<p>My dorm room for next year requires a lofted bed (tiny, tiny room)… but I’m a very “active” sleeper and so I really need to put up the railings. I roll around, snore, etc, and I’m sure that I would fall off otherwise. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions for decorating the railing so that it will not look quite as childish?</p>
<p>Fabric draped over it. Or cardboard inside the fabric. Then, you can tack posters/stickers on it?</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure otherwise…</p>
<p>You could do what asdfjkl1 said, or you could maybe try to somehow attach a lot of photo frames to it. I really don’t know. I imagine that a lot of people would have the rail up and people wouldn’t make fun of you for it.</p>
<p>I have to agree with OKgirl. I doubt people will make fun of you for having it. If anything, they’d make fun of you if you fell off the bed…</p>
<p>Decorating it may well make it stand out more than you want…
sometimes the attempt to “cover up” something only makes it more noticeable.</p>
<p>Quite honestly, I believe the other posters are right–no one will likely notice or care. I understand that everyone setting up home in a new dorm with new roommate(s) feels a little self-conscious at first, but on this issue, I wouldn’t worry too much :)</p>
<p>PS My D used the end of her lofted bed to hang an over-the-door hook set–it became a great place to hang scarves, bags, etc. Her room also was VERY small so making good use of this space helped her out. Maybe you could be thinking in terms of making the space functional rather than decorative?</p>
<p>Or just throw your comforter over the rail - of course that requires making the bed 
</p>
<p>Agree with the over the door hook sets, you can actually run them down the rail and use them for hanging all kids of things, then it’s functional.</p>
<p>As with anything else, you can always blame your parents (with the appropriate eyeroll). My guys have my hearty permission to do this anytime they want to opt for the safer or more wholesome option, and don’t want to get grief for it…</p>
<p>make it like a long curtain, using a sheet even feed railing through the larger hem, then let it hang down, cut in half if nec… then add tie backs exposing your den under neath where you can have a chair across from a tv or a study area so you don’t disturb your roomie.</p>
<p>Atlmom wins this round of “decorate the bed” thread…great idea!!!</p>
<p>Curry, how often do you fall out of conventional beds? What makes you think a lofted bed will be any different?</p>
<p>Haha, yes, I’ve actually fallen out of several beds. Or I brace myself on the floor with my arm… haha, I’m not exactly the most graceful sleeper. </p>
<p>I love the idea of making “curtains” so that I can even make a private study area where I can even have lights on at night. I remember one kid when I visited who had that, and it seemed to work very well for them. His roommate slept several hours, and he was a night owl.</p>