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

A tiny loft bed is a popular choice for rooms for children that allow them to make use of the space underneath to play or study. This West Elm choice has a sleek Mid-Century style and comes with two finishes.

The instructions are easy and easy to follow. This loft bed is only suitable for mattresses that are 9 inches and lower. Anything higher can exceed the safety railings.

Storage

It might be a bit awkward to use a loft bed to create more storage space, but it can be incredibly useful. For instance, rather than the traditional bookcase that takes up the floor, a lofted bed can serve as one--and the sides can be used to create other uses like a reading nook or display shelves. A lofted bed can be used as an office for children that allows them to do their homework or other tasks in a tiny space without taking up valuable living space.

A lot of loft beds for kids include a desk nook beneath, but you can also add one to any regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or 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, as well as an bookshelf that doubles as an end rail. The simple design of this bunk makes it suitable for any kids' bedroom and the safety rails with slats are suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea offers a lot of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety of finishes to suit different decor styles including rustic and modern. The bottom of the loft features two drawers, while 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.

If you have a child who loves to read, you could turn your loft into a little library by adding some shelves and a cozy bean bag chair to curl up with a good book. You can create a cute arrangement using a small rug, a chair as well as a table and some baskets or boxes to store additional items.

This loft bed is a great option for children of all ages however teens can appreciate the design if they require an area to work or study. This model from Kidkraft is a bit less complicated to build than other models and comes with a set of plans that provide step-by-step instructions with images for cutting the pieces and assembling the bunk and building the stairs. It also includes the list of tools and other materials you'll need to get started.

Space

The space that is created beneath tiny loft beds can be as important as the bed itself. This extra space can be used for an office space or as an ideal sitting space. This can be an excellent option to add a unique design element to a small bedroom for an adult, a child’s room, or even a studio.

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

If your ceilings high enough, a loft-style bed could be even more spacious. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds are for instance, and are available in two sizes and different finishes. They also come with plenty of space beneath the bed to give you the most comfortable bed as well as more space. Another option to consider is the gaming loft bed bed with an X shape from DHP that comes with stairs that are staggered and slide for easy access and security.

The bottom portion of this loft bed can be used as a study area or playroom, with a mix of drawers and open cubbies for storage, as well as an ottoman that doubles as a staircase to the top bed. This is a fantastic option for kids' rooms or teen's bedrooms, and it can be reconfigured as your children get older and get out of it.

Many loft beds are equipped with bookshelves as part of the design. This is particularly beneficial for homes with a limited space or if you want to keep books and other items away from the floor. This space can be used to create a comfortable reading area with a lamp, comfortable seating and a few comfy furniture. It's great for an adult or teen's bedroom.

A loft bed can also be an ideal workstation for in a dorm. This loft beds with slides bed with a pull-out desk from Naomi Home offers plenty of space for a laptop and a desk, as well as a shelving unit that can be used to store books, toys, and other items.

Fun

A loft bed for your children isn't just about storage and space, but you can also make it enjoyable. A small slide beneath the Loft Bed Room bed is a great way to add some fun to their room, as well as a quick and easy descent from the top bunk. This DONCO kids' bed comes with an integrated slide and ladder, which will surely delight any child. It is possible to add it later if the child decides to go the easy way up.

If slides aren't for your child, then you can still keep your loft bed cool by turning the lower level into a comfortable space with a rug and chairs. The cozy spot can be used for reading, relaxing, playing games or watching television with friends. It's the perfect place to keep their room tidy while providing a great spot to hang out.

Kids will feel like they're 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 feature. Your children will love to escape into their little cabin for playtime and sleepovers, especially on snowy days when they aren't able to go outside.

For a little extra flair, you can also change out a ladder for a more fun spiral staircase. You can either buy one of these stairs or create your own to create a small loftbed, as seen in the bedroom design shown on HGTV. The spiral staircase features a nice X shape on the side. It can be enlarged as your children grow.

You can also build an loft with a desk and storage under it for your kids to do their homework or any other task. There are a number of plans online for this type of loft bed, and many are simple enough to do yourself, as you see in this plan from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions as well as a list of the materials and cuts required for each piece. The loft bed can accommodate an entire mattress and can be used as an office or seating.

Safety

Loft beds and bunk beds are a favorite among children however, they carry dangers. Many children are injured by loft and bunk beds every year, with injuries ranging from fractured bones, cuts and scrapes and head and neck injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries are preventable and easily avoided with the right safety measures in place.

The first thing to do is ensure that the loft or bunk bed is placed correctly in the room. It should not be placed against the wall as this can cause children to become wedged between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. 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 placing the bunk, make sure it's away from curtains, blinds and windows that could hinder a child's view or cause them to fall off. The bunk should also not be placed near anything that can hang from the rails, including cords or toys.

A sturdy, solid frame is a must for any loft or bunk bed. Find a frame made of durable materials, such as metal or pine. Another option for a safe and comfortable bed is a slatted platform or frame. Bunk and loft beds with a solid slatted platform or solid platform doesn't require a boxspring, which is safer for children.

In addition to the frame, look for loft beds that have guardrails on both sides of the top and ladders that can be locked into place. Children less than six years old should not sleep on the top bunk. Be sure to remind children of the dangers of sleeping on top bunks by reminding them often. Also having a night light placed on the top bunk will help kids find their way back down in the darkness.

One other important safety measure is to put up a loft safety net, which attaches to the corners of the top bunk to prevent children from falling off. These nets come in various colors and sizes to match any decor in the bedroom. They are also easy to set up.