8 Ideas to Make Loft Beds Look Cool With Pictures!

Does your child’s room feel bland, uninviting, or boring and small? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could fit more than just a bed in your kids’ room? With a loft bed, you could create a play space, add a desk, chair, drawers, or any other furniture in the same space as a single bed. Loft beds are both functional and fun! 

In this article we discuss the fun sides of loft beds.

Here are 8 ways to make loft beds look cool:

• Build a fort under the loft bed
• Create a theme for the room by using the loft bed as a centerpiece
• Play with bright colors with the loft bed and the room
• Create a cute nook for studying under the loft bed 
• Convert the loft bed into a spot to hang out (especially great for teens)
• Create a cool loft bed gaming zone 
• Make the bedroom look like it’s the outdoors by decorating the loft bed
• Make your loft bed look cool with a swing for your child

Background Information

Please, feel free to skip this section if you already know what loft beds and bunk beds are

What is a loft bed?

In simple terms, a loft bed is a single bed that is elevated high enough to free up the floor space underneath it for other uses. 

If you’d like more information, read our comprehensive guide on loft beds.

You may use the freed-up space for several purposes such as storage, study, or play. A loft bed will help you make the most of the square footage in a small room. 

You get to decide the height of the bed frame. It all depends on the user and the purpose of the space below the bed. Take a look at our article on how to choose the ideal loft bed height for you or your child. 

Where are loft beds used?  

Loft beds are great multi-purpose pieces of furniture for small apartments and rooms. They are useful in: 

• Studio apartments 
• Kids’  and guest rooms
• College dorms  

You get the chance to customize the space beneath the top bunk. You can set up a working area, storage, or a play station for your kids. Here’s 10 different ways to use the space below your loft bed.

What is the difference between loft beds and bunk beds?

Lots of people get mixed up when it comes to differentiating between loft and bunk beds. This is made harder by the fact that many stores advertise them in the same section.

A bunk bed features vertically stacked bed frames while a loft bed has a single raised bed. Both are useful for maximizing the floor space in a small bedroom. However, a loft bed gives you more options because of the space underneath the raised bed.     

Consider this scenario. With a loft bed, you can install a futon below the elevated bed. The futon will work as a sofa by day and a bed by night. On the other hand, a bunk bed will only provide you two full-time beds. It’s not as versatile as a loft bed. We also believe loft beds are way cooler because of this versatility. 

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to make your loft bed look cool, check out the ideas below. You may also enjoy this article on using bunk bed room dividers to make small rooms really functional.

Idea 1: Build a cool fort under the loft bed

With some customized or themed curtains, you can turn the space below the loft bed into a little fort. You can accessorize the space to fit a little princess, pirate, or whatever your child is into. Plus, we know how much children love to play hide and seek. A little fort will work as a nice hideout. 

Steps to building an epic fort below a loft bed

1. Free up space under the top bunk. 
2. Get some curtains or sheets that can cover up the entire space under the bed. You can buy themed curtains however any lightweight sheets or curtains will work. 
3. Secure the curtains in place at the top bunk. Ensure they run from the bed frame to the floor. Leave a convenient place for the kids to enter and exit the fort. 
4. Decide what you’ll put on the floor. You can go with cushions, pillows, blankets, and/or a thick pile carpet. 
5. Decorate it to your child’s interests. Or leave it empty and let them exercise their imagination as they play in the fort. 
6. Make it magical by adding a string of lights so they can use it when it gets dark.  

A cool loft bed fort with a low loft bed. Simply adding themed curtains can bring your child’s imagination to life. Image from Sweet Retreat Kids.

Idea 2: Create a theme for the room by using the loft bed as a centerpiece

What’s your kid’s favorite cartoon, movie, sport, or hobby?  Well, you can build a loft bed themed around their favorite pastime activity. You can include lights, action figures, and collectibles. Here are some great theme ideas for kids.

Steps to creating themed loft bed that looks cool

1. Decide on a theme. For example mickey mouse, barbie, star wars, baseball, e.t.c. You can buy a loft bed pre-built with the appropriate design or you can customize a normal loft bed and make it your own. 
2. Add pillows and beddings whose colors and patterns highlight the theme
3. Get themed items such as action figures, dolls, and toys. Place the items on the floor, on shelving, or a table underneath the bed.  You can also add stickers to the wall or bed frame. 
4. Use paint patterns to really bring the theme out. Paint the bed and the walls in colors that match the theme. 

Here’s a cute, themed loft bed design for your child’s room. Notice the matching colors and the use of stuffed animals to bring the theme to life. Image from ParaPente

Idea 3: Play with bright colors with the loft bed and the room

Create a colorful loft area that is warm and inviting by mixing and matching your child’s favorite colors. Including their favorite colors will make the loft bed feel personal and fun. Don’t limit yourself to blue for boys or pink for girls. Be creative and use the power of colors to excite your kids’ imagination. 

Steps to adding awesome colors to your loft bed room

1. Decide on the main color combo. Here are some great color combination ideas for kids.
   
   Kids’ bedroom colors should lean towards bright beautiful shades rather than cool or dark colors. Try combinations such as light purple and pink, red and white, yellow and green, or purple and yellow. You can choose one color for the bed and a different color for the wall.
2. Choose an additional color or pattern for the wall space under the loft bed to mix it up.
3. Throw in a colorful rug and cushions on the floor beneath the bed. 

Bright colors can bring a child’s room to life. Check out this bright orange themed loft bed room with lots of stuffed animals. Image from Houzz.

