DIY Floating Loft Bed for Small Rooms

Find and mark every wall stud across the bed's width with a stud finder before cutting anything. Hang the two 2x4 wall cleats level and secure to as many studs as possible, two structural screws per stud — this is the connection the entire bed's weight travels through.

Attach a joist hanger to each end of every cross stud, then hang the studs between the two wall cleats. For added support, also screw the back-most stud directly into the wall studs behind it, not just through its hanger.

Lay the 1x6 decking boards across the framing and nail down with 1-1/4" finish nails and glue.

Trim out the front edge with a 1x6 board, cut to fit the actual assembled bed, leaving a slight lip on top to keep items from rolling off. A guardrail along the open edge is strongly recommended to prevent falls, especially for a bed this high off the floor.