Loft bed

Owners of small apartments often have to master the skills of rational distribution of useful space to create a comfortable, functional and cozy interior. Competent organization of space implies, first of all, its optimization to the maximum, which is best supported by compact pieces of furniture. Especially when it comes to the bedroom of a modest size, where the owners are sometimes forced to wrestle with even when placing a standard set of furniture: beds, bedside tables and wardrobe. In this situation, practical and stylish loft beds help out.

The loft bed is a regular bed with the exception of the location of a berth - on the second tier, so there is a staircase that provides access to the box.The design includes a sleeping surface and a frame part with supporting legs. The models are distinguished by the equipment of the lower floor, the device of which may include various auxiliary elements: a sofa, storage systems of closed and open type, play area, sports corner.

It is advisable to purchase two-story beds-attics for rooms of limited footage - one-room apartments, children's rooms, studios. Regardless of the functional purpose of the room, such a purchase provides several practical advantages at once:

• Saves space, occupying the area only one wall.
• Allows you to combine a sleeping area with any other segment: working, playing, relaxing, dressing room.
• Helps to shape the interior due to the attractive design.
• It contributes to the maintenance of order in the room, because the package often includes various modules: shelves, sliding / wardrobe, shelves and dressers.
• Keeps up at the expense of everyday descent / ascent of the stairs.
• Eliminates the need to purchase individual items of furniture, acting simultaneously as a bed, table, wardrobe.

The loft bed becomes a real magic wand for a compact room and an original zoning element of a spacious room. However, it is worth mentioning the weaknesses of this design, namely:

• No guarantee of complete user security. The presence of the second tier by itself does not allow attributing the loft bed to completely safe structures, especially for a child. He may fall in the process of sleep, games, and when trying to go down, especially in a half asleep state.
• Lack of fresh air. When heated, oxygen rises to the top, where its circulation slows down, so it can be stuffy on the second tier if the ceilings are low.
• The need to equip the structure with bed and workplace function separate lighting fixture since natural light and general illumination penetrate into the work segment not fully due to the second tier.
• The inconvenience of daily cleaning of the bed and every time you change bed linen. Even if adults are not able to solve such problems without a chair, then what about children.
• The problem of psychological discomfort for fear of heights.

Furniture stores offer a huge selection of models of loft beds. There are two categories of such products:

• Built-in furniture, custom-made.
• Ready-made solutions that have a lower cost compared to previous models.

Designs are made for users of different age groups: adults, young children and teenagers. Double designs for adults are distinguished by impressive dimensions and a reinforced frame part with higher strength characteristics. The range of finished products is represented by the following modifications of multifunctional products:

• Standard Models. The standard construction provides for one sleeping surface on the upper floor, and the lower one remains empty, which implies its filling, taking into account its own goals. In this regard, such models are universal, so free space can be used for arranging various functional segments.

• Loft beds with work area downstairs. Models, combined with the table, where as a supplement serves stand, drawers or bookshelves.A bed with a school corner is an advantageous solution, thanks to which the child gets a full-fledged space for sleeping, studying and playing. Among the low models of the semi-double bed, there are modifications with a pull-out or built-in table, and the feature of high beds is enough free space below to position the working area directly below the upper tier.

Constructive solution of the working segment can be:

1. Spacious tablewhose size is equal to the dimensions of the sleeping surface.
2. Table + rack. Models with a rack provide a working area, divided into two parts.
3. Table + wardrobe. Here the device of the working space is made according to the principle similar to the previous version.
4. Table + nightstand. Structurally, the tabletop is located on the cabinet, which serves as a support.
5. L-shaped table with extended table topwhere the surface on the side is intended for the placement of organizational equipment and other means for work.
6. U-shaped table provides maximum comfort, but saving space is no longer possible, since to accommodate such a design will require a lot of space.

• With storage systems of different types. Modifications with wardrobe storage or chest of drawers. The doors of the cabinets can open in different ways and be hinged, sliding or in the form of compartment doors like attic beds with deep wardrobes. This also includes the model with a lifting mechanism, through which access to internal storage systems, hidden under the bed. This bed helps to maintain order in the room, allowing you to place inside not only bedding, but also many other things.

