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Recently, a lot of non-standard solutions have appeared in furniture. If earlier only a few had bunk beds, today there is also a children’s loft bed, and in different configurations and different types. From the point of view of saving space in the room, this is an ideal option, but questions may arise with ease of use.
What height
Children’s loft bed can be of different heights:
- average height (for a bed) is when the sleeping place is about 1 meter from the floor level;
- high – this is at a height of 1,5 meters and above.
The average height is more suitable for children up to 10-12 years old. And not only because parents are not so afraid that the child may fall. More likely because of the moments of communication before going to bed. Such children still allow their parents to cover them for the night, hug them, read a fairy tale, talk about something. Doing this at a height of 1,6 meters will not work. In any case, you will not fully communicate … But on a low (relatively) bed, you can sit down and conduct a full evening ritual.
You won’t put a table under a meter-high bed and make a work or play space. But on the other hand, the entire area is built up with shelves, drawers, cabinets, in which a lot of things fit.
Adolescents almost do not allow such liberties. They are already too old. For them, the ideal place would be a high loft bed.
High loft beds are also uncomfortable from the point of view of their maintenance: even making the bed is problematic, and changing linen is also inconvenient. But many are willing to put up with these shortcomings because of the savings in meth. The second, not the most pleasant moment, manifests itself during childhood illnesses. Well, if there is a fallback option – the child can be transferred lower until recovery. If this is not possible, mom will have to jump up / down, which is sometimes tiring.
Another point: the height of the ceilings. From a bed with a mattress to the ceiling, at least 80-90 cm should remain. This is the minimum that allows you not to beat your head. And then, at such a height to the ceiling, the air above – “not very” – is hot and stuffy. You can solve the problem with a carefully thought-out ventilation system, and if there is none, then at least regular ventilation.
Designs, types, materials
Like any other furniture, the loft bed comes in three versions: wooden, chipboard, metal. There are also combined options – a wooden frame, cabinets, shelves made of chipboard or MDF. Metal structures are the least likely to come across – for some reason not the most popular option, although there are no complaints about them in terms of strength.
Next, consider the structural elements and their varieties, which may be important.
Lesenka
In many ways, the convenience of using a sleeping place is determined precisely by the stairs (and the peace of the parents too). Let’s immediately consider what steps can be made of:
- From a round metal pipe (usually chrome-plated). Of course, the pipe is strong, but its surface is smooth and slippery. For young children, this can be a problem.
- From wooden planks of small width. This option is also not for small children.
- From wide planks. That’s better. Please note that the child’s leg should be completely (or better with a small margin) placed on the step.
In addition, there are different types of stairs. The most dangerous is vertically stuffed planks (on the side or in front – it doesn’t matter). For boys of middle school age and older, this is not a problem. For sports ladies too. For the rest, choose other designs.
It is much more convenient when the stairs have a slope. They can be with or without railings. With railings – the safest option, but it takes up quite a lot of space and it’s not always possible to “fit in” such a staircase.
There are also ladders attached to the side with large full-fledged steps. Of course, they take up even more space, but so that it does not disappear just like that, drawers are hidden under the steps. You can put things or toys in them.
For those who have two or more children, it is often necessary to somehow block access to the top for the younger ones. Climbing up they learn quickly, but going down can be problematic. There is an interesting option – a staircase divided into two parts with a platform.
This design is generally safer: it is easier to go up and down. And also an obstacle for kids is easily implemented – you can put a door, for example.
How to make a loft bed with your own hands, read here.
What is below
As you saw in the photo, a children’s loft bed on the ground floor can have:
- workplace;
- play area;
- storage system – cabinets, shelves, drawers;
- sofa.
There are also combinations or, as they say, multifunctional beds – under the bed there is a closet with a play area or a workplace. It is very convenient when there are a lot of cabinets and drawers. This is a great solution for saving space in a small room. There are almost no complaints about such models.
You may not like the filling of cabinets (few shelves, but a lot of space for things on hangers, which children usually do not have a very large number of). But you can remake it or order your own (if the company provides such opportunities). But installing a few shelves or wire laundry baskets yourself will be much cheaper.
How to design a boy’s room, read here.
With workplace
A fairly popular option is a loft bed with a workplace. To save space, this is a great option, but there is one “but”. According to the recommendations of pediatricians, the desktop should have a variable height – grow with the child. In these designs, this is not possible. Although, to be honest, desks are also rarely height adjustable. So it’s up to you to accept this argument or not.
Another point – very little sunlight gets on the table of such a workplace. You can, of course, organize good artificial lighting, but it is not always a full-fledged substitute. Another solution is to put it so that the light from the window falls on the countertop.
There are also models with a sliding table. This option will suit many – compact and quite convenient.
With play area
With the placement of the playing area on the first tier, there are usually no problems. Can be made around the perimeter of she-two shelves, which can store popular toys. But there are usually few such shelves. If you have nowhere to store toys, you can finish or put boxes on the shelves in which to put the toys.
As one of the equipment options – a children’s loft bed with a slide. Usually it comes as a component of the play area, but there are also cabinets. Lots of options…
The option with a play area easily turns into a bed with a house. To do this, it is enough to make walls, and it can be made of fabric. This at times increases the interest of children and they can spend a long time in games. And if you bring lighting inside or put a lamp (preferably with LEDs from batteries or accumulators – there is no glass and electricity), then the house will keep the children busy for a long time.
The interior design of the children’s room is described here.
With sofa
An attic bed with a built-in sofa is rare – overall furniture is obtained. Such options are already for teenagers. The second bed (and the third, if the sofa is folding) can be used either for a second child, or as a reserve in case relatives arrive. And teenagers are usually used for gatherings with friends / girlfriends.
With a strong desire, you can find an option with a small sofa on the side and several shelves opposite. This option is good if there is no separate nursery, and just a corner in the parents’ room is fenced off for it.
Multifunctional beds for teenagers
These are combined options – bed + wardrobe + workplace. The layout may vary. In this option, you need to look first of all at the dimensions and how the whole structure will fit. It is these options that already have a quite solid height of the sleeping place – about 1,6-1,7 meters. Otherwise, the teenagers below will be uncomfortable.
There are whole mini-rooms on two levels.
Among the low sofa beds, there are also models with a wardrobe and a work area. Please note that in the photo below the steps are made as a separate structure, which can also be extended / retracted.
Operating experience
Part of the problems that may arise – the complexity of service and communication – have already been described above. But there is another point – sustainability. With a significant height, the structure is quite shaky. And since children are great fidgets, there were times when they turned the beds over. Hence the recommendations:
- immediately reinforce all joints and fasteners by adding mounting metal plates wherever possible;
- figure out how to attach the bed to the wall (firmly and securely).
Another point: sometimes the standard height of the railing is not enough. For your own peace of mind, you can build up the railing. Again, this is from experience – children fell in their sleep … From the same series – add a railing to the ladder or make them higher.
Read about bunk beds (two beds) here.
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