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

A small loft bed is a fantastic option for a child's room as it lets children to use the space below for playing or studying. This West Elm pick has a sleek Mid-Century design and comes in two different finishes.

It requires some assembly however, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. 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 guard rails.

Stores

A loft bed could seem like a nebulous solution to make space to store things, but it can actually be a great option. For instance, instead of the traditional bookcase that occupies the floor space A lofted bed could serve as one--and the sides can be used for other purposes such as a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be used as a workspace, allowing a child to create a workspace for doing homework and other tasks without encroaching on living space in a small room.

Many loft beds for kids include a desk nook beneath, but you can also add one to a regular shorty loft bed bed by constructing it yourself or adapting the area beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelving and an improvised desk. For example, this loft bed from Wayfair (shown in white) includes a desk that is tucked into the bunk's front and a bookshelf that has an incline that doubles as the rails on the sides. The simple design of the bunk makes it suitable for any bedroom with kids and the safety rails that are slatted are suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. The loft bed is available in a variety of finishes to match different styles of decor including rustic and modern. The bottom of the loft is home to two drawers, and the top opens to reveal more storage space. This model is a great choice for adults who are looking to convert their bedroom into a work space or for children who require plenty of space for books and toys.

If you have a child who is a reader then you can transform your loft into a library by adding some shelves and a cozy bean bag chair that can be used to curl up with a great book. You can also create an attractive composition by incorporating small area rugs and a few chairs as well as a coffee table and some boxes or baskets for storage.

This loft bed is a great option for children of all ages, but teens can also appreciate the design if they need a place to study or do homework. This model from Kidkraft is a little less complicated to build than some others and comes with plans that provide step-by-step instructions with pictures for cutting the pieces as well as assembling the bunk and constructing the stairs. It also comes with an inventory of the tools and other materials you'll require to begin.

Space

The space created under the tiny loft beds can be just as important as the bed. This extra space can be used as a desk or for an ideal sitting space. It is also an opportunity to make a distinctive design statement in a small bedroom for adults, a child's room or even a studio apartment for teenagers.

A loft bed can be a great way to add a touch of rustic chic or an industrial look to rooms with low ceilings. This bed, made by the Polish interior firm Home and Wood, has a simple ladder that leads to a mattress on a wooden platform. A simple chair, along with a few other pieces make the room look more complete.

If your ceilings are high enough, you can get even higher with a loft bed. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds are for instance, and come in two sizes with various 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 by DHP that comes with stairs that are staggered and slide for easy access and maximum safety.

The lower part of this loft bed could be used as a study space or playroom, with a mix of open cubbies, drawers to store things and an ottoman that doubles as a staircase to the top bed. This is a great option for loft beds children's bedrooms or teens' rooms, and it can be reconfigured as children grow older and move get older and move out.

Many loft beds have built-in bookshelves as part of the design. This is especially useful for homes with smaller spaces or if you just prefer to keep knick-knacks or 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 especially useful for an adult or teen's room.

A loft bed could be used as a desk in a dorm room. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that pulls out and has ample space for a desktop and laptop and shelving units on both sides to store toys, books and other items.

Fun

It is possible to make a loft bed a fun place for your children. It's not just about storage and space. A small slide beneath the loft bed is a fantastic way to add some fun to the room and also a quick and easy descent out of the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed has an inbuilt slide and ladder that is sure to please any child. It could be added later on if the child chooses to go the easy way up.

If slides are not for your child, you can still keep their loft bed cool by turning the lower level into a comfortable space with chairs and a rug. The comfortable space can be used for reading, relaxing, playing games or watching TV with friends. It's the perfect way to keep their room tidy and also provide a nice space to relax.

Kids will feel like they are in their own castle when their loft is designed to resemble a cabin with windows and a roof accent. You can also give the loft a unique appearance by using wallpapers, wall paints or stickers that resemble a forest, the sky or any other outdoor feature. Your children will love playing and sleeping in their cabin, especially on snowy days.

For a little extra design, you could swap out a regular ladder for a more fun spiral staircase. You can buy one of these spiral staircases, or make your own to fit into a small loft bed as seen in this bedroom design on HGTV. The spiral staircase has a nice X shape on the side. It can be expanded as your children grow.

Another cool idea is to build a loft bed with desk and storage underneath for the children to work on their homework or other chores. There are many plans available online for this type of bed. A lot of them are simple enough to build on your own. Consider this plan from House of Wood as an example. The plans include all instructions as well as a list of the materials and cuts required for each piece. This loft bed can be made to fit a full-size mattress and also can be used as a desk or seating.

Safety

Kids love bunk and loft beds, but they're free of dangers. Every year, bunk beds and loft beds are the cause of injuries to thousands of children, which include neck and head injuries, broken bones, and cuts and scrapes. Many of these injuries could be avoided or prevented by implementing the proper precautions.

The first step is to make sure that the bunk bed or loft bed is correctly placed in the room. It should not be against the wall, as this could cause children to get wedged between the bunk's wall and the top. Allow a space of at minimum 3 inches between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of the mattress foundation.

When positioning the bunk bed, be sure that it is far from things like curtains, blinds windows, ceiling fans and blinds that can obstruct a child's view or cause her to fall off the side of the bunk. The bunk bed should not be placed near anything that could hang from the rails, like toys or cords.

A bunk bed or loft bed must have an incredibly solid and sturdy frame. Choose a frame that is constructed from durable materials like pine or steel. A platform or slatted frame is another option that could be secure and comfortable for your kids. Loft beds and bunk beds with an solid platform or slats do not require a boxspring and are more secure for children.

In addition to the frame, look for a loft bed that includes guardrails on both sides of the top level, as well as an incline that can be locked into place. Children younger than six years old should never sleep on the top bunk, and make sure you adhere to this rule by frequently reminding them of the dangers. Also, a night lighting on the top bunk will help kids find their way back to the bottom in the dark.

Another crucial safety measure is to put up a loft safety net, that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk and prevents children from falling off. The nets are available in a wide range of sizes and colors that will match any decor in the bedroom and are simple to install.