Bunk Beds – Studio Sleeping Arrangements
If you live in a small space then you are probably going to come up against some serious restrictions regarding space. The loft or studio is the worst of the small living arrangements. Many of us will find ourselves in this kind of living space at some point or another. Let us take a look at what we can do to help alleviate some of the space constraints, at least in regards to bedding.
One of the best options you could possibly choose is bunk beds. If you plan to make this kind of choice for your furniture, then you need to make sure that you get a set which fits your personal style and the style of your studio. If your style has a childish or lighthearted flare then twin over twin bunk beds are going to fit in perfectly. I don’t use the word “childish” in a negative way either. It’s just that, if you have designed your room to look like a high class lounge with leather furniture and sophisticated decorations, a set of bunk beds might not fit in.
The next best option, in regards to being efficient with space, is the futon. I know that the futon is scoffed at a bit, but they are a great way to have a sleeping space that is unobtrusive. As you are aware, a futon doubles as a couch and a bed. It doesn’t offer the double sleeping space that a set of adult bunk beds will, but it fits into more designs.
It may be tempting to try and split the studio into distinct areas with the use of dividers and temporary walls, but I suggest just embracing the one room lifestyle. Let your bed be your couch. If you opt to have a normal bed, mattress and frame then you should place it against a wall and get some very large pillows that you can use as a back rest. This turns that bed into a couch with a lot more room to stretch out and snuggle up.
If you have a roommate then this becomes doubly difficult. This is an instance where privacy screens are a worthwhile investment. There needs to be some privacy that is not just in the bathroom. Even if you are not shy people and do not get easily embarrassed there is still something special about having a place where you can just be alone. I believe that it goes without saying but studio spaces do not have the room for two beds to easily fit inside and not take up the majority of the floor space. This is another time that I suggest bunk beds to save space while doubling the sleeping space. I am not talking about those beds made for kids either. You can find adult sized and classy looking bunk beds that you will not feel bad abou having in your home.
If you do end up using bunk beds but still want it to feel like you have your own sleeping space then there is a fix. I will warn you in advance; this requires a little technical skill. What you want to do is skin the frame of the bunk beds in cloth covered plywood. Build three walls around the top bunk and bolt them to the frame with carriage bolts to make sure that they aren’t going anywhere. This is more easily done with wood framed bunk beds than those made from metal, but either is possible with the right tools. It’s kind of like building most of a shipping crate. Pull the corners square with some brackets that are going to be hidden under the cloth. Use cloth that has a pattern, print or color that matches your décor. At this point, you have essentially made a tree house. Now do the same thing to the bottom bunk but have the only open face opposite to the open face of the top bunk. This way you can have some more privacy and you won’t be worrying about waking up your roommate when you climb into your magical castle in the clouds. That’s what I call the top bunk.
Bunk Beds – How To Build a Bunk Bed