A low steel platform bed such as this one from Room and Board would be your best bet - the steel would coordinate well with the other steel elements within your loft.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19613&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=&menuSubcategory=191135

I agree with bepsf--I'd use a very low, modern Japanese style platform bed (maybe a matching or contrasting wood or steel as suggested above).

You have an absolutely beautiful space to work with, so congrats on that! Bonus that the stairs are fairly standard and not some ladder contraption or other sketchy stairs. I would love to live in loft-type space like that, especially with people (and pet) friendly stairs to the mezzanine/loft.

[and the bonus is that you can find nice, wooden platform beds super cheap...not sure about metal ones though]

What a fun space! I imagine there's a wall of windows on the end we can't see.

I feel like the loft area needs a throw rug...that carpet is a bit too office-y.

The space under the stairs is calling out for something...shelves, perhaps?

http://www.environmentfurniture.com/collection/edge-bed

I think a lot of the lower beds here at environment furniture would look great! I don't know what the prices are like, but maybe you could invest in something you love since you may be in your home a while! Otherwise some of them look like they have high DIY potential!

Congrats on he new home!

Congrats on the new digs, it looks very nice!
Are you going to paint the bedroom? I am thinking I would probably paint everything white, i.e. the ceiling and the built-in shelving on the right side.

A simple stained wood to wrap around your mattress would offer a place to tuck in your blanket, or wrap it around your box spring and add a lip on the inside to tuck under your mattress, and viola.
I couldn't find the exact picture I was looking for, but something like this only sitting flat on the floor and without the weird parts that stick out.

http://bedzine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/noah.jpg

Something like this would also be pretty simple to make, with the optional headboard.

http://www.memoryfoamcomfort.ca/wood_bed_frames/bed_frames_canada.jpg

Good luck!

Not to be negative, but those stairs aren't up to building code. They require a hand rail, unless this loft is in a country other than the US? Be careful!!

Not exactly cheap, but a way cool solution: http://www.haikudesigns.com/tatami-bed.htm

Thanks for all the suggestions already and for the wonderful comments! We are very excited to move in.

@citygirlsf taking out the carpet is on the top of our to do list once we take possession. We dont know what's underneath but if we need to lay something new we are thinking cork. If anyone has other suggestions though, I would love to hear.

@canadianmango we aren't going to paint the ceiling but we are planning to paint the built ins white.

@zepper I believe one railing is fine here (im in Toronto) but it is scary - addressing that is on our long list for sure.

If the bed was covered in a fitted cover it would look tailored and not sloppy or messy at all. I've seen fitted bed covers in leather, cowhide, heavy upholstery fabric and even made from moving quilts that are affordable. Put something more interesting above the bed; maybe something as wide as the bed or wider and almost to the ceiling giving the illusion of more height. One other suggestion is to use wall sconces or hanging lights on each side of the bed instead of a table lamp. I would also consider painting the ceiling a light color which would also give it height. You can easily transform the sleeping loft for little cash into a striking and fun space. Hire a local unknown S.F. graffiti artist to paint a wall mural behind the bed. Dictate the colors but let him/her have complete artistic freedom otherwise.

I would try bed frames from IKEA that have a nice selection of low beds. They're relatively inexpensive and most are fairly sturdy.

This platform bed from Charles P. Rogers is 10 1/4" high. Free delivery, but takes 8 wks if the model isn't in stock. No tax to California. $499 for queen. $599 for King/Cal King.

http://www.charlesprogers.com/solide-platform-bed-p-392.html?cPath=31_155

Good Night! I love your place, but your stairs are giving me heart complications. All it's going to take is one hangover morning where the room is spinning a little and then SPLAT. It will be scrambled YOU for breakfast! PLEASE get a banister!

That aside- Your place is fantastic. Get a low bed, you need support for the mattress. Something along the lines of Ikea's Malm bed or West Elm's super-low beds. Good luck!

OMG this is in Toronto? *swoon* Yay, I'd love to get a place like this in TO, though it's probably very pricey if it's downtown(?). You're going to have lots of fun decorating this place.

I do agree with the others about getting a handrail though, but like I said at least it's not some vertical ladder or something (an instant turnoff for me--what happens if you're injured or if you like to snuggle with your pet or something?).

(especially with those (lovely) concrete floors!).

I have IKEA's cheapest wood bed frame- which is quite low and easy to mod. With slats, no boxspring, and a 'opedic mattress, is very low profile. They don't appear to make the one I have anymore but this is very similar: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80185066 Might be a good temporary option until you can build/buy one of those sweet platform beds.

No suggestions, but I love your new home!

