The staircase is often the most valuable piece of a loft bed in a studio apartment. Instead of leaving the space under each step empty, hollow storage stairs can hold books, clothing, or office supplies while guiding you to the bed.
The real budget range is wide: about $380 delivered for a basic metal loft with open storage, compared with roughly $2,600 to $3,000 for hardwood stairs with drawers. Those are complete-bed prices, so the right choice depends on how permanently the loft will shape the room.
Measure the Stair Path Before Shopping
A loft bed can return valuable floor space, but its staircase still needs room to approach, pass, and open. The Mirightone metal frame measures 94.3″ long by 57.2″ wide and 73.4″ high, roughly 240 × 145 × 186 cm.
Use the listed footprint as a starting point, not the entire requirement. Add clearance in front of the steps and beside any doors, drawers, or nearby furniture.
In a studio, a few inches can determine whether the stair storage feels useful or becomes a permanent obstacle. Tape the full outline on the floor before ordering.
Let Open Cubbies Handle Daily Clutter
Open stairs make the most sense when you need quick access to books, baskets, folded blankets, or a laptop bag. A white built-in volume can make the stairs read as part of the architecture, especially when an office sits beneath the loft.
A documented Swedish studio uses hollow stair compartments as shelving between the living area and the raised bed. That arrangement keeps the storage visible and gives the staircase a clear purpose.
A basic metal loft with open stair shelving costs roughly $380 delivered in the supplied comparison, including about $120 in delivery. This is the smart entry point for renters who want function without paying for custom millwork.
Choose Drawers for High-Use Storage
Closed drawers are better when the staircase holds clothing, documents, or anything you want hidden from the main room. The Maxtrix hardwood frame uses maple, birch, and aspen, with a storage drawer built into each step.
The cited Twin XL configuration measures 104.75″ long by 42.5″ wide and 70.75″ high, with about 52.5″ of clearance below the bed. Its listed price is $2,599, so this is a serious furnishing purchase rather than a temporary fix.
The Full version is listed at $2,749, while the Queen version is listed at $2,999. Those prices buy a more finished look, and the concealed stair drawers are worth considering when the loft will remain in the apartment for years.
Protect the Walking Lane Around Drawers
Every drawer needs space to open, and every stair needs a comfortable approach. Full-extension glides make stored items easier to reach, but they also demand a clear lane in front of the staircase.
The Bellamy Queen loft bed measures 107.75″ long by 67″ wide and 70″ high, with about 55″ of clearance to the bottom of the side rail. Its footprint is substantial, so place it where the stairs can face an open part of the room.
Its rubberwood hardwood construction and four stair drawers offer a more furniture-like presence than open metal shelving. My opinion is firm here: drawer stairs only work well when the room keeps enough breathing space around them.
Build a Real Room Below the Loft
The area beneath the bed should support a clear activity, not become a shadowy drop zone. A compact desk works well for remote work, while a narrow lounge chair can create a separate reading corner.
The Swedish studio layout places an enclosed home office below the raised bed and starts the stairs in the living area. That move separates sleeping, working, and circulation without adding a full wall.
Use the available clearance carefully. A low-profile wall shelf or slim cabinet can hold office supplies without competing with the staircase, while a warm task lamp keeps the lower zone from feeling like leftover space.
Treat Custom Stairs as Architecture
Retail loft beds and custom staircases belong in different budgets. The Bellamy Queen loft bed is listed between $2,765 and $2,865, depending on the selected finish, with drawer steps and full-extension hardware.
That price still covers a complete bed, not stairs alone. Mattresses, assembly, taxes, and delivery may add to the final cost, so compare the whole installation rather than the headline number.
A custom built-in staircase is a separate, quote-based category that can connect to cabinetry, an office, or a platform bed. It may look seamless, but it also requires planning for structure, ventilation, access, and future changes to the apartment.
Start with painter’s tape, mark the full stair footprint, and reserve the approach lane before comparing finishes. Once the circulation works, choose open cubbies for quick access or drawers for a cleaner, longer-term setup.
Mia Carter writes about small-space living and budget home makeovers. She has restyled three rentals and tests most ideas in her own 45 sqm flat.