I have a friend that had a loft bed in a very small space (more like 100 square feet) however she found sleeping in the loft to be too claustrophobic. She ended up moving the bed below the loft and just using the top part of the loft for storage. If it was me I would be tempted to get a day bed that could double as a sofa and storage. Ikea has some with drawers for storage http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30080316/

As long as your ceilings are high and it doesnt completely block the windows, I think they can work!

My condo only has 8.5ft ceilings and it just seems too low for me

Loft beds are OK if you don't roll over in your sleep a lot, get up during the night a lot, have dogs or cats who would share the bed (my dogs would never make it up there). I also like the loft beds I've seen that have more than a skimpy ladder (unless you're 12 years old). The photo shown has it the same color as the walls so it blends in (a plus). The other issue I have had is making sure the height of the loft bed is high enough so you are not smashing your head into it. If you have high ceilings and not a lot of floor space, I'd certainly consider it.

A lot of that depends on how high your ceilings are, if they are more than the now common 8.5Ft tall ones found in most post war buildings, then I can see how it can feel cramped when in bed, but you have to admit, it does help with space utilization.

Also, decide how you live and what you intend to do in the space as that'll determine how you go about setting it up.

Difficult to say without a picture of the space or the kind of loftbed you're thinking about. I think a children loftbed or something like that will look bad and cramped, but something which looks designer and built in can look fantastic, the question is if you have the money or diy knowledge to get something like that. With a small budget or diy knowledge it might be better to go with a daybed with storage, that way you have a bed, a couch and some storage, than having your room looking like a children or college dorm room.
Also, it kind of depends of the height of your room.

I'd be more inclined to get a bed that can double as a couch/seating. It's hard to tell without a floorplan, but with your bed lofted, where will you sit?

The last studio I lived in was long and narrow, and some friends encouraged me to get a loft bed but I think they can make a small space very claustrophobic.

Instead, I opted for a futon with a small frame such that the futon coudl be folded up in thirds and rested in the frame to make a relaxing lounge chair. I didn't mind sleeping on the floor at all (but then again, I love Japanese culture), and it was great to come home to my studio, especially with guests, and it felt like a living room. The Japanese are really smart regarding the use of room space.

you could always make a loft and use it for storage instead of the actual bed.

My husband and I hand built a double loft bed when we were first married and lived in a tiny apt. The ceilings were 9 or 10 ft, and we designed it so that my 6 ft tall husband could just sit up in bed without smacking his head. We kept the couch, stereo, and a drafting table below. Fine for sitting, but not even I could stand upright (I''m 5'4") in that space. It also blocked half of the row of windows in that room.

Changing linens and making the bed is a hot, exhausting, onerous chore. As a result, be prepared to have a mussed, unmade bed 90% of the time. Our apt was on the 2nd floor, so the combination of an upper story with a bed near the ceiling meant it was horrendously hot during the summer. We slept with our heads at the open windows and our arms dangling outside. Seriously.

We did what was necessary because it was only logical for that time and space, but we've only ever had our bed firmly planted on the ground after we moved.

I live in 125 square feet, made only possible by the fact that my bed is elevated. I have to climb a ladder to get up there and there is just enough space to turn over or recline to read a book. I love my cozy nest, but it is definitely not for everyone. I prefer to use the bedroom as a good size home office since I spend my days there and only eight hours unconscious. It really depends on your priorities.

I have seen small apartments with really high ceilings where you could have a mezzanine-type space with proper stairs and room to walk up right, making the loft bed area more like a second story.

I think a proper loft bed - not those ordinary beds on long legs - will work in the right kind of room. Ideally across an alcove or between two end walls, rather like a giant shelf. The illustration accompanying your post is a particularly bad example, it would be better to use a part of the room away from the window for sleeping. A loft bed or mezzanine should fit naturally into the space, with either storage, a work area or seating beneath it, where you do not necssarily need full height (below) to stand up. Hope this helps.

i lived in a bakery turned studio and the previous tenant had done precisely this.
the studio had very high ceilings and the loft was built against the interior wall so it obstructed no views. it also gave the space a sense of division and the loft was large enough for a queen size bed and a small nightstand.
there were other studios in this bakery with the same floor plan that had no loft built and i can say that i really lucked out. i don't know that it would have occurred to me then that such a thing could be done.

