Features of loft beds with a work area, popular options

The furniture offered for small rooms is striking in its diversity. Manufacturers are actively producing multifunctional models, among which a loft bed with a work area stands out. The product has several models that differ in the design of the working area.

Pros and cons of loft bed design

Let's start with the pros:

• Space saving. The advantage is obvious - the child sleeps above, the parents sleep on a folding sofa, which transforms into a relaxation area during the daytime. Transformation options depend on the design of the sofa - roll-out, dolphin, Eurobook, accordion, etc.
• Saving money. If the family has a sofa on which adult family members sleep, then you can purchase a loft bed frame without the lower part. The main thing is that your sofa fits in size.

IKEA offers loft bed frames for installing a sofa
. Cons:

• Lack of storage space . In an attempt to free up more space, loft bed manufacturers only sell frames. Buyers themselves purchase a children's mattress for the upper tier. For example, the SWERTA model from IKEA.
• Possibility of injury . A child, and even a sleepy one, can get injured when getting out of bed.
• Difficult control . Monitoring a sleeping child will become problematic. For example, you will not see the position in which he sleeps or whether he is covered with a blanket.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main advantages:

• A profitable purchase both in terms of saving scarce space in a small room and in terms of functionality (it will cost on average less than a separate bed and sofa).
• 2-4 people can comfortably rest on a couple of square meters.

This is an excellent option for a children's room with two children, as well as for a small one-room apartment.
There is also an advantage over a bunk bed, which only serves as a place to sleep. You can lounge comfortably on the sofa even during the day. Read a book, work on a laptop or watch TV.

A loft bed with a sofa underneath is multifunctional furniture.

Flaws:

• Having a sofa usually means less functionality than “traditional” loft beds with work, sports, and play areas. Most models do not even have a closet for clothes and bed linen.
• Not suitable for children 3-6 years old. The second tier is located quite high, since it is necessary for a sofa to fit below.

You can store textile items in the drawers of such beds.
The lack of functionality in some loft beds is partially compensated by the presence of niches in the steps of the stairs or in the sofa.

Views of an attic with a sofa below

Let's look at what options for loft beds are offered for sale by domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Lightweight designs

The leadership in this segment is held by 3 models from IKEA:

1. SWERTA.
2. VITVAL.
3. TUFFING.

Loft bed with work area Ikea model Tuffing
Material of manufacture – metal. Those who buy such beds can only insert their own sofa, suitable in size, under them. Or purchase a folding version, for example, a roll-out type.

There are more than 20 positive reviews about these models on the Otzovik website

According to reviews from owners of small-sized apartments who bought IKEA products, there are only 2 disadvantages of such an attic bed:

1. A slight creaking of the second tier mesh under the mattress during intensive use.
2. For apartments with a height of up to 2.50 m, a child on the upper tier in a sitting position touches the ceiling with his head.

This is interesting: Loft bed for children - how to choose the ideal solution
You can read more about the products of this manufacturer in our article Ikea loft bed.

Modular designs

Most often in this segment, manufacturers sell models made from laminated chipboard.

The dimensions of such furniture are standard sizes of mattresses and simple folding sofas

Structurally, these models are of the same type:

• Non-demountable section of the second tier with a simple ladder.
• Standard sofa (most often a Eurobook).

Produced by many manufacturers due to the simplicity of design and availability of materials. The most famous: “Borovichi-furniture” - there are more than 30 reviews about it on the Otzovik website.

Reviews about a specific manufacturer are always available online.

Of the minuses, all the unsubscribed buyers of modular furniture for loft beds with a sofa note:

• Flimsy design. Most often, the manufacturer uses cheap laminated chipboard for assembly.
• Difficult to assemble. Most manufacturers in this segment do not bother with the quality of fit of parts, so buyers constantly have problems with self-assembly.
• Discomfort. This parameter applies to the sofa - buyers complain about an uncomfortable sleeping place for adults. The second tier for a child is usually equipped with a mattress, so there are no problems with it.
• Lack of storage space. The main parameter of such furniture is compactness. Therefore, if you need additional storage space, you should look at models with sections in the stairs.

