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

A small loft bed is a popular choice for kids' rooms, allowing them to make use of the space below for play or study. This West Elm choice has a elegant Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.

It is a bit of a task to put together, but the instructions are clear and easy to follow. This loft bed is suitable for mattresses of 9 inches and less. Anything higher can extend beyond the safety guardrails.

Storage

It might seem unaffordable to make use of a loft bed to make more storage space, but it is a very useful idea. A lofted bed, as an example can be used as a bookcase and save the floor space. The sides can also be used to create a reading area, or display shelves. A lofted bed can be used as a workspace, allowing a child to have an office space to complete homework and other tasks without encroaching on the living space of a small space.

Many kids' loft beds come with a desk area underneath, but you could also add one to a regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or adapting the area beneath the bed with some auxiliary 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 bookshelf that has a ladder which doubles as rails on the sides. The bunk's simple design makes it ideal for any bedroom for a child and the slatted rails make it ideal for rooms with low ceilings.

Another option is to make use of an loft bed to create a dresser, and this model from Ikea comes with a huge amount of storage space. The loft bed is available in a variety finishes to fit different styles of decor, including modern and rustic. The lower part of the loft has two drawers, while the top is open to reveal more storage space. This design is perfect for adults who want to transform their bedroom into an office, or for kids with lots of books and toys.

If you have a child who is a reader then you can transform your loft into a little library by adding some shelves and a comfy bean bag chair to curl up with a great book. You can make a charming composition using a rug, a chair as well as a table and a few boxes or baskets for storage.

This loft bed is a great option for children of all ages however, teens will appreciate the design if they need space to work or study. This model is much easier to build than others. It comes with set of plans that provide step-by-step instructions and pictures for cutting the pieces for assembling the bunk, as well as making the stairs. It also includes an inventory of the tools and materials that you'll require to begin.

Space

In the case of small loft beds the space they free up beneath them is often just as important as the bed itself. This extra room can be used to store things as well as a desk or even a comfortable sitting area. It could also be an opportunity to create a distinctive design statement in a small bedroom for adults, a child's room or even a studio for teenagers.

Loft beds are a great option to give a room with low ceilings a rustic or industrial feel. This bed, made by the Polish interior firm Home and Wood, has a simple ladder that leads up to a mattress that is set on the wooden platform. A simple chair and a few accent pieces complete the look.

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

The loft bed comes with an underside section which can be used as an office or playroom. It includes an upholstered bench and storage cubbies as well as a stairway to the top bunk bed. This loft bed is ideal for bedrooms for teens or children' rooms. It can be rearranged to meet the needs of your child as they develop.

Many loft beds come with built-in bookshelves as part of the design. This is particularly useful for homes with a limited space or if you want to keep your books and other knick-knacks away from the floor. A cozy reading space 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 Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that slides out, and offers plenty of space for a desktop and laptop, plus shelving units on both sides to store books, toys and other items.

Fun

Getting a loft bed for your children doesn't just mean storage and space, you can also make it a fun experience. A small slide under the loft bed is an exciting way to add a bit of play to your child's space. It also offers a quick and simple descent from the top bunk. This bed for kids from DONCO comes with a built-in slide and ladder that's sure to please any child and it's possible to add on later if they decide they want to take the easy way up in the future.

If slides aren't the best option for your child, you can still keep their loft bed cool by transforming the lower portion into a cozy area with a rug and chairs. The comfy spot can be used for reading, relaxing and playing games or watching television with friends. It's the ideal way to keep their space tidy while also providing a spot to hang out.

Kids will feel like they are in their own private castle when their loft is designed to look like an actual cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can create a unique loft appearance by using wallpapers and wall stickers, or paints that are reminiscent of a forest, sky or other outdoor elements. Your kids will be thrilled to escape into their little cabin for playtime and sleepovers particularly on days of snow when they aren't able to go outside.

You could also add a bit of design to your home by replacing a ladder with an incline staircase. You can buy one of these spiral stairs or build your own for a tiny loft bed, as seen in the bedroom designs on HGTV. The spiral staircase features a nice X design on the side. It can be extended as your children get older.

Another idea that is cool is to build a loft bed with a storage and a desk beneath for your kids to do their homework or other chores. There are many plans online for this kind of bed. Many of them are easy enough to build yourself. Take this plan by House of Wood as an illustration. The plans include all the instructions as well as a list of the required materials and cuts for each piece. This loft bed is large enough to fit a full-size bed and also has space for a desk, seating or a seat.

Safety

Bunk and loft beds are a favorite among children but they also carry dangers. Children are often injured by loft and bunk beds every year, resulting in broken bones, cuts and scrapes as well as head and neck injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries can be prevented or avoided with the right precautions in place.

The first step is to ensure the loft bed or bunk bed is positioned correctly in the room. It should not be placed against the wall as this could cause children to be stuck between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. Instead, you should 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 placing the bunk, make sure it's away from blinds, curtains and windows that might block a child’s view or cause them to fall off. The bunk bed should not be placed near anything that could hang from the rails, like toys or cords.

Every loft or bunk bed must be built with an extremely solid frame. Choose a frame that is made of sturdy materials like metal or pine. A slatted frame or platform is another option that can be secure and comfortable for your kids. Loft beds and bunk beds with solid slats or a solid platform do not require a box spring and Small Loft Bed are safer for toddlers.

In addition to the frame, look for an loft bed that has guardrails on both sides of the top level and an incline that can be locked in place. Children younger than 6 should not be sleeping on the top bunk, and make sure you adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. Also having a night light placed on the top bunk can aid kids in finding their way back down in the dark.

One other important safety measure is to put up a loft safety net that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk and keeps children from falling off. The nets are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors to fit any decor in the bedroom and are simple to install.