120x190 Mezzanine Bed: The Complete Guide to Making the Most of Your Space

Furnishing a small bedroom, a cramped flat or student accommodation is often a real headache. How can you successfully incorporate a comfortable sleeping area, a functional workspace and practical storage without making the room feel cramped? The most ingenious architectural solution lies in making the most of vertical space. Of all the options available on the market, the 120x190 loft bed has now established itself as an essential and extremely versatile solution for maximising every square metre whilst offering optimal comfort in everyday life.

If you’re looking to transform a small bedroom or reorganise a studio flat, this article is for you. In this guide to buying space-saving furniture, we’ll explore in detail all the benefits of this raised bed, from what to look for when choosing one to tips on how to arrange it.

Why choose a 120x190 bed?

When it comes to choosing a raised bed, the size of the bed base is the first factor to consider. The 120x190 cm size offers an exceptional compromise that suits many everyday situations.

A perfect compromise for optimising space

To fully appreciate the benefits of this size, simply compare the 90x190 and 120x190 dimensions. A standard 90x190 cm bed is the norm for a single person, but it can quickly feel cramped, especially for a growing teenager or an adult. Conversely, a standard double bed measuring 140x190 cm takes up a lot of space and can overwhelm both the visual and physical space in a small room.

The 120x190 size therefore represents a genuine one-and-a-half-person bed. It offers significantly greater freedom of movement whilst sleeping without taking up the entire width of the room. It is the ideal choice for those who like to have plenty of space to sleep peacefully without sacrificing floor space.

A versatile solution: from child to adult

One of the great advantages of the 120x190 loft bed is its ability to adapt to the changing needs of your household:

• For children: As a children’s loft bed (recommended for children aged 6 and over for safety reasons), it offers plenty of sleeping space. It’s also very practical for parents who want to lie down next to their child for a bedtime story.
• For teenagers: It is undoubtedly one of the best space-saving solutions for a teenager’s bedroom. The teenager enjoys a large bed, like an ‘independent studio’, right within the home.
• For adults: As an adult loft bed, it offers premium comfort for a single person, whether they’re a student or a young professional looking to make the most of a small studio flat.

How can you make the most of the space under your loft bed?

Investing in a loft bed means gaining just over two square metres of floor space. This ‘bonus’ space beneath the bed base opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to interior design.

A home office under the bed: the winning combination

The loft bed with a built-in desk – or one you can put together yourself – is a timeless classic. Having a desk beneath the bed creates a well-lit area dedicated to concentration.

Here are a few tips for creating the perfect study corner:

• Lighting: As the area under the bed is, by definition, shaded, invest in a good adjustable desk lamp and add LED strips under the bed base for ambient lighting.
• Storage: Use rolling storage units, wall-mounted shelves fixed to the back of the bed or pegboards to store stationery and documents without encroaching on your legroom.
• Ergonomics: Make sure the desk top is at the correct height (around 75 cm) in relation to your chair.

Creating a relaxation area or a walk-in wardrobe

If you don’t need a desk, the space beneath the sleeping surface can be transformed to suit your interests:

• Sitting/gaming area: Set up a small two-seater sofa or some large, comfortable beanbags, a soft rug and a low-slung TV. This is ideal for a studio flat.
• Mini walk-in wardrobe: Place low chests of drawers, a made-to-measure wardrobe or clothes racks on wheels. Close off the space with some pretty curtains for a tidy look.
• Reading or meditation corner: A few floor cushions, a low bookcase and fairy lights will create a cosy haven perfect for relaxation.

Criteria for choosing your space-saving furniture

Before finalising your purchase, there are several practical factors to consider to ensure your investment lasts and that you remain comfortable in your day-to-day life.

The importance of ceiling height

This is the number one mistake when buying a loft bed: overlooking the vertical dimensions. What ceiling height is required? Generally, standard ceilings in France measure 2.50 metres. To ensure an adult can sit comfortably in their bed to read without bumping their head, a headboard clearance of at least 60 to 70 cm between the mattress and the ceiling is recommended.

