Loft bed ideas — 12 tips for creating a magical yet practical sleep space
Optimism about your loft bed plans? Then, get ahead of the game with some forward-thinking ideas for kid- and adult-friendly sleeping quarters in tall buildings.
Adding a strong dose of a surprise to bedtime, lofted beds have long been a favourite among children as a fun take on the traditional bed.
However, from a purely functional standpoint, the bed can be stacked two (or even three) high to make additional room on the ground.
They are a great option for grownups who are attempting to maximize the use of box rooms or who are designing guest rooms for a larger number of guests than their actual quarters allow for.
LOFT BED IDEAS
We have gathered some lofty inspiration and asked the experts to offer their favourite loft bed designs, which range from mystical forest–inspired bedrooms to magical layouts with three beds in a room.
1. UP THE WHIMSY WITH A THEMED LOFT BED
Loft beds already have an air of fantasy about them; why not capitalize on that by giving your child the equivalent of a magical carpet ride in their bed?
Children’s bedroom themes can be accomplished with the help of a variety of decorative elements, including murals, wallpaper, and even a coat of paint on the ceiling.
Add a loft bed in the form of a treehouse, a flying spaceship, or a princess’s turreted palace, and you have a magical new place to sleep.
2. LOFT BEDS ARE FOR ADULTS TOO
Loft beds already have an air of fantasy about them; why not capitalize on that by giving your child the equivalent of a magical carpet ride in their bed?
Children’s bedroom themes can be accomplished with the help of a variety of decorative elements, including murals, wallpaper, and even a coat of paint on the ceiling.
Add a loft bed in the form of a treehouse, a flying spaceship, or a princess’s turreted palace, and you have a magical new place to sleep.
3. USE THE LOWER BUNK AS A DAYBED
Trying to decide how to decorate a bed that won’t be used for a while?
Avoid wasting space by always making the lowest bunk available for guests if your bunk bed is rarely used for its intended purpose (overnight guests). Convert it to a daybed so your kid always has a comfortable place to sit.
Create a comfortable seating area that’s perfect for reading, watching television, or just hanging out with friends by using throws and scatter cushions on the bed in place of sheets and pillows.
4. BUILD IN PLENTY OF STORAGE
Not only is sleeping in a bed an enjoyable experience, but it may also inspire unique solutions for bedroom storage.
According to interior designer Alexis Hughes, who created this bedroom for a family in a Manhattan apartment, “a loft bed provides the perfect chance to add additional, tailored storage to a bedroom.”
‘With space at a premium in the city, we wanted to create an opportunity for the boys to have their reading nooks. We built bookcases for them to put at the end of their beds so they could have their treasured books and other mementoes close at hand.
The loft bed’s stairwell provides great storage for extra drawers or a dresser. In this case, we constructed the drawers to take advantage of all of the space under each step.
The boys can even find a place for their golf clubs in the bottom cabinets! And each child has his large compartment under the bottom bed for toys and an overflow of cumbersome winter clothing.’
5. STAY SAFE WITH A GUARD RAIL
Although loft bed designs are a lot of fun, they put people into uncomfortable positions because of their elevated sleeping positions. Using them in the morning, when your faculties aren’t quite as sharp, is asking for trouble; adults and children alike would be well to err on the side of caution to avoid any nasty falls.
To increase one’s sense of safety, “it is better to install a guard rail for portion of the bed,” as Felix-Ashman puts it.
For safety, make sure the upper platform has a rail that extends out far enough to catch anyone who rolls out of bed.
There is a rail along the entire length of this bed, but it has been cut away at right angles so that a large ladder may be placed at the end that is less open and hence safer.
6. TRIPLE UP ON BUNKS
Your child’s bedroom will be twice as exciting with a set of bunk beds, but if you want to take things to the next level (figuratively speaking), why not get a set of triple bunk beds?
Nobody needs to feel alone at the sleepover thanks to the convenience of a triple bunk. You may find them in the stores from a variety of bed manufacturers, or you can have one made yourself if you have the room; just be sure to get the dimensions right.
These are best suited for younger children because of the potential loss of headroom unless your ceilings are exceptionally high.
