Build a bed loft for a Dorm room - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

JStrider · 06-20-2003, 10:41 AM

well my roomie next year and I are thinking about building lofts for our beds... and i was wondering if anyone had any advice... it does have to be very stable... and not shake much when ariekitten and i are havin fun... :-D cuz i wanna put a big piece of plywood under for a desk... and i cant have my computer shaking too much...

i found this site which looks like a pretty solid design... anybody got any other pointers?

http://www.oploftbed.com/index.php

Tirian · 06-20-2003, 12:54 PM

I built a loft bed when I was in college - it really helped with creating extra room in the room.

I basically had a steel frame already that clipped into drip-in "L" brackets on metal head and foot boards.

So I got 4X4's and made similar "L" brackets out of angle iron with a drill and grinder. Then I bolted these brackets to the 4X4's and put ladder braces (similar to the pics on your site) on the ends, and a big "X" brace across the back. Then my existing steel frame slipped into the new much taller head and foot boards.

Then I just used my regular desk by sliding it inderneath the bed.

Here's a link for plans that include an end desk, and bookshelf, and you can
DL for free...

http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improveme..._bunk_bed.pdf/$FILE/200104_bunk_bed.pdf

JStrider · 06-20-2003, 02:23 PM

that link isnt working... it has "..." in it...

as for the desk... i dont want to use the regular school desk... their WAAAAAY too small i cant put a computer on there and still have room to work... so im gonna put my computer on the desk under the bed... and then use my other desk to do writing work...

shadrock · 06-25-2003, 04:40 PM

Hmm, my college sold loft kits during move in for $60. Generally the easiest way to go. The were sturdy enough, but you had to tighten them once in a while.

Just don't climb up there when you are drunk. I lost a printer because of that.

JStrider · 06-26-2003, 10:37 AM

yah... my college doesnt sell any such kits... but we can make them however we want... long as they are free standing

Lebell · 06-28-2003, 10:58 AM

For $40, you can have mine.

Built by an engineer to withstand the second coming.

You'll have to pick it up, tho

daoist · 06-28-2003, 07:34 PM

does your college have metal frame beds?

it's not that big of a deal. get 2 2x6's the exact width of your dorm room, and 4 2x4's the proper height. get 4 short lengths of chain.

make 2 wooden frames. you don't need any bracing material because the walls of the dorm room will keep it from falling over. use the beds as the cross members, and use the chains on each corner of the beds to hold them up.

i'd suggest you build or buy your computer desk separately, for optimal flexibility. i'd actually suggest just getting a DIY desk kit from wally-world for the lease amount of hassle.

07-02-2003, 08:38 AM

I need to look into this further as well. The second bedroom in my condo is more of a den/office - and franly with a double bed and computer system in there you can't move. Putting the bed up in the air is the *only* solution.

07-02-2003, 08:46 AM

I just checked out the OP Loftbed site and their stuff looks good. I'm contemplating ordering the plans for one right now.

Pellaz · 07-11-2003, 06:48 AM

The best loft I saw during college days was a double loft. If you and your roomate can get together and do it, it's definately the way to go for space and sturdiness. You start with a post in each corner of the room, and attach them along the ceiling with four more boards, so you have a square frame on four room height legs. On the two long edges, you'll build a frame for the bed hanging from your initial structure. after that, just slap a couple supports diagnally from the base of the 'basket' to the supporting legs of the loft. Sorry I don't know board sizes here. This took most of a day to build, with 4 people working. They brought all the materials and did everything from cutting to assembly on sight, which seems the easiest way to go for this loft. Well worth the work though, as a typical dormroom will be left with room for 2 desks, a couch, larger than avg fridge, and enough room for a small entertainment center.

