Loft beds

[Anonymous]

So 6 yo DC wants a loft bed. Do you think that's too young? Any reason to not get one? Also, if anyone has one they can recommend, that would be great too! If we're going to spring for a new bed, I would like to get one that will last through teen years, so no cutesy kid ones

[Anonymous]

I think 6 is old enough, but you could compromise on a "junior loft" if you feel a full loft is too high. The IKEA Kura gets the job done for $200.

[Anonymous]

no recommendations on style, but my boss bought a loft when his son was 7. Now at 13, the loft is so high that his son can't sit up in the bed b/c he is tall and is really close to the ceiling.

So if you want the bed to last that many years, maybe buy a low loft.

[Anonymous]

We bought a junior loft for our 4yo. Be sure to give him detailed rules about no jumping or standing on the bed.

[Anonymous]

I love that pottery barn clubhouse loft bed. I don't know what ages it would work for though.

[Anonymous]

If you want something to last from age 6 to 16, I wouldn't go Ikea rather something like Matrix.

[Anonymous]

My 5 yo wants one, funny I was just looking online today. If you are handy (or your partner is) they seem pretty easy to build yourself.

[Anonymous]

My 8 yo has one, and it's great. It frees up a lot of space. One thing I learned, though, is that the mattresses with the built-in "bunky boards" that are made for bunk/loft beds are extremely heavy and unwieldy when you change the sheets. It is exceedingly difficult to change my son's fitted sheet. If I had it to do again I would buy a separate mattress and bunky board.

[Anonymous]

random thought, but who is going to be changing the sheets on the bed? Some loft beds (and bunk beds) look like they would be a bit of a bear to change. If he is willing to be the one, great.

We are about to build a captain's bed for DC (strange room configuration and it actually needs to be customized a bit). There are free DIY plans on line for this kind of thing, if you are comfortable with basic carpentry and have some basic tools.

I do think making sure it isn't too close to the ceiling for a full-sized adult to be comfortable is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies - definitely need to look for a bed that allows for a teen to sit up in and not hit his head! I looked around online and there is quite a range of prices/styles available and now I'm thinking I might get one with a built in desk. . .

[Anonymous]

Make sure to check out Craigslist. We just purchased our son's junior loft bed with attached desk off of there for $200. If we had purchased the same one brand new, it would have been $550.

[Anonymous]

We started at 3 1/2 (it's a short loft - I'd never do that with a tall one) w/ carpet and put pillows on the floor. DS is a hard sleeper though and doesn't usually even wiggle in his sleep - never had any problems and that was 5 years ago!