Advantages and disadvantages
Multi-tiered and multifunctional furniture has undeniable advantages, but you should also be aware of the features of such complexes.
Advantages | Flaws |
Saving space thanks to the vertical arrangement of furniture. | The attic is less safe than the lower sleeping area, especially for children. |
Combining the sleeping attic with another area. | Not recommended for use in rooms with ceilings below 2.7 meters. Warm air rises into the attic, which will be stuffy with a low ceiling. |
Original appearance. | The lack of lighting at the lower level, which is compensated by installing additional light sources. |
The photo shows a triple bed with a reading chair and shelves for books.
Is it worth buying a loft bed?
Before purchasing furniture, you must carefully familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the products. Consider all the advantages and disadvantages. Like any other type of furniture, loft beds have undeniable advantages:
- The vertical arrangement of structural elements allows for maximum use of the entire volume of the room, up to the ceiling. The result is significant space savings. Even a luxurious double bed can be placed in a tiny room with an area of only 9-10 m2. This will leave enough space for a second bed, dressing room or upholstered furniture;
- the bed on the second floor can be combined with a completely different functional area, including the living room and kitchen. A position taller than human height does not interfere with free movement. In addition, such a bed is hidden from indiscreet eyes;
- Thanks to the original design, the room takes on an unusual, colorful look. Manufacturers offer hundreds of different solutions. If you can’t find a suitable option in the catalog, you can make furniture to order, with the development of an individual project.
Loft beds also have their disadvantages:
- if the ceiling height is below 2.7 meters, it is not advisable to install this type of furniture. Warm air tends to accumulate at the top. When the distance from the bed to the ceiling is only 30-50 cm, sleeping on such a bed brings not just discomfort, it is harmful to the body due to stuffiness;
- For hyperactive children, a bed in the attic is more dangerous than the traditional floor option. It is necessary to make sure that the child understands the rules of behavior and will follow basic safety precautions during daytime games. During sleep, strong barriers prevent falls, even if a person actively turns over and spreads his arms and legs to the sides.
Another small minus is the shading of the first tier. To illuminate the space under the bed, you have to install high-quality artificial lighting: table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, spotlights and LED strips. Good lighting is especially important for work surfaces: kitchen countertops, desks, computer desks, and reading corners.
Recommendations for selection
A loft bed is a complex structure that must be safe, durable, and comfortable for adults and children. You can purchase a ready-made loft bed at a furniture store or order one based on your own design.
- It is necessary to take into account the recommended height depending on the age of the children. The height of children's loft beds does not exceed 160 cm, teenage beds are made up to 180 cm high, and an adult loft is set above 200 cm.
- Sellers of children's furniture are required to provide a certificate of quality and environmental safety of the product.
- The fastening and fittings of the loft bed should not raise doubts about its reliability. There cannot be any traces of rust or chips on the fasteners; after assembly, the product must not become unsteady or squeak during use.
- The loft of a bed for children should have high sides; a bed railing is also recommended for adult models.
Advice on choosing a loft bed
The choice of a children's sleeping complex depends on its functional load and the age of the children. Versions with sagging corners and thin crossbars are questionable in terms of safety. It is better to secure a loose (overhanging) corner using one of the reliable methods:
- support it with a metal rod from below;
- duplicate with corners and metal crossbars;
- strengthen with brackets to cabinet furniture standing on its end;
- hang with a metal cable from a ceiling mount.
Green Loft Bed Children's Solid Wood Loft Bed
Notice the innovations used in bunk beds for children.
- Transformers.
- Extendable work surfaces or sleeping area.
- Blocks moving on wheels.
- Folding and rotating tabletops.
- Door and drawer closers (for soft return to their original position).
- Removable dividers on shelves.
- Sliding wardrobe doors (convenient for small rooms).
When choosing, also pay attention to the design of the multi-level loft bed, style and color.
Loft bed with chest of drawers
Children's loft bed
There are simple versions with a recognizable plot:
- the little princess's palace;
- knight's castle;
- captain's yacht;
- car bed, etc.
