Whether it’s a teenage bedroom or a studio apartment, the best loft beds can double your functional living space, without being a dormitory-style eyesore. In a small space, the raised sleeping area can transform a cramped room into one with plenty of space for playing, studying, or whatever your child is into these days. Plus, the best pieces have a sleek design that can grow with your little one and their hobbies. But lofted beds aren’t just for siblings and sleepovers. Adults can get plenty of use out of these multifunctional pieces as well; if you’ve ever lived in a New York City shoebox, you’ll know that floor space is precious. Give a bohemian feel to your loft-style apartment or transform your small bedroom into a space you can actually live in (not just sleep in).
Our favorite loft bed for older children is the Pottery Barn Sleep and Study loft bed—you know, the one that haunts the minds of the early-aughts teens who got the catalogs. This bed frame features two bookcases, a desk, and a built-in corkboard to display all their memories. For those a bit younger, we love the Ouef Perch twin loft bed. This one’s bottom zone is completely clear and can easily be a play area, reading corner, or storage space. Above, guardrails on all four sides of the bed prevent any fall risks. From a minimalist metal frame to a toddler-worthy reading nook, the best lofted beds ensure your room can serve as so much more than just a place to sleep.
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Our favorite loft bed for older children is the Pottery Barn Sleep and Study loft bed—you know, the one that haunts the minds of the early-aughts teens who got the catalogs. This bed frame features two bookcases, a desk, and a built-in corkboard to display all their memories. For those a bit younger, we love the Ouef Perch twin loft bed. This one’s bottom zone is completely clear and can easily be a play area, reading corner, or storage space. Above, guardrails on all four sides of the bed prevent any fall risks. From a minimalist metal frame to a toddler-worthy reading nook, the best lofted beds ensure your room can serve as so much more than just a place to sleep.
Best Budget Pick
$450 can furnish your kid’s room for a decade or your vacation home for eternity. This is an IKEA bestseller for good reason: solid wood makes a durable foundation and the wide ladder openings make for a painless step. Guardrails are built into the bed itself, so your little angel (and you) will never fear a midnight plummet. With about 5 feet by 7 feet below the bunk, a desk fits comfortably as does a craft table, a small futon, and many, many fort iterations. It also fits a dresser, if you’re in space-saving mode.
Most Design-Minded
Accidentally raised a child with expensive taste? This midcentury full loft bed just might fit their very high bar, plus a built-in desk (with storage drawers) for their many inspired, late-night projects. Clean lines and a warm veneer give this the ‘60s style just right for a burgeoning Frank Lloyd Wright. The full mattress is key, here—it means you can realistically employ this bed through their teen years without an argument.
Best for Teens
As the name suggests, we love the Pottery Barn Sleep & Study lofted bed for its multiuse layout. Choose from a twin or full-size bed to sit above the spacious, L-shaped desk. There are two bookcases (one is beneath the desktop to maximize the natural light) and a desk drawer to ensure your room stays organized, whether you’re storing your books, sports equipment, or vinyl collection. This model even makes use of the bed frame itself, lining one of the support posts with cork to serve as a pinboard to display photos and memorable trinkets. This frame is available in five wood tones ranging from a crisp white to a rich navy to best complement your design style and space.
Best Workspace
Boasting a nearly 78-inch-wide desk beneath the sleeping loft, this bed frame is great for those in school or who want a dedicated space to craft, work, or game. Over 600 five-star reviews tout this bed frame’s durability and spacious layout. It’s important to note that this bed arrives flat-packed and requires a moderately complicated assembly. But what this frame may lack in bells and whistles, it makes up for with an adaptable design. Choose between three colors (dark wood, grey, and white) that can easily shift between ages and design styles.
Best Transitional Bed
A high loft bed at $400 is a steal, and made from solid wood pine, you’re not getting taken for a ride either. Max & Lily knows kid’s furniture and here’s the perfect prototype to prove it. It has an anti-slip ladder, 14 inch guardrails, and nearly 52 inches of headway beneath to suit their needs, from built-in storage for toys to the eventual transition to desk space for groaning over their Bio homework.
Best for Younger Kids
Simple yet design-forward, the slightly Scandi, slightly midcentury frame of the Ouef Perch loft bed can easily adapt to your needs. The space below the sleeping platform is left completely bare, ideal for those who already have a desk or vanity they love, or for those looking to maximize their available play-ready space. Unlike the lofted beds with slatted safety rails, this option is solid on all four sides (save for the ladder opening, of course), which prevents any toys or pillows from falling or getting caught.
For the Minimalist
With no leaning ladder or extending storage area, this loft bed takes up a smaller footprint than other frames on this list. The contemporary design incorporates every detail into the frame itself through cleverly placed cutouts. Made of solid oak and engineered hardwood, this bed frame is sturdy and made to grow with you. While the underbed area is left bare to leave room for a sitting area or workspace, a secondary twin trundle bed is available to purchase to transform this unit into bunk beds.
A Storage-Filled Option
One of the most spacious lofted bed options on the market, West Elm’s Milo bed is packed with storage solutions. With six cubbies, four drawers, and a wide desk (with two additional drawers), you’ll be amazed at how clutter-free your bedroom can become. Because of the bed’s formation—the desk opens to the middle of the room rather than beneath the bed’s frame—this piece of furniture does require more square footage than a typical lofted bed. However, the area can fit another twin bed frame if you decide you need to expand down the line.
