the Ideal Bedroom for your Kids

Loft Bed With a Slide

Whether it’s a ladder or a staircase, loft beds typically have one way to ascend and descend the unit. But where’s the fun in that? While the common modes of navigating a loft bed can be kept for the ascent, adding a slide can make the descent much more euphoric. Introducing a delightful theme such as a castle design can turn the unit into a whole feature, essentially keeping your kids entertained for hours.

Clever Design Ideas for a Kid's Loft Bed

Wooden Loft Bed With Alternating Steps

A loft bed always has room for a unique feature that will provide aesthetic value — even in unexpected elements such as the ladder. A wooden loft unit, for instance, can make way for creative carpentry to spice up its design with alternating steps. The crafty design essentially adds character to a piece of otherwise subtle furniture.

Choosing the Framework Material for Your Sleeping Unit

Metal Loft Bed With Added Privacy 

Metal is a popular choice of material for design styles such as that of an industrial interior. A metal structure on its own, however, may seem rather bare and uninviting, especially if that structure is a loft bed. Adding a curtain to a loft sleeping unit provides much-needed comfort and privacy. Whether you’re going for a loft bed with a futon or one with a cozy reading nook, a curtain can cleverly add a welcoming appeal to the unit.

Effective Ways to Add Comfort to Your Loft Bed

Loft Bed With Stairs

While many loft beds feature a ladder, others have their own built-in staircase. This design is ideal for those who prefer easier access to the loft bed. However, it may require more space in order to accommodate the flight of stairs. A straight stairway is an ideal option to keep the size of the unit at a minimum while providing additional convenience.