Attention! No matter how beautiful and functional a children's bed is, safety should come first. If the child is weak, it will be difficult for him to use the ladder. But this is an excellent solution for active, healthy children and adolescents, mainly boys.
Green children's loft bed
Children's loft bed
Loft bed in the interior of a children's room
A bunk loft bed is a good option for a family with 2-3 children. Check to see if the manufacturer has options for color, materials, right- and left-hand corner versions. Most of the proposed samples from the catalog come in several versions. Buying from the manufacturer with pick-up will cost less, but check with the managers for questions about the delivery and assembly of children's furniture.
Options for combining a loft bed
The loft bed is combined with different pieces of furniture: a desk, a second bed, shelves for books and toys, wardrobes or a chest of drawers for clothes, a sports complex.
With a table
Most often, the lower zone is equipped with a work desk. You can use a traditional desk with a cabinet, a lightweight roll-out table, or a dressing table with a mirror. A roll-out table frees up space under the attic for playing or cleaning when needed. The photo below shows an example of a desk for a schoolchild with bright red details and a desk for an adult made of natural wood. The attic in both cases is fenced with railings 40 centimeters high.
With play area for children
Play is a child’s way of learning about the adult world. It is important for children to have a space where they not only play, but also learn to maintain order. A loft bed allows parents to organize a play area even in a small apartment. The bed is combined with a slide, shelves for toys, and mats for outdoor games.
In the photo, the children's room is equipped with a low slide and a sleeping module in the attic in the form of a house.
With a sofa below
A loft bed solves the problem of choosing: sofa or bed? In studios, the living room serves as a kitchen, dining room and living room, so it is logical to raise the bed up and not attract the attention of guests to it. The sofa can come complete with a loft bed, or there is free space left for it under the sleeping bed.
With two beds
In a nursery for two or in student housing, it makes sense to use the lower floor for a second bed.
With dressing room
The free space under or next to the loft bed can be used for a wardrobe. The children's dressing room is equipped with drawers and shelves so that even a preschooler can get the right thing without the help of adults.
The photo shows a children's room in the English style; an open wardrobe for clothes was placed under the attic.
With wall bars
The health of children directly depends on their physical development. Exercises at the sports complex develop coordination, flexibility, and endurance. The Swedish wall has remained the most popular sports equipment for many years. It is mounted on the side or at the end of the bed, as a connecting element between the attic and the lower tier. In the photo on the left is a children's room in a nautical style for a schoolchild; the sports complex includes a horizontal bar, rings, a rope, and a wall bars.
With a crib for a newborn
If the area of the room does not allow installing a crib for a newborn next to the parent’s bed, then you have to use a compact loft bed. In this case, it is better to choose the option with lighting under the attic, because parents have to go down to the baby several times a night. It is not advisable to use the top tier for another child, as children may disturb each other at night.
Structural elements of loft beds
In children's loft beds, the main structural elements are:
- sleeping place - its dimensions are selected depending on the child’s age and height;
- ladder;
- closet;
- drawers and shelves;
- table top;
- a gaming sports module, which may include rings, a net, a crossbar, a Swedish wall, and a slide.
Stairs for such beds are made of the following designs:
- Vertical. The least safe, but widespread due to the fact that it does not take up any space. It is used in bed models for schoolchildren and can be located at the end or on one side of the bed.
- At an angle - straight or radius. It can be made with different angles of inclination, but the greater the angle, the more space this staircase will take up. It is preferable to have flat steps rather than round ones, as they are less dangerous.
- In the form of a special module, where the flat steps are also drawers .
- Podium - a special platform-podium is installed in the middle of the bed height. There is a short ladder on top of it, and a storage system is placed below.
Regardless of whether the playroom or workplace is located on the “ground floor,” the loft bed can be equipped with a wardrobe. It can take the form of blind wardrobe sections or open compartments with shelves.
