My first thought when I moved into my dorm room was “I need to loft this bed.” Not just because I think lofts are adorable, but rather to give me extra storage space under the bed.
If you’re in the same boat and don’t have a dorm bed with built-in storage space underneath (at least not that you’ve noticed), lofting your bed is the way to go. It’s also a great way to make more space for activities on your dorm room floor. So have no fear – lofting a dorm bed is an easy process that can be completed in under 20 minutes!
Is It Necessary To Loft My Dorm Bed?
No, but it is highly recommended it. According to opinions of experienced students, bed lofting will dramatically improve the quality of you dorm life and room environment.
The dorm bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your college dorm room. It’s where you’ll be sleeping for the next year. It should be comfortable, long-lasting, and give you enough space in your dorm room for studying for midterms or hanging out with friends.
But what if your dorm bed is too short? What if you don’t have enough storage space underneath the bed? Where you will keep your min-fridge and storage trunk? The answer is to loft your dorm bed.
Lofting provides a dorm room with extra sleeping space, more storage space, and a higher dorm bed which is necessary for tall people or for dorm bunk beds.
How To Loft A Dorm Bed (Step By Step)
- Check to see if dorm beds are loftable. Some dorms come already equipped with built-in lofting capabilities. Contact dorm management to see if dorm bed lofting is allowed. Check out if they provide a dorm lofting service as well. In this case, go to dorm management office and let them know you wish to use their lofting service.
- If dorm beds can be lofted, check out if lofting kits are available at housing office. Usually, dorm lofting kits contain all the necessary materials to loft dorm beds such as bed raisers, ladder, and safety rail.
- You may want to ask for help from friends or dorm mates when lofting dorm beds, because dorm lofting can be quite tricky, especially if you have never done it before.
- Before you start, remove the mattress and put it away during dorm lofting, so you have more working space.
- Turn the bed frame on its side to make sure you have enough space to work. After the bed frame is turned on its side, make sure it is not leaning against something because it could fall.
- Put wooden pegs on each corner of the bed frame and put a strap around it to keep it in place.
- Attach extension legs to each corner of the bed frame, making sure each leg is facing away from the dorm wall. The holes on the extension legs should line up with the pegs .
- With the help of a friend, carefully lift the bed frame and place it on the extension legs. Make sure the bed frame is stable before continuing.
- Now you can move your dorm bed frame back to its designated location.
- If dorm management provides a lofting ladder, you can install it at this point. If dorm mates are helping you loft the dorm bed, have them hold the ladder in place.
- Safety rail (if available) should be installed on the dorm bed. Place them under the mattress and attach them to the bed frame using the screws provided.
- Put the dorm mattress back on the dorm bed and you’re all done! Now you can put all your dorm stuff back in its rightful place. Congrats, you have now successfully lofted your dorm bed!
What Are The Benefits Of Using Bed Risers In A Dorm?
Sometimes you can’t loft your dorm bed, but you can still add some space underneath it by using dorm-friendly bed risers. In this case, dorm room storage solutions like dorm trunks, under-bed storage containers, and over-bed dorm storage bags can all help to make the most of your dorm space.
Bed risers are good dorm room storage solutions for dorm rooms with low dorm ceilings, so dorm rooms with low headroom can make great use of dorm bed risers, which can add a good six inches of extra dorm storage space.
Additionally, dorm bed risers can also be helpful dorm room organizers, as they can provide a place to store dorm items like shoes, extra bedding, and clothes.
How Tall Is A Dorm Bed With Risers?
In average, dorm beds with bed risers are raised between 6 and 8 inches from the dorm floor. That ‘s a dorm room storage solution that can add between 4 and 5 extra feet of dorm floor space underneath the dorm bed, which is perfect for your personal items storage.
Dorm bed risers usually come in sets of four, and they are made to fit under any dorm bed. Two sizes of dorm bed risers are usually available: dorm bed risers that add 3 inches or 5 inches of underbed space. You can also choose between dorm bed risers that have a fixed height or dorm bed risers that are adjustable in height.
The problem with dorm bed risers is that they can sometimes make dorm beds too tall. If you’re using them to rise your dorm bed off the ground, make sure you keep your safety in mind, especially when you’re dorm bed risers are more than 6-8 inches tall.
How High Can I Raise My Dorm Bed?
It depends on the type of dorm bed you have and how much space is available in your dorm room. If you have a loft bed, the answer is usually “as high as you want.” In general, dorm beds may be as high as 78 inches (198cm). But, dorm bed’s frame limits and ceiling may get in the way.
I was able to loft my dorm bed to 60 inches even though dorm room ceiling was about 100 inches, and there was plenty of room for me to sit up in bed and move around the loft area. But, this is not an option for dorm rooms that have low ceilings or dorm beds that are tall but just not tall enough for lofting.
I’d also note that you should keep at least 30-35 inches above the dorm bed for safety and convinience while in bed and moving around, because you don’t want to hit your head on the dorm ceiling.
Is It Possible To Loft Beds With A Roommate?
This is a great dorm decor idea for college dorms, but can you do it with your roommate? It depends. If someone else in the dorm has a loft and your beds are the same size, you should be able to loft together without a problem.
The major benefit of lofting together is that you will have much more dorm storage space. Just imagine how much dorm stuff you could fit under the bed with two beds lofts!
However, if your dorm beds are different sizes, it’s not recommended that you loft together. It will be too difficult to make the beds even and level.
If you really want a lot of space, check out if you can turn your lofted bed into dorm bunk beds! Such an idea is perfect for friends who want to have the most dorm space possible.
What Can I Store Under My Loft Bed?
One of the main reasons dorm room beds are lofted is for additional storage space. You can store items underneath your dorm bed like extra dorm supplies, dorm necessities, dorm storage boxes, dorm hampers and dorm laundry baskets.
If you have a mini-fridge, you can also store it under your lofted dorm bed. Just make sure that it is the right height to fit under the bed so you can easily access it when needed. Set up TV, chairs and gaming consoles in your loft area and have a designated hang-out spot in your dorm room.
Options are impressive, all you need is a lofted dorm bed.
Conclusion
Lofting dorm beds is an easy process that can be completed in under 20 minutes. If you’re not sure if your dorm needs lofted or not, contact the dorm’s office and ask what their policies are on this. Most dorms allow lofting, but there are a few that don’t so be sure to check before you begin!
Lofted bed will give you plenty of extra storage space underneath, which is great for dorm rooms that are short on space. You can also use this extra storage for any of your belongings that you don’t want taking up valuable dorm room floor space, like extra study supplies.
You can also make more space for activities on your dorm room floor by lofting your bed, especially if you have a dorm futon. Make your dorm bed loft a cosy place to study and relax with your friends.