What is a loft bed?
The assembly of a loft bed can be carried out by a professional specially invited from the company or retail outlet where this piece of furniture was purchased. But the choice of such an interesting piece of furniture is always up to the child and his parents.
The loft bed consists of a pair of tiers. Below there can be a table, or a small chest of drawers, a closet, or an area for games. Moreover, massive or small, but also very comfortable steps lead to the upper part, where the sleeping area is. By the way, most designers and manufacturers have modified the design of the stairs with drawers for storing small items and things.
A loft bed with a work area is suitable for a teenage child. Such furniture is very multifunctional and comfortable. In this space, everything is always at hand. This is especially important for a “very busy” child or teenager.
The loft bed, no matter what modification it is, will last a long time. Such furniture is more suitable for a schoolchild. But you can also choose a suitable model for a preschool child. This is worth assessing from the photos of loft beds, presented in different types and interior designs. By buying this type of furniture you can kill at least a couple of birds with one stone. Get a complete and safe sleeping place, areas for activities, games, and storage.
The bed is equipped with sides that prevent the baby from falling from the top tier. In addition, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the manufacturers’ instructions about what age this piece of furniture is intended for.The smaller the child, the lower the overall height of the structure. Loft beds of this type can also be purchased from IKEA. The furniture has proven itself from the best side, it is certified and of high quality.
Installation in the room
There are several options for assembling and installing such a bed, depending on how the lower tier is used. When purchasing, the kit always comes with a detailed diagram with step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the frame in the room.
The first tier is allocated for the work area
In this case, there is a desktop, a computer, and shelves for books. The best place for an office. A place to relax with a soft, cozy small sofa or a couple of armchairs, a coffee table. Here you can read, watch films, both for boys and girls.
The location of the dressing room is on the first tier. This will save space in the room and create an interesting interior.
On the lower tier you can place a wardrobe and a table
Attics with work space
This is furniture that equips a child's room with both a sleeping place and accessories necessary for activities and games. Some adults can also work in such an area. The advantage is that you do not need to buy a separate table to place a laptop or game console.
Such a loft bed will serve as a personal space for an older child, where he can retire to play or do schoolwork in a calm environment.
Construction materials for adults and children
What matters is what material the loft bed is made of. Most often it is: wood, chipboard, metal. Safe for health, durable. Structures made from these materials can last for many years.
You should pay attention to the material covering the structure. It must be environmentally friendly.
The main material of the bed is also interesting from a practical point of view: a metal structure can withstand heavier weight than one made of wood. Any material is suitable for children. For an adult, wood is preferable. It is worth focusing on your individual physique.
The best option for purchasing your first attic bed may be pine: a budget option. Models made of oak or beech are more expensive and will last longer.
There is a combined version of laminated chipboard and wood.
Chipboard bed option
Attic with wardrobe
This is preferable for an older child, when the play or sports area is equipped separately. This option is very suitable for girls who can store accessories, fashionable outfits and shoes, bags, and cosmetics sets in niches. Moreover, you don’t need to buy a wardrobe.
If the design of the attic with a wardrobe does not fit all the “goods”, it is worth purchasing an additional small chest of drawers.
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.
Modifications of loft beds for adults, options for their placement
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
Disadvantages of structures with a sleeping place at the top
No matter how manufacturers equip the upper tiers with protective edges or special devices to prevent a child from falling, the risk of injury to this type of furniture was recognized from the very beginning. If the child is very active, it is better to refuse this option.
In addition, the upper tier can be quite stuffy. This is not suitable for children with lung problems, asthmatics, or allergies. Parents are always warned about this by their attending physicians, but they should still be on their guard.
Materials
To create loft beds, choose solid wood or materials that look like wood - chipboard, MDF. The latter significantly reduce the cost of the design, but at the same time they look good and last quite a long time. They are covered with veneer that imitates any type of wood, even the most exotic.
Steel frames are often used to create loft beds.
The iron model looks elegant, can withstand heavy loads and is often used for large items.
Photo of a loft bed
Types of structures
Built-in
The loft bed can be built-in; such furniture is made to order. In this case, you can choose not only the design, but also the sizes, as well as accessories. As a result, the apartment owner receives the most optimally suitable furniture.
