Loft Beds: The Major Space-Saving Solution You're Totally Overlooking
Just because loft beds are synonymous with college life doesn't mean they're only good for dorm rooms. Getting a lofted bed might be just the space solution you need, especially for multi-use rooms.
When I left my office job to become a freelance writer, I knew I'd need to create a workspace in my home, but our small, awkward spare room was already part office for my partner, who also works from home, and part outdoor gear closet. Squeezing a second desk into that room while also finding space to store our bikes, excessive collection of camping gear and a massive cooler was not going to be an easy feat.
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And then I saw it: An IKEA Stuva loft bed with a desk, shelves and a built-in wardrobe. What if we could get more organized, add a desk and create a space for guests? It was perfect.
It took quite a bit of assembling (and disassembling and reassembling) to get the room just the way we wanted, but it paid off. We figured out quite a few other space solutions along the way. For starters, we figured out how to rearrange our small laundry room so we can fit all three of our bikes in there, getting them out of the way in our new shared office.
Even if you don't have or need an office space in your home, a loft bed can be a great solution to make the most of small spaces. You may be able to create a larger play area in your child's room or a great, cozy sitting space for your teen who wants a full-size bed but can't give up all that floor space. If you live in a studio apartment, a loft bed is a great way to segment your living area. You can hang curtains above the bed to create privacy and angle a sleeper sofa under the bed to accommodate guests.
Here are a few great options for grown-up living spaces. Oh, and if you're prone to hitting your head? Just add some foam cushioning and cover it up with a pretty fabric that stands out from the rest of the frame, to give you a visual reminder to duck.
Forget about the traditional twin-size loft bed. You can get a full-size loft, too, which is much better for guest rooms and office spaces. This loft bed comes with a simple desk, shelf set and a corkboard. One Amazon reviewer said he and his girlfriend turned the walk-in closet of their studio apartment into a master bedroom with this frame, which is the perfect size to fit a small loveseat couch and floor lamp underneath. Two ladders on different sides of the bed give you the flexibility to position it however it fits best in your room.
For tiny spaces you really need to maximize, it's hard to beat IKEA's Stora. The height creates space below for a seating area, a workspace, a walk-in closet or a parking space for your bicycle.
This lower loft bed, ideal for rooms with low ceilings, offers room for extra storage space (think sets of drawers, carts and shelf sets on wheels so you can roll them out easily) or the ideal play fort for kids. Toss in some bean bag chairs, pin-up curtains around the base and string lights inside across the frame, and boom: cozy hangout. When needed, you can also use the space under this bed to put an air mattress for guests.
Get creative with this convertible frame, which comes with a table and cushions that convert into a twin-size bed when you have guests. A setup like this might allow you to make a spare bedroom out of a walk-in closet with high ceilings (hello, Airbnb). Make a windowless room brighter by swapping out a solid door for one with frosted glass.
