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

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

It is a bit of a task to put together however, 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.

Stores

It might be a bit awkward to make use of a loft bed to increase storage space, but it can be extremely useful. For instance, rather than a large bookcase that takes up floor space, a lofted bed can 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 also be used as a workspace, allowing a child to create an office area for doing homework and other tasks without taking up living space in a small space.

Many kids' loft beds include a desk nook beneath, but you can also add one to a regular loft bed by building it yourself or by modifying the area beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and a built-in desk. This loft bed (shown in the white color) from Wayfair comes with a desk built into the front and an bookshelf that doubles as a side rail. The simple design of this bunk makes it suitable for any kid's bedroom and the safety rails with slats are suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea has plenty of storage space. It is available in multiple finishes to suit different styles of decorating that include contemporary and rustic. The bottom of the loft is equipped with two drawers while the top can be opened to reveal additional storage space. This is a great option for adults looking to convert their bedroom into a work space or for children who need plenty of room for books and toys.

It is possible to transform your loft into a library for your child who loves to read by adding shelves and a bean bag chair that they can cuddle up with their favorite book. You can also make an attractive composition by incorporating a little area rug, a couple of chairs and a coffee table and some boxes or baskets to store your books in.

This loft bed is a great choice for young children however, teens will appreciate the design if they require space to study or do homework. This model from Kidkraft is a bit simpler to construct than some others and comes with plans that provide step-by-step instructions with illustrations for cutting the pieces as well as assembling the bunk and building the stairs. The plans include an inventory of the tools and supplies you'll need.

Space

In the case of small teenager loft bed beds the space they open underneath is often just as important as the bed itself. The extra space could be used as storage as well as a desk or a comfy sitting space. It is also an opportunity to make an impressive design statement in a tiny bedroom for adults, a kid's room, or even a studio apartment for teenagers.

Loft beds are a great way to give rooms with low ceilings a rustic or industrial feel. For example, this bed in a studio apartment from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder leading up to the mattress that is set on a wooden platform. A simple chair, with a few accent pieces make the room look more complete.

If your ceilings are tall enough, a full-size loft bed could be even more spacious. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance is available in two sizes and a variety of finish options with plenty of space beneath to give you a comfy bed and a whole lot more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It has the option of staggered stairs as well as a slide to ensure safety and easy access.

The bottom of this loft bed could 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 is a fantastic option for children's bedrooms or for teen's rooms and it can be reconfigured as children grow older and move out of it.

Many loft beds are equipped with shelves for books as part of the design. This is especially 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 comfortable seating is a great use of this space, and is especially beneficial for a teen or adult's room.

A metal loft bed bed can even be used as a workstation in a dorm room. This loft bed with a pull-out desk from Naomi Home has plenty of space for laptops and desktop, as well as shelves on each side to store books, toys, and other things.

Fun

Getting a loft bed for your kids does not just mean storage space, but you can also make it a fun experience. A small slide underneath a loft bed is a great way to add some fun to their room and also an easy and quick descent out of 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 can be added to later if they want to go the easy way up in the future.

If slides aren't a great choice for your child, you can still add a fun element to your loft bed by transforming the lower level into a comfortable hangout space with a couple of chairs and a rug. The comfy spot can be used for reading, relaxing and playing games or watching television with friends and is the ideal way to keep their space tidy and also provide a nice space to relax.

Children can feel as if they are in their own little castle when their loft is designed to resemble an actual cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can also give the loft a unique appearance by using wallpapers, wall paint or stickers that resemble a forest the sky or any other outdoor element. Your children will love playing and having sleepovers in their cozy cabin, particularly during snowy days.

You could also add a bit of style to your home by replacing an old ladder with a spiral staircase. You can buy one of these spiral staircases or build your own to fit in the loft space as shown in this bedroom design from HGTV. The staircase is designed with a beautiful X-shape on the side and can be added to as your kids grow.

Another great idea is to build a loft bed with a storage and a desk underneath for the children to work on their homework or other chores. There are plenty of plans online for this kind of loft bed, and many are easy enough to construct yourself, as shown in this design from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions and a list with the required materials and cuts for each part. This loft bed can fit the full size mattress and offers room beneath for a desk or seating.

Safety

Kids love bunk and loft beds, but they're without risks. Children are often injured by bunk and loft beds every year, with injuries ranging from broken bones, cuts and scrapes as well as head and neck injuries. The majority of these injuries can be prevented and avoided by implementing the right safety measures.

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 result in children being wedged between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. You should leave at minimum 3 inches between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of your mattress foundation.

When you are putting the bunk bed up, be sure that it is far from things like curtains, blinds, windows and ceiling fans that could block the view of a child or cause her to fall off the side of the bunk. The bunk bed should not be placed near anything that could hang on the rails, such as cords or toys.

A solid, sturdy frame is essential for any bunk or loft bed. Look for a frame made of durable materials, like pine or steel. A platform or slatted frame is another option that can be comfortable and safe for your children. Bunk and loft bed for sale beds with an solid platform or slats do not require a box spring and are safer for young children.

In addition to the frame, look for a loft bed that includes guardrails on both sides of the top level, as well as a ladder that can be locked into place. Children younger than six years old should not sleep on the top bunk and make sure you adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. Also, a night lighting placed on the top bunk can aid children in finding their way back down in the darkness.

Another important safety precaution is to use loft safety nets, which attaches to the corners of the top bunk to prevent children from falling off. The nets are available in a range of sizes and colors to match any bedroom decor and are easy to install.