Loft beds are almost invariably mentioned in articles aimed at college students as a great way get more space out of tiny dorm rooms. Yet university loft beds are usually rickety, wooden contraptions that shake if anyone so much as touches them. Shouldn’t we leave lofted beds behind after graduation? Not necessarily.

There are several things to consider if you are thinking about adding a loft bed to your home.

• Many loft beds come with bed options larger than twin-sized, so you don’t need to rule out loft beds just because you have a significant other. However, most larger beds will need to be thick and wooden to support the weight of the mattress, so don’t expect a delicate look.
• To get the loft bed you want (especially if you use a mattress larger than a double), you may need to build your own or have a custom one built for you by professional carpenters. Detailed loft bed plans are available online for about $10, and materials will set you back about $200. Professionally-built loft beds will be around $800 for a high-quality wooden loft bed.
• Loft beds can be an excellent way to “create” a bedroom if you are living in a studio-style home without a distinct bedroom. You can even store clothing and other bedroom-related items in the space you have opened up underneath the bed to create a full bedroom unit.
• Children love loft beds. If you have multiple children sharing a room, and want to give them their own space without wasting it, you may want to consider a twin-sized (or smaller) loft bed for each of them. Two loft beds free up the same amount of space as a bunk bed, while leaving each child the freedom to hang out under her bed. Children’s loft beds are much more common, and thus cheaper, than their larger-sized adult counterparts.

Creating a loft bed can be a rewarding weekend project for the do-it-yourself people, or a space-saving investment for those who prefer to purchase pre-built models. Some of the most popular loft bed sellers are LoftBedStation.com and MC Woodworks. For more guidance on buying a loft bed, check out this loft bed buying guide.