• With a niche for a sofa. High, bunk with a ladder on the side, combining the functions of two pieces of furniture. Here, an ottoman can be included in the package immediately or the lower tier remains free specifically for the installation of the sofa. Subject to the individual manufacture of furniture, even an corner sofa can be placed below. There are double models, where instead of a sofa there is a transforming chair, which, if necessary, turns into another bed.There are designs with a cradle for a newborn, you can buy a finished product, and you can make to order in a single style and color solution of the upper and lower tiers.

• With play area. Such models can be considered not only for the smallest, but also for teenagers. A constructive feature of products of this type is the location of the playing space on the lower tier under the sleeping surface. Interesting models with a slide, an alternative option - climbing wall, where the entertainment function is complemented by sports.

• With a sports complex. Adherents of an active lifestyle should look at models with a sports corner or with a Swedish wall. In addition to horizontal bars and crossbeams, ropes, ladders from ropes and rings are provided in the designs, and children's models are very often equipped with rope swings.

• Other models. Using the service of furniture to order, you can become the owner of the original product with a canopy. An auxiliary wooden structure is made, and then it is simply mounted on top and decorated with curtains.Interesting modular furniture with the possibility of changing the design due to the rearrangement of certain components. You can order a double bed with a wide berth at the bottom and storage systems in the upper part.

The style execution of the loft bed can be completely different, which facilitates the choice of a model for a room with an interior designed in a specific style. Consider the most relevant options:

• In nautical style. In the case of a marine room design, the bed should have a maximum resemblance to the ship's berth. Distinctive features: snow-white color solution details, concise design of the staircase, stylized under the ladder, where the wide steps often support the frame and are inclined, the protective sides and the lower part of the design are decorated in rich shades of blue or blue palette.

• Classic. The design of the attic beds in the classical style is distinguished by the thoughtfulness of every detail and the use of mainly natural colors in the decoration of surfaces. These are solid, comfortable designs with massive wooden supports - square bars, a vertical staircase with wide steps and rectangular planks of safety boards.The most popular color solutions are the color of dark walnut, wenge, and oak.

• Loft. For the original industrial design of living space, an unusual metal bed-attic with a clear geometry of forms without smooth lines, roundness and decor such as carving or curly curls will be a great solution. The color solution can be monotonous - white, gray, black, brown, beige or in a pastel palette. The design should be 100% comfortable to fit the concept of a loft style - one of the most practical and functional styles.

• Provence. Rustic style or French country music is a popular destination, the possibilities of which are very often used for decorating bedrooms. A classic loft bed made of light wood, painted in delicate, airy tones of a light palette or with the effect of aged wood, becomes a harmonious addition to this interior.

The huge assortment range of loft beds includes not only models of standard shapes, but also a lot of original and unusual designs, especially among children's products. In addition to the above beds with a slide as a play area, children's furniture of this type is:

• In the form of a house - wooden or made of plastic panels. The most popular option in this case is models with curtains instead of one wall, due to which the structure is instantly transformed into a free game segment.
• In the form of a car, which can be purchased for children from 2 years of age. By execution it can be a van, bus, locomotive, fire engine. By constructive decision, one option provides for the lower tier, which serves as a berth, and at the top is equipped with a playground. In another embodiment, the sleeping surface is located on top, and the lower floor is used as a working area.
• With a free play area. It implies equipping the playing space with storage systems for sports equipment or toys, and the equipment is provided with additional elements by the buyers themselves.

The main purpose of the loft beds is to ensure a comfortable sleep, for this reason the dimensions of the sleeping surface become one of the key criteria for choosing a suitable model.

Each age group corresponds to certain sizes:

• Kids up to 3 years old - mini-models up to 130 cm high.
• Preschool age group 3-6 years old - 160x70 cm.
• Children 6 - 10 years old - 150x80 cm, 160x80 cm.
• Children aged 10-14 years - 170x80 cm.
• Teens and adults - 80x180, 80x190 cm.

