Maybe you remember the first time you saw a loft bed as a child: surprised by how it created a novel space in an ordinary room, you climbed up and down to explore its constructions, looked down on the furniture from a brand-new perspective, and ended up playing games in the secret lair underneath. Loft beds are not only somewhere to sleep but also a playhouse for many children.
No worries if you’ve never owned one; adults adore them too. With rising living costs, many people choose to live in smaller rooms, and a loft bed is just the practical space-saver they need. It allows you to rearrange and maximize your space by carving out a workstation, a relaxation corner, or storage underneath the bed. Your room becomes less crowded, less cluttered, and more comfortable.
Before picking a loft bed, you may wonder what the difference is between a loft bed and a bunk bed, how much a loft bed costs, which ones are the best, etc. After careful research of the most popular products, we are glad to say we might have the answers to your queries! Read on to check them out!
Quick comparison: The six best loft beds you will love
| Product Title | Feature | Price | Grade |
| Walker Edison: Metal Twin Low Loft Bunk Bed with Desk | The bestselling loft bed | US$153.65 | A |
| DHP: Jett Junior Twin Metal Loft Bed | The best affordable loft bed | US$150.00 | A－ |
| Novogratz: Maxwell Metal Twin Loft Desk & Shelves | The best loft bed with a desk | US$219.16 | A- |
| Little Seeds: Rowan Valley Forest Loft Bed | The best house loft bed | US$480.00 | A＋ |
| Naomi Home: Twin Size Loft Bed with Desk | The best versatile loft bed | US$599.95 | A＋ |
| Max & Lily: Kid’s Twin-Size Low Loft with Slide | The best sturdy loft bed | US$379.99 | A |
What is the difference between a loft bed and a bunk bed?
They differ in functions.
The difference between a loft bed and a bunk bed is that the lower part serves different functions under the upper bed. A bunk bed is two or three beds arranged in a vertical space, while a loft bed is a bed raised above the floor, creating an additional space underneath.
They differ in recommended scenarios, too.
Bunk beds and loft beds differ in their recommended scenarios as well. The former is recommended for a room where two or more people live together, like a children’s room or a dormitory. The latter is perfect for small places, especially for people who want to maximize their space.
How much does a loft bed cost?
The price can vary by dimensions, function, workmanship, brand, and whether the bed comes with a mattress. The lowest price on the market is around US$80, and the highest is over US$1000. But the average range falls between US$150-500. It is more expensive than an ordinary bed, but its versatile feature will be worth the price.
Generally put, bigger size, better quality, and more versatile function leads to a higher price, although reversely, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a good purchase. After all, price is not the only factor you need to consider when it comes to picking a loft bed.
How to pick the right loft bed?
1. Figure out the right size.
It involves the height of the bunk, decided by the height of your ceiling, the size of upper space and lower clearance you want, and how high you are willing to climb.
You also need to figure out how big of a footstep it will have. Most loft beds are in twin and full size, so you need only to pick one, depending on the available space in your room, who will sleep on the bed, and maybe the size of your mattress if you wish to keep the one you’ve got.
Check the following chart we created for different bed sizes and suggested persons if you are unsure of what size your bed and mattress should be. You can see that loft beds are best for kids, single sleepers, and couples of average heights and unrecommended for tall people.
| Size | Dimensions（width, length） | Suggested sleeper number | Users |
| Twin | 38″ X 75″ | one | Children, teenagers, or adults under 6 feet |
| Twin XL | 38″ X 80″ | one | Tall teenagers or adults. |
| Full | 54″ X 74″ | one or two | Single sleepers or couples. |
| Queen (most popular) | 60″ X 80″ | two | Couples |
| King | 76″ X 80″ | two or three | Couples (with a kid or a pet) |
| California King | 72″ X 84″ | two | Tall individuals. |
2. Consider the features you require.
You must have some expectations for your loft bed. Do you want your bed to come with a desk, a shelf, a cabinet, a slide, or a house frame? Do you want the accessories to be integrated or removable? The answers to these questions lead you closer to your dream loft bed.
