Are Loft Beds Supposed To Wobble? {These 5 Ways Can Fix}

If you’re sleeping in a wobbly loft bed, you’re probably wondering if it’s going to fall down at some point in time. We’ve all been there, either as kids, a college student in a dorm or on vacation.

But are loft beds really supposed to wobble? The short answer is no, your loft bed should not wobble, and I’m going to share with you the best ways to fix it.

Why Does Your Loft Bed Wobble?

More often than not, a wobbly loft bed is due to the bolts and screws being too loose. This is a simple fix, just take a screwdriver or wrench and tighten all the connections surrounding your loft bed.

If you do this regularly, you won’t have a wobbly loft bed unless there are other factors that need addressing.

5 Ways to Fix a Loft Bed That Wobbles

There is nothing more annoying than trying to fall asleep in a loft bed that wobbles. Just as you begin to drift off, you make a slight turn, only to be woken up by the fear that you’re going to fall out of your bed.

Fixing your wobbly loft bed is probably at the top of your to-do list, so here are the best ways to improve a loft bed that wobbles:

#1 Install Braces and a Rail

One of the best solutions for a wobbly loft bed is to make sure a pole securely braces it. This will help make the bed sturdier and reduce the chances of it wobbling.

Here is what you need to do:

Install a metal or solid wood rail around the top of the bed.
Use rounded edges to prevent any injuries.
Install bracing either in the middle or the bottom of your vertical poles.
Leave an entry by only bracing three of the four poles.

This will help prevent your loft bed from shaking and give more protection to the person sleeping.

#2 Choose Thicker Bed Posts

The thicker the posts are on your loft bed, the more sturdy it will be and less wobbly. This is especially true for loft beds that are higher than average. If your loft bed is low, you won’t need to focus on your poles’ thickness.

Since a loft bed is not supported by anything underneath, such as a bunk bed, the poles’ thickness is essential to the bed’s sturdiness. When there is no connection below the bed, all the weight must be evenly distributed on the loft bed’s poles.

#3 Respect the Rules

It might sound silly, but there are rules for sleeping in a loft bed. The most important rule is no jumping, no matter how tempting that might be for some children. When somebody jumps on a loft bed, they are causing the screws and bolts to loosen.

This cannot only make your loft bed shaky, but it can also be quite dangerous. It’s important to share this rule with anybody sleeping in a loft bed because they could also bend the metal supporting their weight.

The weight limits suggested for loft beds are usually based on the manufacturer’s materials, which need to be adhered to. This can help prevent any mishaps. Too much weight can cause the loft bed to wobble and or collapse.

#4 Install Feet

If you want to make your loft bed as sturdy as possible, consider installing some feet under the poles that support your loft bed. This can help give the structure a firmer foundation, which results in less wobbling.

Choose feet that are noticeably wider than your loft bed’s posts; this ensures more support and can actually stop your loft bed from wobbling altogether. If you want to take it one step further, go ahead and install an L brace to the bed’s feet and then bolt it down to the floor.

Note: I don’t recommend bolting your loft bed’s feet to the ground if you rent a place. The landlord might not appreciate the effort as much as you had hoped!

#5 Choose Solid Over Hollow Tubes

Many loft beds are cheaper due to the poles being hollow; however, if you want your loft bed to be more sturdy and not wobble, you’ll want to go for the solid metal tubes.

There are two sides to every story, and whether or not solid is better than hollow tubes depends on your preferences. Do you value convenience over sturdiness?

If you are moving your loft bed around frequently or need to carry it up a flight of stairs, then the hollow tubes might sound more appealing since they will be less bulky.

You could choose to mix the materials and get an overall balanced weight without sacrificing any safety issues. If you do this, make sure you go with the solid metal tubes for anything that bears all the weight, such as the steps on a ladder.

Does Humidity Make a Loft Bed Wobble or Squeak?

If your loft bed is made of wood, then the humidity in your room could be a part of the reason your loft bed is wobbling. Wood is known to expand with elevated humidity levels and then shrink in dry weather.

This process can change the wood’s size caused by the humidity in your home and can be the main reason your loft bed is unstable, wobbly, or even squeaky. It can definitely affect the joints and make your connections very loose.

The solution can be simple: monitor your room’s humidity and use a humidifier and dehumidifier to stabilize the moisture levels.

Not sure how to do that? Take the guesswork out by getting a moisture meter from your local hardware store and follow the instructions on how to check the humidity in your space.

Can You Move Your Loft Bed Without Taking It Apart?

Many people often move loft beds without disassembling them first. However, this is a big mistake since these types of beds weren’t designed to be relocated as one piece. You could easily crack the wood, which could destroy the entire structure.

You could also be loosening the bolts and nuts, which will cause your loft bed to be less sturdy and probably wobble more. If you want to maintain your loft bed correctly, you’ll need to disassemble it each time you want to move it.

When reassembling your loft bed, be sure to tighten each nut and bolt so that the entire structure is secure and stable. If you still have the manufacturer’s manual, use it to reassemble your loft bed so that you don’t skip any essential steps.

Best Way to Maintain a Sturdy Loft Bed that Doesn’t Wobble

Now that you’ve gotten your loft bed to be stable and not wobble anymore, you’re probably wondering how you can keep it that way. My best suggestion is to take the time to do a bi-weekly or monthly checkup on your loft bed.

You can jot it down in your monthly planner or set a reminder on your mobile calendar app to do the checkup. Either way, it’s vital to perform random checkups to keep your loft bed in the best condition.

How to Perform a Checkup on Your Loft Bed

Conducting a checkup on your loft bed is relatively easy and should only take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Here is a list of what needs to be checked:

Make sure all the bolts and nuts are securely fastened and tightly screwed in place.
Check to see if your loft bed is wobbly by gently leaning on the poles with both of your hands.
If your loft bed is metal, check to see if any of the poles are bent or have any creases.
If your loft bed is wood, check the moisture in your room and make sure your wood is not be affected by the temperature in your home.

If you discover that your loft bed has been damaged or bent, you will need to determine if it is still safe to use. Often, posts need to be replaced to make the loft bed sturdy again.

You may also notice that some or all of the screws and bolts are stripped or warped. In that case, you should replace all of them with new hardware.

Are There Other Reasons My Loft Bed Wobbles?

There could be other reasons a loft bed wobbles other than what is listed above. However, if you have already checked everything else, then you might want to check the floor that your loft bed poles are sitting on and see if the floor is uneven in some places. This is common in older homes and can easily be the culprit of a wobbly loft bed. If this is the case, then you could place a buffer or a small wood block under one or more legs to ensure that the bed is level.

References

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