by If you are tight on space in your dorm room, the best way to go is up. There is nothing you can do when you have a small room unless it’s your house and you can make it big.
Getting more space out from your dorm room to place other furniture apart from your bed will only make sense if you loft your bed. But how to loft a dorm bed? Let’s find out.
How To Loft a College Dorm Room Bed – Step by Step
The best way to loft your dorm bed is with the help of a lofting kit. Most of these lifting beds in the dorm rooms can be connected with a lofting kit. So if you have a compatible bed, lifting with the help of the equipment will be a pretty simple process.
You will also need some help with this, so ask your roommate to get it done with you, as it is a two-person job. Here are the steps that you need to follow,
- Start by acquiring a lofting kit from the market or housing office and then take your mattress off the bed and place it out of your way.
- Now, turn over the bed frame and ensure you have space.
- The next step is to place the wooden pegs on all corners of your frame, right at the bottom of its legs.
- After that, you will have to attach additional legs to your original frame using those pegs.
- To ensure that all the fittings are precise, you can stand on one side of the bed for guidance, and your friend can do the same on the other.Â
- As you and your friend each side of the bed frame, turn it up and check whether all the pegs are securely in place.
- Now, take the frame back from where you have moved it to the center of the room, and put the mattress back on it.
- If you have a ladder, attach it to the frame, secure it in place, and attach the safety rail if you have it. Now, you have more room under your bed. You can start placing your items under it and properly use it.
Can You Loft a Dorm Bed?
Yes, you can undoubtedly loft a dorm bed with the help of the steps that we have listed above. If you have a slotted frame, remove the bed frame and move it a step up according to your preference.
But if you want a lot more space underneath, you will have to go for a lofting kit and attach that kit to the bottom of your bed as per the steps we have listed above.
How Do You Lift a College Dorm Bed?
There are various ways of lifting your college dorm bed. You can always use a lofting kit for raising your bed and then add a ladder and a safety rail to go with it.
If you have a slotted bed frame, you can always take out the bed frame and move it up one slot. This way, you can keep moving up the frame until you have enough space to place your items.
If you want to elevate the sleep surface and don’t want to elevate the bed itself, you can always use a mattress topper (check the best selling mattress toppers for college) and go for a thicker mattress. Duets and comforters can also make your sleep surface look higher.
You can always use a platform bed if you don’t have a bed frame. It will work pretty well if you have a box spring bed. This is where you need to use your mattress topper.
You can also go with a foam wedge or a solid platform bed right below the base of the mattress. Another option is to go for a mattress foundation, or you can add wheels to your bed frame.
How High Can Dorm Beds Be Raised?
It entirely depends upon the dorm bed that you have. And, of course, it will also depend upon how you plan to raise it. If you are lifting it using a lofting kit, it will go up around 60 inches in height.
So, you will have plenty of space underneath your bed to place a mini fridge or a desk under your bed. And the best part is that you won’t have to feel like you are climbing a mountain when you try to get into your bed.
Most loft beds tend to measure around 58 to 60 inches in height; you have to be sure that there is a difference of 33 inches between your bed surface and your ceiling. This way, you won’t feel all cramped sitting in your bed or even when you are sleeping in it.
You also must follow specific rules and guidelines when using lofting beds. And these rules are governed by your college. So you must go through these safety guidelines before planning to put up a loft bed in your dorm room.
Can I Loft My Bed in College?
The positive of lofting your bed in college is that you will get additional space underneath your bed. And you can use it to place other furniture and appliances. But most colleges and universities have a fee for that, which ranges around USD 150 per semester.
So it becomes a lease situation. It is better to get in touch with your dorm room administration at your institution and get all the details associated with setting up these beds, any fees, and the safety guidelines.
How Do I Turn My Bed Into a Loft?
Yes, you can turn your conventional bed into a loft bed. But it would be a much simpler option for you if you have a DIY thumb because you will be able to do it on your own.
Otherwise, you will have to hire a professional, which means more money. But you can do so by using standard 4×4 posts. If you can’t do it on your own and can spare some extra cash, it’s better to go to your local home improvement facility to assist you.
What is a Lofting Kit?
As we have mentioned above, a lofting kit is a kit that you can use for lofting your dorm bed. It is designed to lift a metal or wooden bed, and you don’t have to disassemble anything.
