A loft bed is a compact two-story structure with a sleeping area on the second floor. Such furniture makes it easy to solve the problem of optimizing space in rooms with limited space: one-room apartments, studios, children's rooms. In addition, modern models of loft beds look quite stylish and allow you to add unusual details to the interior of spacious rooms.
Loft bed - features, advantages and disadvantages
Unlike a bunk bed, equipped with two sleeping places, a loft bed is equipped with only one - the top one. The lower floor, depending on the characteristics of a particular model, can be empty or serve as some kind of zone: for example, a workroom or a dressing room. Empty space can also be filled with suitable furniture as desired.
The advantages of loft beds include:
- saving space in the bedroom;
- the ability to combine the sleeping area with any other: work area, dressing room, play area;
- attractive design: a correctly selected design may well become the basis for creating the interior of a room.
A loft bed is not only a great find for small spaces, but also an original option for zoning spacious rooms.
This design also has its weaknesses:
- Even the safest loft beds cannot guarantee the complete safety of the sleeper, especially if it is a child. There is always the possibility of falling, not necessarily in a dream, this can happen while playing or when getting out of bed at night;
- stuffiness and lack of oxygen. Heated air tends to rise. That is, the higher the sleeping place is located, the harder it is to breathe there;
- inconvenience of covering. Even for an adult it can be difficult to make bed linen;
- incomplete lighting access to the work area. If a loft bed combines both sleeping and working areas, then the second floor can significantly limit the light to the table;
- psychological discomfort. A loft bed is not suitable for those who are afraid of heights. Most often, parents of children who refuse to sleep on the second floor face this problem.
Types of designs
Furniture stores offer various design options for loft beds, which can be divided into two large groups:
- built-in beds, made to order;
- finished goods.
Built-in models
Built-in loft beds are made to order and allow the apartment owner to fully implement any ideas and purchase furniture of the desired size. You can also choose your own fittings and personalize the design to suit your taste.
Various materials are used for the production of built-in models, the main ones being:
- wood: a natural and environmentally friendly material with excellent performance properties. Wood furniture is durable, strong and resistant to external influences. When making beds, oak, pine, beech and other tree species are used;
- Chipboard (chipboard): a cheaper material that is not particularly durable. In addition, some types of chipboard can be toxic to humans. If you are choosing a loft bed for a child, it is highly recommended not to purchase a model made of chipboard. As a last resort, make sure that the material has an environmental safety certificate;
- metal: strong, durable and affordable material that can withstand heavy loads.
Products made from coniferous trees will not only cost you less, but also fill your home with a pleasant and unobtrusive aroma.
Ready solutions
Ready-made loft beds are cheaper than custom-made models, and the variety of options offered allows you to choose a design that best suits the needs of the buyer, his age and lifestyle.
But the main advantage of ready-made furniture is that there is no need to wait: it can be installed in the room immediately, on the day of purchase. You will have to worry about purchasing custom-made products in advance.
What materials is it made from?
In the manufacture of the models in question, the following is used:
- Tree. The best option for a children's room. The design retains heat well, looks aesthetically pleasing, but is quite heavy. The material is environmentally friendly, safe for health, and does not cause allergies. Timber structures are particularly strong and durable.
- Metal. The basis of the frame is an iron structure, which is coated with polymer. A metal loft bed is a classic option for a boy. It is durable and lightweight. A significant drawback is that steel is considered a rather cold material and is not very pleasant to touch. For this reason, combined ones consisting of iron and wood are preferred to all-metal structures.
- MDF. The material is small chips compressed under high pressure and temperature. It is easy to process, so MDF models come in a wide variety of designs. A huge plus is the affordable cost.
- Chipboard. A loft bed made of this material is inexpensive and lightweight. The models look organic in the interior, but are short-lived. In addition, chipboard may contain resins that are hazardous to health.
- Plywood. The material is durable, affordable (cheaper than wood). You can purchase a product of any shape, because plywood bends well and is easy to process. During operation, no gaps or chips are formed.
Combined options are in high consumer demand. The basis of the frame is wood, and additional elements are made of MDF, fiberboard or chipboard.
Tree
Metal
MDF
Chipboard
Plywood
How a loft bed works
The loft bed is not complicated and consists of two main parts:
- frame;
- sleeping place.
Depending on the device, the bed can be equipped with additional elements on the ground floor: a sofa, a wardrobe, bedside tables, a table, a play area or a sports corner.
Types of frames
The frame of a loft bed is its most important component, on which the strength, durability and safety of the structure depend.
The performance properties of the frame directly depend on the material from which it is made. Wooden and metal frames are considered the most reliable. Chipboard structures will not be able to withstand heavy loads.
