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28 Loft-Style Bedroom Ideas to Elevate and Maximize Your Space

By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/19/24
loft bed ideas

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

If your space is too small to comfortably accommodate a bed—but has adequate ceiling height—there are a variety of loft bed ideas to optimize your layout. Elevated sleeping quarters accessible by a staircase or ladder optimize vertical space, leaving precious floor space below for a workspace, seating, and more.

Add functionality to a room with a limited footprint with a prefabricated standalone loft bed, a DIY built-in lofted bed, or a mezzanine bedroom. With thoughtful design, decor, and lighting, a space-saving loft bed can help you maximize a studio or loft apartment, guest cottage, tiny house, or other small space.

Check out these stylish and ingenious loft bed ideas from interior designers around the world for inspiration.

  • 01 of 28

    Modern Mezzanine Loft Bed

    mezzanine loft bed ideas

    Design by Leymarie Gourdon Architectes / Photo by BCDF Studio

    If you live in an open-plan space, build a mezzanine bed with a wall of built-in storage below. The loft bed in this Paris rooftop apartment from Leymarie Gourdon Architectes is accessed by a sculptural black metal staircase that complements the tall vaulted ceilings and showcases the original wood beams of the historic building.

  • 02 of 28

    Wood Slat Loft Bedroom

    studio apartment loft bed ideas

    Design by Concrete / Photo Zoku Amsterdam

    If you sleep and work in the same space, fashion a lofted bed that can offer a needed sense of separation. Interior design firm Concrete designed this space at Zoku Amsterdam for global nomads who need a multifunctional space, with a bedroom that can be closed off using modern wood slat door screens during the day.

  • 03 of 28

    Loft Bed With Ladder

    tiny studio loft bed ideas

    Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    Make a studio apartment feel more expansive with an integrated loft bed that takes advantage of high ceilings. This 205-square-foot Parisian studio apartment from Neva Interior Design has a light and airy quality thanks to its palette of white, green, and wood tones.

  • 04 of 28

    Romantic Loft Bedroom

    tiny house loft bed ideas

    Sandra Foster

    Create a romantic feel in your loft bedroom to match the style of your home. Sandra Foster's all-white 125-square-foot Victorian cottage in the Catskills of New York is draped in billowy curtains, vintage linens, and outfitted with a crystal chandelier lit with candles.

    Disadvantages of lofting a bed

    A loft bed is challenging from a bed-making standpoint. Because it is positioned just beneath the ceiling, it can run hot, especially in rooms without air conditioning. Having to go up and down a ladder for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips is inconvenient and can be dangerous, especially for younger children or older adults with mobility issues.

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  • 05 of 28

    Industrial Loft Bed

    industrial style loft bed ideas

    Design by New Affiliates / Photo by Michael Vahrenwald

    Create the idea of a bedroom in an urban loft apartment with perforated metal loft bedroom walls. This Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn industrial loft conversion from Ivi Diamantopoulou and Jaffer Kolb of New Affiliates has a lofted sleeping area that is enclosed by a semi-transparent perforated white metal enclosure, creating an intimate bedroom within the large open space.

  • 06 of 28

    Loft Bed With a View

    loft bed guard rail ideas

    Design by New Affiliates / Photo by Michael Vahrenwald

    Perforated white metal walls double as guard rails, allowing light and air to pass through while providing a view of the open-plan space.

  • 07 of 28

    Mini OSB Loft Bed

    osb loft bed ideas

    Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza

    Position your loft bed in the corner of a small studio to retain an open atmosphere. This Parisian mini loft from Space Factory has a bed platform made from affordable engineered wood OSB. The material adds warmth and contrast to the all-white built-in staircase, turning the 237-square-foot space into a master class of elevated small space living.

  • 08 of 28

    Guest Cottage Loft Bed

    guest cottage loft bed ideas

    Design by JN Interior Spaces / Photo by Greg Premru

    Make your loft bed disappear by matching paint colors and materials. This Massachusetts lake house guest cottage from interior designer Jill Najnigier of JN Interior Spaces has a loft bed built into the corner of the space. Beneath high vaulted ceilings, the loft fades into the background when not in use.

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  • 09 of 28

    Loft Bed With Seating Below

    loft bed with seating underneath

    Fantastic Frank

    Maximize a studio apartment layout with a freestanding loft bed, like this ground floor space in Stockholm from Fantastic Frank. Be sure to anchor it to the wall for safety (and consult a professional to ensure it's installed correctly if your DIY skills are at all in doubt).

  • 10 of 28

    Tiny House Loft Bedroom

    tiny house loft bed with staircase ideas

    Modern Tiny Living

    The loft bed is a tiny house classic that uses vertical space to maximize a small footprint. In this black-and-white tiny house from Modern Tiny Living, the loft is accessible by a comfortable staircase for ease of use.

  • 11 of 28

    Extra-Tall Loft Bed

    adult loft bed ideas

    Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    In a tiny studio with high ceilings, consider building in a loft bed over the entryway or kitchen to optimize space. The base of the loft bed in this 205-square-foot studio from Paris-based Neva Interior Design has integrated lighting that illuminates the bar counter of the kitchenette.

  • 12 of 28

    All-White Loft Bedroom

    loft bed with storage staircase

    Fantastic Frank

    Use an all-white palette to make your loft bed blend in with the walls in a minimalist space. This minuscule Stockholm studio from Fantastic Frank has a seamless loft bed accessible by steps that double as closed storage.

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  • 13 of 28

    Striking Loft Bed Staircase

    modern loft bed staircase ideas

    Design by Nonestudio / Photo by Magni Sara

    Add cachet to your adult loft bed with a striking modern staircase design. This sophisticated loft bed from Italian architecture firm Nonestudio is accessible thanks to a black steel staircase that gives the 150-square-foot, top floor studio in Milan a sense of grandeur that belies its tiny proportions.

