In small spaces — and even in large spaces — nothing does double duty in vertical space like the loft bed! Whether it's maximizing storage space, making the best of a crazy floor plan, or just because it looks cool, building your bed in the air is the way to go. We've found fifteen inspiring beds that involve just a bit of climbing before you crash — come look!
Top Row:
1. A slender rail sets apart this spare twin, tucked above a reading alcove, from Geek Living Daily.
2. Rustic wood and old books cozy up a single-sized sleeping place. Bob Coscarelli, via the Lettered Cottage.
3. A library ladder leads to a snug partition for snoozing or reading. From Angie Helm Interiors.
4. White, billowy fabric and lace give this little nest a glamorous feel. Trevor Tondro for the New York Times.
5. Forget the baby monitor; this sleek double from Contemporist gives privacy and peace of mind without sacrificing style.
Middle Row:
6. Smooth cut-out shapes and fancy wallpaper make this loft bed from Izzy Share Blog into a stylish retreat.
7. Reading lights, a tiny window, and fresh cut flowers create an inviting nook! Jessica Helgerson, via Birch + Bird.
8. Loads of natural light and plenty of floor space make this loft/library from theberry.com seem like a whole separate room.
9. A great example of lofting a bed in a studio, this bed peeks over kitchen, dining room, and living room. From The Selby.
10. This bed from tumidei isn't too tall, but high enough to take advantage of ample storage space underneath.
Bottom Row:
11. Built in lighting underneath this bed illuminates the work/study space beneath. From Erin & Danny Living Together in Only 500 Square Feet on Apartment Therapy.
12. A grown-up bunk bed creates room underneath for a desk and storage. From Corey's Converted Barn on Apartment Therapy.
13. Glossy green floors and painted grass emphasize the "up in the air" feel of this bed from Stiff + Trevillion.
14. The real bed is on the ground, but we love the steps and glass above it — this design could easily adapted for a twin bed in the air. From idesignarch.
15. Stark white and lots of light give this bed-above-a-closet a calm, refreshing feel. Victor & Soeun's Romantic Loft on Apartment Therapy.
MORE LOFT BEDS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Tiramolla Loft Bedrooms
• Loft Bed With Closet Underneath
(Images: 1. Geek Living Daily, 2. Bob Coscarelli, via the Lettered Cottage, 3. Angie Helm Interiors, 4. Trevor Tondro for the New York Times, 5. Contemporist, 6. Izzy Share Blog, 7. Jessica Helgerson, via Birch + Bird, 8. theberry.com, 9. The Selby, 10. tumidei, 11. Erin & Danny Living Together in Only 500 Square Feet on Apartment Therapy, 12. Corey's Converted Barn on Apartment Therapy, 13. Stiff + Trevillion, 14. idesignarch, 15. Victor & Soeun's Romantic Loft on Apartment Therapy.)
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I remember some of these as home tours. Some I like more than others but if I had to choose, it would be #2. That one just seems dreamy to me.
What stops me from liking #4, however beautiful it is- I remember the post indicating that there is no plumbing in this teeny home. It was just a get away for the wife.
Many of them are very cool, especially those with very high ceilings above. But #2, #4, and #7 scream "fire fatality" to me. Sorry, but gorgeous has to be safe, too.
Is the "ladder" in the first one really those little rectangular blocks? I hope there is a different access cropped from our view. If not, I'd hate to think of coming down in the middle of the night to use the bathroom -- you'd have to be fully awake to navigate your decent.
My daughters both had loft beds with ladders, but now in their late 20s both have asked when they visit for lower-level sleeping accommodations. And their ladders are much easier access than what we see in the first photo.
Number eight is a fantasy sleep area, well, except for having to climb up and down stairs. I love the airiness of it.
Yeah :-D
I LOVE this collection... I want MANY of these loft beds...
Very inspiring!!!
I love the IDEA of a loft but I am not a fan of the pragmatism, especially now that I'm over 60. Bathroom breaks in the night are a certainty, and frequently more than one! Number 4 is romantic and pretty, but needs a rail. The steps on number 1 are nifty looking, but I wouldn't even TRY to climb them. (Just a fall waiting to happen.) Also, when it comes down to it, loft beds are essentially a mattress on the floor. Not fun on a day-to-day (night-to-night??) basis. So I guess I think these would be good for a short term use primarily for younger people, as long as the access-way is easy to navigate and safe.