Ergonomic compact children furniture complexes 170-180 cm long are designed for children from the age of 5 years. The design is represented by a bed, vykatny computer desk and a wardrobe.

Classic model It has dimensions of 140x200 cm, the standard parameters of European single beds are 140x190 cm, and the large double beds are 200x90 cm. Among adult models there are low, medium and high modifications. So, for low structures, the height is 130-140 cm, for medium ones, -150-160 cm, and for high ones - 2 meters. In the first and second cases, the constructive solution significantly limits the possibilities of arranging the first tier, which can only be used as a storage system.

In models with a sofa (a book-type transformation system), the bed in the unfolded state has dimensions of 120x200 cm, and the sleeping surface is narrower at the top - 80x200 cm.

Beds-attics come in metal or wood. Lightweight wooden structures, characterized by durability, reliability and durability, are in consistently high demand. Carved products have an attractive appearance, fitting into any interior solution. Environmentally friendly material is an array of wood, as in the process of woodworking does not use toxic compounds, and structural elements are glued with harmless resins. The most affordable price tag on models of pine timber, and beech products have increased strength characteristics.

Modern furniture manufacturers in order to reduce the cost of products used in the manufacture of beds combined materials. For the production of frames there is an array, while the shelves, safety boards, tabletops, bases of storage systems are made of laminated chipboard, fiberboard, particle board. When choosing a child model, pay attention to the safety class, permissible - E1 and below.Furniture from Chipboard often contains harmful compounds, so it is better to immediately make sure that you have a certificate of compliance with safety standards or generally refrain from buying a bed for a child from this material.

Metal products have a copper or steel frame part of hollow tubes. Polymeric or decorative powder coating is used to protect against corrosion. Interestingly, the stylistic decision of the forged structure that has a chrome plating. Advantages of metal products - low weight, stability and reliability. Cons - rapid cooling of metal parts, and therefore there are unpleasant tactile sensations and age restrictions. Metal beds, attics can be purchased for a child from 5 years of age. An alternative to all-metal construction is models from combined materials: metal + plywood coating and metal + wooden frame.

The stylish and colorful solution of the loft bed, which itself is an unusual piece of furniture, often sets the tone for the whole room design, creating the interior.

The traditional color palette for boys is blue or blue, and pink for girls. Boys You will surely like the loft bed in the form of a bright red fire truck or a nice green van, not to mention a white and blue bed in a nautical style. To girls Furniture complexes will suit in a romantic pastel palette of delicate shades of yellow, pink, pistachio, lilac. Young ladies will not be against the marine style, especially when it comes to your own bed with a dolphin. Always a winning solution - an elegant snow-white loft bed.

Do not forget about the ability of certain edemas and color duos to influence the emotional state. For a fidget, choose a bed of calm, balanced shades that will adjust to the desired mood before going to bed.

The following brands and models deserve special attention among domestic and foreign manufacturers of loft beds:

• "Legend" from St. Petersburg - production and sale of furniture for children.
• Mebelev ("MebeLev") - a unique environmentally friendly children's furniture for boys and girls in the form of sports cars, Barbie houses, police cars.

• "Yaroff" - factory of children's furniture.
• TUMIDEI - furniture from the Italian manufacturer. Original models of beds for adults.
• Minsk Furniture Center Sanremi - Belarusian manufacturer that uses in the manufacture of furniture mainly solid pine. The company represents a wide assortment line of children's and teen models of beds-attics.

Popular models of furniture complexes:

• Legend 4.3 with corner stairs, nightstand and work area. The dimensions of the bed are 190x80 cm.
• Legend 37 with straight stairs, a wardrobe and a comfortable school corner. The color version of the panels to choose from - orange, blue, lime or pink in combination with the main light shade of wenge. The dimensions of the sleeping surface 175x70 cm.

