How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft beds can add fun and utility to children's rooms. They also can help save space.

Choose bunk beds that can be adapted, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easily removed. There are also twins that are stacked, which can be divided to create two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting a bunk bed for your children, you'll want to consider the size, style and security. Take a look at the ceiling's height to ensure the bunks fit in your space. Make sure there's enough room for your kids to move around them. The beds should be enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not run into one another or fall into the walls. Additionally, you should determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so that you won't need for a trundle or an extra bed in the future.

You can also opt for an alternative to the traditional bunk shape, which may be better suitable for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk might be ideal for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save the floor space and can also accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens are designed to grow with your child, converting to two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to an adult bed. For instance, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired style with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an integrated, stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This gives more room for children to play.

A loft bed is another option that maximizes the corner space in tween-rooms. It's a great choice for smaller spaces since it doesn't take up as much vertical room and allows the lower levels to be used for desks as well as dressers and storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older children because it doesn't require you to use an elevator or ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom using blue painter tape. This will give you a sense of whether it could be easily climbed into and out of at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to consider the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features to prevent entrapment or falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with children of all ages, but it's important to consider the security features when you shop. You'll want to choose a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to prevent kids from falling off or becoming trapped, and an option that doesn't raise the sleeping surface too much. Also, be aware of the capacity for weight, as some bunks have a lower limit than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to find out what specifications are available on mattress dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and typically list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds are sturdy constructed and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles for security. https://www.bunkbedsstore.uk/ is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides, because they are dangerous for kids to climb up or down, especially if the slats aren't tightly connected. If your children like to play on the ground, select a low-slung bunk that lets them sit and play without having to be too far off the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you do not have enough space in the room of your child or if you don't want it to take up a lot of space. These are smaller in size and are usually only about the same width as a single bed, making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also more practical for children who might be scared of the higher bunk.

If you have more room, go for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. These are the most fashionable and safe bunk beds available. They can be used for twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish solid and sturdy option that will expand with kids as they get older and accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of harmful chemicals. It is made from sustainably harvested Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a range of colors.

Style

It's for the shared room or one child, the ideal bunk bed will give teens something to be happy about. Some designs are minimalist and sleek, while others feature more fun elements. Bunk beds also come in various sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full, and even queen. A twin over full design is popular for tweens because it allows them to sleep two children in the same room and still leaves space for a dresser, desk or storage drawers at the lower level. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress.

Teens also adore a twin over king loft bed, which takes up less floor space and gives them more space to sprawl out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails make a popular choice for older kids because they're "built to last and is the strongest, grown-up bunk," Fenton adds.

For a really cool bunk, you should consider an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's basically an elevated platform bed. They have a ladder on the end, which gives the appearance of a sleeker design and makes room for a dresser or desk underneath. These beds are not as spacious as bunk beds however, they can give teens more room in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that will still offer plenty of security and comfort, think about a futon bunk. Futons are compact and versatile, so you can move them around if your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However they're not as strong like a metal or wood bunk bed and they don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on other hand, could be used as a seating area by younger children. Some models can be converted into a table or chair to allow your child to have the ultimate bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's crucial to consider your budget when buying. There are many inexpensive options available, but if are looking for a bunk bed that will endure through your teens and even into adulthood, you should consider spending more for a quality product that can be used for a long time.

Before you shop, consider who will be using the bunk bed and what their needs for sleep could be. For instance, a twin over a twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults who wish to save space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king-sized mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top bunk and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to select a layout that is lower than the ground.

The best bunk beds for teens are ones which are priced at a reasonable price and are able to grow with the teenager. Look for a style that can work in both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you're looking to alter your space in the future. This design features a contemporary sleek, clean lines, boucle upholstered guardrails and an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is an additional way to save money. This could include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will allow you to keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is particularly useful when you have smaller space. Many of the bunks listed on our list offer this feature, and some offer additional storage options like a bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.