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Quick answer
The Max and Lily high loft with a desk measures 96.5 by 59.5 by 68.5 inches and the listing says it is for standard 8-foot ceilings; with a 96 inch ceiling that leaves 27.5 inches above the frame before the mattress. The Max and Lily low loft is 81.5 by 54.25 by 50 inches and the SOFTSEA full low loft 93.8 by 57.5 by 43.8 inches, leaving 46 and 52.2 inches. Each states 400 pounds. A younger child is better suited to a low loft, which the Max and Lily listing calls safe for younger children; we cannot judge safety from a listing, so check the maker’s age guidance.
Quick compare: the products in this guide
Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.
| Product | Listed details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Max and Lily Twin-Size High Loft Bed with Ladder and Desk, White | 96.5 x 59.5 x 68.5 in; 400 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Max and Lily Classic Low Loft (Twin), with Pull-Out Desk, White | 81.5 x 54.25 x 50 in; 400 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| SOFTSEA Full Size Low Loft Bed with 3 Drawers, Shelves, Retractable Writing… | 93.8 x 57.5 x 43.8 in; 400 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
If this topic fits your room, see our guide to kids sofa.
High loft or low loft
High loft. The bed is near the ceiling, with space underneath for a desk or a seating area. It needs the ceiling and a child who can climb a ladder safely.
Low loft. The bed is lower, usually with storage, drawers or a desk underneath at a compact size. It is better for small ceilings and younger children.
Bunk beds are a related choice; see white metal bunk bed.
Worked example: ceiling, footprint and desk
This is our own arithmetic.
| Bed | Size (L × W × H) | Ceiling gap in a 96 in room | Footprint | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max and Lily high loft with desk | 96.5 × 59.5 × 68.5 in | 27.5 in | 39.9 sq ft | 400 lb |
| Max and Lily low loft with desk | 81.5 × 54.25 × 50 in | 46 in | 30.7 sq ft | 400 lb |
| SOFTSEA full low loft with drawers | 93.8 × 57.5 × 43.8 in | 52.2 in | 37.5 sq ft | 400 lb |
The high loft’s footprint of 96.5 by 59.5 inches is 5,742 square inches, or 39.9 square feet, which includes the ladder and the desk, against 19.5 square feet for a twin mattress alone. The loft is large, but the space under it is usable: the desk is attached underneath or outside the frame.
For a child on the top bunk of a loft, the gap from the mattress to the ceiling is what matters. With a 6 inch mattress (our assumption), the high loft leaves 27.5 minus 6, which is 21.5 inches, a small gap above a sleeping child and not enough to sit up. Do not use a high loft under a low ceiling.
What the listings say
Max and Lily Twin-Size High Loft Bed with Ladder and Desk, White (ASIN B0GV3SKF5B). The table gives twin, white and one item. The bullets say solid knot-free New Zealand pine, a 400 pound resting weight capacity that holds kids to adults, plywood slats with a metal support bar, a slatted headboard and footboard, a loft design that opens floor space and an assembled size of 96.5 by 59.5 by 68.5 inches including ladder and desk for standard 8-foot ceilings. The desk must be attached to the loft for use and is not designed to be used as a freestanding desk. Best for: a room with an 8 foot ceiling and a child who needs a desk. Watch out: the footprint is large and the head space above the top bed is small.
Max and Lily Classic Low Loft (Twin) with Pull-Out Desk, White (ASIN B0GV3KLJNS). The table gives 81.5 by 54.25 by 50 inches, white and twin. The bullets say a low twin loft for smaller spaces and low ceilings, a low profile that is safe for younger children, a pull-out desk, solid pine, a 400 pound capacity with plywood slats and a metal support bar. Best for: a lower ceiling or a younger child. Watch out: the 54.25 inch width is more than a twin’s 38, because of the desk.