Most often, such sleeping places are built into closets; this is one of the best options. But, there are modifications with various additions in the form of a table, sports equipment and other elements. The advantage here is the ability to select components completely individually.
The material is selected based on the owner’s preferences. It is recommended not to skimp on the source material, as this will affect the performance characteristics.
Stationary
If you want to save money, it makes sense to purchase a ready-made loft bed. The advantage of this solution may be the ability to immediately assemble the furniture and begin using it. Ready-made options are also cheaper than custom-made ones.
You can find a huge number of modifications of such furniture on sale. Let's list the most popular types.
- Loft bed. Below there is only empty space suitable for installing any pieces of furniture.
- With built-in wardrobe. The entire lower level is occupied by a closet.
- With a sofa. The optimal solution if you plan to install furniture in the living room.
- With a workplace. The lower level is occupied by a table, as well as the necessary drawers for storing office supplies.
- With a chest of drawers. Low furniture, the sleeping place is located directly above the chest of drawers.
- With a sports corner. This is a children's version, the equipment is selected individually.
Design features and device
Frame
When choosing furniture you should always look at the quality of the frame. The choice should begin with the material. The following frames are available.
- Solid wood. It is considered the best material. It is highly environmentally friendly and can be used for small children. The best option is frames made of hard wood.
- MDF. This board can easily replace natural wood. In terms of strength and reliability, it is not inferior to natural solid wood. When purchasing such furniture, be sure to ask for a quality certificate.
- Metal. Such frames are characterized by increased strength. The furniture lasts a long time. It is not recommended to install such a sleeping place for a small child.
- Chipboard. It is of insufficient quality and is prone to warping, which reduces service life. The only advantage is the low cost.
Another parameter to consider is the height of the bed. It is chosen depending on the characteristics of the person who will use it, as well as the room. The table shows the types of loft beds by height.
| Type | Who are they for? | Height cm |
| High | Adults | 180–200 |
| Average | Teenagers | 160–180 |
| Low | Children | 70–160 |
Always consider the overall height of the room. There should be no less than 70 centimeters from the surface of the sleeping place to the ceiling.
Sleeping area
Be sure to take into account the dimensions of the sleeping area. This determines how comfortable it will be to sleep on the bed. Now manufacturers often use their own size ranges. We will present generally accepted standards.
| For whom is it recommended? | Length cm | Width cm |
| Children under 10 years old | 160 | 80 |
| Children 10–14 years old | 170 | 90 |
| Teens and adults | 190 | 90 |
| Double bed | 190 | 160 |
It's always worth looking at the base of the bed. In practice, there are three variants of this technological element.
- Solid base. It is a sheet of plywood located on the crossbars. A fairly reliable option that can withstand heavy loads. The disadvantage is that the mattress has poor ventilation and there is a risk of mold and mildew.
- Rack and pinion. Slat slats are used, which act as a support for the mattress. The advantage of this design is excellent ventilation of the sleeping area.
- Lamels. This is an orthopedic base; the difference from the slatted version is the slightly curved shape of the lamellas. This solution allows the slats to bend slightly under the weight of the body, providing an orthopedic effect.
Sides must be installed. Their height is usually 30-40 centimeters. They are often made from the same material as the main frame.
Security requirements
The design of the loft bed is multifunctional, so first of all it is important to ensure the safety of the furniture:
the product must be made of high-quality materials: natural wood, chipboard, metal elements; The bed must be equipped with a protective side. Its height should be approximately 20-25 cm higher than the level of the mattress. If it so happens that, taking into account the mattress, the limiting element is located low, then it is advisable to purchase special limiters and secure them yourself; Steps and stairs deserve special attention. Experts recommend giving preference to models with staircases located at an angle. For comfortable use of the structure, the distance between the crossbars or steps should be about 30 cm. It is better if the crossbars are wooden, since metal ones are cold and slippery; When choosing a loft bed for small children, it is better to give preference to designs in which the extension ladder looks like a chest of drawers with steps. Such products are also used as additional storage space
To ensure greater safety of the stairs, you can attach special pads to its steps; It is important that the second tier is not located very low. It is necessary to select models with the correct ratio of the height of the second tier and the height of the child, otherwise children will feel uncomfortable using the workplace.
When choosing a loft bed, do not forget about the style of the room. The variety of furniture allows you to choose a design that will become a worthy element of the interior of the room.