Loft bed with wardrobe
There are several popular modifications possible:
- straight, under the bottom, from the end of the bed. Can be turned with the facade outward or inward;
- straight, located at the end, on the side of the structure. Performed at a great height and turned outward. There can be both blind sections for storing things and open shelving (for example, for storing books and toys);
- corner - compact and roomy;
- A wardrobe that takes up the entire space under the bed is a good option for a teenager who needs a lot of storage space.
Also, loft beds are necessarily equipped with shelves and drawers. Sometimes the entire first tier is filled with drawers - this is especially true in models for children that do not differ in height. If the bed is made high, then its first tier is not completely covered with facades, since this will make it look too bulky.
Bed sizes and shapes
Properly selected size and shape of the bed guarantee comfortable sleep for both adults and children.
Double bed for adults
To place a double loft bed under the ceiling, reinforced fastenings and frames are required, since we are talking about the safety of the sleeping person.
The photo shows an attic bed in a Scandinavian interior; the attic sleeping area is designed for two people and is attached to the ceiling with steel pipes.
One-and-a-half-bed
A semi-sleeping loft bed has been used since adolescence. The standard width of such a sleeping place varies from 120 to 160 cm, the length reaches 190 cm.
Single
The standard width of a single bed is no more than 100 cm, this size will be convenient for a child or a person of asthenic build.
Corner
Corner furniture allows you to make good use of every square meter of the room. For stability, the corner loft bed is attached not only to the floor, but also to the wall. Pictured on the left is a classic style loft bed with two berths, storage drawers and a desk. In the photo on the right, the perpendicular arrangement of the beds forms a right angle; on the side there is free space for a closet and a ladder.
Low
A low loft bed is suitable for those who feel discomfort while sleeping at height. In this case, the space under the upper tier will be no higher than 70 cm and will be suitable for additional storage space. A bed that is located low above the floor is called a semi-loft.
High
A high loft bed can be placed right under the ceiling like a mezzanine; designers offer such sleeping places for youth interiors.
In the photo, a loft bed with a voluminous mattress is located at a height of more than 2 meters, and there is a sitting area under the bed.
What types of loft beds are there for boys?
Manufacturers offer many excellent models of compact two-tier furniture. A high-quality loft bed for a boy combines a luxurious sleeping space and a platform for relaxation, active games, learning, storing things or playing sports.
Classic loft bed model for a boy
A standard loft bed is the simplest model of multifunctional furniture. The classic option is to place the bed on the second tier. It is recommended to install the bed at a height of about 160 cm. Models up to 130 cm high are available for preschoolers, and a high design (about 180 cm) is suitable for teenagers and adults. Approximately 70-80 cm should be left from the ceiling to the surface of the mattress.
Advantages of the standard package:
- Possibility to independently select equipment for the lower floor.
- Availability of models designed for two children (the upper tier is equipped with a pair of bunks).
- Space saving and practical.
- Stylish design reminiscent of adult furniture.
- Durability of the structure. The bed can be used for 10-15 years.
Boys aged 2 to 6 years will be captivated by the bright play areas in the form of futuristic alien ships, compact tents or bright cars. A children's loft bed for a school-age boy turns into a study or sports area. A teenager will be interested in furniture, the lower tier of which is equipped with a sofa, a full-fledged wardrobe or sports equipment.
Loft bed for a teenage boy with a work area
A loft bed with a comfortable work area will complement the interior of the room in which a schoolchild or teenager lives. The space allocated for training consists of a table measuring over 60x60 cm, an orthopedic chair, shelves and spacious drawers for storing personal belongings. If a child is involved in creativity, you should choose a special table for drawing and drawing, the tabletop of which is installed at an angle.
Types of tables:
- Standard straight desk or desk.
- Corner table, occupying from 30 to 80% of the free space on the lower tier.
- Tabletop with transforming mechanisms.
- A computer desk for a teenager with built-in drawers and multi-level shelves.
- A work surface equipped with stands and compartments for storing pencils, felt-tip pens, easels and other creative tools.