Depending on the height, the frames are:
- low: used mainly for children's beds - from 75 to 160 cm;
- medium height: for teenagers – from 160 to 180 cm;
- high: for adults – from 180 to 200 cm.
A high loft bed is not suitable for rooms with too low ceilings. The optimal distance from the bed to the ceiling should not be less than 70 cm.
Arrangement and dimensions of sleeping places
The main function of a loft bed is to ensure comfortable sleep, so when choosing a sleeping place you should be especially careful.
The bed upstairs can be of different sizes:
- 160x80 – for children under 10 years old;
- 170x90 – for children from 10 to 14 years old;
- 190x90 – for teenagers and adults;
- 200x90 – double bed.
The quality of sleep largely depends on the foundation of the sleeping place. She may be:
- solid: this is a layer of wood or chipboard. This base significantly impedes the movement of air flow in the mattress. This leads to the accumulation of moisture and the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and the spread of infections;
- slatted: a lattice made of lamellas - metal or wooden strips located at a distance from each other. This base ensures unhindered air flow to the mattress, as a result of which it is ventilated.
For safety reasons, the sleeping place must be equipped with sides with a height of at least 30-40 cm. As a rule, they are made of the same material as the frame: metal, wood or chipboard. Please note that the sides should not be lower than the height of the mattress.
Due to their elasticity, the slatted bases provide optimal support for the mattress in areas of maximum pressure.
Combination with the interior
Multifunctional furniture allows you to intelligently zone the space of a room, using its entire area. Thanks to the variety of designs, such models fit organically into any interior style:
- Loft. Designs made of metal or artificially aged wood are suitable. The lower tier of the loft-style bed is complemented by a sofa or workspace.
- Modern. Loft beds made in this style are distinguished by asymmetrical shapes and smooth lines. They are made of wood decorated with carvings or metal (bronze, brass) with forged elements.
- Minimalism. The models are distinguished by their strict lines, laconic forms, and simple design.
- Country. Furniture design in this style suggests the presence of floral prints, carved pillars, a canopy or light tulle that covers the space under the bed from prying eyes. Most often, the models are made of natural wood, painted milky oak.
- Provence. A bed made in a classic style and light colors is perfect for this room design. Models made from natural unpainted solid wood are very popular.
Modular kits look organically in high-tech and fusion styles. A white loft bed made of natural wood fits perfectly into a Scandinavian interior. A huge range of functional furniture allows you to choose the best option for a room of any size, purpose and design.
Loft
Modern
Minimalism
Country
Provence
Classification by age groups - their differences
Loft beds can be designed for people of different ages:
- for adults;
- for teenagers;
- for children.
These models have their own design features that meet the needs of a person of a specific age group.
Loft bed for adults
Models of adult loft beds have a height of 180 to 200 cm, but some of them can be low - from 130 to 160 cm, but in this case the possibilities of organizing the space under the bed are significantly limited. The maximum that can be done on the ground floor of a low structure is a storage system in the form of cabinets, shelves and drawers.
Stationary loft beds are classic. The sleeping place in them is not transformed in any way.
In built-in models, it is possible to fold or retract the bed if necessary. Such designs allow you to save space in the room.
Loft bed for teenagers
A loft bed for children combines a sleeping area and a lower tier, which serves as space for a play or study area. At the same time, the first floor may already be included or simply be an empty space that parents themselves fill at will.
Children's loft beds are small in height. For very young children, the optimal height is 100-130 cm, for preschool children aged 3 to 6 years – 130-160 cm.
Modular children's loft beds allow the child to independently change the design by asking parents to replace or swap certain furniture components.
Low models for small children
Loft beds for teenagers can come in a variety of modifications: with a comfortable sofa below, a work area for creativity and study, or with a sports corner.
The height of beds for teenagers is 160-180 cm. Such multifunctional furniture is not only practical, but also looks quite attractive, and teenagers like everything unusual.
Children's models
The children's model can be presented in various modifications:
- a bed with a ladder for two places for two children with placement in the corners of each other;
- pine structure with visible base. Below there can be space for games or various furniture components can be installed;
- a small format for a child, where the height of the bed is low - 75 centimeters and the width is just over a meter, provided with a pull-out chest of drawers or shelves under the sleeping area;
- a metal French bed house that works like a lift and has fastenings on the ceiling;
- model with a staircase with expressive details in geometric shapes with a pull-out cabinet;
- low loft bed with sofa for a teenager.
For two places
With room to play
Bed house
With a sofa
Loft bed - model range and equipment
Depending on the structure of the lower floor, the following types of loft beds are distinguished:
- standard;
- with work area;
- with wardrobe;
- with a play area;
- with a Swedish wall.
