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

A small loft bed is a favorite choice for rooms for children that allow them to make use of the space below to play or study. This West Elm choice has a elegant Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.

The instructions are easy and easy to follow. It is important to note that this loft bed should only be used with a mattress of 9 inches or less; anything higher risks extending beyond the safety rails.

Stores

It may seem inconvenient to use an elevated bed to increase storage space, but this is a very useful idea. A lofted bed, for example, can be used as a bookcase, saving floor space. The sides can also be used to create a reading space, or display shelves. A lofted bed can also be used as a work station that allows a child to create an office area for doing homework and other tasks without encroaching on living space in a tiny room.

Many loft beds for kids have a desk space underneath, but you could also add one to any regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or by modifying the space beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and an improvised desk. For example, this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) includes a desk that is tucked into the bunk's front and a bookshelf that has an adjustable ladder that doubles as the rails on the sides. The simple design of this bunk makes it suitable for any kids' bedroom and the safety rails with slats are suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

Another alternative is to use an loft bed to create a dresser, and this model from Ikea has an impressive amount of storage capacity. It comes in a variety of finishes to suit a variety of decor styles that include contemporary and rustic. The bottom of the loft is home to two drawers. The top opens to reveal additional storage space. This model is a great option for adults planning to convert their bedroom into a work space or for children who require plenty of room to store their books and toys.

You can turn your loft into a library for your child who loves reading by adding shelves and a bean bag chair that they can cuddle up with their favorite book. You can also create an adorable composition by adding a little area rug, a couple of chairs, kids' bedroom a coffee table, and a few baskets or boxes for storage.

This loft bed is a fantastic choice for young children however teens can appreciate the design if they require an area to work or kids' bedroom study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit less complicated to build than other models, and it comes with plans that provide step-by-step instructions with images for cutting the pieces and assembling the bunk and building the stairs. The plans come with an inventory of the tools and materials you'll require.

Space

The space that is created under small loft beds could be just as important as the bed. The extra space can be used for an office or a comfortable sitting area. This can be an excellent way to create a unique design feature to a small bedroom for an adult or a kid's room or a studio apartment.

A loft bed is a great way to add a touch of rustic chic or an industrial feel to rooms with low ceilings. For instance, this bed in a studio apartment from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads to the mattress set on an wooden platform. A simple chair and a couple of accent pieces complete the appearance.

If your ceilings high enough, a loft-style double bed loft bed could be even more spacious. 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 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 maximum safety.

The bottom of this loft bed can be used as a study space or playroom, with a mix of drawers and open cubbies for storage and a bench seat that doubles as a staircase to the top bed. This loft bed is ideal for teen bedrooms or kids' rooms. It can be reconfigured to fit your child's needs as they become more mature.

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. Making a cozy reading area with a lamp and comfortable seating is a great way to use this space, and is especially beneficial for a teenager's or adult's room.

A loft bed can be an ideal workspace for in a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that pulls out has plenty of room for a laptop or desktop and shelving units on both sides to store toys, books and other things.

Fun

It is possible to make a loft bed a fun place for your children. It's not just about storage and space. A small slide beneath the loft bed is a great option to add some playtime excitement to their room and also an easy and quick climb from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed comes with an inbuilt slide and ladder that is sure to please any child. It could be added later if the child decides to take the easier route up.

If slides aren't a great choice for your child's age, you can still add a unique element to their loft bed by turning the bottom level into a relaxing hangout space with some chairs and a rug. The comfortable space can be used to read, relax and playing games or watching TV with friends and is the ideal way to keep their space tidy and also provide a nice spot to hang out.

Children can feel as if they are in their own private castle when their loft is designed to look like a cabin with a roof accent and windows. You can even give the loft a unique appearance by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble a forest, the sky or some other outdoor feature. Your kids will love playing and sleeping in their cabin, especially during snowy days.

You can also add some flair to your home by replacing the ladder with spiral staircase. You can buy one of these spiral staircases or build your own to fit into the loft space as seen in this bedroom design from HGTV. The staircase features a lovely design with an X-shape along the sides and can be added to as your children get older.

You can also build a loft with an office and storage underneath it for your kids to work on their homework or do any other task. There are a number of plans online for this kind of loft bed and many are easy enough to build by yourself, such as you see in this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions and a list with the required materials and cuts for each piece. This loft bed is spacious enough to accommodate a full-size bed and has space underneath for an office, seating area or a seat.

Safety

Kids love loft and bunk beds, but they aren't without their risks. Thousands of children are injured by bunk and loft beds each year, including fractured bones, cuts and scrapes and head and neck injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries are preventable and easily avoided by putting the proper safety measures in place.

The first step is to make sure that the loft or bunk bed is properly placed in the room. It shouldn't be placed against the wall as this can cause children to become trapped between the wall of the bunk and the top. Instead, leave a space of at minimum 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.

When putting the bunk in place, make sure it's away from blinds, curtains and windows that might interfere with a child's vision or cause them to fall off. The bunk shouldn't be situated near anything that can hang from the rails, like cords or toys.

Every loft or bunk bed must have an incredibly solid and sturdy frame. Select a frame constructed of strong materials such as steel or pine. A platform or slatted frame is another option that can be secure and comfortable for your kids. Bunk and loft beds with an slatted solid platform or solid platform doesn't require a boxspring, which is safer for children.

Look for a loft that has guardrails on either side of the top level, and a ladder that you can secure. Kids younger than six should never sleep on the top bunk, and be sure to adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. Also an evening lighting placed on the top bunk will help kids find their way back down the darkness.

Another crucial safety measure is to put up a loft safety net that is attached to the corners of the top bunk and prevents children from falling off. The nets are available in a assortment of sizes and colors to fit any bedroom decor and are easy to install.