How to Loft a Bed in College
Lofting your dorm-issue bed on two pallets to create a raised platform bed is a staple of college decor. A standard pallet lifts the bed off the ground enough to sit beneath while leaving ample headroom above. This loft solution isn't as stable as a custom-built setup nor as attractive. However, it carries the advantages of being extremely cheap and very easy to build. Set aside 15 minutes for this project start to finish, or less if you have a friend help you. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove the mattress and set it aside. One good place to keep it is on top of your roommate's bed, because it's just the right size and it will be out of the way.
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Slide your bed frame out into the middle of your dorm room. Tilt your bed frame on its side with the legs facing towards the original position of the bed.
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Slide one open edge of the pallet over the legs at the head of your bed frame. Repeat with the other pallet at the foot of the bed frame. Both pallets should extend several feet beyond the original legs of the bed.
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Return your bed frame to an upright position. Slide it back into the original position. If there is space between the bed frame and the nearest wall, slide it until it's in contact with that wall. Pallet beds are far more stable when against a wall, preferably sandwiched between a wall and stable piece of furniture.
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Tips & Warnings
Though not strictly necessary for structure and safety, sanding and painting your pallet first will make the end product much more attractive.
Some students like to steal their pallets from local stores rather than buy them. This is illegal and unethical. You can buy pallets for very little money at your local home improvement center.
