Kids Loft Beds

Frequently Asked Kids Loft Bed Questions

If your child could use a bit more space, a loft bed might solve their growing pains. Loft beds feature an elevated bunk with an open space beneath the bed to use as a play area, a study nook with a desk, or even a hangout space with a comfy accent chair.

Some designs include built-in storage, such as drawers or bookcases, while others add a canopy to the top bunk for imaginative play and sweet dreams.

Are Loft Beds a Good Idea for Kids?

Even though many loft beds have children in mind, these beds include an age minimum. Experts say that no child under age six should sleep in a loft bed for safety reasons. Loft beds for children often include guardrails so they don’t accidentally fall out of bed during the night, but kids also need to navigate a ladder or steps to reach the bed safely.

Children also need the maturity to understand that the bed is only for sleeping and reading, experts say—not bouncing up and down, where they might hit the ceiling or fall to the ground.

That said, if your child is old enough, a loft bed can be a creative decorating choice. Some cool loft beds resemble cottages, and loft beds with slides feature an invigorating way to reach the floor.

What Are the Pros of a Loft Bed?

Childrens loft beds are excellent space-savers, especially if you’re not in a position to move to a larger home. Even a low loft bed (roughly 64 inches tall) has enough space underneath to provide much-needed storage for toys, clothes, and other belongings.

A twin loft bed also offers your child the feeling of a special place all their own. A loft bed that has roughly 54 inches of clearance beneath the bed has enough room to design a play space with a colorful area rug and curtains to hide any clutter. Yet this is tall enough to accommodate a desk comfortably or seating for a tween or teen, complete with accent lighting to suit their taste.

What’s the Difference Between a Loft Bed and a Bunk Bed?

A bunk bed has two twin beds, or single beds, one on top of the other. A loft bed is still a twin-size bed but has open space underneath.

Incidentally, experts say that when buying bunk beds or a loft bed, be sure to have 33 to 36 inches of space between your ceiling and the top mattress.