If your ceiling is lower (around 2.20 metres or 2.30 metres), opt for a mid-height bed or make sure to choose a frame with the bed base positioned slightly lower, even if it means sacrificing a little height under the desk.

Choosing the right materials: the advantages of wooden versus metal frames

There are mainly two main types of frame available on the market. To make the right choice, you need to weigh up the advantages of wooden frames versus metal frames:

• The wooden loft bed: Made from solid pine, beech or oak, wood adds a warm, Scandinavian or traditional touch to the room. It is extremely sturdy and tends to creak far less than metal over time. What’s more, it’s easy to customise (you can paint or varnish it).
• The metal loft bed: Often made from epoxy-coated steel, it offers an industrial and contemporary look. It is visually lighter and often more economical. However, it can be a little noisier when you move about at night.

Safety and sturdiness: the standards to be met

Safety must never be an afterthought, especially for a piece of furniture situated nearly two metres above the floor. Always check the maximum weight capacity of the bed base as specified by the manufacturer. A good loft bed designed for adults or older teenagers must be able to support at least between 100 and 150 kg (including the weight of the mattress).

Also ensure that the product complies with the NF EN 747 (1 and 2) safety standards. These European standards guarantee the sturdiness of the structure, the correct height of the safety rails (guardrails) and the safe spacing between the rungs. Finally, it is crucial to ensure safe access to the bed via the ladder. Opt for models with flat steps or proper built-in mini-stairs, often fitted with non-slip strips or handrails for safe and easy climbing up and down.

Bedding and set-up: the key steps to success

Have you chosen the perfect design? It’s time to move on to the practicalities: choosing the bedding and setting up your new loft bed.

Mattresses and bed bases: prioritise safety and comfort

When you buy this type of bed, it often comes with a built-in slatted base that’s fixed directly to the frame to ensure the whole structure is sturdy.

The next question is: how do you choose a suitable mattress? The key factor here is not just comfort, but thickness! To ensure that the safety rails continue to fulfil their role of protecting against falls, the mattress should generally not exceed 15 to 18 centimetres in thickness (the limit is often specified by the bed manufacturer on a label).

Opt for technologies that offer excellent support despite their reduced thickness:

• High-resilience (HR) polyurethane foam.
• Latex (natural or synthetic), which offers good temperature regulation and exceptional durability.

Avoid traditional spring mattresses, which are often too thick for these bed frames.

Assembly: method and precautions

Assembling a large piece of furniture can be daunting, but by following a careful method, the process will go smoothly. Here are the steps for assembling a raised frame to guide you:

1. Preparing the space: Clear the room completely. You’ll need space to handle wooden or metal sections measuring over two metres in length.
2. Checking the parts: Before screwing anything in place, take all the parts out of the box, sort the fixings by type and check that nothing is missing compared to the instructions.
3. Assembly on the floor: First, assemble the side frames (legs and short crossbars) whilst they are lying flat on the floor.
4. Lifting: This is the stage where a second person is essential. Lift the frames and connect them using the long crossbars (the ones that will support the bed base).
5. Fitting the safety features: Fit the bed base, secure the ladder firmly and add the guardrails.
6. Wall mounting (Crucial!): To ensure perfect stability and prevent any risk of tipping or creaking, you must secure the structure to the wall using wall plugs suitable for the type of wall you have (plasterboard, brick, concrete).

In conclusion

Buying a 120x190 loft bed is a particularly brilliant interior design decision. By offering the comfort of a generous one-and-a-half-berth bed whilst freeing up invaluable floor space, this piece of furniture radically transforms the feel of a room.

Whether you’re optimising a student’s bedroom, creating a cosy retreat for a teenager, or simply maximising functionality in a small living space, the benefits are numerous. By complying with safety standards, carefully selecting your materials and paying close attention to the layout beneath the bed, you’ll create a living space that’s aesthetic, practical and conducive to well-being. Don’t wait any longer to think outside the box and reinvent your interior!