Staircase drawers provide small storage space

Bedroom sets

This type of furniture implies the presence of not only 3 full-fledged sleeping places (2 adults + 1 schoolchild), but also places to store clothes and items.

This set includes a wardrobe, wall drawers, a bedside table and a pencil case

For example, they have a whole children's series of such headsets called Funki Kids. It is available for both boys and girls.

Two adults will no longer be comfortable on such a sofa.

To increase storage space, manufacturers modify the design of the loft bed itself. For example, they place the second tier for a teenager perpendicular to the sofa. Such furniture will have to be placed in the corner of the room.

Corner arrangement of the set with a cabinet, cabinet and shelves for storage

What it is

When you visit stores like Ikea, you will find a huge assortment of loft beds with different configurations, configurations, and made from different materials. The selection is truly impressive. But usually you have to settle on only one option for kids, either specifically for boys or for girls.

See also:

The nuances of making a sink cabinet with your own hands

A loft bed is a type of furniture that combines a sleeping area, a work area, a play space and a closet. In fact, this is a bunk bed, only the lower tier is allocated for a desk, wardrobe, drawers, shelves and other elements. The main emphasis is on providing a work area, space for games and the ability to store clothes and personal items. An indispensable solution for small apartments and small rooms.

Loft beds have also proven themselves to be excellent in situations where it is not possible to give the child his own room, but he has to share the same room with his parents.

The upper part, also known as the attic, is allocated for sleeping space. The design features and variety of solutions allow the use of such furniture by a small child and even a teenager.

Buying such a bed for a baby who has barely learned to walk is extremely dangerous. It is better to limit yourself to the age of 3-4 years.

There are many design options, and depending on it, the child will be able to perform various tasks and actions. At the same time, the space near the loft bed is freed up, since it is not filled with cabinets, tables, beds, etc. Everything is collected together and literally occupies one corner.

How to choose the right material

So, what material should you choose? Manufacturers of loft beds use only 4 types:

1. Metal . As a rule, this is a profiled pipe (round or square) coated with powder paint.
2. Tree . The cheapest models use pine, while the more expensive ones are made from solid beech or oak.
3. Chipboard . The main cheap raw material for the furniture industry. This is its advantage and disadvantage.
4. MDF . A more expensive and durable material used by furniture makers. In terms of strength, it beats only laminated chipboard.

This is interesting: A loft bed for a girl with a work area: 5 selection criteria

Metal furniture lacks storage space.

Of the types of materials presented above for attic beds, metal is the most reliable.

The connections of the elements are threaded - if they become loose, it is enough to tighten them to restore the integrity of the structure.

Cheap wooden models cannot boast of beauty

In the case of wooden models, everything depends on the quality of the wood used. Users pay attention to the fact that after a couple of months, creaking of parts appears due to changes in humidity in the room.

If the issue of cabinets and shelves is relevant, then you should pay attention to furniture made of laminated chipboard. But it is better to give preference to more durable samples of MDF products. Accordingly, it will cost more.

The simplest design made of chipboard - side posts and a niche for the upper mattress

The main attention should be paid to the quality of the sleeping place. If a solid mattress is used for the 2nd tier, then the folding design of the sofa is not always suitable for organizing a full-fledged sleeping place.

Design and combination with the interior

You can match almost any interior with a loft bed. It can be purchased ready-made or ordered according to an individual drawing. Designers offer both standard models and beds of various shapes.

Instructions for making a do-it-yourself loft bed for beginners

Furniture for adults in a classic style is characterized by laconic designs and neutral colors. The decoration is dominated by shades of wenge, walnut, and oak. The stairs and sides have a standard rectangular shape.

A loft presupposes the presence of high ceilings in the house, so in such an interior a multifunctional bunk bed looks in its place. Models made in this style are distinguished by clear lines. They are usually made of materials such as wood, ferrous metal, tables - plastic or glass. The frame is decorated with metal rivets and sometimes highlighted with lighting. The lower tier in such modules is most often used as a recreation area.