Please do NOT paint the lovely wood ceiling! Built-ins white good for uniformity. Cork floors sound great, silent and nice underfoot, better than that carpet and will unify with the ceiling, but the behind the bed-deal needs to stay different than a white to bridge the two lateral surfaces. A low platform with storage underneath would be my choice, but in wood, not metal so no bruises getting in and out of bed, the stairs are enough of a challenge, believe me! Great space, and good luck!

Ligne Roset and the Italian furniture companies excel in designing gorgeous platform beds.

One of the enduring classics is the Maly Bed, designed over 25 years ago, and still gorgeous. It has many options for trays, numbers of pillows, and upholstery. Check it out. (Roset is readily available in TO, and they have 2 sales a year).

http://www.ligne-roset-usa.com/products/sleeping/beds/Maly_34.aspx

The bed I am in love with at the moment though is the bed designed by Patricia Urquiola for Molteni, the Night & Day Bed, which came out just last year.

Elegant, simple, sexy, and available in many different fabric options.

http://www.stylepark.com/fr/molteni-und-c/nightundday-bed

Flou is another line to look into.

Have fun searching for beds!

Oh, as for the flooring...

This is your nest, your personal cocoon above your living area.

I would not go with cork. Cork just does not have the sort of tactile feel that I would appreciate for a bedroom -- not comforting, warm or sexy.

I would do wall-to-wall sisal or wool sisal (there are many textural and colour options), and then cover with a large area rug. Ideally, the area rug should have a dramatic and soft texture. Not knowing anything about the sorts of colours, woods and linens you plan to bring into the space, I would suggest either a natural flokati or long-haired goat skin rug. This will go great with your white built-ins, the ceiling, and the neutrality of the sisal, focussing the attention on texture. (in this case, I would love to see it paired with the night & day bed I suggested!).

I'm so confused by the people who move into loft apartments and then solicit advice from strangers because they don't seem to understand what loft living entails.

If you were in the UK I'd suggest Warren Evans... But have you thought of going Japanese-style with tatami matting and a futon? You can roll your futon up every day to make some extra space.

most stores from ikea to room and board have what you want -- spend a day shopping! I have always seen lots of low platform beds at scandanavian stores.
My only suggestion is in small spaces storage is always an issue, look for something that has built in drawers for a little extra storage.

@anthropos It is in the Junction Triangle area so not as crazy as Downtown proper. We lucked out I think ;)

@visuallingualltd I'm not sure I understand your statement. I wouldn't have bought this space if I didn't understand what it entails and asking for advice about a smart bed frame option doesn't imply that I don't.

@virtuelsie don't worry - we won't paint the ceiling! Thanks for your cork suggestions.

Thanks to everyone else again for all of the suggestions (and concern for our lack of outer handrail - can you believe the previous owner had 2 small children?). We can't wait to get in and start making this place our own.

There are no rules for loft living or for living in any kind of space. Do what you want, make it your own and enjoy!

Oh, michelleto, I almost forgot: I just bought a nice reasonably priced low-profile simple wooden bed and "futon" mattress (not the folding type but waay thicker than the traditional Japanese shikifuton) from The Futon Store downtown Toronto. My frame "the Condo" goes for $279 for a double and around $300 for a queen. They have several options to choose from, and their delivery price is reasonable too.

Their address is: www.thefutonstore.net
You might want to check it out. It's on Bloor near Bathurst.

Have fun decorating your new place!

I saw something on here, sorry don't remember the thread, but it was simple wooden pallets. I think they were painted and a mattress laid on top. Very inexpensive, and very cool looking. We have freecycle.com here and I see the pallets being given away all the time. Another suggestion, get your cover a size smaller than the bed, ie: I have a queen size on a platform so I bought a full size comforter, doesn't hang and puddle, so not so messy looking.

I live in a loft, too. I find that with the exception of the bed frame, lamp and side table I don't really need any extra furniture. Since you already have a built-in side table and a lamp, I'd suggest just getting an old wooden futon frame and keep it laying flat. Set your mattress on top. Done! That's what we've done with our bed. It's the simplest solution, and you don't even see the frame. It does keep the bed low, too which I think you should definitely do no matter what you choose to go with. I'd say add a chair in your space, just to have a little seating and you're done!

@lac105323 Wow, I love your palette idea and your tip re: downsizing the comforter. Great ideas!

here's the link to the repurposing palettes idea:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/roundup/palettes-in-the-home-148661?image_id=2624735

Very interesting & nice mattress story!! Great service with this... Really impressed to your service.
Thanks
Amelia Preya
"Adjustable Bed"