Bed Loft Information

While lofting can increase floor space in a room, University Housing staff do not recommend using a loft for a variety of reasons: Housing uses several different bed frame types, many rooms have built-in furniture, and ceiling heights can vary between buildings.

Due to ceiling heights under 7'6", lofting in the following areas/buildings is strongly discouraged:

  • ​East Halls: all buildings, except Earle and Martin
  • Pollock Halls: all buildings
  • North Halls: all buildings, except Robinson
  • South Halls: Cooper, Cross, Ewing, Haller, Hibbs, Hoyt, Lyons, and Stephens.

Some buildings have wall-mounted bolsters, which are designed for the bed/mattress to slide under to create more floor space.  Following the loft specifications (pdf), as noted below, you can construct a loft to work around bolsters. Buildings with bolsters are:

  • East Halls: Hastings, Snyder, and Stone
  • Pollock Halls: Beaver, Hiester, Mifflin, Porter, Ritner, and Shulze 

Several buildings have bed frames that can be adjusted in height up to ~30". The loft specifications linked above and below DO NOT WORK for these room and these types of bed.Buildings with these bed types are:

  • East Halls: Brumbaugh, Earle, Geary, Martin, McKean, Pennypacker, Pinchot, Stuart, Sproul, and Tener
  • Eastview Terrace: all buildings
  • North Halls: all buildings
  • South Halls: Atherton, Chace, Cooper, Cross, Ewing, Haller, Hibbs, Hoyt, Lyons, McElwain, and Stephens
  • West Halls: Thompson (floor 2, 3, and 4 only)
  • White Course Apartments: Dunham, Garban, Grubb, and Patterson. 

Please visit Residence Area to view floor plans, room furnishing dimensions, and a room diagrams of a typical room. The most effective way to add additional height and storage to other bed frames is to purchase bed risers found at many retailers.  If you are interested in constructing a loft bed in your University Park residence hall room, contact the appropriate Housing Office to ensure that your room can accommodate a bed loft. If you are able to have a loft in the room, please review the loft specifications (pdf) for guidelines and construction information. 

Please note:  You are responsible for assembling and dissembling your loft.  Any damaged caused by your loft is your responsibility.  All furniture must remain in your room including the bed frame (and legs) and mattress.