40+ Loft Bed Ideas Built with Industrial Pipe
Even if you don’t live in a trendy tiny house, you are probably looking for ways to create more space in your home.
You could organize your closet or build a shelving unit, but have you considered creating a loft bed? This creative space-saving solution opens up the floor for storage or additional living space.
Plus, loft beds are easy to build. Don’t believe us? We’ve gathered over 40 loft bed project ideas. These projects could easily be constructed with pipe and Kee Klamp fittings.
These projects are affordable, fun, and add an interesting piece to your house.
If you are ready for some loft bed inspiration, keep reading. After you review these project you will be ready to create your own space-saving loft bed!
David in Saratoga Springs, New York created this unique loft bed for his daughter. He added a light fixture and desk so his daughter could utilize the under-the-bed space to work on homework or read.
David mentioned that this project was easy to complete since he used pipe and Kee Klamp fittings. He explained, "I'm not a welder, and didn't want to incur the expense or take the time to cut threads into the pipe."
Common Question: How much does it cost to build a loft bed?
Answer: The cost to build a loft bed will range depending on the type of materials that are used in its construction, but typically ranges from $200 to $1000. While wood is a more affordable option, longer-lasting materials such as steel and cast-iron fittings could save money in the long run and be more durable.
Follow this design by Stacey in Wayne, Pennsylvania to maximize your living space. She created a loft bed frame that fits a full-size mattress and provides room for a couch under the bed.
This design even includes a built-in desk. This would be perfect for a dorm room or small apartment. This frame uses aluminum pipe and Kee Lite fittings to keep it lighter than some other projects.
Michael designed and built this project for his sons’ bedroom. After lofting the beds, the boys utilized the extra space for a desk, dresser, and TV stand. Michael utilized Swivel Flange and Single Swivel Socket fittings in this project.
He explains, “it was by far the best solution, being able to just cut the pipe to length and easily assemble without worry of 'weak' joints. It was an easy decision."
Nate was inspired by Michael’s design above and decided to create a similar project for his children. He included two ladders in his project that he built using the Single Socket Tee fittings for the ladder’s rungs.
Nate was proud of his design (and rightfully so!) stating, "it turned out awesome and I wanted to send a photo to you guys and thank you for your help with my order. My wife didn't understand why I was buying so many parts until she saw the finished product and she loves it! And of course, my boys couldn't be happier!"
Common Question: What kind of material should I use for a loft bed?
Answer: While wood is common and certainly an option, sturdier materials such as steel will give a loft bed a sturdy and steady base while being able to support more weight and last longer than wood.
This loft bed image was very popular on Pinterest so we decided to create a step-by-step guide for you to build your own version. You can find the guide here. This specific bed was created to fit a twin mattress, but you could adjust the design to fit a larger mattress if you want.
This loft bed includes a wood plank desk and space for storage. You can create a similar version using Single Socket Tee fittings for the ladder rungs and Flange fittings to attach the frame to the floor. This is a perfect space-saving solution for a kid’s room.
Brad built this bed for a condo in downtown Austin, Texas. With just Kee Klamp fittings and pipe he was able to create an attractive and functional bed that looks appropriate for an adult apartment.
There is even room for a full-size desk and storage under the bed. Brad explained that “assembly was simple and took around 3-1/2 hours. Works fantastic, and looks great!” Check out more details and step-by-step instructions here.
Chris built this loft for his daughter's’ playroom, but it could easily work in a bedroom. Chris said, “I purchased some Kee Klamp fittings along with some galvanized pipe, painted them white and installed the railing to keep my girls safe from falling off above. The project turned out perfect, thank you Simplified Building.”
Armand built this lofted space to keep his grandchildren safe. With 90 Degree Elbow fittings and galvanized pipe, he created a safe lofted bedroom that his grandchildren love. They placed a tent-style bed in the space but you could also use this loft for a full-size mattress.
Stephen created this family-room loft to add an elevated space for his office. You could follow a similar design for a lofted bed. Three Socket Tee and 90 Degree Elbow fittings help create the railing for this project.
Stephen said, “It (the loft) is more solid than anything I could have designed with wood. The ladder works great, using oak to secure the pipe to the wall to align with the wall studs and then I added some stainless steel backsplash to protect the wall. Kids love it. I painted the fittings to match the walls and kept the pipe bare to have the industrial look. The loft is great for our family and has exceeded my expectations."
Justin from Brooklyn, NY created this lofted bunk bed to save space in his apartment. The bottom mattress is not secured so he could easily remove this and use the space in another way. To create a similar project, you just need pipe, plywood, and Kee Klamp fittings.
This unique lofted bunk bed features a wall and floor mounted frame. Under the lofted bed, the second bed is simply placed on top of a storage container. If you plan to create a similar project, confirm that your Flange fittings are directly attached to a stud. This will provide additional support to your lofted bed.