A bed in the style of sophisticated Provence or rough country looks very cozy and comfortable. It is most often made from light aged wood and is often decorated with canopies. Openwork metal backs or a deliberately rough simple design with the effect of untreated wood are possible. The textiles are designed in a rustic style.

Models in the Art Nouveau style look creative. They are the main element of the interior of the room and combine the functions of several pieces of furniture without taking up much space. Modern materials and versatile details make the furniture stylish and comfortable. The design assumes asymmetry, interlacing and smoothness (fluidity) of lines, roundness of shapes, and the absence of abundant decor. Preference is given to natural shades.

Variety of loft beds for children over 3 years old, their advantages

The loft bed is also popular among adherents of minimalism. For models of this style, functionality prevails over decorative properties. The forms are characterized by strict lines and asceticism. Characterized by a laconic design, lack of decoration, simple, geometrically adjusted designs. Of the materials for a minimalist interior, natural wood is more suitable, but its combinations with metal are often found.

Classic style

Loft

Provence

Modern

Minimalism

A loft bed is an ideal solution for a one-room apartment or a studio apartment. In a room where every square meter counts, this model solves the problem of space shortages and increases the functionality of the interior. By placing a sofa, a low coffee table and a TV under the attic bed, you can get a cozy mini-living room. By equipping the lower tier with a comfortable table and chair, it can be turned into a small office to work peacefully at home.

For small rooms, choose a bed with a height of no more than 2 m. You can calculate the permissible dimensions of a sleeping place using the following formula: measure the area of ​​​​the room and divide it by three. In order for the furniture to fit harmoniously into the interior, the color of the product must be repeated several times in the room in various details, for example, in curtains, decorative objects or paintings.

For children's rooms, this is also an indispensable part of the interior, especially when you want to create a full-fledged workplace for your child, a sports corner or a play area. A loft bed helps parents provide their baby with everything they need without purchasing any other furniture. Sometimes parents are forced to share the same room with their son or daughter. In such cases, this universal model will also save the situation: there is a small single bed at the top, and a double bed at the bottom.

Cribs with a loft are available in bright colors and original shapes. Depending on the gender and age of the child, choose the appropriate model:

• car bed;
• lock;
• airplane;
• ship;
• slide;
• four-poster bed.

For boys, beds are finished in blue or gray. Pastel, pink and yellow shades are more suitable for girls. Dark colors in the nursery are undesirable, as they have a bad effect on the emotional state.

Loft bed sizes

Metal furniture is the most compact.
Manufacturers of this furniture often equip sleeping areas with standard products - mattresses and sofas. This is where the most popular loft bed sizes come from.

The most common sizes of attic mattresses: 80x190 and 90x200

As for the sofa, manufacturers literally squeeze it into a niche under the upper tier. Accordingly, squeezing a full-fledged sleeping place in favor of compactness.

Standard sofa book

Often these are sofas up to 1 m deep when folded, without side backs to increase the usable area. For proper sleep, an adult prefers a sleeping place measuring 90x200 cm.

Adults may feel uncomfortable in tight spaces

Types of designs and popular models

An attic bed with a sofa is structurally different from its “brothers” with a different functional content of the lower tier, only the “ground floor”. There are models with an additional wooden or metal base that increases overall stability.

The quality of the design of a loft bed with a sofa will affect the presentability of the furniture and its durability.

Sofas can be either an integral part of the frame structure or a separate interior element. Can be retractable or foldable. “Book” type, “dolphin”, with a folding top and space for storing bed linen and clothes.

The folding sofa can store additional items, including bed linen, a blanket, and a pillow.

The most popular models are those with a frame made of chipboard/laminated chipboard, with sofas filled with foam rubber or polyurethane and upholstered in fleece, jacquard and other fairly durable fabrics. People buy products made from more expensive natural materials less often due to their high cost. Wooden structures are often made to order.

Any sofa bed can be made to order according to individual sizes.

How to choose the right staircase

The selection of stairs for an attic bed should be approached from 2 positions:

• Child injury safety.
• Need for additional storage space.