  • 14 of 28

    Loft Bed Ladder Staircase

    modern loft bed ideas

    Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza

    Combine steps and a ladder staircase to break up a steep climb. This playful loft space in a guest house from French interior design firm Space Factory is accessible by a short flight of steps and a 5-step ladder staircase to optimize the floor plan of this 248-square-foot studio.

  • 15 of 28

    Industrial Chic Loft Bed

    industrial loft bed ideas

    Design by Cristina Meschi Architetto / Styling by Marta Meda / Photo by Michele Morosi

    Build a loft bed that matches the style of your space for an integrated feel. Italian firm Cristina Meschi Architetto created an industrial chic mezzanine within a 323-square-foot loft in Milan that is full of interesting textures and finishes, from the OSB loft bed to the concrete skim coat walls and exposed brick.

  • 16 of 28

    Spiral Loft Bed Staircase

    loft bed with winding staircase

    Fantastic Frank

    A spiral staircase is a stylish and practical solution for providing access to a loft bed. This adult loft bed from Fantastic Frank is carved into the eaves of a small Swedish house in Stockholm and finished with a bentwood handrail for a classic look.

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  • 17 of 28

    Black Metal Loft Bed

    contemporary loft bed ideas

    Home and Wood

    Create space for a proper seating area in a studio apartment with a lofted bed. Warsaw-based Polish interior design firm Home and Wood designed a sleek loft bed accessed by a minimalist black metal ladder that allows room for a comfortable sofa below.

  • 18 of 28

    L-Shaped Staircase Loft Bed

    loft bed with L-shaped staircase

    Fantastic Frank

    A comfortable staircase will make your loft bedroom feel like a choice, not a compromise. The roomy loft bedroom in this Swedish apartment from Fantastic Frank is built above the kitchen, accessible by an L-shaped staircase.

    Making a loft bed work for adults

    If you have the space and budget, consider installing a staircase instead of a ladder for easier access. If you are building a DIY loft bed, ensure that it’s sturdy enough to hold adult sleepers, and check weight limits if you are purchasing a standalone loft bed. And verify that there is enough clearance between the mattress and the ceiling for an adult to use comfortably.

  • 19 of 28

    Green Loft Bedroom

    loft bed paint ideas

    Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    Paint the walls of an open loft bed in a contrasting color to give it pride of place. This French loft bed space built over the bathroom and entry of a studio apartment from Neva Interior Design is defined with fresh green paint.

  • 20 of 28

    Airy Loft Bedroom

    loft bedroom decor ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    Decorate a loft bedroom with the same attention to detail as the rest of your space. This airy mezzanine in a Swedish apartment from Fantastic Frank has cozy bedding, wall art, and matching nightstands with kitschy gold pineapple lamps.

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  • 21 of 28

    Loft Bed With Desk Nook

    freestanding loft bed ideas

    Envi Interior Design Studio / Photo by Audrey Hall

    Make space for two beds in one room with a large loft bed that can accommodate a double mattress both above and below. In this Montana house designed by Envi Interior Design Studio, a freestanding double loft bed with an integrated desk maximizes space and provides a comfortable second sleeping space accessible by a staircase that's comfortable for older kids or adults.

  • 22 of 28

    Minimalist Glam Loft Bed

    minimalist loft bed ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    Hang a chandelier at loft bed level to add a touch of glam. This Stockholm apartment from Fantastic Frank features a minimalist white and wood loft bed accessible by a ladder, with integrated built-in lighting on the underside of the loft bed that provides light for the living space below.

  • 23 of 28

    Multifunctional Loft Bed

    multifunctional loft bed ideas

    Design by mode:lina / Photo by Patryk Lewiński

    Integrate a loft bed into a multifunctional design to make the most of a limited space. This barely 400-square-foot live/work studio designed by Polish firm mode:lina has a multiuse back wall that houses a full-sized loft bed, a pull-out home office space, and a secret playspace for the occupant's young son.

  • 24 of 28

    Dark and Moody Loft Bed

    stylish loft bed ideas

    Home and Wood

    Create a moody feel by painting your loft bedroom in a dark shade. In this Polish studio apartment designed by Home and Wood, the loft bed area is defined by moody dark green paint that creates the illusion of an upper level that contrasts with the bright white walls in the living area below.

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  • 25 of 28

    Standalone Loft Bed

    standalone loft bed

    House Home Co.

    A standalone loft bed is a small space solution for teen rooms or small studio apartments for college students and young adults. Interior designer Christine Rapert of Littleton, Colorado-based House Home Co. chose a stylish freestanding loft bed that is playful enough for a kids' room and stylish enough for a young adult with its clean lines and Scandi style.

  • 26 of 28

    Loft Bed With Plants

    loft bed lighting ideas

    Home and Wood

    Make your loft bed more comfortable with feel-good touches like plants and adequate lighting. In this loft bed designed by Polish firm Home and Wood, tall potted plants and a pair of Edison bulb sconces flank the bed, complemented with built-in ceiling can lights for balanced light.

  • 27 of 28

    Retractable Loft Bed

    fold-down loft bed ideas

    Design by Geraldine Laferte / Photo by Stéphane Déroussent

    In a tiny space, consider building a fold-away loft bed. French interior designer Geraldine Laferté created a custom retractable horizontal wall bed for this 194-square-foot Paris apartment that maximizes space and can be folded away when not in use.

  • 28 of 28

    Hidden Loft Bed

    hidden loft bed ideas

    Design by Geraldine Laferté / Photo by Stéphane Déroussent

    Free up space over a couch and leave room for a fold-out desk with a retractable loft bed. This custom design from interior designer Geraldine Laferté looks like a decorative wood panel when it's folded away.