Are Loft Beds Safe For Adults? (And What You Should Consider Before Getting One)

Loft Beds are just as safe as any other bed, provided that your body weight doesn’t exceed the bed’s weight limit, the frame is composed of sturdy materials, and you don’t do anything idiotic.

If you google safety and loft beds, chances are, you’ll find information on why they might not be the safest option for young children. 

It’s easy to see why. Many kids see everything and anything as a personal playground. I remember treating anything I could hang from as a monkey bar when I was a child. I know I would have done the same with a loft bed. I cringe when I think of the accidents that could have happened.

But what about for adults? Are loft beds safe for them?

The simple answer is, loft beds are no more dangerous than any other beds, provided that you utilize your common sense.

Design 

Not all loft beds are created equal. Typically, any bed structure high enough off the ground (and has space underneath for storage or other purposes) is considered a loft bed.

As you’ll see from our previous article on loft bed ideas for low ceilings, a bookshelf with a bed on top is a loft bed, as is a hanging one that requires a ladder to get up top. 

Now, design is a personal preference, particularly when it comes to aesthetic vs. functionality. Some people like a balance, while others don’t mind sacrificing a little comfort if it means sticking to their aesthetic. 

Then there are those who prioritize coziness and ease above all else and see aesthetics as a nice to have. I’d probably put myself in this category, although I do have some standards when it comes to aesthetics (in that it can’t be ugly). 

But suppose there is a bed frame and mattress combo that is so comfortable and user-friendly (but is not the most aesthetically pleasing). 

I’m more likely to buy the bed anyway and find ways to make it aesthetically pleasing through covers, duvets, and throw pillows rather than choose the less comfy but more beautiful-looking frame. 

When it comes to loft beds, functionality and ease of use vary depending on the design. A loft bed that requires you to climb thin ladders will be much harder to get in and out of than one with a staircase design. 

The higher the loft bed is from the ground, the less ‘safe’ it might potentially be. 

Notice I say ‘safe’ in quotation marks because it’s all context-dependent. For example, climbing into a higher loft bed might be more dangerous if you’re under the influence of some sort of substance than if you’re doing so stone-cold sober. 

Related: Great loft bed ladder ideas

Weight limit 

Weight limit is the other thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a loft bed. Now, every bed has a weight limit. As we’ve previously written in our guide to loft bed size, a typical adult loft bed usually has a weight limit of 200 to 500 lbs, though you can find some that hold more. 

If there is any chance (however slight) that you will have a sleeping partner at some point in your life, then it’s worth getting a loft bed with a high weight limit. 

Yes, smaller ones with less weight limit might be cheaper. But think about how much time you spend on your bed. Even if you do nothing but sleep on it at night, that’s still a massive chunk of your life. 

Personally, I think that warrants an investment.

Materials 

Lastly, materials can also impact a loft bed’s safety. Generally, you’ll want to opt for loft beds made with good-quality wood or metal.

What you ultimately decide to go with is a matter of personal choice. Metal is typically more affordable and easy to assemble; some say it can hold more weight than wood. 

However, metal beds do tend to squeak, so if that’s something that would bother you, then I’d think twice about opting for metals.

Wood, especially high-quality ones, do tend to cost a little bit more, and they are also heavier than metal. Many think that because of this it’s sturdier and stronger, though that might be more about feel than anything else. 

The one downside of wood is that it’s not heat-resistant, so if you have a lot of flammable substances in your room, you might think twice about getting a loft bed made of wood. 

Not all loft beds are created equal 

Ultimately, whether or not loft beds are safe for adults depends on a number of things, such as the factors that we listed above and the quality of the bed itself. 

Where you choose to place your loft bed can also make a difference. You can have the ‘safest’ and sturdiest loft bed, but if you leave things around that you can trip over when you get in and out of your loft bed, well, you’ve compromised its safety. 

Just like everything else, it all comes down to common sense. For starters, cheaper loft beds tend to be made out of lower-quality materials. Common sense would dictate that they are potentially less safe than their more expensive, high-quality materials counterparts.

The most important thing is to research and consider what you want out of a loft bed, then narrow down your options. You can then evaluate individual designs or frames in terms of safety from the myriad of factors discussed in this article. You can even get a railing for your loft bed.

So yes, loft beds are as safe as any other beds, as long as you don’t do anything stupid while you’re in your loft bed, or when you get in and out of them. 

Related: Are loft beds childish?