Standard models
A standard loft bed has one fixed sleeping area upstairs while the lower floor is empty. The main feature of this design is its versatility - you can fill the space under the bed the way you want. You can place a table with a chair there as a work area, or you can organize a storage system in the form of shelves and bedside tables.
If there is no need to use the area, the furniture under the bed can be easily replaced.
Loft bed with work area
In a loft bed with a work area, the lower floor is represented by a table, which can be supplemented with other elements: cabinets, drawers or shelves for books.
In low models, the table is built-in or has a retractable design on wheels. Sometimes the table is placed next to the bed - this option is not suitable for small rooms.
In high loft beds, the workspace is located directly under the bed.
Depending on the design, it can be in the form of:
- a spacious table, the size of a bed;
- table with racks of shelves: the work area consists of two halves: table and shelves;
- a table combined with a cabinet: the workspace is also divided into two parts;
- table with a cabinet: a cabinet is used as a support for the tabletop;
- table in the shape of the letter “L”: a long table has a side surface for placing office equipment and other work supplies;
- table in the shape of the letter “P”: a fairly convenient option for work that requires a lot of space.
Models with a storage system - cabinets and drawers
A loft bed with a wardrobe is a structure in which there is a sleeping place at the top and a wardrobe at the bottom.
Note: It is important that the internal filling of the cabinet allows you to organize compact and convenient storage of things. To do this, it must have shelves, drawers and a rod for tramples.
Modern furniture manufacturers offer cabinets with various door opening options.
The classic option is swing doors. They are attached to the cabinet body using special hinges and come off easily: just pull the handles towards you.
Sliding doors or sliding doors are used in deep closets and save space in the room. Most often, this opening system is used in children's furniture, since it does not require any effort during operation.
Despite their spectacular appearance, folding doors operate using an “accordion” system; they are hung in the top shelf and are used much less frequently. This is explained by the fact that opening them requires a lot of space both in the room and in the closet itself.
Using such an original solution in the interior as a loft bed is not only practical, but also quite beautiful. Decorative finishing of the cabinet facade can be very different.
Abstract patterns and inserts in the form of mirrors are suitable for adults. Children prefer bright drawings and images of their favorite cartoon characters. Particularly popular is photo printing, which allows you to apply any image to the facade.
Loft bed with play area for children
A loft bed with a play area is suitable for both children and teenagers. The playing space is located on the first floor of the structure under the sleeping area.
The playing area can be designed as:
- house. It can be made entirely of wood or plastic. Particularly popular are designs where one of the walls is made in the form of a fabric curtain: such a house can be easily transformed into a free play area;
- slides. Combines two functions at once: entertainment and sports. The limited height of the structure eliminates injuries. There are models of beds with removable slides: in this case, the slide can always be removed and the freed-up space can be used for other purposes;
- free area for games. In this case, the play area is equipped with a storage system for toys and sports equipment, and additional elements are supplied by the buyer independently.
Loft bed with wall bars (sports corner)
For those who care about their health and the health of their children, the optimal solution is a loft bed with a wall bars or a sports corner. Regular exercise on the horizontal bars and bars will become a pleasant procedure, allowing you to maintain excellent physical shape without leaving home.
Additionally, the structure can be equipped with rings, ropes and rope ladders - this is especially true for children's models and beds for teenagers. A rope swing can be used as a game element.
Ladder
Any such model should be equipped with a convenient ladder. It is important to think about which staircase will be most convenient. There are several options:
- vertical - although it takes up little space, it is considered the most dangerous of all. More often used for school-age children;
- at an angle - radius or straight. It is important to remember that the stronger the slope of the structure, the more space will be required to place furniture in the room. It is better to choose the option with flat steps, since round ones can be dangerous;
- in the form of a module - a convenient option, where the steps are also retractable drawers;
- podium – looks like a podium platform located in the middle of the height of the structure. At the bottom of the podium there is a convenient storage system, and at the top there is a small staircase.
Vertical
As a module
At an angle
Podium
Photos of loft beds
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If you choose the right loft bed, it will become not just compact furniture that can save space in a cramped room, but also a full-fledged complex that allows you to solve various problems: organizing a work, play or sports area, a storage system or a place to relax with a comfortable sofa.
Homely atmosphere of the Zoku Hotel
This project was implemented in Amsterdam. An area of 24 square meters fits everything necessary for arranging a living space or home office, which became possible thanks to the use of a loft bed. At the same time, the room looks spacious and very cozy, quite suitable for work and receiving guests.
The space forming the upper tier is separated from the rest of the room by a slatted partition. This move made it possible to make the sleeping area more separate and private, and therefore more comfortable.