In the photo there is a staircase with railings and a storage system in the form of drawers.
If we are talking about safety, then the staircase should have:

1. Railing . These can be grip slots in a sheet of chipboard, or metal or wooden handrails attached next to the steps.
2. Rounded corners . All sharp corners of the stairs must be rounded and trimmed.
3. Anti-slip coating . There should be special stickers on the surface of the steps to prevent feet from slipping.
4. Monolithic with a bed . The ladder must be securely attached to the bed.

Dimensions

A loft bed with a sofa underneath for parents usually has the same sleeping dimensions as products designed only for adults. That is, the length is up to two meters, the width is on average about 70-80 centimeters for each sleeping place.

The sofa folds out and is ideal for sleeping two people.

The height of the upper tier is usually greater than that of loft beds with other functional contents on the first floor. If this were not so, the sofa would not fit below. Height – 1.6-2.0 m. Sides – 30-40 centimeters.

Buying a sofa bed is an excellent choice for a young family in a one-room apartment.

How to choose the right sofa

In this configuration, the sofa can be removed and rearranged.
In this type of furniture, 4 types of sofas for adults are used:

1. Free standing . It can be removed and a workplace for the child can be organized under the upper tier. You can also save on this when purchasing if you already have a sofa in your house that is suitable in size.
2. Built into a furniture set . There is nothing you can do with such a sofa. Can only be expanded to sleep 2 adults.
3. With drawer. There is storage space at the base of the sofa. Most often, owners use it for bedding or children's toys.
4. L-shaped (angular) . In such options, the “dolphin” system is used to transform the sofa into a sleeping place.

This is interesting: Ikea loft bed: review of 6 models + prices

Sofa option with a storage system in the form of a roll-out drawer

The main advice for choosing a sofa is to be sure to lay it out in the store and lie there for a few minutes. This is the only way you can understand how convenient it is for a good night's sleep.

5 existing bed model options

The classic version of a loft bed for a girl is a top sleeping tier and an empty space below that can be filled as you wish.

Most often this is:

1. The work area is a desk with a chair for doing homework.
2. Storage system - wardrobe and cabinet.
3. Play area - dollhouse, shelves for toys.
4. A sofa or sofa is for relaxing during the daytime.
5. Combined space - a wide variety of options.

Note! In this review, all variations for a teenage girl must include a desk.

Option 1: loft bed with work area

The option with a large desk also includes a small cabinet with shelves for textbooks.
This option is considered classic for a girl in elementary school. The upper tier is a full-fledged sleeping place, and the lower one is entirely devoted to a desk. Moreover, there is enough space behind it for an adult.

This was done intentionally:

• In elementary school, children need their parents' help with homework. A large table makes this easy to do.
• The child gets used to the workplace as well as to the school desk in his class. This affects better academic performance.
• Access to the sleeping place is carried out using an extension or vertical ladder.

IMPORTANT! If there is little space in the apartment, it is better to give preference to a suspended staircase structure. If more, choose a ladder option with drawers for storage.

Option 2: loft bed with wardrobe and table

In this design there was room for a table and a cabinet.
By reducing the size of the desk, it is possible to fit a small wardrobe on the lower tier.

This is interesting: Metal loft bed: design features

The advantages of this solution:

1. There is a place to store things.
2. Additional reinforcement of the loft bed structure due to the side walls of the cabinet.

Minuses:

1. Reducing the tabletop for studying.
2. Restriction on installing stairs to the second tier.

Dimensions of a loft bed with wardrobe and desk

ADVICE! If the space of the room allows the use of roll-out sections, then you can purchase the option of a loft bed with a folding desk (see photo above).

In this set, the lower tier is used for a folding workplace and clothing storage.
Advantages of a transformable table:

• Almost all the space under the attic is given over to storage systems.
• A teenage girl will study in an open space (not in a niche).

Option 3: loft bed with play area and table

Option with a short table
To save a workplace for completing school assignments and make the most of the space for games, manufacturers produce 2 types of models:

1. Mini table on the first tier under the stairs.
2. Roll-out (pull-out) table.

Remote table design

Option 4: loft bed with sofa and table

The work desk is moved outside the attic bed.
If the girl is between 10 and 13 years old, then a more rational filling for the lower tier would be a folding sofa or sofa. Unfortunately, there is no space for a desk under the bed. It will have to be installed nearby.