These kits have a patent for expanding in width and length, and they are designed to be paired with a wide variety of residence hall bed sizes that come with foot and headboards.
These kids are pretty easy to install, and you can go through the entire installation process above that we have listed in several steps. With the help of these kits, you can conveniently raise your bed and make plenty of space underneath it to place other appliances and furniture.
How Do You Raise a Low Loft Bed?
To make your low loft bed higher, you need to install bed risers on your loft bed posts (check the top rated dorm bed risers). You can also create your own bed risers if you are a DIY thumb with the help of casters and wood blocks.
Another opinion is to replace the loft bed and go for the extra tall one. But you must remember that adding bed risers to your extra elevated loft beds is not an excellent option because it is not a safe assembly.
Is It Weird to Have a Loft Bed?
No, it is not a word to have a loft bed. Going for this type of bed is very practical, mainly if you have limited space. You will be saving a lot of space underneath your bed. This is especially the case if you share your dorm room with your roommate.
And even if you are an adult, having a loft bed in your small studio apartment is outstanding. You can make a lot of space for your work desk underneath your bed. You can even use it to place other appliances or furniture too.
Why Does My Loft Bed Wobble?
You will notice that these lift beds tend to feel wobbly. It is because their bolts are loose. It is also due to the fact that they are not wide enough in structure, so they can’t support heavy bed frames or mattresses.
Therefore, you will have to make a few changes to your bed and can add wider legs to it to make the bed more secure. You can also place the loft bed right next to the wall to provide it with more stability and assist it in being firmly planted and ready for you to sleep and sit around in it.
Can I Stack Bed Risers?
You can stack bed risers if you have the ones that are stackable when they are not in use. These bed risers come with a broad base, and they have a pretty stable foundation. So you can place them on one another under each leg of your bed frame.
How to Loft a Dorm Bed with PVC Pipe?
PVC pipe is assembled properly and can hold plenty of weight. Of course, you will need to have some DIY experience under your belt. But you can always make a bed riser or additional layer of PVC pipe right under your mattress.
You will have to make a bed frame using the pipes and elbow and join them together. The dimensions and size of the frame you develop using the PVC pipe need to be exactly the same as your bed frame. Then, you can place it under your bed frame and make it lofted.
Key Takeaways: Guide on How to Loft a Dorm Bed
Why Loft Your Dorm Bed?
If you are tight on space in your dorm room, lofting your bed is a strategic solution. Maximizing space is crucial in small rooms, and raising the bed offers room for additional furniture and storage beneath.
Lofting with a Kit
The optimal method for lofting a dorm bed is by using a lofting kit. These kits are readily available and facilitate the lifting process. Most dorm beds can be integrated with a lofting kit, making it a simple and efficient method.
Lofting Steps
Lofting a bed is straightforward with the right tools and assistance. It is recommended to involve a roommate or a friend since it’s a two-person task. Begin by procuring a lofting kit, then remove the mattress, and follow the kit’s instructions closely. Typically, this involves adjusting the bed’s legs and ensuring all connections are securely in place.
Alternative Lofting Methods
While lofting kits are popular, other methods for raising a dorm bed exist. For beds with slotted frames, adjusting the frame’s height is a viable option. Additionally, mattress toppers can elevate the sleeping surface without altering the bed frame. Other solutions include using a platform bed or adding wheels for added height.
Lofting Safety and Height
When lofting a bed, safety and comfort should be top priorities. It’s crucial to ensure there is adequate space between the lofted bed and the ceiling. Also, always consult college guidelines when considering lofting, as there may be safety regulations and potential fees involved.
Addressing Loft Bed Concerns
Some may wonder if having a loft bed is peculiar or question its stability. However, loft beds are both practical and space-saving. It’s essential to address any wobbling by ensuring all bolts are tight and the bed frame is adequately supported.
Conclusion:
There are various ways to loft your dorm bed. The easiest way to go is using a lofting kit. It is pretty secure, and it comes with safety rails and a ladder to make your entire bed set up even more secure and sturdy.
Lofted beds are much easier to handle, but if you don’t have a theme, you can use bed risers and even make an additional layer to insert right under your bed frame made of PVC pipe.