If a family with a child lives in a one-room apartment, then the question of organizing a separate space for the child necessarily arises. An excellent solution to this issue is a loft bed. The upper level is reserved for a place to sleep, but the lower section can be filled with any necessary functionality: a second bed, a table for completing tasks, containers and shelves for storing small things, a place for entertainment.
Disadvantages of the “attic”
The advantages of such a furniture set are much greater than the disadvantages, however, they should be noted:
- a high sleeping place does not allow parents to reach the child;
- small children may be afraid of heights - for such children it is better to refuse this option;
- if a child gets up at night to go to the toilet or drink water, going down in the dark can be traumatic;
- falling from a height of almost two meters is dangerous and painful, so the bed must have reliable protective sides.
Cleaning the upper tier is not easy. If the baby gets sick, it is better to arrange another bed for the period of illness.
Important: You should not set up a loft bed for a preschooler under 6 years old.
Lower tier layout options
The lower tier is represented by options combining different types of furniture. It depends on the age of the child the complex is intended for. Standard design includes:
- work, play or sports module;
- desks or computer desks;
- drawers;
- cabinets;
- stairs;
- sleeping area.
The design may have other options. An example is a composition for a girl with a bed below. The most popular models include the following:
- tall designs for teenagers of high school age;
- low loft bed - a set of furniture for small children;
- models with a wardrobe;
- transformers equipped with a ladder on wheels, a retractable table, drawers, shelves;
- loft bed with play area, slide, computer table;
- a complex with a work area intended for school-age children;
- an attic bed without a work area, with bedside tables, wardrobes or only a sleeping place.
The lower tier is used for the sports area. The staircase is also one of the main elements.
They can be flat or vertical. There are several types:
- podium;
- specially modulated;
- corner;
- vertical.
The morning slide downhill is also intended for sports play. To ride down the slide, the child must repeatedly climb the second tier of the stairs, which perfectly develops the leg muscles.
Selection based on age and gender
Models are produced taking into account the age characteristics of children. For the youngest (from three to five years old) a mini loft bed is made with a height of 75 cm to 1 meter, and a little wider. It provides high safety railings and comfortable stairs. Functionality is ensured by work and play areas equipped with various furniture:
- gaming equipment;
- tables;
- bedside tables;
- shelves with drawers.
As design elements, furniture sets for children of preschool and primary school age are decorated with images of their favorite characters from cartoons and fairy tales. Distinctive features of furniture for girls:
- made in soft, pastel shades of pink;
- decorated with images of your favorite cartoon characters;
- The bed is distinguished by its rounded shape and soft design.
Cribs for boys have their own differences:
- decorated with attributes of various children's themes in appropriate colors;
- Some models are made in the form of a car.
Complexes for children are equipped with a slide; in the lower tier there is a desk, a wardrobe, drawers for children's utensils, and a play area. For children from 6 to 10 years old there is an area for educational work. The height of the structure is usually up to 160 cm. The length of the berth reaches one and a half meters. The lower tier houses a desk, cabinet or shelves for textbooks.
A teenager's bed is a structure made of metal and wood. They also produce a loft bed for two teenagers. The set reaches 180 cm in length. It is made in moderate color tones and includes functional transformable furniture:
- sliding wardrobe;
- sofa;
- computer or desk;
- bedside tables or shelves.
A feature of transformers is the transformation of one type of furniture into another. Tables can easily be converted into storage or a sofa. Their main advantage is saving living space. The height of the structure reaches one and a half meters.
Families with children the same age usually purchase a double loft bed, which has a corner location or is placed in two tiers; a sofa bed is also an option. Complexes with a sofa are well suited for one-room apartments, since they can be used not only as a sleeping place, but also as a relaxation area during the daytime. There are two types of such structures:
- corner, located in the corners of the rooms;
- straight, where the sofa can occupy any place.
The classic model is considered standard. It consists of a certain set of elements, which are distinguished by simplicity of shapes and colors. The list of such models includes:
- two-tier design with a sleeping place at the top;
- model with an additional bed in the lower part;
- option with a desk or computer desk;
- wardrobe;
- places for work, study, recreation, sports.
We produce original loft beds. They are distinguished by a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. The models take into account age characteristics, differences in interests between boys and girls, children and teenagers.
One of these options is a loft bus bed, imitating transport in shape, color and design:
- the composition has a red body with beige inserts;
- the complex includes a wardrobe and a desk;
- structure height – 150 cm;
- sleeping space dimensions – 190x80.