3. Filter products to meet your needs.
Once you are sure of the size and the functions, you can start your search on online shopping platforms using keywords like loft beds with desk for adults to find the best fits. Then you can find the right one with better quality and design.
4. Choose the best option out of the available ones.
After finding out all the products that meet your basic requirements, you get to investigate their sturdiness, styles, materials, and overall value, and then choose the best one as your final call.
The best six loft beds
1. The bestselling loft bed: Walker Edison Metal Twin Low Loft Bunk Bed with Desk
This loft bed is one of the best sellers of its kind. It is crafted by Walker Edison, a local brand committed to creating inspiring spaces with products covering various interior settings.
The bed has a sleek and square silhouette, which adds a modern touch to your interior decorations. It has a small footprint without any problem in freeing up your space. You can put a beam bag, instruments, or a desk in the clearance. It fits a mattress of a king or queen size as well.
The frame is made of metal with a coating and bears up to 250 pounds, which means if you are of medium weight, you can read your kid a story on the bed. Its two built-in ladders allow you to get on the bed from either side.
As the bed comes in various styles, we’ve also investigated which may fit your needs best. If the bed is for an adult or a kid who can climb up a long ladder, and your top need is an effective solution to crowded space, then an Orion or a Brighton will be perfect, while a Low Loft stands out if you expect a safer height or a lower price.
Pros:
- It’s highly customized with a full-on range of color, style, and size.
- It provides a 30-day warranty against any quality problem.
- It is compact and lightweight to move around in the room.
- It has guardrails of 15-inch height.
- Its length matches the width of a mattress of King or Queen size.
Cons:
- It may sway or squeak when you climb up.
- The Low Loft style is inconvenient to climb for its closed rails and uncomfortable rounded steps.
- The price ranges from US$168 to 300 by style. For example, for the more convenient Brighton style, the price is twice of Low Loft.
2. The best affordable loft bed: DHP Jett Junior Twin Metal Loft Bed
This simple solid metal loft bed is a practical solution for small spaces and will be a nice buy if you have a limited budget. Its brand, DHP, is favored by many for its series of space-saving furniture.
The frame construction is made of metal and has a load-bearing capacity of 200 pounds. The full-length rails with rounded corners keep you safe and are most suitable for a twin mattress of 6-inch height. The spacious hollow underneath enables full-on possibilities, from creating a game room to a story corner. Its angled ladder is easy to climb. It comes in both twin and full size and fits a kid or a short adult.
Pros:
- It’s easy to put together.
- It has a nice price.
- It has spacious space underneath.
- It has rounded corners and full-length guardrails to ensure safety.
- It’s available in six different colors.
Cons:
- It’s made of small lightweight metal strips.
- There is a big warning sticker on one end of the rails.
- The ladder is not very comfortable.
3. The best loft bed with desk: Novogratz: Maxwell Metal Twin Loft Desk & Shelves
For the best loft bed with a desk, we recommend this one from Novogratz. The brand is created by a team of a designer couple with a unique and fabulous understanding of home furnishings. Featuring an understated navy blue, the bed goes perfectly with your interior décor of vintage, modern, or industrial style.
The loft bed also brings all the comfort and convenience you need. Its built-in desktop offers a spacious space for you to build your workstation, while the two-layer shelf at the corner is handy for keeping your stuff organized and at hand. With solid construction and strong metal material, the desk can hold up to 130 pounds and the shelf 50 pounds.
On the bunk, there are solid metal bed slats that offer you enough back support, 13-inch-high guardrails to prevent you from falling, and an opening that leads to an integrated ladder. The bed has a weight capacity of 200 pounds in twin size and 300 pounds in full size.
Pros:
- It comes with a wide desktop and a handy shelf.
- It is available in three pretty colors.
Cons:
- The steps are slippery and uncomfortable.
Where to buy:
It’s available on both the Novogratz official website and Amazon.
