Loft beds are one of the best ways to maximize a room’s space. The area beneath loft beds can be used for many different purposes, creating a multi-functional area. One of the most common combinations is to put a futon under the loft bed.
Most small futons fit under twin- or full-sized loft beds. However, there needs to be at least 30 inches of space above the loft bed and at least 50 inches of space under it. These measurements, among other considerations, ensure both the loft bed and futon are comfortable and safe to use.
Though many futons can fit under a loft bed, it’s important to make sure there’s enough space for both the loft bed and futon to actually remain functional. To do this, you’ll need to check the measurements, weight capacity, and other specifications.
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Can You Put A Futon Under A Loft Bed?
A small or miniature futon can fit under a loft bed. However, make sure to check the measurements of both before purchasing any furniture. While loft beds do have space under the top bunk, it’s usually not broad enough to fit larger futons.
It’s important to keep logistics like this in mind if you want to put a futon under a loft bed. In addition to making sure the futon will physically fit, you should also make sure both the bed and futon will actually be comfortable and safe for anyone who uses them.
To ensure the best (and safest) experience all around, there are three main factors to consider:
- Will the futon fit under the loft bed? Measure the dimensions of the futon to make sure it isn’t too wide or deep to fit under the loft bed.
- Will the futon and loft bed be comfortable? Measure the space between the futon and the bottom of the loft bed, as well as the distance between the loft bed mattress and ceiling.
- Will it be safe to sleep on the futon and loft bed? Check the weight limit on the loft bed to make sure it will remain stable and secure, especially when people are sleeping on it.
Each of these three considerations are essential to making sure you can not only fit a futon under a loft bed, but also use it without fear of an accident. Beyond that, making sure you have enough space will let you actually enjoy your new loft bed and futon.
How Far Should A Loft Bed Be From The Ceiling?
There should be at least 30 – 36 inches of space (roughly 2 ½ – 3 feet) between the ceiling and the top of the loft bed mattress. This will ensure most people have enough space to comfortably climb onto the loft and sit up.
Keep in mind, this isn’t true for everyone. For example, someone who’s taller than five feet will need more clearance than someone who’s closer to four feet. Age plays a similar role; people who are older need more room to safely maneuver than children.
Here’s a basic rundown of the measurements you’ll need so that anyone who uses the loft bed is comfortable:
- How tall the loft bed is
- How high the ceilings are in the room intended for the loft bed
- The space left between the loft bed and the ceiling
Make sure to check how high your ceilings are before you purchase a loft bed— don’t eyeball it or guess. The average house has ceilings that are eight feet tall, but this average changes depending on when the house was built and the specific type of house it is. Ceiling heights may also vary according to location.
Depending on your ceilings and the dimensions of the bed you’re looking at, this can cause some logistical issues. And when you take the mattress height and individual needs into consideration, your calculations may be even more frustrating.
Luckily, there are a wide variety of loft beds available and you should be able to find one that fits your height requirements and leaves enough vertical space for sleepers to be comfortable. If you’re shopping online, you may even be able to filter results based on dimensions like height.
How Much Clearance Do You Need For A Futon Under A Loft Bed?
If you want to put a futon in under a loft bed, you’ll need roughly 50 – 55 inches (a little more than four feet) of vertical space to work with. This ensures you’ll be able to fit the futon under the loft bed and still have at least 36 inches (three or more feet) before your head hits the loft bed.
People tend to be more active on futons versus lofted or bunk beds. While people primarily use these beds for sleeping because of the limited space to move around, they’ll use futons to sit, sleep, and generally lounge on. Futons are also more likely to be used by other people, such as family members and friends, who have varying heights.
As a result, there needs to be more vertical space. Here’s what you’ll need to pay attention to:
- The size of the futon itself (the length, height, and width)
- The height of the futon’s back (how close it is to the bottom of the loft bed)
- The height of the futon’s seats (how close they are to the bottom of the loft bed/ how high off the ground they are)
You only need roughly 30 – 36 inches of space from the top of your loft bed to the ceiling. But you’ll need more that than between the bottom of your loft bed and the floor, in order to accommodate the size of the futon and necessary clearance for people to sit comfortably.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: measure, measure, measure. Make absolutely sure you can (1) fit the futon under the loft bed and (2) sit and move around on the futon without hunching over or accidentally hurting yourself.
Are Loft Beds And Futon Combinations Worth It?
Pairing a loft bed and futon together is one of the best solutions for maximizing available space. This combination takes advantage of both vertical and horizontal height while also creating a multi-use space.
While the loft bed itself is primarily used for sleeping, you can use the space underneath it for almost anything. Placing a futon under the loft bed creates a compact but functional sitting area and socializing space.
It’s true that figuring out the logistics of loft beds and futons can be challenging. After all, it’s hard to say for sure if 36 inches is enough clearance without actually trying it out first. But despite the potential headache, it reduces frustration later on by helping you pick out the right pieces of furniture the first time around.
For people who aren’t fond of math, there are also loft beds available that come equipped with a futon underneath. These are essentially bunk beds, except the frame for the bottom bunk is built for a futon. Though you’ll still need to check the space between the loft and the ceiling, the height between the futon and the loft bed is already taken care of.
So considering all the benefits of that come with combining loft beds and futons— yes, the combination is ultimately worth it. If you want to create a multi-functional area and get as much value for your space as possible, there’s no better way to do it than putting a futon under your loft bed.
What Do you Do With The Space Under A Loft Bed?
Loft beds are an easy way to save space since they take advantage of both floor space and wall space. One of the most popular ways to utilize the space under the top bunk is to install a futon.
