I knew I needed more space in my college dorm room as soon as I saw it! However, I knew the only way I would be able to get more space in my dorm would be by lofting my dorm bed. The only problem is that I had no idea how to do this!
With some help from fellow dorm mates who had done it before and some research online, I figured out how to use a loft kit to raise my bed, and fit much more in my room than I would have been able to before.
So, if you are looking to loft your dorm bed, here is exactly how I did it! Plus some extra questions I had along the way to help you out.
Should I Loft My Dorm Bed?
The first obvious question you would need to ask yourself is “should I loft my dorm bed?” In most cases, I think the answer should be yes.
Dorm rooms are notoriously small, and especially so if you are sharing with someone else. You might not think you have to loft your dorm bed because you might not have too much to put into your dorm room to start, but you could want to add a mini-fridge in later on, or even a little study desk.
Lofting your dorm bed when you move into your dorm helps you better plan for the extra space you have, and allows you to make the most of the small space you have.
Having the extra space under your bed once it has been lifted really is great. You can choose to turn it into a cozy study area or to keep a mini-fridge in to hold your snacks and drinks.
You can never have enough space in your dorm room, and lofting your bed is one of the only ways to increase the floor space in your room, without losing out on your place to sleep!
How To Loft A Dorm Bed
I raised my dorm bed using a lofting kit I was given from the housing office. In some cases, you have to pay extra for these lofting kits, so just make sure to ask before.
Most dorm beds are able to be paired with a lofting kit, and if this is the type of bed you have in your dorm room, raising it will be quite simple.
If you are lucky, you will be given a safety rail and a ladder to help you get into your loft bed, and not fall out while you sleep. If not, these are something that can be bought separately if you really want one.
I needed extra help with this – so make sure you have a friend or dorm mate close by to help loft your bed, it is definitely a two-person job!
Here is how to loft a dorm bed using a lofting kit.
- First, you would need to get your lofting kit from the housing office. These will be suitable for the bed you have in your dorm room.
- Take the mattress off of your bed and place it aside out of the way.
- Turn the bed frame onto its side, making sure there is enough space for you to work with. This might mean moving the bed frame into the middle of the room – you will just have to play around with the space and see what works best.
- Place the wooden pegs on each corner of the bed frame, in the bottom of the legs.
- Attach the extra legs to the original bed frame legs by using the attached pegs. The holes in the extra legs should be able to fit into the pegs which were placed into the original frame. To ensure everything fits perfectly, stand on the one side of the bed to guide the legs, while your friend does the same on the other side.
- With one person on either side of the bed, turn the frame up to the right side again, and test to see that all the pegs are in the holes securely and that the frame stands up sturdy.
- Move the bed frame back to where you want it to stand in the room, and place the mattress back onto the frame.
- If you have a ladder, place it onto the side of the frame and attach it however it fits. Attach a safety rail to the bed if you have one.
- Start placing your items under the newly lifted bed frame, and make the most of the new space in your dorm room!
Are Bed Risers Good For Dorms?
Some dorm beds are not suitable to be lofted, and in this case, you could use bed risers.
Bed risers are a good idea for dorm beds that can’t be lofted, but it is important to note that you will not be able to get your bed as high as you would if you were lofting it. Bed risers only lift the bed up off the ground enough for the underneath to be used as storage space.
However, this still does provide some extra space in your dorm room, and it is better than no space. You will need to buy your own risers, but they can be found easily online or at a home store.
You will also need a friend to help you place the bed risers under your bed, with one of you lifting the bed up while the other places the bed risers under each leg, making sure it is lifted evenly on each side.
How Tall Is A Dorm Bed With Risers?
The problem with using bed risers is that you will not be able to lift your bed that high. The more bed risers you use, the more unstable the bed becomes, and then it just makes it unsafe to sleep in.
Bed risers come in two sizes, either 3-inches or 5-inches. You can stack these together to make an 8-inch lift, but you really should not go any higher than this.
Having 8-inches of space under your bed is enough to store bags and other extra items in your dorm that you won’t need that often. While this doesn’t offer you the same storage space as a loft bed, it will free up other areas of your room that you can then use instead.
Do not go above 8-inches when using bed risers. This is the maximum height that offers decent safety and stability for your dorm bed.
How High Can You Raise A Dorm Bed?
How high you can raise a dorm bed will depend on the type of dorm bed you have, and exactly how you are planning to raise it.
If you are lofting it as I did, then your bed will be around 58-60-inches high. This is a good height that gives you enough space for a mini-fridge or desk under the bed, without making you feel like you are climbing a mountain every time you get into bed.
While most loft beds will measure between 58 and 60 inches in height, you should make sure that you have at least 33-inches of space between the top of your bed and the ceiling. You do not want to feel cramped and without enough space while you are sleeping.
There will also be certain rules and safety guides regarding loft beds at your college, and it does help to read up on these before putting up your loft bed to ensure that you are staying compliant with the rules.
Can I Loft With A Roommate?
If you have a roommate, it is a good idea for both of you to loft your beds. Imagine the extra space you will have in your dorm room if both of your beds are lifted off the ground?
For when you and your roommate really want to add extra floor space to the room, you could look to turn your beds into bunk beds. Loft beds are usually suitable to be turned into bunk beds, and if the housing office allows this, your beds can be placed together to free up so much extra space.
Obviously, both you and your roommate would need to be comfortable with this idea, so chat about it before making any decisions or planning out the room!
What Can I Put Under My Loft Bed?
There are many ways you can use the space under your loft bed. In college, I used the space as a study area, where I moved my desk, desk chair, and a small mini-fridge. This opened up the rest of the dorm room to be more spacious, where I could relax and not feel cluttered.
You could also use the space as a chill area, where you could place a bean bag, a small couch, or even a hanging hammock. There would be space for a TV under there as well, so you could really make it a comfy place.
It does help to plan out the space in your dorm room first, and see whether a loft bed would be best, and how you could use your space better.
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