SOFTSEA Full Size Low Loft Bed with 3 Drawers, Shelves, Wooden Loft Bed Frame with Retractable Writing Desk (ASIN B0CPPK8X4S). The table gives 93.8 by 57.5 by 43.8 inches, wood, espresso and a maximum weight recommendation of 400 pounds. The bullets say three drawers and storage shelves, solid pine with commercial grade MDF, a retractable desk, wood slats with no box spring needed. Best for: a full-size sleeper who needs drawers and a desk. Watch out: no ceiling guidance and no guardrail statement in the text we read.
How the three compare
| Listing | Size | Under-bed use | Capacity | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max and Lily high | Twin | Desk | 400 lb | Pine |
| Max and Lily low | Twin | Pull-out desk | 400 lb | Pine |
| SOFTSEA low | Full | 3 drawers, shelves, retractable desk | 400 lb | Pine and MDF |
How to choose
Check the ceiling first. Subtract the bed from the room, then the mattress.
Choose by the child’s age. The listings call the low loft safer for younger children; follow the maker’s guidance.
Check guardrails and the ladder. The listings we read mention a ladder; ask about rails.
Plan the floor. A desk adds width; use the footprint table.
Mattress thickness and guardrails
On a loft, the mattress sits on slats inside a rail. A thick mattress reduces the height of the rail above it, which matters for a child on a high bed. The listings do not state a maximum mattress thickness in the text we read, so ask, and consider a 6 inch mattress as our example in the ceiling table above. Whether the guardrail is full-length or partial is another detail to ask for.
Moving and assembly
The Max and Lily lofts describe solid pine, and the SOFTSEA full loft a solid pine frame with fiberboard; these are heavy builds. The SOFTSEA loft has three drawers, which add to the weight, and a retractable desk. None of the three listings gives a weight in the text we read, so ask for the heaviest carton before you plan the stairs. Assembly of a loft is a two-person job, and the desk of the Max and Lily high loft must be attached to the loft for use.
Mistakes to avoid
Putting a high loft under a low ceiling. The head gap is small.
Using the desk as a freestanding desk. The Max and Lily listing says it must be attached.
Ignoring the weight rating. 400 pounds is the sellers’ number; the maker’s age and weight guidance matter more.
Skipping assembly. A loft is a big build; plan the time.
A loft or a bunk
A loft gives one bed and a lot of space underneath; a bunk gives two beds in one footprint. For one child who needs a desk, the loft is better. For two children sharing, the bunk is better. For a younger child, the low loft is the more cautious choice. In a small room, compare the footprints: the low twin loft with a desk is 30.7 square feet, which is more than the 22.8 to 24.1 of a bunk bed, because the desk adds width.
Questions to ask
Ask whether the guardrail is full-length, what the mattress thickness limit is, how the ladder attaches and what age the maker recommends for the top bed. A listing that says “kids to adults”, as the Max and Lily high loft does, states a weight capacity but does not give an age guide; follow the maker’s guidance, not the weight alone.
When a different bed is better
For a bunk bed, see white metal bunk bed. For a floor bed for a toddler, see toddler floor bed. For a twin loft with ceiling and safety notes, see twin loft bed.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is a loft bed?
68.5 inches for the high loft with a desk; 43.8 to 50 inches for the low lofts.
What ceiling does a loft bed need?
The Max and Lily high loft says standard 8-foot ceilings; with a mattress, the gap is small.
How much weight can a loft hold?
The three listings state 400 pounds.
Is a low loft safer?
The Max and Lily listing calls its low loft safe for younger children. We cannot verify that.
Does the desk come with the bed?
The Max and Lily and SOFTSEA lofts include a desk.
How much floor does a loft take?
30.7 to 39.9 square feet for the three above.
Products worth checking
We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.
Max and Lily Twin-Size High Loft Bed with Ladder and Desk, White
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Max and Lily Classic Low Loft (Twin), with Pull-Out Desk, White
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
SOFTSEA Full Size Low Loft Bed with 3 Drawers, Shelves, Retractable Writing Desk
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Sources checked
Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.
