Space efficient, multi-functional, and appealingly styled, loft beds are the smart solution for a variety of furnishing and sleeping needs. In studios, apartments, college dorms, and vacation homes, these twin and full-sized beds add another layer to your room’s floor plan, claiming unused space above while saving room below for a desk, dresser, futon sofa, or another bed. Loft beds: they’re not just for kids, and our buying guide proves it with helpful facts and contemporary bed designs that might provide a perfect match for your small or crowded bedroom space.
Solving A (Potentially) Weighty Problem
Before we begin, a quick word on weight: check it. No matter its style or material, a loft bed should come with a maximum weight rating. Most of the adult loft beds at hayneedle.com will feature a max weight in the descriptive bullets next to the image on the bed’s individual product page. The max weight for the top bunk is usually around 200 to 250 pounds. On two-bed lofts with a bottom bunk, the lower bed can typically hold 400 pounds or more.
Budget is usually a top priority for the student loft bed shopper. For college-worthy style at a low cost, we recommend metal loft beds. They’re inexpensive, contemporary and relevant in style, and come in a variety of classic finishes such as black, white, and grey, with under-bed options such as desks and futon couches. Here are three suggestions to get you started:
Best for Your Budget
Duro Z Bunk Bed Loft with Desk
A slanted ladder and X frame break up the lines of this contemporary bed, which features a twin-sized bunk with outstanding weight support—a maximum of 320 pounds—thanks to its slatted bottom. The small built-in desk can easily handle a laptop, lamp, and more.
Sunrise Twin over Futon Bunk Bed
Constructed from amazingly tough steel, the frame will never, ever (ever) give out, promising the safety of all who use it. This piece is finished with a white lead-free powder coat for a versatile look able to fit a number of color combinations. An integrated ladder and full-length guard rails make this an extra-safe addition to your chosen room. Featured is a futon which easily converts to a full-size sleeper, making this piece useful around the clock.
This loft bed by Sunset Workstation is both stylish and sturdy – a hard combination to beat for the high school or college student. This steel frame loft features clean modern lines and a cool black finish, but the office-style desk is its standout feature. It includes open shelving and a keyboard tray for use with a desktop computer. Top bunk capacity is 250 pounds.
Studio dwellers need to pack a lot of functionality into a minimum of space, a task that loft beds accomplish with ease. For students and young professionals in small bedrooms or one-room apartments, we’d recommend some of our more traditionally styled wood beds with full-sized bunks. These three beds save square footage and extend your furniture budget with their greater variety of storage and organization options.
Storage Choices
Dorel Living Harlan Loft Bed with Desk
Combining convenient features and a sleek, functional design, this bed will get plenty of use for years to come. The four-step ladder up to the twin sized sleeping area gives your teen some extra privacy and security, especially with the full length guard rails around the bed. A spacious work area down below is a quiet, secluded spot to get projects and homework finished, or just as a relaxed place to browse the web.
This all-in-one kid space features room for a twin bed above a bookshelf, chest, and roll-out desk that turns their room into a fun, imaginative space. This loft is also offered in a full range of finishes that lets you choose the look that’s right for your (and their) personal taste. All you need to do is add a twin-sized bed and you’re ready to start filling the bookshelf and chest with all the things that make their room.
Liberty Furniture Chelsea Square Twin Loft over Twin Bed
The bed includes four drawers with antique brass pulls, wood-on-wood guides, French and English dovetail joinery, and bottom dust panels. Behind the drawers, four open shelves provide a secret space for even more storage. When it’s time to do homework, the built-in desk features plenty of workspace and a storage drawer for pencils and notebooks. Even the chair, with its classic slatted back, is included with this loft bed.
The bed over bed for your home away from home, a loft or bunk bed holds straightforward appeal for vacation homes and cabins: space efficiency. But you’ll also want a contemporary rustic or cabin style that suits your surroundings, such as traditional wood finishes, log-style frames, and pine or cedar wood construction. Here are three great lofts to get you started.
Home Away Options
Woodcrest Heartland Futon Bunk Bed with Extra Loft
This bed makes space where there once was none! Its double loft, L-shape configuration comfortably sleeps three while adding space for other items below. A convenient futon is great for hanging out and easily folds down for sleepovers. Constructed from solid pine wood and protected with a 3-stage lacquer finish, this loft is designed to be kid-tough and durable.
Coaster Furniture Sandler Full Triple Bunk Bed
A powerhouse of a piece offers space-saving prowess. Crafted of solid pine wood, this triple bunk bed is strong and sturdy, and the rich-toned cappuccino finish and straight-lined design bring stately, clean style to your bedroom. This handy triple bunk can stay stacked or can be separated into three beds. Simply configure the beds to best suit your needs.
Furniture of America Westin Contemporary Twin Over Queen Bunk Bed
With a clean, contemporary look, a versatile black finish, and ultra-strong metal framing, this bunk accommodates a standard twin mattress on top and a queen mattress below. Save space while being able to accommodate everyone for a good night’s sleep, a special somebody will feel on top of the world with this bunk bed.
Want to learn more about bunk bed safety guidelines, materials and sizing? Be sure to read our Bunk Bed & Loft Bed Buying Guide for more information and tips before you buy.