Smaller futons are often a perfect fit under loft beds. They also have the benefit of providing extra sitting space, since the loft bed itself is not as easily accessible. In addition to this, they can be used as a guest bed.
However, futons aren’t the only way for you to take advantage of the extra space. Here are some other ideas for what to do with the space under a loft bed:
- Study Area – For students, one of the best uses for the space under a loft bed is to create a study area. Much like futons, basic desks are perfectly sized to fit under lofts. Add some lighting, plug in your computer, clear a space for books— and you’re good to go.
- Crafting Corner – Setting up a crafting space under your bed is a great way to use extra space. While some hobbies aren’t suited for small spaces (woodworking, for example), there are many that don’t take up lots of space, such as drawing.
- Play Space – Younger children will almost always appreciate extra play space over anything else you could put under a loft bed. Either leave the floor clear for their adventures or use that space to store the toy chest and other bulkier items.
If you’re looking to save space, loft beds are one of the easiest ways to get the most out of a room’s real estate. You can use the space under the loft bed for whatever best suits your needs, whether it’s extra sitting space or one of the other ideas listed above.
Are Loft Beds Dangerous?
When properly assembled and used according to the specifications and weight capacity, loft beds are not dangerous. Make sure to closely follow the instructions when assembling the loft bed and to tighten everything. Prior to using the loft bed, test it by pushing, pulling, and otherwise putting stress on the bed.
But even if loft beds aren’t in danger of collapsing, they can be indirectly dangerous. One of the primary concerns with loft beds (and bunk beds) is head trauma, since you’re more likely to hit your head against the ceiling or bed itself.
Below are some ways that loft beds (and futons) can incidentally cause injuries:
- Having less than a 30-inch clearance between the loft bed and the ceiling
- Having less than a 30-inch clearance between a futon and the loft bed
- Not building the loft bed according to provided instructions
- Ignoring and/or exceeding the weight capacity
All of these actions can result in someone accidentally hurting themselves, whether it’s caused by the loft bed falling or a person hitting their head on the loft bed.
To make sure everyone remains safe and comfortable, it’s important to adhere to all instructions and safety precautions when putting your loft bed and futon together. Just as critical is measuring both pieces of furniture and making sure they’ll fit together.
How Much Weight Can A Loft Bed Support?
Typically, a child or junior-sized loft bed can hold up to 220 – 250 Ibs, while an adolescent or adult-sized loft bed can support anywhere from 250 – 600 Ibs. However, the exact amount of weight a loft bed can support will depend on the individual loft bed and its weight capacity.
Before you purchase a loft bed, think about who the intended recipient is. How old is the person who will be sleeping on the loft bed every night? How long do you expect them to use the loft bed? A person’s weight can drastically change as they age, especially as they move into different stages of their life.
Make sure the loft bed you buy can handle the sleeper’s current weight and their future weight. All loft beds have the weight capacity included in their specifications.
Here are some other points to keep in mind:
- Remember to take the weight of the mattress and other sleeping materials into consideration when thinking about the loft bed’s weight capacity.
- If you’re looking for durable frames, steer clear of manufactured wood, soft woods (such as pine), and hollow metal. Instead, search for solid hardwoods (such as oak) and either solid metal or cylindrical metal frames.
- Check online reviews, pictures, and unboxing videos to see how well the loft bed held up to the company’s claims. Identify the consistent negatives; if one is the bed’s ability to hold a certain amount of weight, look elsewhere.
This is an essential piece of information to keep the sleeper safe, but is even more important if you’re planning on putting a futon under the loft bed (and if anyone is planning on using the futon).
Can Adults Sleep In Loft Beds?
Loft beds are suitable for people of all ages, including adults. Though some characteristics of adult-sized loft beds differ from those made for children or teens, adults can still sleep comfortably in loft beds.
The mattress size, weight capacity, frame materials, and loft height are the four main aspects that will change depending on if the loft bed is made for a child, teen, or adult. Here’s how adult-sized lofts are designed:
- Mattress Size – Mattresses for lofts for adults typically come in twin sizes or full sizes. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever see a queen-sized mattress or larger. And because adults usually need more support, the mattress may also be thicker.
- Weight Capacity – Loft beds made for adults have a weight capacity that ranges from 250 – 600 Ibs. Since adults typically weigh more than children, the bed frame itself will need to holder up to more stress than a child would cause.
- Frame Materials – Since adult-sized loft beds need to have higher weight capacities, they should be made of sturdier materials. Lofts made of cheaper materials may sway more or otherwise feel less stable and more sturdy.
- Loft Height – It may not be a problem if a child only has 24 inches (two feet) of space between the loft mattress and the ceiling, but this could quickly become an issue for adults. Lofts made for people 18+ may be shorter to accommodate this.
Because of these characteristics, it may be more difficult to fit a futon under a loft bed for adults. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Just like loft beds come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, there are many different types of futons available.
To compensate for the lower loft bed, it may be necessary to find a futon that’s lower to the ground. Traditional or armless futons are excellent substitutions to the lounge futons that many people in the U.S. favor.
Final Thoughts: Fitting A Futon Under A Loft Bed
Fitting a futon under a loft bed is not only possible, but it’s also one of the most common ways to utilize the space that a loft bed frees up. Futons maximize that space by creating a functional living space that people can socialize, sleep, and sit in.
There are loft beds that come with built-in futons and loft beds that have nothing underneath them, which can be used for a futon. No matter which combination people choose, they should make sure to measure the dimensions first to create a safe, comfortable space.