How to Choose the best childrens bunk beds bunk (site) Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can be a great way to add fun and function in the children’s room. They can also help to save space.
Find bunk beds that are flexible, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that’s easy to remove. There are also twins that are stacked, which can be divided to create two separate beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk bed uk.
Size
When selecting bunk beds for your kids you should consider size, style and safety. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure the bunks fit in your space. Make sure there’s enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be spaced far enough apart so that kids can safely move up and down and not crash into one another or the walls. Additionally, you should determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so you can avoid the need for a trundle, or an extra bed in the near future.
You may also opt for a bunk design that isn’t conventional and suited to your space better. An L-shaped bunk bed can be the perfect choice for a small room or a guest room shared by two people. It saves the floor space and can fit a twin over full or queen mattress on each of the lower and upper levels, depending on which model you pick.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens are made to grow with your child by converting into two independent double beds when they’re ready to move up to the size of a double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk bed for kids. It’s made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an adjustable ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom with more space for kids to play on.
Another option is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in rooms with tweens. It’s an excellent option for smaller spaces as it doesn’t take up as much vertical room and allows the bottom level to be used as a desk as well as dressers and storage cabinets. It’s also a great option for older children since it doesn’t require you to climb an elevator or ladder, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.
Check the height of any bunk bed in your child’s room with blue painter tape. This will give you a sense of whether it could be easily climbed in and out of at night without bumping heads or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Also, it is important to ensure your family’s safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s guidelines for bunk beds. They define standards for guardrails as well as other features that reduce the risk of falling and entrapment.
Safety
Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with children of all ages, however, it is important to think about security features when you shop. You’ll need a bunk bed with guardrails that are high enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped as well as a mattress that doesn’t raise up the sleeping surface too much. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have less weight limits than others.
When choosing a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and will typically list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.
The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs should attach to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles for security. Avoid bunks with slatted sides, as they can be unsafe for children to climb up and down, particularly when the slats aren’t securely joined. If your children love playing on the ground, opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to let them sit up and play without being too high off the ground.
If you’re limited in space or do not want to take up too much space in your kid’s bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. These require less floor space and are usually only the same size as a single bed making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who may be scared of the higher bunks.
If you need a bit more space, the full-overfull bunk bed is the best rated bunk beds choice. They are the most stylish and secure bunk beds that are available. They can be used for full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids’ Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that will grow with your child’s development as they grow. It can also accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of harmful chemicals. It’s made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood and comes in a variety of colors.
Style
The ideal bunk bed will keep teens content regardless of whether it’s the shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalist, while others feature more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. A twin over full design is popular for tweens because it gives them room to sleep two children in the same room and still leaves space for a dresser, desk or storage drawers at the bottom. Some designs come with a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to fit an extra mattress.
Teens also adore the twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and provides them with more room to stretch out or work from home, according to Fenton. A metal bunk bed with an extended guardrail is a popular choice for older kids because it’s “built to last and is the most durable adult-sized bunk,” she adds.
Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. These beds are designed with the ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more space to set up a desk or dresser. They’re not as good for saving space as a traditional bunk, however, they’re a stylish choice for teens, and give them more space in their rooms.
If you’re looking for an affordable bunk that can provide plenty of safety and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are portable and compact and can be moved around when you’re planning to redesign your child’s room in the future. They’re not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top one does not have guardrails.
Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and are more convenient to climb, whereas stairs are safer and can double as a seating area for younger kids. Some models are capable of converting into a desk and chair which allows your child to build the perfect bedroom set-up for study time and playtime.
Budget
When shopping for a bunk bed, it’s important that you consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if need a bed that will last into the teens and on into adulthood, it’s worth spending more to get a top-quality bed that can be used for a long time.
Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleep needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings and a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to save space and avoid the expense of purchasing an additional queen or king size mattress. You’ll also need to decide how much headroom you want between the bottom and top bunks. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.
The best bunk beds for teens are those that offer a good price and are able to grow with the teenager. Choose a design that is suitable for both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk–an Editors’ Choice pick for the Spruce–which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds if you’re looking to alter your space down the road. This design features a clean, modern silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails, and a stationary ladder that’s easy for kids to climb and descend, and it’s Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.
A bunk bed with built-in storage is a different option to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will help keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is especially beneficial if you’re working with the space of a small one. Many of the bunks listed on our list come with this feature, and some come with additional storage options like bookcase headboards for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.