A two-level furniture set with a work area is useful for boys who pay special attention to their studies. The lower level here is occupied by a storage system for school supplies and creative items.
Equipping with transforming tables based on retractable and folding mechanisms will allow you to maximize the available space, increasing the level of functionality of the bed. By moving a pull-out or folding table to a hidden position, the freed-up space can be used for entertaining or relaxing.
Loft bed with sofa below
The best loft bed for a teenage boy will feature a small built-in or free-standing sofa that is used as a lounging area. There are spacious storage compartments under its seat. There are models with soft backs and decorative pillows.
Configuration options:
- With a built-in sofa that occupies the interior space of the lower tier. The mechanism is valued for its stylish design and compactness. Its main disadvantage is the inability to change the position of the sofa.
- With a mobile (free-standing) sofa. Parents can independently choose a small sofa to install under the bed. Over time, it can be removed by equipping the bed with a table, wardrobe or play area.
In bunk beds, exclusively compact sofas are used, the shape and size repeating the parameters of the rest of the structure. The length of a free-standing sofa is 150-200 cm. The built-in sofa follows the dimensions of the bed, so its length does not exceed 180-200 cm. Installing a backrest will reduce the width of the seat to 50-60 cm.
A folding couch is one of the popular components for completing a loft bed. Using such furniture as a spare bed increases the level of comfort in the room. For example, if friends often come to your child’s place for an overnight stay.
Models with cabinets
A loft bed with a wardrobe will provide access to spacious storage space for clothes, toys, bedding and school supplies. Installing a cabinet on the lower tier will significantly strengthen the bed structure.
Popular modifications and cabinet layout options:
- A straight cabinet is mounted under the base of the bed, the height of which is limited by the space between the floor and the bed.
- A straight cabinet attached to the side will free up space in the lower tier for a sofa, play or work area. You can complete the furniture with open shelving.
- The built-in corner cabinet consists of several closed and open sections, therefore it is characterized by increased compactness and spaciousness.
- A sliding wardrobe occupies space on the lower tier, becoming a reliable support for the bunk.
A loft bed for a boy with a work area is equipped with miniature cabinets, and shelves of various configurations complement the design with a play area. In models with a low bed, racks and drawers occupy the entire first tier.
Cabinet furniture for modifying a bed is made of solid wood. Facades made of laminated chipboard and MDF are lined with acrylic, plastic or PVC film. For decoration, bright drawings and images of characters popular among children are used.
There are several departments inside the cabinet. You can store clothes and bedding on the shelves, drawers are designed for linen and small wardrobe items, and hangers are located in a module with a crossbar.
The best option for opening doors would be a sliding system, which allows you to save space in the front of the cabinet. Swinging mechanisms are valued for their low cost, and folding ones have an original design, but if they are used, you can say goodbye to the idea of rational use of space.
Children's loft bed for a boy with a play area
A loft bed with a play area is an ideal choice for arranging the living space of restless boys. The main advantage of this furniture is the creation of optimal conditions for regular physical activity. During games, children increase endurance, develop various muscle groups and improve coordination of movements.
Equipment options:
- Models for preschoolers are equipped with all kinds of play attractions. The furniture can resemble a tree house, a knight's castle, a secluded tent in the forest or a vehicle.
- The gaming sports module is equipped with various equipment, including wall bars, slides and horizontal bars. This design will interest schoolchildren and teenagers.
Design flexibility allows you to change the furniture configuration. Initially, it can be used as a play area, but over the years, the child’s requirements change. Teenagers are often interested in improving their physical fitness, so various play furniture components are replaced with sports equipment. Additionally, a loft bed with a play area for a boy can be converted into a comfortable place to relax or study by installing a sofa or desk.
Bed colors
When choosing a loft bed for a child's room, parents should listen to the child's opinion. At the same time, it is worth setting children up for light, pure colors that visually expand the space: blue, peach, light green, green. In the adult furniture segment, brown, gray, and beige colors hold the lead.