I've seen more lofts done wrong than right. Anything that blocks the sight lines, adds angles to the room or lowers the ceiling is going to make the space feel smaller. Plus, climbing a ladder and sleeping with only a couple feet of head room is not a great way to live. Why not get a daybed/sofabed/futon option? Much better solution than having both a sofa and a mattress in a tiny studio.

Hard to give a definitive answer without knowing ceiling height and general floor plan. A slightly different option could be having a very tall bed - like 36" kitchen counter height - with a lot of built in storage underneath it. That way the precious floor space is serving double duty without the need to climb a ladder.

I'd go with a daybed, maybe one with a trundle too (or trundle storage). Then if you move at some point the daybed would be a lot easier to work into a new place or sell to someone else versus a loft.

Hope this helps a little!

I saw it years ago in the now defunct Domino (sigh).

http://decor8blog.com/2009/02/04/meet-interior-designer-robin-sillau/

You have to think about not only will you feel claustrophobic up in bed, but will you and your guests feel claustrophobic sitting in the space under your bed. Judging from their opposition, I think their answer is yes. I bet getting clever with bed to sofa seating and functional furniture that has storage capacity will be a winner.

Well I live in a 300 square foot apartment currently and don't find it to be terribly small. I have enough room for a queen bed, dresser nightstand and floor mirror in my bedroom, a small couch, desk and bookshelf in my livingroom, and a table that seats four in my kitchen. What I'm saying is that you probably don't need a lofted bed to maximize space as long as you don't have an excessive about of possessions. However I am a fan of the look of lofted beds and say go for it if you can find a nice one and have the ceiling height.

What about a Murphy bed?

What about a murphy bed? I dont know what your place looks like at all, but they sure save room. You could even get crazy and attach some sort of fold down table to the bottom. If you do it we will surely need a picture. ;)

I used to live in a 225 sq ft studio and decided to loft my bed because I entertain often and didn't want people all over my sleeping space. I didn't feel like it made the space feel smaller. On the contrary, it felt more like a real apartment (vs. a hotel) being able to have a desk, couch, etc. If you go with the loft, I recommend building a shelf to put your glasses, alarm clock, etc.

You should also be smart with the rest of your furniture. Buy foldable tables or tray tables that you can stash when not in use but can be brought out if you want someone to come to dinner. Also look for furniture that can serve double duty (eg: a trunk as a coffee table that can also be used as storage).

Think of the pragmatic issues, mostly already mentioned. Are the ceilings high enough so you can sit up if not STAND up on the bed platform? Would the platform be large enough so you have room all around for adjusting the linens? Are you good with ladders or the kind of stairs you could have? Do you need to get up during the night? Do you have pets? (If so, do THEY need you to get up in the night???)

All sorts of factors to think about and approve before getting serious.

How about getting a platform storage bed, and hanging cabinets or shelves on the wall above it? I think that in a space that small, every single piece should have some sort of storage function!

Our kid has a very small room, and also has lots of "stuff". So we recently built him a loft bed and it's AWESOME! He has his own little "man cave" beneath, and now enough floor space for two comfy chairs for when his buddies visit. We specifically needed a loft bed with a perfectly vertical ladder, so as not to take up any further space. Our ceilings are only 8 ft, but he can fully stand underneath, and sit up straight in bed. We will probably add a desk and chair when he's older. Here is our bed: http://diyloftbed.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/we-made-a-loft-bed/

If the Israeli IKEA does the 2-seater bed settee, that is a small neat option that opens up into a serviceable double bed and, as I have just proved for a few days, works nicely as a single bed with the back cushions removed (and one used as a pillow). I'm not very tall though. I read once about a chic New Yorker who slept between two duvets which, I must say, sounds a quick answer to the whole fold-up bed bother. Loft beds sound fun but think about those nights when you've had a drink or two and wake up in the night needing to go...

