Loft bed opinions

[sam_gordon]

Our youngest DD was a "surprise" (she's now 7, almost 8), so when she was born, we ended up turning an "office" into her bedroom. Floor space has always been at a premium, and I'm thinking about building a "loft bed" so we can use the space under the bed. Here's a rough idea of my plan...

The outer frame would be 2x6. Three sides would be anchored to the wall studs with 4" (maybe 5"?) lag bolts. The center supports would be 2x4, probably attached to the outer frame with joist hangers. The 'top' would be MDF (1/2" probably).

The height allows us to put her dresser under the bed.

At this point, I'm not planning any floor supports. I just find it hard to believe a 7.25' x 3.5' platform anchored on three sides would need floor supports.

I would paint everything white (matches existing trim her in room). Ceiling height is 8'.

I'm not sold on this yet, but I'd work on it next week during my last vacation time. I think the paint would probably cost more than the wood and I should be able to do this for <$100. (three 8' 2x6, three 8' 2x4, two 6' dowel rods, two 8' 1x2, two 8' 1x4 + hardware).

Opinions?

I feel like I asked this before, but want new thoughts and am too lazy to look up the old thread. lol

 

[pooh4evr]

we got a loft bed for our oldest DD when she turned 11 from collegeloftbeds.com
anyway she loves it. It' very sturdy (can hold 1000 lbs) very good quality wood. we also painted it white, it has lots of shelves and a desk underneath. it has helped so much with the space in her room.. Good Luck!

 

[Arielle22]

We bought our older daughter a loft bed when she was around 7 and she kept it for 10 years. Under her bed was where her chest of drawers fit in. Behind the chest was an area where her and her friends would crawl into to play.

Good luck with your project.

 

[pantherlj]

we got a loft bed for our oldest DD when she turned 11 from collegeloftbeds.com
anyway she loves it. It' very sturdy (can hold 1000 lbs) very good quality wood. we also painted it white, it has lots of shelves and a desk underneath. it has helped so much with the space in her room.. Good Luck!

We did collegeloftbeds too - on the 2nd child, held up great

 

[jen1977]

We bought them for our boys who are 11 and 13 now to clear up floor space. They have 8ft ceilings in their rooms, and our 13 year old can't sit on his bed anymore. He has to crawl into and out of bed, and if he sits up, he will hit his head. Our 11 year old is still ok in his, but I imagine he will outgrown his in the next year and a half or so. Since we are already having to look at new beds for our 13 year old, I would have saved the money several years ago, and. Ought the traditional beds instead. If they had higher ceilings in their rooms, it wouldn't be a huge deal. They do like having their desk and dresser under there, but have to have clip on desk lamps since it's pretty dark underneath, even with their overhead lights and lamps on. Huge waste of money for us.

 

[Nolcrest]

When my son was little he loved his loft bed from This End Up. His dresser and a desk were under the bed. I also put a tension rod and curtians up under the bed so it was his own private "fort" or space when he wanted.

We still have the bed too. Very solid. Will last forever. Wish my son would take it with him to his own home now.

 

[Cindy B]

We did an Ikea loft bed with desk for my son when he was 6 or 7. At almost 18 we finally got rid of it.

It was the Tromso brand. Sometimes things we get from Ikea are hit or miss but this worked out well.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

DD8 has one and it really makes a lot more space in her room. Making the bed is a pain, otherwise it's great.

Got it off Craigslist for $75; it's metal.

 

[sukhakuli]

Making the bed and changing the sheets are a major pain.

 

[MIGrandma]

Our DD's children both have loft beds in their rooms (ages 4 and 8) and they love them, especially since their rooms are on the small side. It gives them more floor space for other furniture, their desks, etc.

When our DD was in college she borrowed a loft bed from a friend at church who had used it when she went to college. She loved being able to have her desk underneath it since the dorm room was small and she had a roommate.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

http://ana-white.com/2010/05/furniture-plans-loft-bed.html
Found the one I was talking about, nice plan!