The photo shows a children's room in turquoise. A staircase with gentle wenge-colored steps leads to the second tier.
Shades of pink and lilac combined with white create airy, marshmallow interiors for young girls.
The photo shows a children's set in gray with orange trim.
Photos in the interior of the rooms
A loft bed, thanks to its functionality and attractive design, can be located not only in a bedroom or children's room, but can also be organically present in any living room. In the photo below, the sleeping loft is located above the minimalist living room. The lower part of the bed forms the ceiling of the living room, lined with wood panels.
At the dacha, due to the small living space, the attic is located under the attic vault or above the kitchen, like a mezzanine.
Loft bed design options
The idea of combining several pieces of furniture in one complex makes it possible to experiment with design.
Shaped like a ship
The loft bed resembles a double-decker boat. To give the loft bed a resemblance to a sailboat, designers use natural wood, steering wheels, and pirate paraphernalia.
In the form of a car
A loft bed in the shape of a car will delight any boy; you can style both the attic and the lower tier as a car.
Airplane bed
For children who are passionate about aviation, there are bed models designed to look like airplanes. In the photo below, the attic railings are made in the form of an airliner silhouette.
In the form of a house
The attic in the form of a house is suitable for quiet games and reading before bed.
Castle bed
A loft bed in the shape of a castle will give a boy the opportunity to feel like a knight, and a girl - a fairy-tale princess. Similarities with the Middle Ages are achieved by the presence in the design of windows in the form of loopholes, stylized turrets with characteristic protrusions, and pointed flags.
In the photo there is a loft bed with an awning in the shape of a fairy-tale castle. If necessary, the awning can be removed for washing or repair.
With canopy
Four-poster beds create an atmosphere of calm and comfort. The canopy is sewn from thick or translucent textiles. Fabric can be used to drape both the attic and the lower level.
With an image
Photo printing of current prints or favorite book and cartoon characters on a loft bed will add individuality to standard furniture models. Digital printing does not fade in the sun, does not peel off and is harmless to children.
Above the door
If there is not enough space in the room, the loft bed is placed above the door, freeing up space for other furniture. In the photo below, the sleeping bed is suspended from the ceiling with iron chains; for reliability, an additional attachment is made to the wall. The attic is decorated with wrought iron railings and a vintage lamp.
Design and color
A loft bed should be chosen in accordance with the overall style of the interior, the age and interests of the child. Popular models today come in a wide variety of designs and colors. The main thing is that the furniture is not very bright, as saturated or acidic shades can tire the eyesight. Designers recommend choosing light loft beds for small rooms. In other cases, color and design depend more on the age and gender of the child:
- For girls, light models, yellow or pink tones are suitable. You can choose furniture made in turquoise, green or beige shades. Loft beds are produced in the form of a princess castle, dollhouse, and carriage. They can be decorated with flowers and images of your favorite cartoon characters.
- Boys often choose discreet dark colors - green, blue, brown. They like models designed in the form of a car, a fire truck, a pirate or space ship, or a knight's castle. Often the room for boys is supplemented with sports equipment: ropes, slides, wall bars, rings, punching bag. Some of them can be placed under the bed.
- A teenage loft bed can be made in black, grey, brown or white with bright details. When designing, strict lines and restrained forms are used. Most often, such models are made from natural materials: wood or metal.
Tips for choosing a loft bed for boys of different ages
Different furniture design options allow you to choose a bed that suits your child’s interests, which will help develop imagination and improve mood.
For girl
For boy
Teenage
Examples of loft beds with stairs
The ladder for a loft bed should be stable, with comfortable rungs. An extension ladder, when supported on the bed frame, must be fixed at the top using brackets or grooves. The rope ladder can be rolled into a compact roll after climbing into the attic. A ladder in the shape of a rope or rope is dangerous for children; they are best used in youth interiors. Stationary stairs are safe and convenient, but they take up additional space. To compensate for this disadvantage, such stairs are made with storage boxes.
