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 allows children to make use of the space below for playing or for studying. This West Elm choice has a elegant Mid-Century style and comes in two finishes.

The instructions are simple and clear. It is important to note that this loft bed is only used with a mattress 9 inches or less. Anything higher could extend beyond the safety guard rails.

Storage

It might be a bit awkward to make use of a loft bed to increase storage space, but this can be extremely useful. For instance, rather than the traditional bookcase that occupies floor space the lofted bed could be used as a bookcase, and the sides can be used for other things such as a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed can be used as an area for children to work from and lets them do their homework or other tasks in a small space without consuming valuable living space.

Many loft beds for kids include a desk nook underneath, but you could also add one to any regular loft bed by building it yourself or adapting the space underneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and an improvised desk. For example, this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) features a desk tucked into the front of the bunk and a bookshelf that has a ladder that doubles as rails on the sides. The simple design of the bunk is ideal for a bedroom for a child and the rails that are slatted make it suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. It is available in various finishes to suit a variety of decor styles, including rustic and contemporary. The bottom of the loft features two drawers. The top is open 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 lot of toys and books.

It is possible to transform your loft into an area for Loft bed with Desk underneath reading for children who loves to read by adding shelves and a bean bag chair that they can cuddle up with their favorite book. You can make a charming arrangement using a small rug, some chairs or tables, and some baskets or boxes for additional storage.

This loft bed is an excellent option for children who are young however teens can appreciate the design if they need a place to work or study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit less complicated to build than others and comes with a set of plans that provide step-by-step instructions with pictures for cutting the pieces, assembling the bunk, and building the stairs. It also comes with an inventory of the tools and materials that will be required to start.

Space

The space created beneath tiny loft beds can be as important as the bed. This extra room can be used to store things or a desk, or a cozy sitting area. This can be an excellent method 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 can be an ideal way to add a touch of rustic chic or an industrial look to rooms with low ceilings. For instance this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads up to the mattress, which is set on the wooden platform. A simple chair and a couple of accent pieces complete the look.

If your ceilings are high enough, you can get further with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly cheap loft beds bed, for instance it comes in two sizes and a variety of finish options with plenty of room underneath to give you a comfy bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another excellent option. It features the option of staggered stairs as well as a slide to ensure the highest level of safety and easy access.

The bottom of this loft bed can be used as a study space or playroom by combining a set of open cubbies, drawers for storage and an ottoman that doubles as stairs to the top bed. This is a fantastic option for kids' bedrooms or teens' rooms, and it can be rearranged as your children grow up and get out of it.

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

A loft bed is also an ideal workstation for a dorm. This loft bed with a pull-out desk by Naomi Home includes plenty of space for a laptop and a desktop, as well as shelves on each side to store books, toys, and other things.

Fun

Getting a loft bed for your kids isn't just about storage and space, it can also make it enjoyable. A small slide underneath the loft bed is a great way to bring some playtime action to their bedroom and also a quick and easy descent out of the top bunk. This bed for kids by DONCO has a built-in slide and ladder that's sure to delight any kid, and can be put later on if they'd like to take the easy route up the road in the future.

If slides aren't the best option for loft bed with desk underneath your child, you can still make your loft bed cool by transforming the lower part into a comfortable space with chairs and a rug. The cozy area can be used to read, relax, play games, or enjoy a movie with friends. It's an excellent method to keep the room tidy and provide a great place to hangout.

When their loft is designed to look like a cabin, complete with windows and an accent roof, kids will feel like they're in their own castle. You can make your loft unique design by putting up wallpapers and wall stickers, or paints that resemble a sky, forest or other outdoor elements. Your children will love playing and having sleepovers in their cozy cabin, particularly in the winter months when it is snowy.

You can also add some design to your home by replacing the ladder with spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these staircases or make your own to fit in an existing loft bed, as seen in this bedroom design on HGTV. The staircase features a lovely design with an X-shape along the sides and can be added to as your kids get older.

You can also build an loft with an office and storage underneath it for your children to work on their homework or any other work. There are plenty of plans online for this kind of loft bed and many are easy enough to build by yourself, such as shown in this plan from House of Wood. The plans have all the directions you require as well as the list of materials and cuts required to complete the project. The loft bed can accommodate an entire mattress and offers room beneath for an office or seating.

Safety

Kids love bunk and loft bed with desk underneath beds, but they aren't without their risks. Many children are injured by bunk and loft beds every year, resulting in broken bones, cuts, scrapes, as well as neck and head injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries can be prevented and easily prevented with the proper precautions in place.

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

A bunk bed or loft bed must be built with a solid, sturdy frame. Pick a frame made of strong materials such as steel or pine. A platform or frame with slats is another option that can be secure and comfortable for your kids. Bunk and loft beds with an solid platform or slats do not require a boxspring which is safer for young 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 less than six years old shouldn't sleep on the top bunk. Make sure to warn children of the dangers by reminding them regularly. Also an evening light placed on the top bunk can aid children in finding their way back to the bottom in the darkness.

One other important safety measure is to use a loft safety net, that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk to prevent children from falling off. The nets are available in a variety of sizes and colors to fit any decor in the bedroom. They are also easy to set up.