Part cubby, part bunk, a loft bed combines the thrill of sleeping up high with the convenience of a built-in study nook. And when it comes to the coolest beds in Australia, they’re hard to top.

To help you get the kids’ rooms sorted easier, we’ve scouted out Australia’s coolest loft beds and put them in one handy spot for you. But first, allow us to explain exactly what is it that makes these beds so popular.

What is a loft bed?

A loft bed is a compact piece of bedroom furniture with an elevated bed and underneath space for lounging, working or playing. For younger kids, the area underneath is perfect for a set of drawers or bookshelves. And for bigger kids, it’s ideal for doing homework or gaming. In fact, many loft beds in Australia come with a built-in desk, saving you the cost of buying more furniture. Handy, right?

Perhaps best of all, by combining somewhere to sleep with a versatile space for work and play, a loft bed solves the problem of small bedrooms with limited space. It’s a smart piece of furniture that’s stacks of fun – and from double loft beds to king-single sizes, there’s a size for everyone.

Tips For Buying A Loft Bed In Australia

Buying any bed for a child is a big purchase, so here are some factors to consider before you buy:

• Is your child old enough? Red Nose Australia recommends that children under the age of nine avoid sleeping on raised beds. However, you know your child best and need to carefully consider whether they are ready to sleep in a loft and climb a ladder safely (in the dark and half asleep!).
• Choose the right size. In Australia, loft beds are available in single, king single and double sizes. If your little one is growing fast, you might want to go up a size to get more years out of it.
• Don’t forget the mattress! Mattresses are usually a separate purchase.
• Consider its use. Does your child need a study area, or are you after more storage space? Some lofts come with a built-in desk, perfect for older school kids who need a place to do homework. However, if you want the freedom to use the underneath space for storage or setting up a reading nook, look for a loft with a vacant space under the bed.
• Safety first. Safety is paramount when buying kids’ furniture, so ensure your bed meets Australian safety standard AS/NZS 4220:1994. This includes:
  • Permanently fixed guard rails to all four sides and ends
  • No dangerous gaps that could trap a child
  • No protrusions longer than 8mm
  • A label indicating the maximum mattress height if the guardrail is less than 360mm

 13 Awesome Kids’ Loft Beds That Save Space

If you don’t have the floor space for a bed plus a desk and other furniture, a loft bed is the answer. Take a look at these beauties and get those bedrooms sorted!

Timothy Single Loft Bed With Bench Seats, $682

With bench seats that convert to a spare bed, this set offers the convenience of a bunk or trundle bed, but with the benefit of adapting to a play space when needed. It has a solid pine frame, a central ladder, two built-in seats and a table.

Boori Forest Teepee Single Loft Bed, $999.95

Expertly made from sustainable pine and designed to look like a treehouse, the Boori Forest Teepee Loft is recommended for ages six and above. It holds 100kg and it’s a great choice for younger kids because it’s lower to the ground than other styles. Pair it with Boori Tidy Toy Cabinets for extra storage.

Kodi Single Loft Bed With Desk & Robe, $1349

Not only does the Kodi come with a built-in desk and shelf, but it also features a built-in wardrobe! It uses a combination of MDF and laminated melamine in bright white to fit in perfectly with any colour scheme. Finally, more space for all those shoes!

Cabin King Single Loft Bed With Desk, $949

With a roomy king single bed and a built-in storage cupboard for school supplies, the Cabin King Single Loft is fantastic for older kids. We love that the desk is positioned on the side of the bed, freeing up the space underneath for lounging!

Buddy King Single Loft Bed With Desk, $1249

One of our favourites for its cool design and extra shelving, the Buddy King Single Loft uses hardwood timber and fits together with metal brackets for extra strength. Guardrails run the full length of the perimeter and the clever corner desk makes the underneath void even more spacious.

Boori Natty Single Loft Beds, $1099

Created from sustainably sourced materials, the very clever Natty Single Loft Bed actually converts to a bunk bed or a regular single bed with a conversion kit. It has a 114cm height clearance underneath the bed, ideal for little ones aged 6+ to potter and play.

Bunkers Loft Bed With Corner Desk, $1923

With a large built-in bookshelf, curved desk and deep drawers all in the footprint of a king-single bed, this is a space saver indeed. It uses natural timber and comes in a choice of eight colour options. Also available in a single size.

Ava Regency Double Loft Bed, $5299

Inspired by the golden days of old Hollywood, this double loft bed is fit for a princess. It’s constructed from kiln-dried wood to guarantee no splits, cracking, warping or mildew over time. Features include smooth gliding desk drawers, a full-length mirror, a dresser and loads of storage space.

Jacob Single Loft Bed With Desk, $1499

Stacks of storage and a roll-out homework hub make this single loft ideal for younger school kids. We’re giving it bonus points for the genius ladder that doubles as shelving and storage. Because you can never have too much storage when it comes to kids.

Oeuf Perch Single Or Double Loft Beds, from $1999

Available in a choice of single or double sizes, the Oeuf Perch Loft uses Baltic birch plywood and eco-MDF. Conveniently, the ladder can be mounted on the left or right side depending on the layout of your child’s room. We are loving this for the unlimited options underneath!

Nina Customisable Loft Bed, from $1895

Made in Melbourne, the Nina loft bed from House of Orange comes in single, king single, double and queen sizes! Better still, it’s completely customisable – choose the ladder placement, whether you want a bookshelf added, or even the bed colour. Need a mattress too? Simply add one to your cart.

IKEA SMÅSTAD Single Loft Bed Frame, from $749

The true beauty of the SMÅSTAD is the unlimited ways kids and teens can make it their own. For starters, it’s available with various drawers to suit individual storage needs. Also, it comes with a choice of coloured accents and can be paired with a wide range of handles.

Plyroom Dream Cloud Loft Bed, from $1850

From Plyroom, this pared-back beauty uses sustainable plywood and comes in a choice of single or king single sizes. The large under-bed clearance offers loads of room for setting up a desk or play area. And if you need to add another bed, it even fits the Oeuf Singolo in an L-shape or parallel to the loft.

What are the benefits of a loft bed?

Aside from being cool additions to bedrooms, the biggest benefit of loft beds is how much space they save. By incorporating a bed, desk and storage in the footprint of one bed, they free up heaps of floor space in small bedrooms.

Loft beds also inspire a lot of creativity by allowing kids to create the perfect space for themselves. They could pop a bean bag underneath for the perfect reading nook or set up the ultimate workspace.

And then there’s the storage factor. Many lofts include bookshelves, drawers and even cupboards – this means less furniture for you to buy and less mess left on floors!

How old should a child be for a loft bed?

Some loft beds are described as being suitable for kids as young as six years because they are lower to the ground. However, Product Safety Australia recommends that kids under the age of nine avoid top bunks or lofts because of the fall risk.

All children develop differently, so in making your decision, consider your own child’s level of maturity and stage of development.

This post first appeared on Making HOME.