7. KEEP IT COZY WITH A COCOONED BUNK
Fun as it is to have a lofted bed, it’s simple to start feeling nervous about your safety when you’re laying there.
Picking a bunk bed with a roof and walls will make sleeping cosy on both levels.
Each platform in this concept for a girl’s bedroom features a curved panel that makes the access point feel a little cocooned, as well as a curtain that allows the occupants to shut out the world entirely if they so want.
Bedrooms should be cosy and inviting, therefore a high-quality mattress is a must, even if the bed is a bunk.
8. ADD ATMOSPHERIC LIGHTING
Bedroom lighting options should always take into account how far you have to walk in the dark after turning off the lights.
If you sleep in a loft, you know how tough it can be to find a good spot for a bedside lamp. Consider using lighting as part of the bed’s design or decoration, whether it’s wall lamps, reading lights, or, as seen here, fairy lights that cover the panel overhead to create the illusion of stars.
Interior designers we polled shared our view that lighting is crucial to the success of a loft bed’s design. The drapes in Felix-Hudson Ashman’s barn bedroom have been lined for seclusion, and he has added small LED reading lights.
Hughes continued talking about her New York City apartment design, saying, “We also integrated hidden lighting all along the inner border of the beds so that there is plenty of light even if the primary lights are out in the room.”
9. SWAP A LADDER FOR A FULL STAIRCASE
Think outside the box when figuring out how to get from the floor to the top bunk of your loft bed.
Instead of using a ladder, which is functional but lacks drama, draws inspiration from this loft bed’s entire staircase.
The use of light colours and the transformation of the space under the bottom bunk into a bedside table nook prevent the inventive design of this shared bedroom idea from feeling claustrophobic.
It also helps the family’s little ones get to the things stored on the upper shelves without any trouble.
10. MAKE IT GROWN UP WITH MODERN STYLING
Keep it modern if you want a bunk bed for your kid that they can use well into adulthood. If you’re trying to come up with bedroom ideas for teenagers, loft beds are one possibility, but the decor should be kept tasteful and classy.
The sleek, contemporary design of this bunk bed will hold up well for years to come, giving the lucky youngster plenty of use from now until they’re all grown up.
Grow sure the size of the bed can be adjusted as your child develops. Don’t get a loft bed that won’t fit your child once they’ve had a growth spurt or two.
11. CHANNEL A DORMITORY VIBE WITH MULTIPLE BEDS
The idea of staying up late with friends in a dorm room, as depicted in popular children’s literature from St. Trinian’s to Harry Potter, has lasting appeal.
Recreate the feel of a homeroom with four bunk beds. Even though this isn’t required for every night, it’s a terrific approach to arrange your bedroom’s bedroom for when you’re at home or for a special sleepover room.
12. CREATE A MAGICAL HIDEAWAY
Even though there are many useful options for a child’s loft bed undercarriage, such as a desk or storage, we’re ready to wager that the space would be better served as a magical secret lair.
A natural wooden bed, with its lower half concealed by built-in walls, is featured in this enchanting forest-themed room. This Wendy’s house-style room serves double duty as a study spot and a fun hangout for kids.
HOW DO YOU DECORATE A LOFT BED?
When planning the layout and style of a loft bed, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
According to Felix-Ashman, “a ladder is definitely required.” “For ladders,” they say, “there are two conventional approaches: creating a step ladder as part of the carpentry, and employing a rolling library ladder.”
Having a backup source of light is crucial for lighting reasons; after turning out the lights to go to bed, you don’t want to be mounting a ladder in the dark.
As a bonus, you may use atmospheric elements like fairy lights to make this a design highlight. Further, since bunk beds are typically shared, it may be preferable to hang curtains between each individual’s bed.
CAN ADULTS SLEEP IN LOFT BEDS?
The answer is yes. Lofted beds are not only a creative option for kids’ bedrooms but also a terrific way to make the most of limited square footage.
It’s possible to convert the area under the bed into a functional workspace or storage area by simply lifting the floor.
Keep in mind that they require a slightly different approach to design than what you would use with a younger audience.
Make sure they are long enough and wide enough so an adult can get a good night’s sleep without feeling confined. Make sure there is enough room for an adult’s head to be supported while sitting up straight.
