A Small Loft Bed Makes a Great Choice For Kids' Rooms

A loft bed that is small is a favorite choice for rooms for children, allowing the kids to make use of the space beneath to play or study. This West Elm pick has a sleek Mid-Century design and comes in two different finishes.

It is a bit of a task to put together however, the instructions are clear and straightforward. Note that this loft bed should only be used with mattresses that are 9 inches or lower; anything higher could extend beyond the safety guard rails.

Storage

A loft bed could appear to be a hassle-free option to free up space for storage but it can be a fantastic alternative. For instance, instead of a large bookcase that occupies floor space, a lofted bed can be used as a bookcase, and the sides can be used for other things like a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be used as a workspace, allowing a child to have an office space for homework or other chores without encroaching upon living space in a tiny room.

Many loft beds for kids come with a desk area underneath. It is possible to add a desk to any loft bed or build it yourself, or by modifying the space underneath the bed by using shelves as well as an improvised table. For instance, this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) has a desk built into the bunk's front and a bookcase with a ladder which doubles as side rails. The simple design of the bunk makes it a good fit for any kids' bedroom and the slatted safety rails are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. The loft bed is available in a variety finishes to suit different decor styles including rustic and modern. The loft's bottom features two drawers, while the top can be opened to reveal more storage space. This design is perfect for those who wish to transform their bedroom into an office, or for kids with a lot of books and toys.

If you have a child who loves to read and read, you can turn your childrens loft bed into a mini library by adding shelves and a cozy bean bag chair for curling up with a great book. You can create a cute composition using a rug, a chair as well as a table and a few boxes or baskets for 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 from and kids' bedroom study. This model is much easier to build than other models. It comes with set plans that include steps-by-step directions for cutting the parts for assembling the bunk, as well as making the stairs. It also comes with an inventory of the tools and other materials you'll need to get started.

Space

When it comes to small loft beds the space they open underneath is often just as important as the bed itself. This extra room can be used for storage or a desk, or even a comfortable sitting area. This can be an ideal option to add a unique design element to a tiny bedroom for adults or a child's room or even a studio.

Loft beds are a great way to give a room with low ceilings a rustic or industrial look. For example this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black loft bed ladder leading up to the mattress that is set on an wooden platform. A simple chair, along with a few accent pieces adds to the overall look.

If your ceilings are high enough, you can make them even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for example it comes in two sizes and several finishes, with plenty of room underneath to provide you with a comfortable bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It has the option of staggered stairs as well as a slide to ensure the highest level of security and ease of access.

The lower part of this loft bed can be used as a study space 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 loft bed is perfect for bedrooms for teens or children rooms. It can be rearranged to fit your child's needs as they develop.

Many loft beds have built-in shelves. This is especially useful for homes with smaller 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 a great idea to make use of this space and it's particularly useful for a teen or adult's room.

A loft bed can even be used as a desk in a dorm room. This loft bed with an open desk from Naomi Home includes plenty of space for laptops and a desk and shelves that can be used to store books and toys as well as other items.

Fun

You can make a loft bed enjoyable for your kids. It's not just about storage space. A small slide underneath a loft bed is a great option to add some playtime excitement to the room and also a quick and easy descent out of the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed comes with an integrated slide and ladder that is sure to please any child. It could be added later if the child decides to take the simpler route up.

If slides are not for your child, then you can still make their loft bed cool by transforming the lower level into a comfy space with chairs and a rug. The cozy area can be used to read, play games, relax or watch TV with friends. It's an ideal method to keep the room clean and offer a nice place to hangout.

Kids will feel like they are in their own castle when their loft is designed to look like an actual cabin with a roof accent and windows. You can also give your loft a distinctive look by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble trees, the sky or some other outdoor feature. Your children will enjoy playing and having sleepovers in their loft, especially in the winter months when it is snowy.

For an extra touch of style, you can change out a ladder to a more exciting spiral staircase. You can buy one of these spiral staircases, or make your own to fit into a small loft bed as shown in this bedroom design on HGTV. The staircase features a lovely X-shape on the side and can be upgraded as your children develop.

Another great idea is to build a loft bed with desk and storage beneath for your kids to work on their homework or other projects. You can find a variety of plans online for this type of bed. Many are simple enough to do on your own, as shown in this design from House of Wood. The plans include all the directions you require, plus an inventory of the materials and cuts needed to complete the project. This loft bed is spacious enough to fit a full-size bed and also has space for seating, a desk or seating.

Safety

Kids enjoy loft beds and bunk beds, but they're not free of dangers. Children are often injured by loft and bunk beds each year, including fractured bones, cuts and scrapes as well as head and neck injuries. Fortunately, the majority of injuries can be prevented or avoided by putting the proper precautions in place.

The first step is to ensure that the bunk bed or loft bed is placed correctly in the room. It shouldn't be set against the wall as this can cause children to become stuck between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. 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 placing the bunk be sure to keep it away from blinds, curtains and windows that could hinder a child's view or cause them to fall off. The bunk should also not be situated near anything that could hang from the rails, such as cords or toys.

Every loft or bunk bed must be built with an incredibly solid and sturdy frame. Choose a frame that is constructed of durable materials such as metal or pine. A platform or frame with slats is another option that could be safe and comfortable for your children. Bunk and loft beds with a solid slatted platform solid platform does not require boxsprings, which are more secure for children.

Look for an area with guardrails on either side of the top level, and a ladder that you are able to lock into place. Children younger than six years old should not be sleeping on the top bunk and make sure you enforce this rule by regularly reminding them of the dangers. Also, a night lighting on the top bunk will help kids find their way back down the dark.

One other important safety measure is to put up loft safety nets, which attaches to the corners of the top bunk and keeps children from falling off. These nets are available in a wide assortment of sizes and colors to fit any bedroom decor and are simple to set up.