JStrider · 07-13-2003, 08:45 PM

hmmm well im pretty sure were still planning to build the lofts...

money is a big limiting factor... i shouldnt spend more then $60-$70 and even then my mom would prolly get on my case about it... im thinking something pretty similar to the op Loftbed...

since i have almost no tools im gonna have to see if the hardware store can cut everything to size for me... and even drill holes and whatnot...

dtheriault · 07-14-2003, 07:15 AM

you might want to try a different approach. when we wanted space we bought a large hammock. it rocked! you can get a canvas or string one. i slept like a babe and when you're done you just unhook from one wall and "you got space!"

good luck.

miketoner · 07-16-2008, 03:28 PM

You probably will not have to spend more than about $50 for a good loft. Lumber will be about $40 and the hardware will be about $10. I didnt really know what I was doing so I bought a plan. I bought one from these guys and it worked out pretty well: http://www.campusloftbeds.com/loft-bed-plans-c-24.html

I also ended up adding a shelf to it like this: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/bunkpal-bed-shelf-4 which came in pretty handy for the alarm clock.

Just make sure you tighten everything down really good. I didnt have very good tools and the bed was kind of wobbly near the end of the year.

JStrider · 07-16-2008, 03:56 PM

haha... wow... this is an oooooold thread

I'll go ahead and tell about my loft...

my roomate and I figured out some plans to build the lofts, a mix of things we had seen online and thought would work together well. He talked to a friend of his that worked construction to get some lumber for cheap. When my roomate went to pickup the lumber his friend asked him to come look at something. His friend had welded up 2 lofts out of 2 inch square steel tubing... These things were solid!

my roomate and I drilled them and bolted on 2x4s to make ladders up one side.

the bottom of the frame was 6 feet up and the top of the mattresses probably about 7 from the ground.

We used the lofts for 4 years and never had any issues... they stood up to everything I could dish out

after we used em, we sold them to a couple of freshmen in the same dorm... I'm sure they could last a loooong time!

I'll see if I can find a picture to post

genuinegirly · 07-16-2008, 04:34 PM

Wow! Way neat! So glad to hear your solid lofts are still floating around. Pity to waste good construction.

smilton · 12-18-2010, 08:08 AM

I know this is an older thread but I've been looking for some discussion on using true lofts as living space. It seems like the term "loft" has been watered down to encompass a newer apartment. Thought I'd share this article on the difference between true lofts and the way "loft" is used now. How cool would it be if a university renovated an historic building and students lived in real lofts.

06-20-2003, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	Build a bed loft for a Dorm room well my roomie next year and I are thinking about building lofts for our beds... and i was wondering if anyone had any advice... it does have to be very stable... and not shake much when ariekitten and i are havin fun... :-D cuz i wanna put a big piece of plywood under for a desk... and i cant have my computer shaking too much... i found this site which looks like a pretty solid design... anybody got any other pointers? http://www.oploftbed.com/index.php __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

06-20-2003, 02:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	that link isnt working... it has "..." in it... as for the desk... i dont want to use the regular school desk... their WAAAAAY too small i cant put a computer on there and still have room to work... so im gonna put my computer on the desk under the bed... and then use my other desk to do writing work... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

06-26-2003, 10:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	yah... my college doesnt sell any such kits... but we can make them however we want... long as they are free standing __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

06-28-2003, 10:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	For $40, you can have mine. Built by an engineer to withstand the second coming. You'll have to pick it up, tho __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

06-28-2003, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
daoist Crazy	does your college have metal frame beds? it's not that big of a deal. get 2 2x6's the exact width of your dorm room, and 4 2x4's the proper height. get 4 short lengths of chain. make 2 wooden frames. you don't need any bracing material because the walls of the dorm room will keep it from falling over. use the beds as the cross members, and use the chains on each corner of the beds to hold them up. i'd suggest you build or buy your computer desk separately, for optimal flexibility. i'd actually suggest just getting a DIY desk kit from wally-world for the lease amount of hassle. __________________ I:IV:XV

06-20-2003, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tirian Addict Location: Canada	I built a loft bed when I was in college - it really helped with creating extra room in the room. I basically had a steel frame already that clipped into drip-in "L" brackets on metal head and foot boards. So I got 4X4's and made similar "L" brackets out of angle iron with a drill and grinder. Then I bolted these brackets to the 4X4's and put ladder braces (similar to the pics on your site) on the ends, and a big "X" brace across the back. Then my existing steel frame slipped into the new much taller head and foot boards. Then I just used my regular desk by sliding it inderneath the bed. Here's a link for plans that include an end desk, and bookshelf, and you can DL for free... http://www.bhg.com.au/home_improveme..._bunk_bed.pdf/$FILE/200104_bunk_bed.pdf

06-25-2003, 04:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
shadrock Crazy	Hmm, my college sold loft kits during move in for $60. Generally the easiest way to go. The were sturdy enough, but you had to tighten them once in a while. Just don't climb up there when you are drunk. I lost a printer because of that.