I'd love a room with ceiling height that leaves room for a loft bed.
Good luck with whatever you decide

I wish AT would do a piece on stylish and functional futon/daybed/sleeper sofas. It seems like this issue comes up a lot, and maybe people need some fresh ideas.

I have lived and worked in less than 300 square feet for 3 years. Before I rented my unit, there was lofted bed which was situated halfway up several windows; despite the high ceilings, the space underneath felt crowded and unusable. I asked the management co. to take down the loft and it opened up the light and space considerably. I eventually bought a murphy bed (used on Craigslist).My space is infinitely more useable now. I agree with the others that the ceiling height and placement matter with a lofted bed. My feeling is that having ceilings under 9 feet makes it a challenge to use the space underneath.
youandmeandwalliemakethree.com

This is a very well done loft http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2012/12/05/inside_a_271squarefoot_urban_treehouse_in_brooklyn.php

A loft bed is one of those things that makes sense logically - but not spatially. What you're trying to achieve is (a) a place to sleep and (b) a place to live / entertain.

The best solution is to combine these functions in a beautiful daybed. Consider the cost of building a nice loft as you contemplate. For that price you can buy a beautiful antique Balinese or Chinese daybed, plus beautiful fabrics. (You can also resell an antique daybed, not a sleeping loft)

A dramatic daybed should fit your sleeping and dwelling needs, much better than the cramped spaces created by a sleeping loft. I've known a few people in New York City who have had them in studio apartments, and they have entertained 3-4 people comfortably. Get a local futon store to order a custom-made mattress for you, it's surprisingly affordable.

Some examples-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1080793/How-Brazilian-fashion-designer-Daniella-Helayel-transformed-Chelsea-flat-treasures-travels.html

http://www.houzz.com/photos/61154/San-Francisco-Decorator-Showcase-tropical-living-room-san-francisco

http://usa.living4media.com/images/A-large-Chinese-daybed-filled-with-cushions-and-surrounded-by-chairs-and-ceramic-stools-furnishes-this-library-00719803

http://www.fortunyshop.com/blog/?p=159

Good luck!

I'm not sure what kind of loft bed SpaceKit is thinking about, but when I was younger, my dad built a loft bed for maybe $200 with this plan: http://www.oploftbed.com/aboutus.php (I know, it has a very awkward name.) Is it designer? Obviously not, but it comes together quickly, easily, and is quite sturdy.

We had it on the highest setting, so I basically crawled into bed. It worked at the time, but as an adult, I prefer more space (and style.) I currently live in a 250 sq ft apartment, which would be terribly suited for a loft bed. I tried a futon, and you know what? They suck. After a few months, they get pretty uncomfortable to sit or sleep on, and they always seem dorm-y. In the end, I just decided to use a full size bed. Yes, it takes up all the space, and so I don't have a couch. Is it so weird to just have guests sit on the bed?

So, I would recommend getting either a regular bed, or a daybed. Sleeping badly sets your whole day off on the wrong foot - it's worth the space for a good night's sleep.

Consider an airbed that you can deflate and put away easily. I used one for 5-6 years and it was really comfortable plus its "adjustable" like the expensive sleep comfort beds.

I lived in a very small apartment with high ceilings where I was able to build a comfortably tall loft space. I still regretted it. The room felt terribly dark and cramped. In retrospect I would have just used a daybed and raised it up a little to add extra storage underneath. You will have a much greater sense of space if you can keep the area above waist-level as open as possible - no lofts, wall shelves, etc.

Agree with those who said the ceiling height is a key issue. Don't even think about it unless there is at least 7 feet under the loft. The average person must be able to use the space under the loft without stooping to make it worthwhile.