4. The best house loft bed: Little Seeds Rowan Valley Forest Loft Bed
If you want to create a cute and funny environment for your kid, then this house loft bed can be your starting point. It will also be helpful if your kid hasn’t gotten used to sleeping alone.
The bed creates a stylish and lovely lair. On the spacious bed, your kid can play games, read books, or build a fort with pillows and quilts. At night, with a canopy overhead and windows on one side, your little one will feel safer and embark on a new adventure in sweet dreams. It can also serve as a fantastic component in a children’s room.
The frame is crafted with metal and can hold up to 225 pounds. The curtains and the canopy are made of polyester. The fixed ladder and the guardrails around can keep your kids safe.
Pros:
- It has an adorable style.
- It’s easy to assemble.
- It provides a one-year warranty.
- It’s solidly constructed.
Cons:
- There are no rails on the back side, so you need to place the bed against a wall.
- The frame is quite heavy.
- The curtains and the canopy can only be spot cleaned.
Where to buy:
Wayfair, Amazon, Buybuybaby, Walmart, Target, Hayneedle
5. The best versatile loft bed: Naomi Home: Twin Size Loft Bed with Desk
For school-age children, we recommend this multifunctional loft bed with a desk. You will be attracted to it for the same reason I was: it is versatile and maximizes the potential of the clearance underneath!
There are three components under the bed: a pull-out desk with shelves for study, a three-drawer cabinet, and a two-layer shelf behind the ladder. We know children often have tons of toys, crayons, books, and other childlike stuff, and keeping them organized can be a headache. This bed will help you out.
The bed measures 41 inches in height and accommodates a twin-size mattress. It is also of solid construction. The top bunk is made of pine, and the bottom bunk consists of CARB-compliant MDF panels. The bunk can hold 180 pounds at maximum.
Pros:
- It’s a perfect space-saver with multiple storage spaces.
- It’s convenient for studying, reading, and painting.
- It comes with a reversible ladder for the best fit in your room.
- Its desk is floor-friendly and anti-scratch.
- Its guardrails are 13 inches high.
- It offers a 90-day warranty from the manufacturer
Cons:
The instructions for assembly are awful, and you need to be patient to put it together.
For a white style, its price will be 35 dollars higher.
Where to buy:
Amazon, Walmart, Ojcommerce, Novogratz’s official website
6. The best load-bearing loft bed for kids: Max & Lily: Kid’s Twin-Size Low Loft with Slide
For the cutest bed, we recommend this white loft bed from Max & Lily, a brand that originated in Europe. Children adore various cute pieces of furniture they crafted, while parents can trust the quality of their products as well, as they meet or exceed US and EU standards. It’s also an eco-friendly company that adheres to sustainable production.
For the bed, the top thing we love is its sturdy construction. It is made of solid pinewood from New Zealand and can hold up to 400 pounds. You can cuddle your little one and read a story onside before sleep.
Another reason we recommend it is the reversible ladder and slide, which can be installed on either side to fit the room best. Then your little one can have fun with it. Since the ladder has a gentle tilt, kids can climb up bed easily. And the height of 34 inches is safer for children and, at the same time, provides ample clearance to play within or place a toy car.
The bed fits a standard twin-size mattress. For accessories, you can choose from a slide, a ladder, or both. It’s also available in grey and clay. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to assemble.
Pros:
- Solid wood construction
- Able to hold 400 pounds
- Low bunk for smaller rooms and children
- A reversible slide for children to have fun
- A slightly tilted ladder for easy climbing
- Safety rails with a height of about 14 inches
Cons:
- Some people find that the bed they bought is a little wobbly
- Its price varies with different accessories.
Where to buy:
You can get it on its official website or from Amazon.
Conclusions
A loft bed is a convenient space-saver and can help maximize your room. With the extra clearance it carves out, you are free to build a workstation, a cozy relaxation corner, a gaming room, or storage. It also brings novelty to your home, making your home décor more flexible and funnier. If you are interested in any recommended products, don’t hesitate to find more details and reviews!