Ask the Builder
Loft Beds - Accessories
By Tim Carter
©1993-2008 Tim Carter
Summary: Spice up the loft beds you build for your kids with these safety and decorative loft bed tips.
Related Articles: Build a Loft Bed, 3D Plans - Loft Bed, Building a Loft Bed
Loft Bed Accessories
So, you want to jazz up the loft bed? That is not a problem at all. Here are some different things you can do to enhance the bed:
Safety Tips
The ladder up to the loft is usually put at one end or the other of the bed, not the middle. To help get in and out of the loft safely, I have found that a large D shaped grab handle that is screwed to one of the 4x4 posts that extends above the mattress is a great idea. You can find these large handles at a really good hardware store.
If you think there are going to be wrestling matches up in the loft, you might want to include an X brace between the posts. All you do is screw or bolt a 2x4 from the bottom corner of one post to the top of the post just under the loft. Do this on the posts that are on the same long side of the bed. I do this on the legs that are up against the wall so that the braces don't get in the way of the empty space beneath the loft. You attach a brace to each corner so that once done, it looks like the letter X. You apply a 2x4 to each side of the 4x4 's so that they don't interfere with one another.
Decorative Tips:
If you really want to get some attention, pre-paint the loft bed the school colors. You can paint the loft part one color and the posts the secondary color. Once the paint dries, coat it with one or two coats of clear urethane to make it easy to clean.
The 4x4 posts that extend to or near the ceiling make a great place to hang short curtains. These curtains can be drawn at night or during the day for privacy, especially if the dorm room is shared by two people. The curtain also makes the loft very comfortable on cold winter nights.
Hooks can be screwed to the posts to hang towels, shirts, etc.
Adjustable shelf brackets can be installed at the head or foot of the bed so that the end of the loft acts as a giant, open bookcase. If you use 3/4 inch plywood as the shelving material, you will get minimal sag. Use your imagination!
