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

A small loft bed is a favorite choice for rooms for children that allow them to make use of the space underneath to play or study. This West Elm pick has a sleek Mid-Century design and comes in two finishes.

The instructions are easy and simple to follow. This loft bed is suitable for mattresses 9 inches and less. Anything higher could exceed the safety railings.

Storage

It might be a bit awkward to make use of the loft bed as a way to make more storage space, but it can be extremely useful. A lofted bed, as an example, can be used as a bookcase and save the floor space. The sides can also be used to create a reading space or display shelves. A lofted bed can also be used as a work station that allows a child to create an office area for homework or other tasks without encroaching on the living space of a small room.

Many kids' lofts beds have a desk space beneath. You can add one to any loft bed, or build it yourself, or adapting the space under the bed using some shelves as well as an unintentional table. This loft bed (shown in the white color) from Wayfair has a desk built into the front and shelves that double loft bed as a side rail. The bunk's simple design makes it ideal for any child's bedroom and the rails that are slatted make it suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

Another option is to make use of an loft bed to create dresser, and this model from Ikea has an impressive amount of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety finishes to fit different styles of decor, including rustic and modern. The bottom of the loft has two drawers while the top can be opened to reveal additional storage space. This model is ideal for adults who want to transform their bedroom into an office, or for children with a large collection of books and toys.

If you have a child who is a reader, you could turn your loft into a little library by adding some shelves and a cozy bean bag chair to curl up with a great book. You can create a beautiful composition using a rug, some chairs as well as a table and a few baskets or boxes for storage.

A loft bed that is built into a playhouse is a great option for a child who is just starting out however, the design can still be appreciated by teens who might need a place to work from and study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit less complicated to build than other models and comes with a set of plans that include step-by-step directions with illustrations for cutting the pieces and assembling the bunk and making the stairs. The plans include an inventory of the tools and materials you'll need.

Space

In the case of small loft beds the space they open underneath is often as important as the bed itself. This extra room can be used to store things, a desk, or a cozy sitting area. 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 for teenagers.

A loft bed can be an ideal way to add a bit of rustic chic or an industrial look to a room with low ceilings. For example this bed in a studio apartment from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads to the mattress, which is set on a wooden platform. A simple chair, with a few other pieces make the room look more complete.

If your ceilings are high enough, you can make them further with a loft bed. Pottery Barn's Waverly loft bed, for instance it comes in two sizes and a variety of finish options with plenty of space beneath to give you a comfy bed and loft bed with wardrobe Underneath more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another option. It features staggered stairs and a slide to ensure maximum safety and accessibility.

The Loft bed with wardrobe underneath bed comes with a bottom section that can be used as an office or playroom. It comes with benches and storage cubbies, as well as a stairway to the top bunk bed. This teenager loft bed bed is perfect for bedrooms for teens or children' rooms. It can be rearranged to fit your child's needs as they develop.

Many loft beds are equipped with shelves for books as part of the design. This is especially useful for homes with limited space or if you prefer to keep knick-knacks and books off the floor. A cozy reading space with a lamp as well as comfortable seating is another excellent use of this space, and is especially beneficial for a teen or adult's room.

A loft bed is also a great workstation for in a dorm. This loft bed with a pull-out desk by Naomi Home offers plenty of space for laptops and a desk and shelves on each side to store books, toys, and other items.

Fun

Getting a loft bed for your children isn't just about storage and space, but you can also make it a fun experience. A small slide underneath a loft bed can be a fun way to add a bit of play to your child's room. It also offers a quick and simple descent from the top bunk. This bed for kids by DONCO comes with a built-in slide and ladder that's guaranteed to delight any kid, and can be put on later if they decide they want to take the easy way to the top in the near future.

If slides aren't a good fit for your child, you can still add a unique element to their loft bed by turning the bottom level into a comfortable hangout space with a few chairs and a rug. The area can be used to read or play games, relax or watch TV with your friends. It's a great method to keep the room tidy and provides a great space to relax.

Kids will feel like they are in their own little castle when their loft is designed to look like an old-fashioned cabin with a roof accent and windows. You can also give your loft a unique appearance by using wallpapers, wall paint or stickers that resemble a forest the sky, or another outdoor feature. Your kids will love to escape into their little home for sleepovers and playtime, especially on snowy days when they're not able to go out.

For a little extra style, you can switch out a standard ladder for a more fun spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these spiral staircases or make your own to fit in a small loft bed as shown in this bedroom design on HGTV. The staircase features a lovely shape on the side, and can be redesigned as your children get older.

You can also construct a loft with a desk and storage under it for your kids to work on their homework or any other task. There are plenty of plans online for this kind of loft bed, and many are simple enough to do yourself, like this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all the directions you require, plus an inventory of the materials and cuts needed to complete the project. This loft bed can be made to fit an entire mattress and can be used as a desk or Loft Bed With Wardrobe Underneath seating.

Safety

Kids enjoy loft beds and bunk beds, but they aren't without their risks. Many children are injured by bunk and loft beds every year, resulting in fractured bones, cuts and scrapes, as well as neck and head injuries. Most of these injuries can be avoided or prevented by implementing the proper safety measures.

The first thing to do is make sure that the loft or bunk bed is properly placed in the room. It should not be against the wall as this can cause children to be trapped between the bunk's wall and the top of the mattress. Instead, allow a clear space of at minimum 3.5 inches between the bottom edge of the guard rail and the top of the mattress foundation.

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

A solid, sturdy frame is essential for any bunk or loft bed. Select a frame constructed of sturdy materials like metal or pine. A platform or slatted frame is another option that could be comfortable and safe for your children. Loft and bunk beds with a solid slatted platform or solid platform doesn't require boxsprings, making it safer for children.

In addition to the frame, search for loft beds that have guardrails on both sides of the top and ladders that can be locked to the bed. Children younger than six years old should not be sleeping on the top bunk and be sure to 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 a loft safety net, that can be attached to the corners of the top bunk and keeps children from falling off. They are available in a range of sizes and colors to fit any decor in the bedroom and are simple to set up.