How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

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

Choose bunk beds that can be adapted like ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that is easy to remove. You can also find stacked twins which can be separated to make two separate beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When choosing a bunk bed for your kids, you'll want to consider the size, style and security. Look at the ceiling height to ensure that the bunks will fit into your space. Also, make sure that there's enough space for your kids to move around them. The beds should be enough apart that kids can climb and descend safely and not bump into one another or fall into walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk bed can support a mattress the same size as that of the bottom one. This will allow you to avoid the need for an additional bed or trundle in the future.

You can also choose a bunk shape that is not traditional and suited to your space better. For instance, an L-shaped bunk can be ideal for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can save floor space and can accommodate a queen or twin over full mattress on the upper and lower levels, based on the model you select.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens are designed to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to an adult bed. For instance, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails along 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 leaves more space for kids to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed that maximizes corner spaces in rooms with tweens. It's great for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a great choice for older children because it doesn't require you to use a ladder or stairs and makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's room using blue painter tape. This will allow you to determine whether it's safe to climb up and down at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. Also, it is important to keep your family's safety in mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all ages. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features before purchasing. You'll need to choose bunk beds with railings that are high enough to stop children from falling over or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the mattress too much. Be sure to be aware of the weight capacity, since some bunks are less able than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer for details on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines regarding how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds will be sturdy and have a ladder or stair that is attached securely to the frame, and has handles on the sides. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides as they can be dangerous for kids to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, go for a lower-slung bunk so that they can sit and play without being too high off the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you don't have a lot of space in the room of your child or if you don't want it taking up lots of space. They are smaller in size and are usually only the same size as a single bed which is why they're perfect for smaller rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for children who might be intimidated by high bunk beds.

If you require a little more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best option. They are typically the safest and most stylish bunk beds that are available, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will grow with children as they get older and accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of chemical. It's made from sustainably harvested Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a range of colors.

Style

It's for an entire room or just one kid, the right bunk bed for teens will provide something to be happy about. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in a variety of sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full, and even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens because it permits them to sleep two children in the same space while leaving enough space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says teens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and gives them more space to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with a full-length guardrail is a popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy grown-up bunk available," she adds.

If you want a cool bunk, think about an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. They're designed with the ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more room for a dresser or desk. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed however, they can provide teens with more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bed that will 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 wish to redesign their rooms 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 have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, could be used as a seating area by children who are younger. Some models are capable of converting into a desk and chair, allowing your child to build the perfect bedroom space for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a big purchase, so it's essential to take into consideration your budget when you shop. While there are plenty of affordable options, if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that can last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it might be worth paying a bit more for a high-quality design that will last for many years to come.

Before you shop take into consideration who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their sleeping needs might be. https://www.bunkbedsstore.uk/ -overtwin configuration works well for siblings who share bedrooms, while a full over full bunk is a great option for adults who are looking to reduce space or the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower to the ground.

The most suitable bunk beds for teens are ones that offer a good price and can grow with the teen. Choose a design that works in traditional and modern rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice option for the Spruce. It can separate into two freestanding twin beds in case you're looking to alter your space down the road. This design has a clean-lined modern design, boucle-upholstered railings and a stationary ladder that's easy for children to climb and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for environmental and social responsibility.

Another option to save money is to choose an area of the bunk that is built-in storage options, like drawers underneath the lower bed or a shelf below the top. This will help you keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. It's also useful if you have a small space. A majority of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some even come with additional storage options, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.