07-02-2003, 08:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
smithja0423 Guest	I need to look into this further as well. The second bedroom in my condo is more of a den/office - and franly with a double bed and computer system in there you can't move. Putting the bed up in the air is the only solution.

07-02-2003, 08:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
smithja0423 Guest	I just checked out the OP Loftbed site and their stuff looks good. I'm contemplating ordering the plans for one right now.

07-11-2003, 06:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
Pellaz Addict Location: Texas	The best loft I saw during college days was a double loft. If you and your roomate can get together and do it, it's definately the way to go for space and sturdiness. You start with a post in each corner of the room, and attach them along the ceiling with four more boards, so you have a square frame on four room height legs. On the two long edges, you'll build a frame for the bed hanging from your initial structure. after that, just slap a couple supports diagnally from the base of the 'basket' to the supporting legs of the loft. Sorry I don't know board sizes here. This took most of a day to build, with 4 people working. They brought all the materials and did everything from cutting to assembly on sight, which seems the easiest way to go for this loft. Well worth the work though, as a typical dormroom will be left with room for 2 desks, a couch, larger than avg fridge, and enough room for a small entertainment center. __________________ " ' Big Mouth. Remember it took three of you to kill me. A god, a boy, and, last and least, a hero.' "

07-13-2003, 08:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	hmmm well im pretty sure were still planning to build the lofts... money is a big limiting factor... i shouldnt spend more then $60-$70 and even then my mom would prolly get on my case about it... im thinking something pretty similar to the op Loftbed... since i have almost no tools im gonna have to see if the hardware store can cut everything to size for me... and even drill holes and whatnot... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

07-14-2003, 07:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
dtheriault Psycho Location: maybe utah	you might want to try a different approach. when we wanted space we bought a large hammock. it rocked! you can get a canvas or string one. i slept like a babe and when you're done you just unhook from one wall and "you got space!" good luck. __________________ "Remember, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen." -Homer Unless you are the freakin Highlander, what is the point in learning how to fight with a sword?

07-16-2008, 03:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
miketoner Upright	You probably will not have to spend more than about $50 for a good loft. Lumber will be about $40 and the hardware will be about $10. I didnt really know what I was doing so I bought a plan. I bought one from these guys and it worked out pretty well: http://www.campusloftbeds.com/loft-bed-plans-c-24.html I also ended up adding a shelf to it like this: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/bunkpal-bed-shelf-4 which came in pretty handy for the alarm clock. Just make sure you tighten everything down really good. I didnt have very good tools and the bed was kind of wobbly near the end of the year.

07-16-2008, 03:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	haha... wow... this is an oooooold thread I'll go ahead and tell about my loft... my roomate and I figured out some plans to build the lofts, a mix of things we had seen online and thought would work together well. He talked to a friend of his that worked construction to get some lumber for cheap. When my roomate went to pickup the lumber his friend asked him to come look at something. His friend had welded up 2 lofts out of 2 inch square steel tubing... These things were solid! my roomate and I drilled them and bolted on 2x4s to make ladders up one side. the bottom of the frame was 6 feet up and the top of the mattresses probably about 7 from the ground. We used the lofts for 4 years and never had any issues... they stood up to everything I could dish out after we used em, we sold them to a couple of freshmen in the same dorm... I'm sure they could last a loooong time! I'll see if I can find a picture to post __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

07-16-2008, 04:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	Wow! Way neat! So glad to hear your solid lofts are still floating around. Pity to waste good construction. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

12-18-2010, 08:08 AM	#16 (permalink)
smilton Upright	Real Lofts for Dorm Rooms I know this is an older thread but I've been looking for some discussion on using true lofts as living space. It seems like the term "loft" has been watered down to encompass a newer apartment. Thought I'd share this article on the difference between true lofts and the way "loft" is used now. How cool would it be if a university renovated an historic building and students lived in real lofts.