How to Loft a Dorm Bed

Dorm rooms are unreasonably small. You walk in with your boxes, take one look around, and immediately realize something has to change if you’re going to fit your life and your sanity into that shoebox. Lofting your bed is one of the smartest and most transformative things you can do. It turns vertical space into usable space, freeing up the area underneath for storage, studying, lounging, or whatever setup helps you function in your new home. If you're not sure how to loft a dorm bed the right way, worry not! This guide will walk you through every step in a simple way and help you avoid common mistakes that can make the process more complicated than necessary.

Why Lofting Makes Such a Difference

When you're working with limited square footage, going vertical is a game-changer. Raising your bed gives you a completely new zone underneath it. You might tuck your desk there, create a mini lounge, or build out storage with bins, baskets, a rolling cart, etc. It makes your room feel less like a storage unit and more like a functional space that actually works for your life.

Lofting your bed also gives your room a more defined layout. It separates your sleeping area from your work or chill zone, which makes everything feel more intentional. If your dorm feels like a single messy surface right now, lofting helps fix that.

Lofting Instructions

Now, let us look at the step-by-step dorm bed lofting instructions.

Step One: Know Your Bed Frame Before You Touch Anything

Start by identifying what kind of bed you’re working with. Not all dorm beds are built the same, and how you raise yours depends entirely on its design. Common dorm bed types include:

• Wood/Metal Loft Frame (Loftable ✔)

These are sturdy steel or wooden frames with a spring/slatted base that can be raised and lowered by moving the ends into different height slots. Common in traditional dorms, they’re built for lofting. If your bed feels industrial and has visible adjustment holes on the legs, this is likely what you have.

• Wood/Metal Platform Frame (Non-Loftable ✘)

These are low-profile beds with a fixed height. They usually don’t come apart and aren’t meant to be lofted. You’ll need bed risers if you want more space underneath. (More about bed risers down below.)

• Bunkable / Stackable Frame (Loftable ✔)

Some rooms come with beds that are built to stack vertically. You’ll need a ladder and safety rail, but the overall frame is designed for secure bunking/stacking. These are ideal for saving space in shared rooms.

• Other Frame Types (Non-Loftable ✘)

This includes beds like captain’s frames with drawers underneath, or futon-style setups in apartment-style dorms. These usually can’t be lofted and are best left as-is. If you’re unsure, ask your housing staff. Some colleges restrict DIY lofting and only allow specific kits or professional setup services. Check before you start.

Step Two: Talk to Your Roommate First

This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip it. Moving a bed affects the whole room layout. Before you start lifting anything, sit down with your roommate and discuss how you want to set up the space. Figure out where each of you wants your bed, desk, and other essentials to go. You don’t want to lift your bed, spend an hour arranging things, and then realize neither of you can open a drawer.

It’s also worth noting that this is absolutely not a solo project. Grab your roommate or a helpful neighbor. Two people make this process way easier and much safer.

Step Three: Clear the Space and Strip the Bed

Before you start moving anything, take everything off your bed. That includes the mattress, sheets, blankets, and anything you might have stored underneath. If you’ve already decorated the wall near your bed, take those things down too. It’s amazing how fast a poster can get ripped when a bed frame swings the wrong way.

In addition to removing bedding, make sure you’ve got enough floor space to set all the pieces down without tripping over them. With bunkable frames, you’ll need space to tilt and lift the structure into place. Clear it all now and avoid the chaos later.

Step Four: The Lofting Process

Now comes the main event. How you loft depends on your frame type.

If You Have a Wood/Metal Loft Frame

Many dorm beds use slotted frames that allow you to raise and lower the sleeping platform by fitting it into different notches on the bedposts. If yours has hooks or metal ends that rest in bracketed slots, follow these steps:

1. Loosen the bed frame corners: Grab a rubber mallet and gently tap upward on the underside of one corner where the platform meets the leg. This helps unseat the hook or pin that’s holding it in place. Have a friend support the other side of the frame while you work, so it doesn’t shift suddenly.
2. Lift and reposition the platform: With a partner, carefully raise both ends of the platform to the new height you want. Line up the hooks or ends with the matching slot on each leg, and gently lower the frame until it settles firmly into place. Make sure all four corners are level before moving on.
3. Tap into place if needed: If one corner doesn’t sit flush, you can lightly tap it downward with the mallet until it's fully locked in. Avoid forcing it. Reposition if something feels off.
4. Put your mattress back on: Once the frame is secure, lay the mattress back down and remake your bed. You’ve now got extra space underneath.

