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

A tiny loft bed can be a wonderful option for a child's room, as it allows children to make use of the space below for play or studying. This West Elm choice has a elegant Mid-Century style and comes in two finishes.

The instructions are simple and easy to follow. The loft bed is suitable for mattresses that are 9 inches and less. Anything higher may extend beyond the safety guardrails.

Storage

A loft bed may seem like an inconvenient option to make space to store things however, it could be a fantastic option. For instance, instead of a large bookcase that occupies the floor space the lofted bed could be used as a bookcase, and the sides can be used for other purposes like a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted mattress could be used as an office for children, which lets them complete their homework and other tasks in a tiny space, without taking up valuable living space.

Many kids' lofts beds come with a desk area underneath. You can add one to any loft bed with desk and storage bed either by building it yourself, or by modifying the space beneath the bed by using auxiliary shelves and an unintentional table. This loft bed (shown in white) from Wayfair has a desk built into the front, as well as shelves that double loft bed with storage as an additional side rail. The bunk's simple design makes it perfect for any bedroom for a child and the rails that are slatted make it 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 space. It is available in multiple styles to match a variety of decor styles, including rustic and contemporary. The loft's bottom features two drawers, while the top opens up to reveal more storage space. This is a great choice for adults who are looking to convert their bedroom into a workspace for their home or for children who require plenty of space for books and toys.

If you have a child who loves reading, you could turn your loft into a mini library by adding some shelves and a cozy bean bag chair for curling in with a good book. You can also make a cute composition by adding small area rugs, a couple of chairs as well as a coffee table and a few baskets or boxes for additional storage.

A loft bed that is built into a playhouse is a great choice for a young child however, the design can still be appreciated by teens who might require a space to work in and study. This model is easier to construct than other models. It comes with a set of plans that provide step-by-step instructions and pictures for cutting the parts as well as assembling the bunk and building the stairs. The plans come with a list of the tools and supplies you'll require.

Space

When it comes to tiny loft beds, the space they free up beneath them is often just as important as the bed itself. This extra space can be used for an office space or as a comfortable sitting area. This is a great method to create a unique design feature to a tiny bedroom for adults or a kid's room or even a studio.

Loft beds are a great option to give rooms with low-ceilings a rustic chic or industrial look. For instance this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads to the mattress that is set on an wooden platform. A simple chair, with a few accent pieces adds to the overall look.

If your ceilings are high enough, a loft-style bed could be even more spacious. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds with slides beds for instance, come in two sizes, and different finishes. They also come with plenty of space under the bed, which gives you an incredibly comfortable bed and plenty of space. Another option that is great is this X-shaped bunk bed from DHP which comes with staggered steps and a slide for easy access and maximum safety.

The lower part of this loft bed could be used as a study space or playroom by combining a set of drawers and open cubbies for storage, as well as an ottoman that doubles as a ladder to the top bed. This is a great option for children's bedrooms or for teen's rooms, and it can be rearranged as your children grow up and get older and loft bed with desk and storage move out.

Many loft beds have built-in shelves. This is particularly useful for homes with smaller spaces or if you just prefer to keep knick-knacks and books off the floor. Creating a cozy reading nook with a lamp and some comfortable seating is another excellent use of this space, and it's particularly useful for an adult or teen's room.

A loft bed can also be used as a desk in a dorm. This loft bed with an open desk from Naomi Home has plenty of space for laptops and a desktop and shelves on each side to store books and toys as well as other things.

Fun

A loft bed for your children doesn't just mean storage and space, you can also make it enjoyable. A small slide under a loft bed is a great way to add some playtime excitement to their room as well as an easy and quick climb from the top bunk. This kids' bed from DONCO features a slide and ladder that's sure to delight any kid, and it's possible to add on later if they decide they'd prefer to take the easy way to the top in the near future.

If slides aren't for your child, you can still keep your loft bed cool by transforming the lower portion into a cozy area with chairs and a rug. The cozy area can be used to read or relax, play games or enjoy a movie with friends. It's an ideal way to keep the room tidy and provide a great place to hangout.

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

You could also add a bit of flair to your home by replacing the ladder with spiral staircase. You can either buy one of these stairs or build your own to create a small loft bed, like in the bedroom designs on HGTV. The staircase features a lovely shape on the side, and can be added to as your kids get older.

You can also build an office-style loft that has a desk and storage under it for your kids to do 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 like this plan from House of Wood. The plans have all the instructions you need, plus a list of supplies and cuts needed for each part of the project. This loft bed is spacious enough to accommodate a large bed and has space underneath for seating, a desk or an extra seat.

Safety

Kids enjoy loft beds and bunk beds, but they're without risks. Many children are injured by bunk and loft beds each year, including broken bones, cuts and scrapes and head and neck injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries are preventable and easily avoided with the right security measures 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 could result in children being trapped 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 you are putting the bunk bed up make sure it is not in close proximity to things like blinds, curtains windows, ceiling fans and blinds that could block a child's view or cause her to fall off the bunk's edge. The bunk should not be close to anything that can hang from the rails, including cords or toys.

A bunk bed or loft bed must be built with an extremely solid frame. Find a frame constructed of sturdy materials like pine or steel. A slatted frame or platform is another option that can be safe and comfortable for your children. Loft beds and bunk beds with a solid platform or slats do not require a box spring and are safer for toddlers.

Look for an area with guardrails either side of the top level and a ladder that you are able to secure. Children who are younger than six years old shouldn't sleep on the top bunk. Be sure to remind them about the dangers of sleeping on top bunks by reminding them regularly. Also having a night lighting placed on the top bunk can aid children in finding their way back to the bottom in the darkness.

Another important safety precaution is to install a loft safety net, that is attached to the corners of the top bunk and keeps children from falling off. These nets come in different sizes and colors to match any bedroom decor. They are also easy to put up.