I'd love #2 - not to sleep there but as a reading nook/hideaway. All it needs are a few more pillows or a comfy chair. I would turn #8 into an office/library.
I LOVE loft beds! I want one so bad I almost bought myself bunk beds! haha! But #5 makes me worried about falling on the baby. Eeek! So worrisome!
I love my loft bed. Yes, it does make middle of the night pee breaks more of a challenge, but the creation of a separate space and the extra room underneath in a studio loft makes it fantastic.
We sleep on a loft bed. It's a nice idea but unless really well executed or necessary, I wouldn't do it again. The pee breaks can be annoying and because the beds sit on the ground, night tables are a bit of a challenge depending on the space.
Also, I have to point out that a lot of these loft beds have a very narrow space. Um... not so conducive to sexy times at night! Thankfully our loft bed has lots of space. :)
Is it just terrible that I wish I had a teeny tiny home just so I had the need for a loft bed? I currently have a 2 bedroom (3 if you count the "office") townhouse, and practicality dictates that I have 2 bedrooms, and no need for a loft. So sad.
Fireman pole next to the bed for midnight bathroom breaks. Problem solved.
Number five is the one I still address lots of safety concerns for - why in the hell would anyone want to take even the slightest chance of hurting their baby? I would never be able to sleep there from the fear of the entire thing falling and killing the child.
Lofts are great in theory but crap in actual practice. All these mostly seem to just be a mattress on a floor.....so now making your bed is harder. Also almost none of the stairs/ladders seem safe and sturdy enough for needing the bathroom in the night (or if a child cries out).
The concerns about #5 falling seem a bit silly to me. I don't worry about my 2nd floor falling down onto the first, because it's been engineered properly. I assume the loft has been designed to hold the weight of a bed and people- maybe don't throw a dance party up there with the baby below, but two people? No worries here.
I agree that some of these look precarious. You'd have to be a mountain goat
to get up and down #1.
I have a temporary loft bed because I've removed my base kitchen cabinets for a remodel and needed a storage place till I can reuse them in the guest cottage. I LOVE it! Found a two-step mysterious staircase at the thriftstore for $5, perfect. It's great being at window-level to look out in the mornings!
BTW, AT, thank you SO MUCH for the arrows on the slideshows! It makes a tremendous difference.
You know, I'm just so surprised that in situations like these, one virtually never sees lapeyre (AKA alternate-tread) stairs. They take up only about as much room as a ladder does, yet feel like steps in both the ascent and descent. Some entrepeneurial type could do well by manufacturing a kit. Course, most counties aren't up to speed in including them in code; but as we see, many of these railless designs can't possibly be to code anyway!
Only if you HAVE to, as a reading nook, or for an occasional guest. Having slept in various loft beds, so many defects that make them uncomfortable. Making the bed is a nightmare, so you often give up. You bump your head. You're afraid of falling off in the night in your sleep or in an emergency such as an earthquake or fire. The bathroom in the night thingy. Crawling over your companion. Sex with your companion in the confined space. Seriously....not unless you HAVE to, etc.
Love most of these!
I love 3. The built-in bookcases look amazing.
I find a little interesting that the photo of number 1 is not the original photo and Greek Blog just snatched it without crediting the source. As Scandinavian I can clearly see that it is Scandi apartment (also the view by the window) and the style.
I do not think it is cool to use photos without crediting the source and Apartment Therapy should check the source.
Awesome! I love the idea of having a loft bed at home.. Though I already have that zuo modern safari rug on no. 1, (just bought it last week at homefurnitureandpatio.com w/ free shipping, and I <3 it! :D) I like the no. 8 style more, it's really cool!
LOVE this clean, sophisticated, yet inviting look. I think I would have turned tall bookshelves on their side for the books, putting cushions on them for extra seating/lounging. I'd also add extra pillows for little pops of color (could change them out occasionally with slipcovers). Great job! Very creative
Im dying for a cool sturdy loft bed but at a resonable price i was just wondering where you got yours from and/or any other websites that sell loft beds and can ship them to nz thx xx
Does anyone know where to buy affordable but cool and sturdy loft beds!! That also ship them to nz thx xx