A Lofty Idea

In general, yurts were meant to be open round structures without a traditional ceiling and an abundant amount of headroom. In some cases, however, folks may consider installing a loft. If you are on the fence about adding a loft when you first put your yurt up, my recommendation is to try living in the yurt for a year and then make your decision. I find that most people learn to live within the allotted square footage and prefer to leave it open.

There is no right or wrong way to incorporate a loft. Mostly you will want to build the loft from the perimeter of the yurt to 1/3 or 1/2 of the way to the center. This minimizes the options for the ladder or staircase, as it will need to be as close to the center as possible to allow for headroom as you gain access to the loft area. From the perimeter, you won’t be able to access the loft due to the pitch of the roof.

Keep in mind if you want a ceiling fan, you will want a smaller loft to avoid head injuries on the fan. And a secure railing is a strong recommendation. Some lofts have access ladders while others may have circular staircases, regular stairs, or narrow staircases. Some choose to use organic material found on their property for the railing and stair balusters.

Some of the main reasons to consider incorporating a loft into your yurt:

• A growing family
• Need for office space
• Need for craft space
• Master bedroom
• Guest bedroom
• Music room
• Storage
• Bunkroom
• Yoga space

I know of one family with 9 kids, and number 10 on the way! They added a full-coverage loft with a hole in the center, the size of the compression ring. They have a ship ladder for going up and a fire pole for coming down! Each of the 8 older kids has their own “pie” or wedge separated by screens which allow for the right balance of togetherness and privacy.

One factor to keep in mind when designing your loft space is that the smaller yurts don’t offer enough head room to stand-up in and would be better used for kids or storage space. That said, the larger yurts offer plenty of headroom and can accommodate a bed, dresser, and closet with no issue. The perimeter is going to have limited use as the roofline creates a low clearance zone around the circle. This can be used for storage. I like the idea of using baskets (the ones that have the chalk board tag and you can label the contents with chalk like, “mittens,” “undies,” “craft supplies,” etc.) You can then use the hand crank designed to open the dome to grab the basket to get into your things. Then when you are done, turn the telescoping hand crank around and use the handle-end with its flat edge to push the basket back in place. These baskets will look amazing and fit neatly between the rafters along the perimeter of the loft.

Lofts also provide a great deal of options for the main floor of the yurt below. It makes it possible to run electrical wires to bring in lighting to the rooms or areas under the loft. It also is a great place to mount the AC unit if you are going with a mini-split. Lastly, it is a great way to structurally tie in vertical studs for interior walls, which give the loft support.

The only noticeable drawbacks of the loft are:

• There are no windows in the lofted area – only light from the center dome
• Hot air rises – you’ll need a fan for air circulation
• As we get older the ladder and stairs may be an issue
• Think safety first if you have small children who will use the loft space!
• Takes away from the Zen or magic of the open yurt

If you have questions about lofts, please give us a call and I’ll be happy to discuss the pros and cons for your lifestyle.

Enjoy the journey!

Can I add a loft to my yurt for extra space?
Yes, adding a loft to a yurt is possible and provides extra space for sleeping or storage.

What size yurt is ideal for loft installation?
Yurts 24 feet in diameter or larger are ideal for loft installation, as they provide sufficient space and headroom.

What are the best yurt ideas for loft use?
Loft spaces can be used as sleeping areas, reading nooks, or storage areas to maximize space.

How can I design a yurt with a loft without losing headroom?
Position the loft over areas like kitchens or bathrooms, where lower ceilings are acceptable, to preserve headroom in the main living area.

What materials should I use for a yurt loft?
Use lightweight yet sturdy materials like wood or metal framing for the loft structure, ensuring it’s strong but doesn’t add too much weight to the yurt.