There is also a model in the interior - a comfortable slatted bed in the shape of a small house, which even has a pipe on the roof. The base of the bed is made of slats. The size of the bed is 80x150. The sleeping place is reliably protected by sides and stairs. A crib of an unusual shape is rarely seen in mass-produced furniture. It is made to order, so you can choose any color. Under the bed there is a storage area with drawers.
Many models are made in certain design styles. Vivid examples include a loft bed in the loft style, which arose from the conversion of industrial buildings with high ceilings. It bears the features of a somewhat laconic design, but also has useful properties:
- the bed is convenient for small apartments with a large number of residents. Underneath there is a work area with a set of furniture and a resting place;
- despite the considerable height (180-190 cm from the floor), it will be located significantly lower than the ceilings;
- the bed is equipped with railings.
An attic bed in the Provence style has no less original characteristics. It is distinguished by the following features:
- the furniture is made in light colors;
- the material of the product is an array of different types of wood or an imitation of its texture;
- A distinctive feature of the style is the effect of aged furniture.
The popularity of the models is associated with nostalgia for French style.
You can make unusual models from timber with a cross-section of 100x100 with your own hands. They are carried out according to ready-made drawings:
- Having removed chips and sharp corners, the timber is impregnated with a special antiseptic solution;
- drill places for fastening, lubricate the holes with glue;
- a frame with protective sides is assembled;
- the structure at the base is reinforced with metal corners for stability;
- as a bottom trim, the ends and back side at a height of 30-40 cm are fastened with slats;
- the support beam is secured with several transverse slats;
- the slatted fencing is fixed to the support posts;
- the height of the side reaches forty centimeters;
- the intensity of filling the slats depends on the age of the child: the younger he is, the more frequent the slats will be.
For the little ones, not only two or three longitudinal boards are installed, but the same number of transverse slats. The ladder is attached to the frame. The finished bed is varnished twice.
The main rules for selecting attic beds
When choosing furniture, you need to study the frame characteristics and materials from which it is made.
Additionally, you will have to take into account the parameters of the place to sleep and safety requirements
Frame - types of structures and materials
The frame of a bunk bed is assembled from strong solid ash, oak or beech. These hardwoods are valued for their durability, reliability and environmental friendliness. It is recommended to use wood composites exclusively for cabinet components (cabinet, table, shelves, bedside tables), additionally decorating the facades with plastic, film or hypoallergenic paints and varnishes.
Thrifty buyers will benefit from a combined frame, some parts of which are made of solid wood, MDF or chipboard of class E1 and higher. Designs with iron elements are suitable for teenagers. It is recommended to avoid plastic. This material is extremely fragile, although it is easy to use.
There are 2 frame designs that differ in size and configuration method. Low beds are intended for preschool children, and standard furniture is suitable for schoolchildren and teenagers.
Short models
Low beds are distinguished by their very high durability. The small design is suitable for furnishing a preschooler's room. The height of such furniture does not exceed 130 cm, and the bed rises approximately 100 cm above the floor. Due to the design features, only a very small chest of drawers or a small play area can be placed on the lower floor.
Regular (high)
By request, the next note will be on the topic of purchasing a bunk bed for a child in St. Petersburg. We believe you will like it.
Ordinary bunk beds are full-fledged play attractions. The dimensions of this furniture allow you to place sofas, sports and work areas on the lower tier. The height of the structure exceeds 160 cm, and the length is 200-250 cm, depending on the shape.
Sleeping places - types of bases and sizes
Studying the requirements for arranging a place to sleep will help you choose a bunk bed for a boy wisely. For example, bed bases can be solid or slatted. Because the children's spine is at the stage of active development, it is recommended that the child sleep on a bed with an orthopedic effect. Likewise, a solid base will need to be abandoned.
Length and width of bed for babies:
- Preschool age does not exceed 140x60 cm.
- School age is 180 x eighty centimeters.
- During adolescence it can exceed 200x90 cm.
The size of a comfortable sleeping place is determined taking into account the height and weight of the child. Teenagers can also use traditional single beds designed for adults to sleep.
Boards and stairs - what are they, which are better
A structure that includes securely fastened fences and ladders is considered non-hazardous. Protective sides with a height of about 20-30 cm above the surface of the mattress and a width of 60-80 cm reduce the risk of injury.