Pro Tip: If you’re not happy with the height later, don’t worry - you can always adjust it again using the same steps.

If You Have a Bunkable / Stackable Frame

If your dorm beds are designed to stack, bunking them can be a great way to open up floor space. These setups usually require a few parts from your housing office to do it properly. Here’s how to bunk your beds step by step:

1. Start by getting the stacking hardware: You’ll need special connector pins or pegs that lock the top frame onto the bottom one. These prevent wobbling and are usually provided by your dorm’s housing. Don’t try stacking beds without them - it’s unsafe and almost always against dorm policy.
2. Insert the pegs into the lower bed frame: Look at the top of the bottom bed’s legs - you should see small holes at each corner. Place one peg into each hole so they stick straight up. These will help guide and anchor the upper bed securely in place.
3. Stack the top frame onto the bottom bed: With a partner, carefully lift the top frame and align all four legs over the pegs. Lower it slowly and evenly until the legs slide fully onto the connectors. Go slow here. Trying to force one corner at a time can bend the frame or jam it.
4. Add the safety rail and ladder (if provided): Most dorms include a safety rail for the outer edge of the top bunk. It usually hooks onto the frame or slots into small brackets. If you didn’t get one in your room, housing may have extras. Same goes for ladders. Ask if they’re available.
5. Replace the mattress and get comfortable: Once the frame is secured and the rail is in place, return the mattress to the top bunk and make up both beds. You’ve now freed up valuable square footage.

Pro Tip: If you're only using one bed and want lofted space, check whether you’re allowed to loft just one frame instead of stacking both. Some dorms restrict unapproved setups for safety.

Keep in mind that bunking is slightly different from lofting. A lofted bed raises one bed high to open space underneath. A bunk bed stacks two beds vertically to free up shared floor space. Both are space-saving, but only lofting gives you usable room under your own bed.

If You’re Using a Lofting Kit

Some dorm beds can’t be lofted by default, but that’s where a lofting kit comes in. These kits are usually provided by your college housing team and include leg extensions, pegs, and sometimes extras like guardrails or a ladder. Here’s how to use one correctly:

1. Pick up a lofting kit from housing: Head to your dorm’s housing office and ask for a lofting kit. It typically includes two tall leg extensions and four metal pins (plus a rail or ladder, depending on your school). You may not need to pay for it, but it’s a good idea to check ahead.
2. Tip the frame on its side: With a partner’s help, gently tip the bed frame onto its side so you can access the legs easily. Make sure you’ve cleared enough floor space to work. Pull the bed into the center of the room if needed.
3. Attach the leg extensions using the pegs: Insert a metal pin into each of the four corners of the original bed legs. Then, slide the taller extensions onto those pins so they sit snugly on top. This is easiest with one person holding the frame steady while the other lines up each piece.
4. Set the frame upright and reposition it: Carefully lift the bed back onto its feet. If it’s tall now (and it will be), have both people lift from the center of the frame for better control. Slide the bed into place against the wall, or wherever you want it in the room.
5. Install the safety rail (if included): Most kits include a guardrail that slots into the outer edge of the frame. This keeps you from rolling out in your sleep. Even if the bed is against a wall, the open side should have a rail for safety.
6. Set your mattress back on top: Once the frame is locked and upright, add the mattress and remake your bed. Depending on the height, you may be able to climb up using the frame slats. But if you received a ladder with the kit, attach it securely for easy access.

Pro Tip: Keep any extra hardware and instructions in a labeled bag under your bed. You’ll need them when it’s time to take everything down at move-out.

Only use university-approved lofting kits. DIY versions (like cinder blocks or random wood beams) are usually banned and can violate fire/safety codes.

Step Five: Add the Right Accessories

Once your bed is in place, think about how you’re actually going to use it. Most dorm lofts don’t come with a ladder, so you’ll need one unless you’re tall enough to jump up easily. Even if you can get up without help, a small step stool or ladder makes climbing safer and more convenient, especially late at night.

Don’t skip the safety rail if your college offers one. You might not think you’ll roll off in your sleep, but lofted beds are high enough that a fall could really hurt.

Under-bed lighting is another underrated add-on. The area under a lofted bed tends to be dark, especially in the evenings. Clip-on lamps or LED bars can turn it into a cozy nook instead of a gloomy cave.

Step Six: Organize the Space Below

This is where your lofted bed really starts to shine. You’ve created an entire zone of usable space. Now it’s time to make it work for you.

