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

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

It requires some assembly however, the instructions are simple and clear. Be aware that this loft bed should only be used with a mattress 9 inches or less. Anything higher risks extending beyond the safety rails.

Storage

It might be a bit awkward to make use of an elevated bed as a way to increase storage space, but this can be extremely useful. For instance, instead of an enormous bookcase that takes up the floor space the lofted bed could serve as one--and the sides can be used to create other uses like a reading area or display shelves. A lofted bed could also be used as a workspace, allowing a child to create an office area for doing homework and other tasks without taking up the living space of a small room.

Many loft beds for kids have a desk space underneath, but you could also add one to a regular loft bed by constructing it yourself or by modifying the space beneath the bed with some auxiliary shelves and a improvised desk. This loft bed (shown in the white color) from Wayfair has a desk built into the front and shelves that double as an additional side rail. The minimalist design of the bunk makes it a good fit for any kid's bedroom and the slatted safety rails are ideal for rooms with low ceilings.

This model from Ikea provides plenty of storage space. The loft bed comes in a variety of finishes that suit different decor styles including modern and rustic. The bottom of the loft is equipped with two drawers while the top can be opened to reveal additional storage space. This design is perfect for those who wish to transform their bedroom into an office, or for children with lots of books and toys.

If you have a little one who is a reader and read, you can turn your loft into a library by adding shelves and a cozy bean bag chair for curling up with a good book. You can also create an adorable composition by adding a little area rug and a few chairs, a coffee table, and some boxes or baskets for additional storage.

This loft bunk bed is a great choice for young children, but teens can also appreciate the design if they need space to do their homework or study. This model from Kidkraft is a little less complicated to build than others and comes with plans that provide step-by-step instructions with illustrations of cutting the pieces and assembling the bunk and building the stairs. The plans include an inventory of the tools and supplies you'll require.

Space

The space that is created beneath small loft beds could be just as important as the bed. The extra space can be used as an office or a comfortable sitting area. This is an ideal method to create a unique design feature to a tiny bedroom for adults, a child’s room, or a studio apartment.

A loft bed can be an ideal option to add a touch of rustic chic or an industrial look to a room with low ceilings. For instance, this bed in a studio from Polish interior firm Home and Wood has a minimalist black ladder that leads up to the mattress that is set on the wooden platform. A simple chair and couple of accent pieces complete the look.

If your ceilings are high enough, you can go even bigger with a full loft bed. Pottery Barn Waverly loft beds are for instance, and are available in two sizes and various finishes. They also come with plenty of space beneath the bed to give you a comfortable bed and more space. This X-shaped DHP bunk bed is another great option. It features staggered stairs and a slide to ensure maximum safety and easy access.

This loft bed has an area at the bottom which can be used as an area for study or play. It comes with an upholstered bench and storage cubbies as well an stairway that leads to the top bunk bed. This is a fantastic option for children's bedrooms or teens' rooms and can be reconfigured as children get older and out of it.

Many loft beds have built-in bookshelves as part of the design. This is especially helpful for homes with smaller spaces or if you simply prefer to keep knick-knacks and books off the floor. This space can be utilized to create a relaxing reading area by incorporating an e-reader, a comfortable chair and a comfy sofa. It's great for an adult or teen's bedroom.

A loft bed with storage stairs bed can also be an ideal workstation for in a dorm. This Naomi Home loft bed with a desk that slides out has plenty of room to accommodate a laptop and a computer, plus shelving units on both sides to store toys, books, and other items.

Fun

It is possible to make a loft bed fun for your kids. It's not just about storage space. A small slide beneath a loft style Bunk beds bed can be an enjoyable method of adding some fun to your child's room. It also offers a quick and simple descent from the top bunk. This bed for kids by DONCO features a slide and ladder that's guaranteed to please any child, and it can be added to later if they'd prefer to take the easy way to the top in the near future.

If slides are not for your child, then you can still keep your loft bed cool by transforming the lower portion into a cozy area with a rug and chairs. The area can be used to read, play games, relax or watch TV with friends. It's an ideal way to keep the space tidy and provides a great place to gather.

If their loft is designed to look like an actual cabin, with windows and a roof accent, kids may feel as if they're inside their own castle. You can also give your loft a distinctive look by using wallpapers, wall paint or stickers that resemble a forest the sky, or another outdoor element. Your kids will love playing and sleeping in their loft, especially in the winter months when it is snowy.

You can also add some design to your home by replacing an old ladder with a spiral staircase. You can purchase one of these spiral staircases, or build your own to fit into the loft space as shown in this bedroom design on HGTV. The spiral staircase has an attractive X shape on the side. It can be enlarged as your children get older.

You can also build an loft with an office and storage underneath it for your kids to work on their homework or do any other task. There are a number of plans online for this type of loft bed and many are easy enough to build yourself, like this design from House of Wood. The plans include all instructions as well as a list of the materials and cuts required for each component. The loft bed is big enough to fit a full-size bed, and it has room underneath for an office, seating area or an extra seat.

Safety

Kids enjoy loft beds and bunk beds, but they're without their risks. Every year, bunk and loft beds cause injuries to thousands of children, which include head and neck injuries, broken bones, as well as scrapes and cuts. Many of these injuries could be prevented and avoided by implementing the right precautions.

The first thing to do is ensure that the loft or bunk bed is placed correctly in the room. It should not be positioned against the wall as this could result in children being stuck between the wall and the top of the bunk bed. Allow a space of at three inches between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of your mattress foundation.

When positioning the bunk bed ensure that it is far from things like blinds, curtains windows, ceiling fans and blinds which could block a child's view or cause her to fall off the bunk's side. The bunk bed should not be positioned close to anything that hangs from the rails such as cords or toys.

Every loft or bunk bed must be built with an extremely solid frame. Choose a frame that is made from strong materials such as steel or pine. A platform or frame with slats is another option that could be safe and comfortable for your kids. Bunk and loft bed with an slatted solid platform or solid platform does not require boxsprings, making it safer for children.

In addition to the frame, search for an loft bed that has guardrails on both sides of the top level and ladders that can be locked to the bed. Kids younger than six should not sleep on the top bunk beds loft and you should enforce this rule by regularly reminding them of the dangers. A night light on the top bunk can aid children in finding their way to sleep in the dark.

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