Narrow table to save space

And there are undoubted advantages to this:

• Emotional release . Having finished doing her homework, the teenage girl leaves the work area and moves to a more comfortable soft one.
• Comfortable stay . It also helps the teenager learn to distinguish between the work zone and the comfort zone.

Minuses:

• Bulky furniture option. Additional space is needed for a table and chair.
• Lack of storage space. The sofa and table leave no space for cabinets.

Option 5: combined loft bed

A table for studying can be built into the roll-out segment of the staircase.
In this option, the following variations are used:

1. Table in a pull-out section.
2. Hidden study table in a cabinet.

The table is hidden behind sliding doors

1. Roll-out table from under the sleeping tier.

Unfortunately, nothing can be left on such a table.

Price of loft bed with sofa

The cost of this furniture depends on:

• The material used for the frame (metal, wood, chipboard, MDF).
• The presence or absence of a mattress for the second tier.
• The presence or absence of a sofa.
• Type of ladder (attached, removable, monolithic).

If there is an urgent question of buying inexpensively, then you should choose the simplest models from laminated chipboard.

The price range of different manufacturers is presented below:

• IKEA (model SVÄRTA metal without sofa and mattress) - from RUB 12,999.
• Borovichi furniture (chipboard with sofa and hanging ladder) - from 18,850 rub.
• Elegy (chipboard with sofa and mattress) - from 25,000 rub.
• ABC of Furniture Funky Kids series - from 32,000 rub.

Manufacturing materials

There are children's models or loft beds for a child and a parent, made of metal. However, much more often furniture for adults is made from aluminum tubes or stainless steel.

Wood is the most environmentally friendly material

The most common materials for children's loft beds with a sofa underneath are:

• Laminated chipboard and other types of particle boards.
• Solid wood.
• Natural wood + fiberboard (for example, many products from the catalog of the online store of the manufacturer Ikea).
• Plywood, MDF.

To save money, you can choose furniture from inexpensive wood species.
Cheap solid wood substitutes are usually covered with inexpensive eco-veneer. Less often - natural wood veneer. The quality is worse than models made from solid wood, but the price of products made from particle boards is on average 2-4 times lower.

A classic loft bed with sofa is an extension of a compact sleeping area below with an extension ladder.

Making a do-it-yourself attic bed

In this case, wood will be used to make the loft bed. Such material can be processed at home without outside help.

The list of materials needed to make a bed will depend on the prepared design drawing. In this case, you will need the following:

• wood blocks (quantity and size are calculated individually for each product);
• slats;
• chipboards;
• stain and varnish;
• circular saw or jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• drill;
• sander;
• measuring tape;
• a simple pencil;
• building level;
• mask and goggles to protect the face.

Prices for the popular range of circular saws

A circular saw

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the wood - it must be dry, without signs of rotting

If the design involves the creation of an additional functional area under the bed, you will need to purchase MDF sheets. If desired, you can use natural wood to make such elements.

Tools used in the work process

Fasteners

Manufacturing process: step-by-step instructions

Step one: prepare the parts. Before you begin assembling the bed base, you need to prepare all the parts. You can do this yourself if you have a circular saw or jigsaw, or use the services of furniture makers. The second option is especially suitable for beginners in this matter.

The following details need to be prepared:

• base posts – 50x100x1650 mm;
• frame cross members - 50x150x950 mm;
• backrest crossbars - 50x100x950 mm;
• longitudinal bars of the backs - 50x100x1900 mm;
• longitudinal frame bars - 50x150x1900 mm;
• slats for the bottom of the bed (on which plywood sheets are laid) - 50x50x190 mm;
• boards for assembling stairs - 50x150x1000 mm;
• boards for fixing steps - 25x50x200 mm;
• steps - 50 x100x450 mm.