The ladder is placed at an angle, ensuring safe movement between tiers of the bed. It is recommended to abandon the attached or suspended model in favor of steps fixed to the frame. During the day they are used as small shelves for storing things for the child. During operation, the ladder should not move or creak. Additionally, it is recommended to equip the steps with anti-slip coating.
For the production of sides and steps, solid wood or reinforced composite materials are used. The upholstery of the fences is made of soft fabric, significantly increasing the safety parameter. The child will not be injured even if he accidentally hits the barrier.
Removable mattresses come with many beds. Models with incomplete configurations are much cheaper, but parents will still have to buy a mattress. For children, it is best to use orthopedic products with a very high level of rigidity. Mattresses filled with real latex and coke coir are suitable. You should wait when using spring blocks. Mattresses with independent springs and medium firmness are suitable for teenagers.
Requirements for materials used and safety
99 percent of modular and cabinet furniture is made from 22x16 thick laminated chipboard, plastic, MDF, and plywood. Solid wood is used for the production of custom-made furniture. Pine, beech, and oak are used for it. They are considered practical, environmentally friendly materials. Combined options are made:
- solid pine frame;
- individual structural elements are made of laminated chipboard, fiberboard, MDF;
- the lower parts are reinforced with a corner.
Metal loft beds are made of steel. They are distinguished by the following features:
- strength;
- polymer coating;
- reliability and durability.
The disadvantages include the fact that metal is colder than other materials. Therefore, wood or combined models are often made.
When planning to install an attic bed in a child’s room, carefully study the properties of the materials from which it is made. Despite all the beauty of the product, it will not meet the requirements if it turns out to be harmful to the child’s health.
There are many requirements for the safety of children's furniture:
- it must correspond to the age characteristics and gender of the child;
- the distance between the first and second tiers should be spacious;
- fastenings must be made with high quality, the sides are firmly fixed;
- the base of the model must be stable.
Attic beds have ladders, the safety of which has special requirements. There are several types:
- podium, where the steps are located in the middle of the complex. It represents a platform under which the storage system is located;
- modular type model: the step is a retractable drawer;
- straight or radius stairs will require more space for location.
The most dangerous is considered to be a vertical ladder, which takes up little space but is the most dangerous. It is used for school-age children.
How to make a do-it-yourself loft bed for an adult
1. Wooden
If you need to create a loft bed yourself, for example, in order to decorate a loft-style interior on a budget and in an interesting way, try raising it as high as possible to the ceiling so that there is room below for a soft sofa or desk.
The size of an adult bed is approximately 1600x2000 mm, and there should be approximately 1900 mm underneath so that you do not hit your head.
In this case, it is worth taking edged softwood timber with dimensions of 10x10 cm for the legs, and boards with rounded corners 96x36 and 146x36 mm for the frame. To close the frame and put the mattress on a sheet of plywood 21 mm thick.
It is best to buy plywood and boards in large stores that have machines for cutting it yourself. The boards need to be trimmed and milled, so if you don’t have your own space and tools, look for a carpentry workshop. It may also ask you to paint them in a paint booth with good materials. This is a good way, but it will be cheaper to do it yourself using water-based paint.
The parts will need to be fastened with self-tapping screws, and the finished bed will need to be attached to the wall and floor using reinforced corners. If in the case of a crib it was possible not to attach the legs to the floor, with such a large-scale design it is better not to do so.
Also think about which staircase is suitable for your situation. Perhaps the attached or vertical one will seem inconvenient to you and then you should use steps. You can even use them to store bed linen. To assemble a regular side ladder, you will need help: to mark the material and use the string.
Instagram: @conceptlivingpl
Instagram: @conceptlivingpl
Metal
To create a metal loft bed with your own hands, you need to have experience working with metal and prepare everything you need.
Main selection criteria
The main selection criterion remains the safety of the design for the health of the child:
- Models made from chipboard are considered durable;
- before purchasing, check the quality of the sides;
- make sure there are no toxic substances (poor quality coatings, formaldehydes);
- Pay attention to the strength of the bed fixing elements.
Do not risk the health of small children; choose for them low stairs with gentle steps, bed models made from environmentally friendly materials. Loft bed furniture has significant weight. It is necessary to ensure its strong fixation to the walls, which must be load-bearing. Choose furniture with high-quality lower and upper fastenings, reinforced with metal elements at the base. Two-tier complexes are a practical and inexpensive option. With maximum savings in living space, they equip the apartment with the necessary set of furniture.
