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Are loft beds the most effective way to reclaim floor space?

Elevate your interiors and maximise your space
A white loft bed in a bedroom with green carpetPhotography: Maree Homer | Project: Decoroom/Studio Trio
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In small inner-city apartments or compact kids’ bedrooms, loft beds can maximise space and elevate your interiors (literally). Typically featuring built-in desks and added storage, a raised bed could be the answer to your small space woes. Otherwise, loft beds can also be a great addition to that spare bedroom; the one that serves as a study, a full-time dumping ground for laundry, and, on occasion, a guest bedroom.

To guide you through all things loft beds, we’ve answered some common questions and found some of the best options on the market.

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The best loft beds to shop in 2026

A grey triple sleeper loft bed

Lucy Solid Pine Wood Corner Triple Loft Bunk Bed in Grey

$1,049 at Luxo Living

Adopting an L-shaped layout with a single over single bunk and a loft bed, this option is perfect for growing families or multi-use spaces. Versatile area under the top bunk allows for a desk, toys, or extra storage. While, the addition of two expansive drawers allow for easy organisation of clothes, bedding, and toys. The design accounts for a strong construction built for everyday use and longevity.

Key features:

  • Space-saving corner design
  • Triple sleeper configuration
  • Loft space for storage or play
A grey loft bed for teenagers who like to game

Monteray Double Dark Grey Loft Bed

$1199 $999 at Fantastic Furniture

Perhaps the best option for growing children, The Monteray Double Loft Bed offers a smart and practical solution to spaces that need to adapt. With built-in shelves, a spacious desk, and seating underneath, this economical loft bed maximises space while ensuring a dependable area for work and play. Lacquered in a dark grey, the design offers solid support that will withstand daily use.

Key features:

  • Space-saving double loft bed design
  • Built-in shelves for storage and display
  • Constructed from high-quality MDF with a laminated finish
Scandinavian loft bed design

Campbell Single Loft Bed with Shelves

$834 $699 at Temple & Webster

Crafted from powder-coated iron and steel assembly hardware, this loft bed adopts a particleboard frame, lacquered in a PU laminated finish – making it a durable and sleek option for a child’s room. The ladder is reversible, allowing you to position it at either end of the bed, so you can assemble it to suit your layout. While, the shelves positioned under the bed provide space to display your favourite items.

Key features:

  • Scandinavian design
  • Durable design of powder-coated iron and particleboard frame with PU laminated finish
  • Reversible ladder

Buddy King single loft bed with desk and shelves

$2,129 $1,249at B2C Furniture

Sturdy and practical, this loft bed features in-built shelves, a small corner desk and a supportive steel middle rail. Finished in a natural and white hardwood, this simple design would work well with a coastal aesthetic.

Key features:

  • In-built desk and open shelves
  • Sturdy hardwood timber frame
  • High guard rails

SMÅSTAD loft bed frame with desk and storage (single)

$799 at IKEA

This cleverly designed loft bed from IKEA is a bed, desk, wardrobe and display shelf all in one. Finished in a classic white, this sturdy loft bed acts as a blank canvas for bright pops of colour.

Key features:

  • In-built desk, wardrobe and open shelf unit
  • Integrated cable outlet
  • High guard rails

Advwin Loft Bed

$296 at Big W

The perfect fit for apartments, dorms, or family homes, this savvy, space-saving loft bed transforms limited space into a a multifunctional living and working space. The practical and simple design features a desk beneath the bed, 8 fabric drawers, open shelves, and a metal mesh board with 6 hooks, offering ample storage for books, clothes, accessories, and gadgets alike. Moreover, the metal bed frame includes a built-in charging station with outlets and a USB port for convenient device charging. And too a little bit of fun, the design also boats a smart RGB LED light strip offering 60,000 colours, adjustable brightness, and multiple customizable modes.

Key features:

  • In-built desk, wardrobe and open shelf unit
  • Integrated cable outlet
  • Affordable price
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Black framed loft bed with desk

Gaming Loft Bed with Desk and Storage Cabinet,

$439 at Bunnings Warehouse

This loft bed is built for gamers who need more from their space, adopting a serious setup with a wide desk and corner shelf providing room for screens, books, or collectibles. The steel frame, fixed ladder, and high 120kg weight rating make this Single Loft Bed prepared to handle everything from school nights to weekend gaming marathons. It’s a space-efficient solution that helps kids stay organised while keeping their room feeling open.

Key features:

  • Features built-in desk and storage
  • Cool matte grey finish with carbon-style desktop texture
  • Ladder with secure rungs and integrated handgrabs

Tips for designing and styling a loft bed

Owing to their height, loft beds offer plenty of storage and, in turn, many styling options. Naturally, how you style your loft bed will depend on who will be using it. However, rest assured there are plenty of ways to make a loft bed child-friendly, chic and suitable for your space.

  • Add some privacy: Installing curtains in a fun, whimsical print can turn a built-in bed into a mixed-use marvel. Not only will curtains add softness and hide any visual mess, they can provide a sense of privacy for your child.
  • Utilise your extra space: In this 1970s-inspired room, a relaxed reading nook was created using floating shelves and cushions. Depending on the ceiling height, the space could be used for anything from a study area to an extra storage space for toys, bulky items or even clothes.
  • Fix your ladder in place: Fixed ladders are a must when it comes to both freestanding or built-in loft beds. Thick steps and a sturdy design means your precious people will be in the safest hands when navigating their sleep space — day and night.
  • Keep safety in mind: It’s recommended that loft beds are only used by children over the age of nine and, even then, guard rails need to be a minimum of 160mm above the top of the mattress. Keep loft beds away from windows or light fixtures and make sure they are built to strict Australian/NZ product standards.

How much does it cost to build a loft bed?

Like anything, DIY-ing a loft bed will most-likely be cheaper than buying a ready-to-assemble option or getting one custom-built for your home. With that said, loft beds are a herculean undertaking that’ll require planning, a lot of hard work and a decent tool kit. Depending on the size and design of the loft bed, you could easily construct one yourself for under $1000, with some keen DIY-ers building simple loft bed structures for under $500.

Of course, not all of us are DIY experts, so here are some of the best loft beds on the market.


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