How to make custom loft beds for kids
These days everyone is scaling down to save money, and that includes living in smaller spaces. This means that it is important to make use of every bit of space available to you, and it’s especially important in kids’ rooms where you may have a real need for extra storage for clothing, sports equipment, toys and so on. If you’re looking for a pre-built bunk bed, you’ll find the best ones for kids by clicking here.
Building a loft bed can create a lot of extra living space for your child, and it’s a room addition your child is sure to love. It is important to note that loft beds are only appropriate for children over the age of five. The area under a loft bed is cozy and private and perfect for reading, studying, playing video games or just hiding out. In this article, we will discuss some easy, inexpensive ways to create loft beds for your kids. Read on to learn more.
Sound Advice To Help You Create A Loft Bed For Your Kids
1. Get your measurements right.
The first thing you should do before beginning building a loft bed is to measure. You must have a ceiling height of at least eight feet so that your loft bed will be safe and roomy enough and there will be adequate room underneath for living area and/or storage. Having the sleeping area too close to the ceiling can cause problems with excessive heat, lack of ventilation and injuries caused when your child accidentally bumps his or her head on the ceiling. If you don’t have enough ceiling clearance, you can still create a raised bed with a closet, chest of drawers or storage cabinet underneath. That will free up some of the rest of the room for living area.
2. Decide what kind of loft bed will suit your space.
If your ceiling height is adequate, you can build a genuine loft bed with room to play and study underneath. Your loft bed can be freestanding or it can be partially incorporated into and supported by an existing wall. For a freestanding loft bed, you will need to build a very sturdy frame following safety guidelines adequate for play structures. You will first build a platform about five feet high with sturdy supports on all four corners in a size appropriate for the mattress you have chosen. Underneath, you can build in furnishing such as a desk top, cabinets and so on. Alternately, you might choose existing furnishings that will fit in the space beneath the loft bed.
3. Design your bunk bed.
For greater stability, you can build the loft bed into the existing wall of the room. This is not as complicated as it sounds, since it really just involves locating studs in the wall and securing the frame to the wall using sturdy screws. If you build your loft bed into a corner so that it is supported on two sides by the wall, you will have the greatest degree of safety and stability.
An easy way to create a loft bed for your child is to simply use an existing bunk bed and remove the lower bed. Be very certain that the entire frame of the existing bed is sturdy. If there are wobbly areas, be sure to secure them appropriately. Materials and methods used for this will be determined by the material from which the frame is made. For a wooden frame, you would naturally use wood and wood screws to provide added support to weak areas. For a metal frame you might need to fashion metal strapping. Be sure any rough wooden edges are sanded smooth and any sharp corners are rounded and or covered for safety. A modified bunk bed of this sort should be placed in a corner and secured to the wall for maximum safety and support.
4. Ensure the structure is safe.
Safety should be your watchword with building a loft bed for your kids. It is very important that no part of the structure be wobbly or unsteady. The entire structure should be strong enough to withstand climbing and playing by multiple children. This is why you should follow guidelines for building a play structure rather than a piece of furniture.
Be sure the ladder leading to the top bunk is secure and strong and easy for children to climb. It should also be easy for you to stand on comfortably to change bedding or attend a sick child. Make certain the loft bed is equipped with sturdy rails to prevent falls. Rails should not have gaps large enough for a child to put his or her head through.
Once your loft bed is in place, monitor use carefully at first so that you can make adjustments for safety and ease of use quickly. This will help you avoid potential injuries. Every week when you change the bedding, be sure to examine the structure. Tighten any loose fasteners and smooth down any rough areas. With careful planning, sound building technique and proper maintenance, you can build a great loft bed for your child that will maximize the amount of living space in your child’s room and provide many happy hours of play and relaxation.