Idea 4: Create a cute nook for studying under the loft bed 

Do you have a little one who just loves to read? Then, you can create a cozy reading corner under your child’s loft bed. Include shelves and bookcases for their favorite books. You can also add fun items and memorabilia depending on their interests. 

A loft bed with a desk doesn’t need to be raised too high. If your child is young, you can get a low loft bed. Check to see that your kid can sit comfortably at the desk. In some designs, the desk is installed beside the bed rather than directly beneath the top bunk.  

Steps to creating a dedicated study area under the loft bed

1. Pick out a loft bed with a desk and comfortable chair. Ensure the bed includes bookshelves and drawers. 
2. Use stimulating colors around the study area
3. Add adequate lighting for when they want to read at night or early in the morning 
4. Add props that match your kid’s interests. For example a globe, periodic table, or wall art. 
5. Add a motivating note for your child. You can write on a white board to encourage your kid to keep reading. 

With just a simple mini-library, lighting, and a desk/chair, you can make your child’s loft bed cool and encourage their reading habit. Image from Imgur.

Idea 5: Convert the loft bed into a spot to hang out (especially great for teens)

As they grow older, your children will want to hang out with their friends more. Can’t you just picture your kid getting home with their friends and saying, “we’ll be in my room mom!” Well, you better be prepared for it. 

You can make their room more accommodating by getting a loft bed with a cozy hangout spot beneath the top bunk. A small comfortable couch and a table will create a space where they can study or hang out. You may also choose to invest in a convertible sofa bed or a daybed with a trundle, if you anticipate lots of sleepovers. You may want to increase the height of your loft bed if you have tall teenagers. 

Steps to creating a hangout space underneath a loft bed 

1. Choose cozy furniture to sit on. Buy a small sofa, futon, beanbags, or pillows. 
2. Add a small table for books or refreshments. 
3. Make arrangements for sleepovers. You may use a convertible sofa bed or a daybed with a trundle bed underneath. Or you can choose portable furniture so that you can free up the area under the bed and place a mattress on the floor. 

Here’s a great, low-cost, way to make a loft bed look cool for your teenager. Image from Karen’s blog.

Idea 6: Create a cool loft bed gaming zone 

Is your child into gaming? If so, they’ll absolutely love a gaming zone right below their bed. You may not want to encourage their habit, but you’ll definitely be a cool parent in their eyes if you make a gaming corner. Just make sure to limit their gaming time so they don’t spend all night playing with their console. 

Steps to creating a gaming zone under a loft bed

1. Pick out a loft bed with ample space below the top bunk for a desk and chair. You can choose a bed that comes with a desk. Use chairs that have great lumbar support
2. Plan on where to place gaming essentials. These include speakers, TV or projector, consoles, and accessories. 
3. Think about soundproofing. Gaming can get loud. You can get your kid headphones or get professional soundproofing materials to keep the noise in the room. 
4. Install ambient and mood lighting. 
5. You can add decoration and collectibles depending on their favorite games 

Here’s a cool gaming zone idea for the space below a loft bed. Image from Lisa’s tweet.

Idea 7: Make the bedroom look like it’s the outdoors by decorating the loft bed

Have a kid that loves the outdoors or camping? You can build them a little cabin underneath the loft bed frame. They can escape to the cabin especially on snowy days when they can’t go outside. 

Steps to creating a little cabin under the loft bed

1. Get wood panels and install them all around the space beneath the loft bed. Leave a space for the door and a little window. You can use wood colored curtains instead of real wood, if you’d like to limit your invested effort. 
2. Add some house plants and flowers
3. Add rugs and cushions in outdoorsy colors like jungle green or camo
4. Use wallpapers, wall paint, and stickers that mimic the outdoors. You can paint or draw trees, the sky, a waterfall, e.t.c This can make a great bonding activity for you and your child. 
5. Add lamps to provide ambient lighting  

A cool loft bed with a video game theme. Combines the best of Ideas 7 and 6! Image from Palmetto.

Idea 8: Make your loft bed look cool with a child’s swing 

If the loft bed is raised high enough, you can give your kid the joy of having a swing in their room. Also ensure that your loft bed is sturdy enough. Here are some tips to make your loft bed more sturdy. 

Once the swing is installed, supervise to ensure the children don’t use the swing excessively and hurt themselves by hitting a wall or a ceiling fan. 

Remember that it’s about safety and fun. The weight of the swing plus a child should be well supported by the bed frame. As for building it, we recommend you get some professional help. This blog article describes the steps to making a simple loft bed swing. You may also like our guide to loft bed weight limits.

Steps to adding a swing to your kid’s loft bed

1. Free up space below the top bunk so your child won’t hit at stuff as they swing
2. Buy or design a safe indoor swing. You can also get a hanging chair or nest.
3. Choose the suspension points on the bed frame. 
4.  Secure the swing to the top bunk. 

Make your child’s loft bed look cool by adding a swing. It doesn’t need to swing a lot…think of it more like a cozy spot for your child. Image from BuildingKidSpace

Wrapping up

Multi-purpose pieces of furniture such as loft beds are life-savers when you have a smaller space to work with. And loft beds don’t have to be boring. Why don’t you try out one of the ideas above? You can get as creative as you want and your kids will thank you. Want more ideas for adult rooms? Take a look at this article for ideas on what to place under your adult loft bed. You may also enjoy our article on ideas for guest bedrooms.