Loft bed for children - design description and selection rules
Children's loft beds appeared on our market not so long ago, but they are winning the hearts of parents and children at a rapid pace. For many families living in small apartments, such models are a real lifeline. These beds fully satisfy the requests and needs of both parents and the child himself.
How is the structure of the loft bed
Children's loft bed is a furniture block characterized by a raised berth to a height of 1 m to 1.5 m from the floor. On the first tier of this design, drawers with shelves, a place for games or sports, a sofa, or a desk can be located. The sleeping place is equipped with bumpers to prevent the child from falling during sleep.
The stairs to the second tier can be either vertical or marching (inclined). Also, in some models, additional cabinets and shelves are used as stairs.
What are the pros and cons
The main advantage of such beds is the saving of the area of the room, its rational use. In addition, these models offer great functionality. Many parents buy children's furniture such as a loft bed, as this saves a lot of money by not having to buy additional furniture. The child receives his own space with the bed.
But such models also have a number of disadvantages:
- Injury hazard. It is highly likely that one day the child may stumble on the stairs, which will lead to his fall;
- Stuffiness. It is known from the laws of physics that warm air rises above cold air, therefore, the higher the sleeping place is in the room, the hotter the air;
- Fear of heights. A high berth may be uncomfortable for a child.
Varieties of loft beds
Manufacturers today offer a large assortment of such furniture, different in design, size and materials used for manufacturing.
By design
The following types of loft beds can be distinguished:
- With storage system. Designed for preschool children. The base of the bed is low and there are drawers and wardrobes underneath. In stores, such beds are usually decorated in the form of cars, fairytale palaces, compositions from various cartoons;
- With a sofa. Below is a folding sofa, which is suitable for sleeping and reading, watching TV, playing games and other activities;
- With a play area. Under the sleeping area there are shelves for storing baby's toys and a play mat. There are models where there is a toy house;
- With a sports area. With this option, rings, a rope, a Swedish wall, a crossbar and the like are placed on the first "floor". For preschoolers, there are models with a small slide equipped at the bottom;
- With a working area. The most common option, in which there is a table, bookcases and cabinets under the berth.
To size
According to the size of the loft beds, it can be divided into the following groups according to the height of the berth:
- Up to 1m. Typically, this is an inexpensive children's loft bed option for preschoolers. Below there are drawers and shelves for things or an area for baby's games. There are models with a folding or pull-out table, which is located on the side of the sleeping area;
- From 1m to 1.5m. Designed for school children. In the lower part, there are wardrobes for storing clothes, a table for classes, shelves and racks.
- 1.5 m and above. Designed for teenagers.
Important! It is worth noting that the more functionality the model has, the larger the dimensions of the entire furniture block will be.
If you have two children, then manufacturers can offer corner models in which berths are placed perpendicular to each other.
According to the material from which it is made
There is no better material for making children's furniture than wood, as it is environmentally friendly and harmless to the health of the child. Wood is a strong and durable material. The undoubted plus of wood is that it always stays warm. In addition, it is easy to process, so the range of products is always huge. The wood at the factory is treated with a special compound that prevents decay.
Furniture made of chipboard, fiberboard or MDF is significantly cheaper, but durability does not differ. In addition, these loft beds are afraid of moisture and often crack and dry out.
Very few factories are engaged in the production of loft beds from metal, so their choice is small. The main disadvantages of such products are heavy weight and increased risk of injury.
There are also combined models in which the metal frame is sheathed with wooden panels. These beds are durable, strong and can support the weight of any child.
How to choose the right loft bed
Measure the room to determine the maximum dimensions in advance. Also, consider the age of your beloved child - a bed that is too high is not suitable for a preschooler.
Since this is children's furniture, all corners should be rounded or covered with protective soft pads.
If you want to buy a loft bed for children with a working area, then first imagine it in your room - is there enough natural light for the table, is it in a niche or recess where little light will fall
Do not chase functionality, choose the model, the capabilities of which you will use to the maximum.
It is necessary to check the stairs leading to the second tier. Its steps should be comfortable and non-slip.
Top models and brands (+ price range)
Today in the furniture showroom you will find a large assortment of loft beds from Russian and foreign manufacturers.
It is possible to purchase a loft bed from the manufacturer on the internet sites.
From Russian factories, it is worth taking a closer look at such brands as Mebelgrad, Formula Mebeli, Krasnaya Zvezda. The lower limit of the price range for a wooden bed is 10,000 rubles, which is quite inexpensive.
Thanks to our article, you got acquainted with the types of loft beds for children, with their capabilities, pros and cons. Consider everything that we have told you with your future purchase. Discuss with your child the loft bed what functionality he would like and what kind of design. Together, you can choose the best option on the market.
Video: DIY children's loft bed