For various reasons, it can be difficult or impossible to furnish a bedroom in the traditional way with a regular double bed. In some cases, when, in addition to a sleeping space, it is necessary to equip a living room or office in the room, you have to look for alternative methods to optimize the living space.
A double loft bed allows you to save space in a small room, and its stylish appearance will decorate any modern interior.
Double loft bed
Design features of loft beds for adults
Structurally, it resembles a bunk bed, which instead of the lower level can have anything: storage cabinets, bookshelves, a sofa, free space, a sports corner, a play or work area. It depends only on the designer’s imagination. The single or double upper tier is usually protected by sides, making it almost impossible to fall onto the floor in your sleep.
A loft bed with sides is a guarantee of your safety while sleeping.
The basis of the structure is the frame. Strong enough to support the weight of a sleeping person. Or two people, if we are talking about a double model. Retractable steps and a built-in or attached ladder lead to the upper tier.
Photo gallery
A loft bed will be the optimal solution if there is a lack of living space. If necessary, you can convert the space under the attic, freeing up space or changing furniture.
Thanks to the variety of models, this bed will find its application in any interior.
What are the advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage is compactness. For example, a double loft bed with a mobile workplace will take up much less space than a place for sleeping and working with documents equipped with more traditional furniture.
Ergonomics is the main principle of a loft bed.
The second plus is versatility, functionality and practicality. For example, the double model described above can serve as both a sleeping area and a workplace. And if you remove the mobile “home office” and the stairs and place a coffee table and several light rattan chairs under the canopy of the upper tier, you will get a cozy corner for receiving guests.
A loft bed can have an original appearance.
Other benefits:
- Economical. The vast majority of models will cost much less than buying conventional furniture of the same functionality separately.
- The ability to combine a sleeping area with almost any other: play area, work area, children's area, dressing room. Even with a place to receive guests.
The appearance of the product depends on the desire and imagination of the owners, who can make a work of art from a simple bed.
It is worth listing all the possible disadvantages:
- Making the bed is more difficult than making a bed on the floor.
- There is a risk of falling from the second tier.
- Insufficient illumination of the work area.
- Psychological discomfort.
Most children will find this product a great place to play and craft.
All these disadvantages are not critical, although making the bed on a double loft bed for adults is really not very convenient. It's easier to put blankets, sheets and pillows in a wardrobe. The higher the protective sides, the lower the risk of falling from the second tier. In most models, the probability of waking up on the floor with a bump on your head is almost zero.
The lack of lighting at the lower level can be compensated by installing additional light sources.
Illumination depends both on the model of the bed and on its place in the interior. In most cases, the problem with a lack of natural and artificial light does not arise at all. It remains to deal with the last disadvantage: for those who feel uncomfortable sleeping at height, it would not even occur to them to buy a loft bed. For everyone else, this disadvantage simply does not exist.
The loft bed will fit into any interior, because you can decorate it in any style and use any colors and decorations.
Varieties and their descriptions
Loft beds are divided into serial models, assembled in factories or workshops, and made to order. In the second case, the design, construction and functionality of the piece of furniture depend only on your imagination.
You can make your own loft bed according to the drawing.
Classification is also possible according to materials of manufacture, dimensions, number of beds, type of staircase and design.
By size
In terms of size, loft beds do not differ in size from their single-tier counterparts. The height of children's models is usually from 0.75 to 1.5-1.6 m. For adults - up to 1.8-2.0 m. For teenagers - 1.6-1.8 m. The distance between the upper tier of the attic bed is one - or double for adults should not be less than 0.7 m.
Loft beds are not recommended for rooms with ceilings below 2.7 meters.
Typical bed dimensions:
- 1.9x0.9 m – single;
- 2.0x0.9 m – double.
The optimal height of the sides is not lower than 0.3-0.4 m.
Drawers can serve as steps to the bed.
Among the finished products designed for adults, there are also low designs of 1.3-1.6 m, with very limited functionality of the lower tier. Apart from a bedside table, a couple of drawers or shelves, you can’t place anything there.
The loft bed delights not only small children and teenagers, but also many adults.
According to the material of manufacture
Main materials: metal, solid wood, chipboard. Metal structures are the most reliable and durable. Do not require additional care.
Wood is the most successful option for making a loft bed.
Noble wood is an aesthetic and environmentally friendly option. Loft beds made of chipboard are characterized by their low cost, low reliability and short service life. Economy option.