Usually the ladder is placed on the side of the loft bed; with this arrangement it will not take up much space.
The photo shows a white loft bed in a classic style; an additional bed on wheels is installed under the tabletop on the lower level.
Examples of beds in various styles
Loft beds are produced both in bulk and on an individual order for different interior styles.
Loft
In a loft, the ceilings should be higher than 3 meters, so a bed with a loft will solve the problem of optimal vertical use of the room. For the loft, materials with rough textures are used: ferrous metal, bricks, plastics. The frame of the loft bed is decorated with large metal rivets. The railings and sides of the bed are made of transparent impact-resistant plastic or thick glass. In the loft, free arrangement of furniture is practiced, so the bed can be suspended above the living area and highlighted with LED lighting.
Provence
Provence is a style of home comfort with vintage notes. The Provence style loft bed is made of natural wood in light colors with an antique finish. Bed linen, canopies, curtains with small colored patterns will support the theme of a country house with a long history.
Scandinavian
Scandinavian design is characterized by natural materials, muted colors and a rational approach to furnishing rooms. In the photo below there is a loft bed with a laconic shape. To visually increase the height of the ceiling in the living room, spotlights were installed under the attic.
Chalet
Wooden furniture with minimal decorative processing is suitable for a chalet; the emphasis is on the natural texture of the wood.
Classical
Classic-style furniture will always be in demand in the modern world; it is distinguished by proportionality and strict elegance.
Sea style
The nautical style borrowed decorative techniques from the interiors of cabins and ship equipment. The basic colors for this style are white and blue. To design bunk beds, designers use round openings in the form of portholes, rope railings and ladders.
Which material is better to choose?
The durability and cost of a loft bed depend on the material used.
- The metal loft bed has stability and reliable connections. To produce attic frames, carbon (tool) steel is used, giving it the desired shape. Painting the frame with anti-corrosion compounds increases the service life of metal furniture and preserves its attractive appearance for a long time.
- Wood is a universal material for furniture production. The solid oak bed frame is comparable in strength to a metal frame. Beds made of linden and spruce are more affordable, but such wood is not resistant to rotting and mechanical damage. When choosing a wooden bed, you need to pay attention to the absence of chips and burrs on the wood.
- LDSP stands for laminated chipboard. This material is widely used for the production of budget furniture. The advantage of laminated chipboard for the manufacturer is its ease of processing and resistance to fungus. The disadvantage of the material for a loft bed is its looseness; the screws do not hold well in the slab, especially after reassembly. The service life of furniture made from chipboard is no more than 10 years. Laminated chipboard can emit harmful substances.
- MDF is superior to laminated chipboard in terms of density and environmental friendliness. To produce this material, small wood chips and resins are used, which brings it closer to natural wood. A bed made of MDF is 1.5-2 times more expensive than its counterparts made of chipboard.
The photo shows a bed with a loft on a metal frame in a minimalist style. Orange details soften the strict shape of the product.
Manufacturing materials
A wooden children's bed is considered the most optimal in all respects. Environmentally friendly material, light and pleasant to the touch, does not cause allergies and does not emit harmful substances. A loft bed made of solid wood will easily fit into any interior. The most affordable raw material is pine, but its disadvantage is its softness - scratches quickly appear on the surface of such products. An attic made of solid oak or beech wood is more expensive, but lasts longer. In some cases, only the frame is made of wood.
Instructions for making a do-it-yourself loft bed for beginners
A cheaper option is chipboard or fiberboard. Such materials can emit harmful substances, so you need to check that the board itself is laminated on both sides and all edges are tightly closed. For a children's bed, MDF is more suitable, as it is not impregnated with resins, holds screws well, and is durable.
For teenagers, loft beds are often made of metal. They are stronger and can withstand more weight. In addition, the structures are heavy and difficult to turn over. This furniture design fits better into the interior of a modern teenage room. But metal can be dangerous, so it is often used only for the frame, and the overlays and stairs are made of wood.
Tree
Chipboard
Fiberboard
MDF
Metal