This space-themed loft bed is perfect for a fun piece in a kid’s room. This design allows your child to stretch their imagination. Even though it looks complicated, this unique bed isn’t too hard to make. Be sure to use Swivel Flange fittings for the rungs throughout the middle section of the bed.
This design is missing the industrial feel of most of the previous projects. It does include a railing built with pipe and Kee Klamp fittings. To create a similar railing on a loft bed, you will need Single Socket Tee fittings, Flange fittings, and 90 Degree Elbow fittings.
This simple loft bed is similar to a design we discussed earlier. You could add a couch, desk, or another piece to utilize the space under the bed. You will need Flange fittings for the legs of this bed frame and Three Socket Tee fittings to help make the rungs of the ladder.
Common Question How much weight can a loft bed hold?
Answer: Loft beds can hold a weight ranging from 200 to 600 lb depending on the type of material and design of the frame. This includes the mattress and bedding. If the loft bed is being used by a teenager and older, you might want want to consider stronger bed frame alternatives such as steel.
With wood, pipe, and fittings the designers of this project created a simple and sleek loft bed frame. This design leaves plenty of room for a home office under the bed. You can find step-by-step instructions for this project on the “You Can, Man” blog.
This unique loft bed features a fireman’s pole as an alternative to the traditional ladders we’ve seen on most of the previous projects. This product uses Flange fittings to keep the poles mounted to the ground. You will also need 90 Degree Elbow fittings to connect the pipe used to create the fireman’s pole. Check out this article to find a complete walkthrough of this project.
This loft bed is supported with a floor and ceiling mounted pipe. This works to add structure and a touch of style to this project. The pipe in this project works similarly to the fireman’s pole in the previous project, but this pipe was used to create a ladder. You will need Single Socket Tee fittings, 90 Degree Elbow fittings, and Flange fittings if you want to design a similar bed frame.
This loft bed was created for a kid’s room to open up the floor space as a play area. As you can see, the bed is mounted to the wall and ceiling using Flange fittings, but the ladder adds additional structural support. Pipe was also used to create a safety railing around the side of the bed.
Cheryl created this loft bed for her son Jackson. By lofting the bed, Jackson now has room for a couch to relax and play his guitar. Cheryl used Single Socket Tee fittings to attach the upright and mattress supports on this project. She also added Side Outlet Elbow fittings for the corners of the bed frame.
Christian from St. Louis designed this modern loft bed with wood, pipe, and Kee Klamp fittings. He was able to fit a futon under the bed and even built an attached desk to the side of the bed frame. To create a similar project, use Three Socket Tee fittings to help build a side railing where you can attach a desk.
Sy built this simple pipe railing for his loft but you could follow this design to add a railing to the side of a loft bed. This type of project doesn’t take long to design or build but is an important safety feature for loft beds.
This sleek lofted bed is mounted to the ceiling using Flange fittings and pipe. Instead of using a traditional ladder, this project was designed with a simple staircase leading up to the bed. The designer used Flange fittings and 90 Degree Elbow fittings to help attach each of the boards to make the staircase.
Although this looks like a complex design, simple wood planks, pipe, and Kee Klamp fittings are all it takes to make this bed frame. This designer chose to build a bunk bed, but you could also leave the bottom bed off and use the extra space for a couch or desk. As we’ve seen, there is plenty of room for creativity when it comes to designing your own lofted bed.
Here is another example of a lofted bunk bed that you could easily adjust to fit your needs. When designing your own project, think about how you want to utilize the space under the bed.
Although the majority of this project is wood, there are pipe railings and ladder rungs used for added safety and stability. When making your own railing, you will need Flange fittings, Two Socket Cross fittings, and Three Socket Tee fittings.
For a fun addition to a kid’s lofted bed, why not add a slide? This themed bed helps spark the imagination and also provides safety with the pipe railing. Remember you can have fun during the design process but you should never compromise safety, especially when it comes to building a loft bed for a child.
Always add a secure railing. You can change the look of this design by building the entire railing from pipe, instead of wood and pipe.
This designer used the under-the-bed space for additional storage. They added a pipe railing to the project as a space to hang clothes. This design also shows a nice example of a ladder made from pipe and Single Socket Tee fittings.
A college-student designed and created this loft bed to add extra space to her cramped dorm room. For a full walkthrough of the process, check out this article. To make the process even easier, consider using galvanized pipe and Kee Klamp fittings instead of threaded pipe. You can still keep the modern-industrial look without the hassle of using threaded pipe.
Yes, loft beds can work in a modern adult apartment. This project shows that you can use a loft bed to save space for a couch and bookshelf. They even included a contemporary staircase that doubles as additional storage, instead of using a traditional ladder.
You could make a similar project with pipe and Kee Klamp, so use this to help inspire your designs. Notice the support poles that could be easily mounted to the floor or ceiling (or both) using Flange fittings.
