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

A small loft bed can be a wonderful option for a child's bedroom as it lets children to use the space below for playing or for studying. This West Elm choice has a sleek Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.

The instructions are easy and clear. Note that this loft bed is only used with a mattress 9 inches or less. Anything higher is at risk of extending beyond the safety rails.

Storage

A loft bed may seem like a nebulous way to make space to store things but it can be an ideal option. For instance, rather than the traditional bookcase that occupies floor space the lofted bed could be used as a bookcase. The sides can be used for other purposes like a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be used as a work station, allowing a child to have an office space for homework or other tasks without taking up living space in a small space.

Many loft beds for kids include a desk underneath. You can add one to any loft bed, either by building it yourself, or adapting the space beneath the bed with a few shelves, or an unintentional table. This loft bed (shown in white) from Wayfair comes with a desk built into the front of the bed and an bookshelf that doubles as an end rail. The simple design of the bunk is ideal for a bedroom for a child, and the rails with slats make it perfect for rooms with low ceilings.

Another alternative is to use a loft bed as dresser and this model from Ikea comes with a huge quantity of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety finishes to match different styles of decor including rustic and modern. The loft's bottom features two drawers while the top opens to reveal more storage space. This model is ideal for those who wish to convert their bedroom into an office, or for kids with a large collection of toys and books.

If you have a kid who loves to read, you could turn your loft into a library by adding some shelves and a comfy bean bag chair that can be used to curl up with a great book. You can create a cute composition using a rug, some chairs, a table, and some baskets or boxes for storage.

A loft bed that's converted into an playhouse is the ideal choice for a young child, but the design can be enjoyed by teenagers who may need an area to work from and study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit less complicated to build than other models, and it comes with a set of plans that include step-by-step directions with pictures for cutting the pieces as well as assembling the bunk and constructing the stairs. The plans include a list of the tools and supplies you'll require.

Space

The space created beneath small Loft bed with Futon beds can be just as important as the bed. The extra space could be used as storage, a desk, or even a comfortable sitting area. This is a great method to create a unique design element to a small bedroom for an adult or a child's room or a studio apartment.

Loft beds are a great way to give a room that has low ceilings a rustic, chic or industrial look. This bed, which is part of the Polish interior firm Home and Wood, has an elegant ladder that leads to a mattress on the wooden platform. A simple chair, along with a few accessories, completes the look.

If your ceilings are tall enough, a loft-style bed can be even bigger. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance is available in two sizes and a variety of options for finishes. It has plenty of room underneath to provide you with a comfortable bed and a whole lot more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It comes with staggered stairs and a slide to ensure maximum safety and easy access.

This single loft beds bed has a bottom section which can be used as an office or playroom. It includes an upholstered bench and storage cubbies, as as a stairway to the top bunk bed. This is a fantastic option for kids' bedrooms or for teen's rooms and it can be rearranged as your children get older and get older and move out.

Many loft beds come with built-in shelves for books as part of the design. This is particularly beneficial for homes with limited space or if you want to keep your books and other knick-knacks away from the floor. Making a cozy reading area with a lamp and comfortable seating is another excellent use of this space, and it's especially useful for a teen or adult's room.

A loft bed can also be a great workstation for in a dorm. This loft bed with an open desk from Naomi Home has plenty of space for a laptop and a desk and shelves on either side for storing books toys, books, and other items.

Fun

A loft bed for your kids does not just mean storage space, but you can also make it fun. A small slide beneath a loft bed can be a fun way to add some playtime to your child's space. It also allows for a quick and simple descent from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed comes with a built in slide and ladder, which is sure to please any child. It can be added later on if the child chooses to go the easy way up.

If slides aren't a great fit for your child You can still add a cool element to your loft bed by transforming the bottom of the bed into a cozy hangout area with a couple of chairs and rug. The comfy spot can be used to read, relax and playing games or watching television with friends and is the perfect place to keep your room neat while providing a great spot to hang out.

Kids can feel like they are in their own private castle when their loft is designed to look like an old-fashioned cabin with a roof accent and windows. You can even give the loft a more unique look by using wallpapers, wall paint or stickers that resemble a forest the sky or any other outdoor element. Your children will love to escape into their little cabin for sleepovers or playtime, especially on snowy days when they aren't able to go outside.

For an extra touch of style, you can change out a ladder for a more fun spiral staircase. You can either buy one of these stairs or build your own for a tiny loftbed, as seen in the bedroom design on HGTV. The staircase is designed with a beautiful shape on the side, and can be added to as your children grow.

You can also build a loft with a desk and storage under it for your kids to complete their homework or do any other work. There are plenty of plans online for this kind of loft bed and many are easy enough to construct on your own, as shown in this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions and a list with the necessary materials and cuts for each part. This loft bed is large enough to fit a full-size bed and has space underneath for an office, seating area or seating.

Safety

Loft and bunk beds are popular with kids 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. Many of these injuries could be avoided and prevented by taking the appropriate precautions.

The first step is to make sure the loft bed is positioned correctly in the room. It shouldn't be in direct contact with the wall, as this could cause children to get trapped between the bunk's wall 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 placing the bunk ensure that it is away from curtains, blinds and windows that could block a child’s view or cause them to fall off. The bunk bed should not be placed close to anything that hangs from the rails, like toys or cords.

A solid, sturdy frame is essential for any bunk or loft bed. Choose a frame that is constructed from durable materials such as metal or pine. A platform or slatted frame is another option that can be comfortable and safe for your kids. Loft beds and bunk beds with a solid platform or slats don't require a box spring which is safer for young children.

Find a loft that has guardrails on both sides of the upper level, and a ladder you can lock into place. Children less than six years old should not sleep on the top bunk. Make sure to warn them about the dangers of sleeping on top bunks by reminding them often. A night light on the top bunk could aid children in finding their way down in the dark.

One other important safety measure is to put up a loft bed with wardrobe underneath safety net, that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk and prevents children from falling off. These nets are available in various sizes and colors to match any decor in the bedroom. They are also easy to set up.