How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and utility in the children's room. They also can help save space.
Look for bunks that are designed with flexibility, like drawers for storage at the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to take down and stacked twins that can be split into two beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.
Size
When choosing bunk beds for your kids you should consider size, style, and safety. Examine the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, ensure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow the children to move. The beds should be far enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not bump into each other or smash into walls. You'll also want to check whether the top bunk bed can support a mattress the same size as that of the bottom. This will help you avoid needing an extra bed or trundle in the near future.
You may also opt for a different shape for your bunk, which may be better suitable for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk might be perfect for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It is a great way to save the floor space and can fit a queen or twin over full mattress on the lower and upper levels, based on the model you choose.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens can be adapted to your children's needs by converting into two independent beds when it's the right time to transition into a regular double bed. For instance, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's made from knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the top and bottom beds with more space for children to play on.
Another option is a loft bed, which optimizes corner spaces in rooms with tweens. It's a great option for smaller spaces as it doesn't require as much vertical room and allows the lower levels to be used as a desk, dressers or storage cabinets. It's a great choice for older children as it eliminates the use of stairs or ladders which makes it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.
Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's room by using blue painter's tape. This will give you an idea of whether it can be easily climbed into and out of at night, without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds. These regulations establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce the risk of falling and entrapment.
Safety
Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with children of all ages, but it is important to think about safety features when buying. You'll want to choose a bed with rails that are high enough to keep kids from falling off or getting trapped. Also, you need a mattress that doesn't elevate the sleeping surface too much. You should also be aware of the weight capacity, since some bunks are less able than others.
When selecting the bunk bed you want, look on its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress's sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress should be, and often list the total bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.
The ideal bunk beds will be sturdy and have an stairway or ladder that is securely attached to the frame and comes with handles on the sides. Avoid bunks with slatted sides, as they can be dangerous for children to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly connected. If your children love to play on the ground, choose an un-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without having to be too far off the ground.
Pick an L-shaped bed if do not have enough space in your child's room or if you don't want it to take up a lot of space. These take up less floor space and are usually the same size as a single bed, making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for children of smaller age who may feel intimidated by higher bunks.
If you require a little more space, an overfull or full-overfull bunk is the best option. https://www.bunkbedsstore.uk/ are generally the most secure and elegant bunk beds available that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that can grow with kids as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made from sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in a variety of colors options.
Style
The right bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's the shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in various sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full and even queen. A twin over full style is popular for tweens because it allows them to sleep two kids in a single room, and still leave room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers in the lower level. Some options have Trundle beds that permit the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says that teens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and provides them with more space to spread out or work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular option for older children because they're "built to last and it's the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.
Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is basically a raised platform bed. These beds are designed with a ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more space for a desk or dresser. These beds are not as spacious as a bunk bed, but they give teens more room in their rooms.
You should consider a futon bunk if you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are portable and compact which means they can be moved around when you're looking to revamp your child's space in the future. However they're not as sturdy like a metal or wood bunk bed, and they don't have guardrails on the top bed.
Bunks that include ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are smaller and are easier to climb, while stairs are more secure and can serve as a seat for smaller children. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair so that your child can have the ideal bedroom set-up for study and play.
Budget
A bunk bed is a major purchase, so it's essential to consider your budget when you shop. There are many affordable options If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that can last until the teens (or even adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit extra for a quality design that will be used for many years to come.
Before you begin shopping think about who will be sleeping in the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs might be. A twin-overtwin arrangement is ideal for siblings who share bedrooms, while the full-over-full bunk is a great option for adults who are looking to reduce space or the expense of a separate queen bed. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it may be better to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.
The best bunk beds for teens are ones that offer a good price and can adapt to the teen. Find a design that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or choose something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice option for the Spruce. It can be divided into two freestanding twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space later on. This design features a clean, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.
Another way to save money is to choose a bunk that has built-in storage, for example drawers beneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will help make your bedroom less cluttered, and is particularly useful when you have the space of a small one. Many of the bunks on our list feature this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.