What Is a Loft Bed? Great Wisdom in a Small Space

Introduction

Have you ever been troubled by the small size of your bedroom? After placing the table and wardrobe, there is almost no place to turn around; The children's toys are piling up more and more, and the room is like a "mini warehouse"; Four or five people are crowded together in the dormitory, and it feels like there isn't enough air. In this situation, the loft bed appeared like a little wizard.

We should also see loft beds. I was in school, the bed in the dormitory with a bunk bed and a bunk bed. The dormitory space is limited, and we also have a pile of luggage.  This type of bed is the most suitable. The school has specially issued an instruction manual on how to build a loft bed, and even nearby hardware stores sell specialized material packages. We assembled it step by step according to the instructions, and when we lay on the high bed, we felt a little proud: even a bed could "transform" so much space!

Ⅰ. Where Does The Name of The Loft Bed Come From?

The name 'loft bed' is very interesting. Many people think it is named after its proximity to the loft, but it is not. In English, 'Loft' means' elevated 'and also refers to an elevated second floor platform. For example, the "hay loft" where hay is stored on the farm, or the open second floor in an apartment, are both called loft. So this type of bed which is raised as a whole, leaving space below calls loft bed. 

We can see the difference between the bunk beds and loft bed. The obvious point is the loft bed allow us to sleep on the upper level. And the lower level has much free space. Then we can put many thing such as desk, cabinet, or others. If we want to create a small leisure corner, it also can be realized. For those who love to tinker and design, this is simply a 'private paradise'.

Ⅱ. The Charm of Loft Beds

Why do so many people have a special fondness for loft beds? In summary, it has several undeniable advantages:

• 1. Space Magician

Anyone who has lived in the dormitory knows that one bed occupies half of the room. But with the loft bed, the bed was lifted up and the ground below was instantly liberated. We can move the study desk under the bed, push the bookshelf aside, or even put it on a small sofa. The small room instantly expands, and this feeling is really wonderful.

• 2. One bed dual-use

During the day,we sit under the bed studying, doing homework, and reading books, as if in our own little world. At night, as long as we climb up, immediately switch to a comfortable sleep mode. Loft beds enable limited space to serve as both a daytime office and a nighttime bedroom.

• 3. The savior of small-sized apartments

For residents of small apartments, the value of loft beds is greater. Imagine in a small house of over ten square meters, without a loft bed, there may not even be a place to put luggage. But with it, the bed can be transformed into a storage area, and even into a simple studio.

• 4. Exclusive "intimacy"

Many people say that lying on a loft bed gives a feeling of a 'small treehouse'. Especially for children, they often regard it as a secret base. For adults, sleeping in a higher position than others can also bring a unique sense of security.

Ⅲ. The "Little Worries" of Loft Beds

Of course, loft beds are not perfect either. We have found some minor "inconveniences" during use:

Difficulty getting out of bed at night: When we want to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, we either get off the ladder in the dark or carefully roll over. It is trouble for us to climb the stairs down. This not safe in the evening. 

Not good to tall people: The 1.8 meters tall people, sitting on a loft bed may hit the ceiling above. It's possible that there might even be a bag in the head.( Of course, this is a serious situation)

Safe and stable: Although there are rarely any problems with the attic, we still need to take good safety precautions and pay attention to heavy issues to ensure that the bed board does not break or crack. Legitimate products will indicate the maximum load-bearing capacity, so be sure to read it carefully when buying.

However, these minor troubles are not fatal flaws. As long as the space is planned in advance and the appropriate style is chosen, most problems can be easily solved.

Ⅳ. Loft Bed vs Bunk Bed

Many people easily confuse loft beds with bunk beds, but in fact, they are very different.

Double bed: It can sleep from top to bottom, suitable for brothers and sisters or more.

Loft bed: Only the upper bunk, with the lower bunk completely empty, emphasizing space utilization.

We prefer to refer to loft beds as' space design tools', while bunk beds are more like 'family multi person bed solutions'.

Ⅴ. How to Choose a Suitable Loft Bed?

Before buying a loft bed, we have summarized several key points:

Material selection: Solid wood is thick and stable, providing a sense of security; Metal is lightweight and simple, suitable for modern style.

Weight bearing standard: If used by adults, at least choose a style that can bear 300 pounds or more to ensure long-term safety.

Height design: The height of the room should match the height of the bed, otherwise there may be an awkward situation of "hitting the head when sitting up".

Population differentiation: Loft beds for children must be equipped with guardrails, while adults place greater emphasis on stability and comfort.

Ⅵ. Our Story with Loft Beds

Speaking of real experiences, our experience of using loft beds in student dormitories is still unforgettable.  That is our little world for learning, chatting, and writing papers. Although it's a bit troublesome to get out of bed at night, everyone thinks it's a good deal.

Later, when we moved into the small apartment, we once again chose the loft bed. The room is not big, but because there is space under the bed, we can actually put an extra small sofa and storage cabinet. When friends come home, they often exclaim, "Wow, such a small house can be decorated so spacious.

Ⅶ. Trends and Popularity of Loft Beds

Nowadays, loft beds are no longer exclusive to dormitories, they are appearing in more families and apartments:

In foreign university dormitories, almost everyone has a loft bed;

In urban small-sized apartments, it doubles the value of space;

In the children's room, the loft bed, combined with the slide and storage cabinet, is simply a dream playground for children;

Even among DIY enthusiasts, designing and assembling a unique loft bed is a popular trend.

Conclusion

In our view, a loft bed is the 'great wisdom in a small space'. It separates the leisure space from the rest area. The bed room isn't always simply an surroundings for slumbering. However rather, the dormitory could be transformed into a multifunctional area for gaining knowledge of, storage, and entertainment.
Even though it has a few minor drawbacks, together with the hassle of getting out of bed at night, those can all be solved through reasonable design and choice. Overall, if we are struggling with small spaces or want to make room layouts more interesting, then loft beds are sure to surprise.

After all, a bed is not just a place to sleep, it can also be our little world, small office, or even a secret playground for children. The loft bed is really worth considering.