Reading Loft.
After finishing our basement, we decided the boys needed a special space of their own—a reading loft. I set out to build a cozy 5' x 6' nook where they could relax and hang out. To top it off, we added shag carpet for that extra touch of comfort.
Realizing I Need a Bigger table.
Building this large platform was a challenge, especially when it came to finding a proper space for construction and assembly. This project taught me an important lesson—I needed a large work table. Trying to maneuver the platform around or working bent over on the floor wasn’t practical or sustainable in the long run.
Gotta Have Access
When I built this loft, I had a ladder in mind for access—simple, functional, and done. But as soon as it was installed, my boys informed me that a ladder was far too basic for their refined tastes. They wanted stairs. Not just any stairs—stairs with storage! So, back to the drawing board I went, scratching my head to figure out how to squeeze stairs into the limited space. Lesson learned: never underestimate the design demands of kids.
Finished Product
This project was a crash course in problem-solving. I had to figure out how to build a platform sturdy enough to handle a bunch of rambunctious kids, install railings strong enough to prevent a broken arm (or worse), and calculate the perfect rise for stairs while still accommodating toy storage.
Now, if only I could get the kids to actually use those storage spaces instead of just leaving their toys everywhere else!