Having built a series of sleeping lofts, I’ve come to think of them as the ideal weekend project. Using basic tools-a circular saw and a drill (and a router if you have one)-you can delight the child in your life. The basic limitation on lofts is ceiling height; I would not build one unless the ceiling is the standard 8’, and even that makes for a snug fit. In an 8’ room, place the bottom of the frame 50" off the floor; this provides 40" of room above the bed, and enough to put a desk or storage below it. To minimize height requirements, rest the mattress inside the frame, not on top of it. 2 × 6 makes a good frame; since few mattresses are thinner than this, 2 × 6 doesn’t waste any more space than a 2 ×4 frame. A sleeping loft requires serious support, provided by lag-bolting the frame to the studs (lag bolts are big screws with hexagonal heads). For simplicity, build the frame on the floor and have helpers hoist it into position.
Step 1: Loft Placement The room’s floor plan usually governs the placement of the loft. We built in a corner, but you can also build into an alcove, or against one wall. While scouting your location, note the stud placement. Rather than placing a frame corner more than 8" away from a stud, move or enlarge the loft so the corners can be supported by studs. Since corners are probably the most popular location for sleeping lofts, that’s what we’ll describe here.