A Few Common Setups Include:

• Study station: Slide your desk underneath, add some shelves, and plug in your power strip. Now your room has distinct zones for rest and work, which can actually help with focus.
• Chill corner: Toss a bean bag or futon under there with a small table and lamp. It becomes your own personal hangout or movie spot.
• Storage base: Use that vertical space to stash bins, boxes, a laundry basket, or even a mini fridge. Just make sure to keep it organized, or it’ll turn into a black hole of clutter.

Whatever you do with the space, make sure there’s enough headroom to sit and move around comfortably. No one wants to hit their head every time they reach for their shoes.

Step Seven: Give It a Final Check

Before you throw the mattress back on and call it a day, give your setup a once-over. Climb up and lie down. Is the frame steady? Does it creak too much when you move? Does anything feel uneven or loose?

Check the pins, bolts, and connectors one more time. Make sure nothing wobbles or shifts. You’ll sleep better knowing your setup is solid.

If You Can’t Loft, Try These Alternatives

Not every dorm setup allows lofting, especially if your school has strict safety policies. If that’s the case, there are still ways to reclaim some space.

Use Bed Risers

Bed risers are small plastic/wood blocks that go under each leg of your bed to lift it a few extra inches. That may not sound like much, but it’s often just enough to slide in storage bins and maybe even a laundry basket. Most adjustable bed risers come in heights between 3" and 8", and some models even include built-in power outlets or USB ports!

Try a Mid-Level Adjustment

If you have an adjustable frame (especially metal ones), there’s usually a “middle” height setting—about 18" to 24" off the floor. This isn’t a full loft, but it gives you enough clearance to store things like suitcases and rolling drawers. Ask your facilities team if you're not sure how to adjust it, or refer to your dorm's move-in guide for the approved height levels.

Slide-In Storage Drawers or Rolling Bins

Even without raising your bed much, you can still use shallow under-bed storage bins or rolling drawers. Look for low-profile containers made for tight spaces. Some are only 6-7" tall and still fit enough supplies to keep the rest of your room free. Rolling options make it easier to access items in a tight dorm layout.

Under-Bed Seating or Shoe Racks

If you raise your bed just a bit, you can sneak in small items like folding stools, ottomans, or tiered shoe racks. This helps keep your floor from getting cluttered and makes your space feel more open. Many small ottomans also double as hidden storage, so that’s a bonus.

Use Luggage as Storage

Don’t waste valuable closet or floor space on your suitcase - fill it with out-of-season clothes or extra bedding and slide it under your bed. It’s basically a built-in storage bin you already own.

Vertical Bedside Storage

If you can’t store under your bed, try storing beside it. Hanging bedside caddies, hook-on organizers, clip-on shelves, etc., give you plenty of space. These are perfect for beds that are low to the ground or pushed into a corner.

The Bottom Line

Lofting your dorm bed is a bit of a project, but it’s one of the smartest decisions you can make during move-in. It turns your bed into more than just a place to crash. It gives your room structure and flexibility, and it frees up floor space you’ll be glad to have when everything else starts piling up.

Just make sure to plan it well, seek help when needed, and take the time to do it safely. Once it’s done, you’ll wonder how you ever lived with your bed flat on the floor.

FAQs

1. Can you loft a dorm bed by yourself?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Dorm beds are heavy and awkward to move. It’s much safer (and a heck of a lot easier) with a second person to help lift and steady the frame.

2. How to loft a bed in a college dorm?

Start by checking with your housing office. Remove the mattress, then raise the frame to a higher slot or reassemble it at a lofted height. Use a rubber mallet if needed, and secure all parts tightly. Add a ladder/stool if the bed is high.

3. How much additional space can lofting actually give me?

Lofting can create a huge difference in your living space. Depending on how high you raise the bed, you might gain enough room for a desk, chest of drawers, or even a small couch. If you raise it to captain's height or higher, you can comfortably fit storage bins or a workspace underneath, making the most of every square foot in your room.

4. What if I’m only lofting one bed in a shared room with limited space?

Lofting one bed is still a smart move, even in tight space limitations. It creates space for additional furniture and helps you store your supplies more efficiently. Just make sure your layout doesn’t block your roommate’s side or access to shared areas.

5. Can I replace or rearrange dorm furniture to better fit under my lofted bed?

That depends on your campus rules. Some schools allow students to move/replace certain pieces, like the headboard or desk, while others require all furniture to stay in the room. Measure the dimensions of each item before lifting your bed so you know exactly what can fit underneath.

Related blog posts:

1. What Size Is a Dorm Bed?

2. Dorm Room Decor Ideas

3. College Dorm Room Essentials Checklist

4. Small Bedroom Ideas

5. Bedroom Ideas

Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.