By number of beds
The most common are single and double models. In rare cases, the number of seats can reach four. For example, if we are talking about a double model with a sofa on the first tier.
The loft bed can be either a single or a double.
By design
Loft beds have a common design feature - they all consist of a frame and a berth. Classification can be made based on the presence of moving parts. Classic designs are completely stationary.
Hanging beds are especially relevant in small rooms.
There are prefabricated models with attached, retractable, moving and transforming elements. In small one-room apartments and tiny “Khrushchev” buildings, designs with sliding or folding beds are especially relevant.
The fastening and fittings of the loft bed should not raise doubts about its reliability.
The main division is based on the functionality of the lower tier. And that means according to the design of the “first floor”. Possible purpose of the area above the floor:
- Free space.
- Sports section.
- Workplace (built-in or extendable table, chair, drawers for papers and stationery).
- Storage system (wardrobe, bedside tables, shelves, drawers).
- Multifunctional area (for example, a workplace and a cozy corner for receiving guests).
- Sofa for guests.
- Extra bed on the first tier, single or double.
You can make a work area under such a bed.
A sofa bed with a work area always includes a table with space for a PC or laptop. Optionally, shelves, drawers, and cabinets can be added. The table can be:
- Rectangular, the size of a sleeping place or smaller.
- In the shape of the letter “P” or “L” with surfaces for placing additional office equipment (printer, MFP, USB hub, UPS, etc.), office supplies.
- With a cabinet with drawers as a support for the tabletop.
- Separate design.
- Built-in, retractable.
Loft beds are quite functional and can include drawers for storing things.
A sofa bed with a storage system may include a wardrobe, shelves, cabinets, and drawers. The sports corner can be supplemented with a wall bars, rings, a bench for the press, and ropes.
When choosing a model, it is necessary to take into account the age of the person who will be in the loft bed.
By type of stairs
The staircase at the loft bed is:
- Inclined (attached or stationary).
- In the form of steps (including with niches for storage).
- Vertical (stationary, prefabricated structural element).
- With one or two side rails.
The photo shows a standard view of a ladder for a loft bed.
The most compact, but not the best in terms of safety, option is a vertical design. The most space is occupied by a staircase in the form of steps with niches or drawers. However, it carries an additional functional load.
Some models have steps with drawers instead of stairs.
How to choose the right loft bed for an adult
If funds allow, it is better to make a custom-made loft bed. In this case, design features, aesthetic appearance and functionality are limited only by your imagination. A built-in loft bed is easier to fit into an existing design and correlate with other interior elements.
You can purchase a ready-made loft bed at a furniture store or order one based on your own design.
When buying a ready-made model for adults, it is worth considering the height of the room. If the gap between the top of the bed and the ceiling is less than 70 centimeters, being on the second tier will be uncomfortable at best. It is also worth abandoning models with sides less than 0.3 m. It is easy to roll over the small protective handrail in your sleep and fall to the floor.
The photo shows the most common loft bed model, because it is quite light and easy to move.
Important tips when choosing
- the strength and reliability of fasteners is the first thing you need to pay attention to. Safety comes first;
- the staircase should have a comfortable angle of inclination, fairly wide steps and comfortable handrails;
- It is necessary to have comfortable protective sides near the berth;
- Make sure that the distance between the ceiling and the mattress is at least 1 meter, and that it is free and comfortable to move under the bed.
Rating of the best manufacturers
The best manufacturers according to Yandex Market rating:
- Domus Mia
- RV-Furniture
- Legend
- VMK-Chalet
- Polini Simple
There is a wide range of loft beds on the market, among which you are sure to find something for yourself.
A loft bed is an excellent solution to the problem of organizing space in children's, one-room apartments, Khrushchev-era apartments, and small studios. Wherever every square meter is worth its weight in gold. But even in the spacious hall of a private house, this element of furniture can look quite appropriate and creative.
Modern apartments, even with a large area, install loft beds.
Design options
When developing such designs, designers do not limit their imagination and produce very interesting modern models. Among the original ones it is worth noting the following:
Loft bed without standard legs. The frame is attached to the ceiling using anchor bolts. This design is appropriate in rooms with high ceilings - from 3 meters. A great idea in this case is to arrange a dining area below.
Mini room under the bed. This option is possible if the bed is double, which will allow you to arrange a separate compact room under it. It is better to make the walls sliding rather than stationary.
Creative design designs with original shapes. These could be, for example, floating house-beds and other configurations that give a special flavor and comfort to the room.