Pipe loft beds don’t just work in industrial or modern designs. They can also easily fit into a farmhouse styled space. This loft was built for a tiny house, but you could use the design to match the space you are working with. The owners used Flange fittings, pipe, and 90 Degree Elbow fittings to create the railing.
This loft bed is sold online, but you can recreate a similar bedframe with a few materials and an afternoon. Just think of all the possibilities you have to tweak this design. Want to add a built-in desk? Go for it! Or did you like the clothing rack from an earlier project? Work that into your design.
Unlike threaded pipe, Kee Klamp fittings and galvanized pipe are adjustable and can work to fit any of your design needs.
Common Question: How tall are loft beds?
Answer: While the term 'loft bed' refers to when a bed is raised at least 30 inches above the ground, most loft beds are much higher in order to have usable space underneath the bed itself, typically 60 inches high or more. How tall your loft bed can be will depend on your purpose and your ceiling height. You should strive for 33-36 inches of space between your mattress and the ceiling itself.
A minimalist loft bed can still work as a statement piece in your home. This project incorporates a comfy chair and workstation under the mattress. The use of black and white adds a sleek feel to this piece. Use Swivel Flange fittings to create the angled structural pieces needed to attach the chair and desk to the frame.
Common Question: Can you turn a regular bed into a loft bed?
Answer: Your standard bedframe can be converted into a loft bed by stilting the frame onto risers. We recommend getting sturdy materials like steel pipe that can have cross braces to increase stability.
A simple loft bed can be used as a twist on a traditional bunk bed. This set-up allows for under the bed storage and room for an additional bed. Since this bed is lower than many other loft beds, you don’t have to add a ladder. This designer added additional horizontal supports at the end of the frame to serve as a modified ladder. Use Single Socket Tee fittings and pipe to create the horizontal rungs.
If you want a painted bed frame, you can also paint the galvanized pipe any color you want. This project was built with PVC pipe, but for a more stable piece, we suggest using pipe that is mounted to the floor with Flange fittings. This design fits a twin-size mattress but you could also adjust this frame to fit a larger mattress.
Instead of filling the bedroom with three traditional beds, this family created a loft bed to save space. This design features two lofted beds and one bed underneath. The family utilized pipe and Kee Klamp fittings in the ladder and railing designs. Again, all you need are pipe, 90 Degree Elbow fittings, and Flange fittings to create an effective railing.
For a funky look, loft your beds a few feet off the ground. This design works really well in this adorable children’s room. Be sure to secure the beds to the ceiling using Flange fittings to ensure the safety of the design. These beds are also mounted to the wall for additional structural support.
Here is another example of how industrial pipe adds a modern look to any room. This bed frame is fairly simple and would only take a few hours to construct but it looks very sleek in this space. The built-in desk also adds an extra workspace to the room. You can see Side Elbow Outlet fittings utilized in this design to help create the corners of the bed frame.
Instead of paying a few hundred dollars to purchase this online, create your own loft bed design using simple materials. This bed frame fits a full-size mattress so it works perfectly for an adult or teenager.
This design leaves plenty of room to create a cozy hang-out spot under the mattress. You could use Three Socket Tee or Single Socket Tee fittings and pipe to create the horizontal support on the back of the bed frame.
For safety, the designers of this wooden loft bed added a pipe railing. The couch under the bed is a built-in piece and you could replicate this design in a more industrial style. Pipe and Kee Klamp fittings could be used to build a similar project in less time.
Alex built this loft style bunk bed for his cabin in North Carolina. He selected galvanized pipe and Kee Klamp fittings for the ladder because of the “ease of use, secure fittings and the wide selection of fittings available to build your project.”
You could also replace the bottom bed with a chair, couch, or desk to utilize the space in a different way. Although we’ve mostly discussed using Flange fittings to attach the frame to the floor, you can follow Alex’s example and also use Flange fittings to directly attach a ladder to the bed frame.
David from Indiana built this loft bed for his children using wood slats, pipe, and Kee Klamp fittings. David said, “The bed came out just as we planned. The best part is that when they grow up, we can make them two identical Kee Klamp beds for when they start college or move out.”
If you want to make this more of a traditional loft bed, you could use the under-the-bed space for storage instead of adding another mattress. David used Single Socket Tee fittings, Flange fittings, 90 Degree Side Outlet Tee fittings, and 90 Degree Elbow fittings when crafting this loft bed.
Build Your Own Loft Bed Today!
Ready to tackle your own loft bed project? Feeling inspired by our 40+ DIY loft bed ideas? Browse our selection of Kee Klamp fittings and galvanized pipe to get started.
Will you add a built-in desk? Or maybe use the extra space as a cozy reading nook? Feel free to send us pictures of your finished projects!
If you are not sure where to start, don’t worry. Our expert design consultants are ready to help! Contact us today to discuss your ideas. Our team will help you select the materials you need to get started on your loft bed project today!