• Kid ("Yaroff") - practical, multifunctional children's furniture. The design consists of a cabinet, sliding table, drawer, end cabinet, stairs. The set is suitable for children from 2 years of age. The dimensions of the bed are 70x160 cm.
• Italian children's loft bed VECCHIA MARINA in a classic style has a unique design, rich appearance and excellent functionality.
• Cielo from Sanremi with an orthopedic base and side-limiters, which is equipped with a sleeping surface perimeter. On the lower tier there is a niche for a training zone or a game segment. The ladder can be installed from any side. Dimensions of the sleeping surface 90x200 cm.

Children's and teenage beds-attics should meet a number of requirements, concerning, first of all, durability and safety, taking into account the presence of such an unsafe element as a ladder. And her child will be used daily and not once a day.

Product safety is expressed in the following:

• The stability of the design and reliability of fasteners.Make sure she calmly holds the weight of the child.
• Existence of high side limiters and a convenient handrail with an antiskid covering.
• Convenience stairs. Keep in mind that the wooden stairs for kids is preferable, as the iron is too cold and a little slip.
• Quite spacious gaps between the lower and upper floors, as well as the upper floor and the surface of the ceiling. What is especially important when the bed is purchased for a small apartment, where high ceilings - a rather rare phenomenon.

For more information on how to choose a loft bed, see the next video.

Among the beds attics, there are solutions designed specifically for the needs of the youngest users from 2 years of age.

Constructive solutions of models for different age groups have their own characteristics:

• 3-4 years - products have a low sleeping surface, in addition, between the upper part and the floor, the average distance is only one meter. At this age, the most suitable will be models with a game space on the lower tier, a sports corner, a fabric house.
• 5-6 years - The optimal height is up to 160 cm. Models for preschoolers provide for a working area, here the game segment should no longer take up too much space.

• 7 years - a furniture complex of one and a half meters height is suitable for a primary school student. It is important for a first grader to have a full-fledged training segment with various storage systems to accommodate all the necessary.
• Teenage models have a height of 180 cm.

There are various basic designs of loft beds and if you have certain skills you can build them yourself. The difference between them lies in the method of attachment:

1. Independent designs with four supports are the most popular option due to the ability to equip a place under the bed in any suitable part of the room.
2. The frame basis with fastening to a wall and two support possesses bigger stability. Minus - difficult dismantling.
3. Bed without bottom with ceiling mount frame.

Tools:

• Hammer, drill or screwdriver.
• Spanners.
• Roulette and square.

Preferably, the frame part is made of thick timber, and the rack is sheathed with dry planks, from which a ladder with handrails will also be constructed. Consider the manufacturing process on the example of the first option.

Preparatory work:

• Choosing the right place.
• Performance of measurements.
• Creating a drawing and detailing.

Cutting the workpiece with a circular or circular saw. For removal of the agnails the emery skin or the grinding machine is used. Holes for fasteners (furniture dowels or screws) are drilled.

Step by step assembly instructions:

• Pretreatment of the joints of elements of the structure with an adhesive composition, after which you can begin to twist the blanks with screws or screws.
• Assembling the frame part. The bars of the base of the future bed are fastened with screws with racks.
• From time to time it is necessary to control the accuracy of compliance with the vertical and horizontal through the level, and the correctness of the perpendicular connections of large structural elements to the corner.
• Sewing rack.
• Formation of an internal thrust frame by fastening the frame part with long longitudinal bars to ensure the reliability of fixation of bedboards.
• Fastening side-limiters.
• The construction of the stairs.

For more details on how to make a bunk bed with your own hands, see below.

If we analyze the reviews of the owners of beds-attics, then the majority of users find such an acquisition beneficial, especially those who live in small apartments.

So, what pleases in such products:

• Require a minimum of space.
• Functional and compact size.
• Do not look massive and do not overload the interior.
• Unusual design, which delighted children.
• Play zones and sports corners do not bother children for a long time, allowing parents to redo a lot of homework while the child plays.
• Convenient location of corner models.

The photo gallery presents the original loft beds in different styles and colors. You can examine in detail how these or other furniture designs look in a one-room studio apartment, acting as an element of zoning, in the living room, bedroom and children's room.