Sawing parts according to preliminary marks

Step two: assemble the frame. The main stage in the manufacture of a loft bed is the assembly of the frame. The process is as follows:

1. Before you begin fastening, you need to arrange the previously prepared parts in the correct order. In addition, it is important to have an exact diagram for assembling the base nearby at all times.
2. It is necessary to connect the end parts of the structure, which have two posts, a cross member to strengthen the frame and a transverse base board. In order to securely fix it in the parts, you will need to make preliminary holes for fasteners. The other end part is assembled in the same way.
3. The end parts are secured to each other by longitudinal crossbars. Before fixing them, you need to once again make sure the measurements are correct using a building level.
4. To secure the longitudinal crossbars of the frame, the tongue-and-groove method is used. At the same time, to increase the strength of the base, metal corners are installed. This step should not be skipped because a large load is placed on the lower crossbars.

We fasten the boards with bolts along the width of the future bed

We fix the brackets for installation

We install the flooring beams into the brackets

Carefully fix the beams

Bottom view of beams

Step three: installing railings. In this case, the railing should be fixed in the process of connecting the base parts, because they go into it. Their height can be adjusted, if necessary, by the position of the racks. The boards are connected to each other using the tongue-and-groove method, as well as using screws and metal corners. It is advisable to fix parts of the structure in two ways to achieve greater reliability.

We cut holes in the flooring for installing racks

Closing the end part

We decorate the racks using plinths

We fix the cross bars

Finished railings: bottom view

Step four: make the flooring for installing the mattress. In order to make the flooring, it is necessary to fix support strips measuring 50x50 millimeters from the inside of the frame. They are secured with self-tapping screws or European screws. For flooring, pieces of boards or sheets of plywood are usually used. Professional furniture makers recommend using the second option, because it allows you to better design the ceiling of the work area.

We fix the flooring to the frame

Step five: make the stairs. You can make a staircase with or without a supporting podium. Typically, when making a bed for an adult or teenager, a ladder is attached to the end of the bed. In our case, you will need to take two bars of the same size, and then make marks on them along the edges for oblique cuts (200-250 millimeters from the beginning) for the purpose of their subsequent attachment to the frame of the loft bed. The ladder is attached to the floor and side frame using strong wood glue.

After which it is necessary to mark the location of the steps (usually they are 250 millimeters apart from each other). The fixation points should be marked using a building level and a simple pencil, and then the steps can be secured with self-tapping screws.

Installing stairs on a slope

Step six: set up a work area. The work area can be equipped with various additional elements. First of all, it depends on the free space that remains under the bed.

We take the table top blank

We fix the zigzag structure on the reverse side

We install the tabletop on folding hinges to the wall

We fasten together the parts of the frame of future shelves

Prices for clamps

Clamps

Installing crossbars for shelves

Installing shelves on the wall

All parts should be joined together using wood glue, and then clamped with clamps for better fixation. When the glue has completely dried, the surface can be sanded with sandpaper.

Step seven: finishing the structure. After connecting all parts of the structure, it is necessary to proceed to the finishing stage. To do this, you will need to carefully process the parts with a grinder or sandpaper.

Surface treatment with stain

The decoration of the loft bed has a certain sequence:

• the sanded surface must be covered with a layer of stain;
• Next you will need to apply the varnish and wait for it to dry (it is important to make sure that there are no drafts in the room);
• When the first layer of varnish has dried, you can apply a second one - this will allow you to achieve a more intense color.

Ready-made bed structure on which you can install a mattress

Video – DIY loft bed

Video – DIY chest of drawers

Children's beds and sofas - reliability and durability

Children's beds and sofas are an excellent solution for large families with limited space.
And on its website it offers a choice of several options for solutions for a children's room. You can choose the colors and technical characteristics of the furniture, folding methods and transformable beds. All these parameters are selected in accordance with the layout of the room, the preferences of the children and the financial capabilities of the family. In any case, such a combined sofa bed will cost less than two separate children's beds. A combined sofa bed for children is also suitable for receiving guests and playing games. In such a situation, the upper part - the attic - will be intended only for sleeping. And on the lower tier you can comfortably accommodate small guests or create a creative space.

Everything related to the production of items for children is strictly regulated by law. All furniture presented in our online store meets the required standards and is absolutely safe. The production uses high-quality materials that are environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. This ensures that you will always be satisfied with your purchase!