Mauricio Lort

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and best bunk beds for small rooms beds can be a great way to add fun and function in the children's room. They can also help to save space.

Look for bunks that are designed to be flexible, such as drawers for storage at the bottom and a trundle bed that's easily removed, and twins that stack and can be split into two separate beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You should think about size design, style, and security when choosing a bunkbed for your kids. Look at the ceiling height to ensure that the bunks will are suitable for your space. Also, make sure there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be placed sufficiently apart that children are able to safely go up and down without having to collide with each other or the walls. Also, you'll need to determine whether the top bunk is able to support mattresses that is the same size as the bottom one, so that you don't have to pay for a trundle, or an additional bed in the future.

You could also choose a non-traditional bunk shape that is suited to your space. An L-shaped bunk bed can be the perfect choice for a small room or a guest room that is shared by two people. It is a great way to 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 will expand with your kids and can be converted into two separate beds when it's the right time to move to a normal double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example is the classic farmhouse look with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the bottom and top beds and leaves more floor space for kids to play on.

A loft bed is an alternative option that maximizes the corner space in rooms that are tweens. It's great for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower level for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a great option for older kids because it eliminates the need to use a ladder or stairs which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will give you a feel of whether it is easily climbed into and out at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. In addition, you should keep your family's safety in mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds, which define standards for guardrails as well as other features that reduce the chance of entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be a great choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it's important to take into consideration the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll want to choose a bed with rails that are tall enough to keep kids from falling off or getting trapped. Also, you need a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have less weight limits than others.

When selecting a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer for details regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also provide the maximum weight capacity of the top bunk bed and the bunk bed.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature an stairway or ladder that is attached securely to the frame and has side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, particularly if they're not securely connected. If your children enjoy playing best deals on bunk beds the ground, you should opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to allow them to sit up and play without being too high off the floor.

If you're limited in space or do not want to occupy too much space in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are typically only as wide as one single bed. This makes them suitable for rooms with narrow ceilings. They're also ideal for kids who might be scared of a higher bunk.

If you have a little more room, go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. These are the most stylish and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used as twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish solid and sturdy option that can grow with kids as they get older and accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

A good bunk bed can make teens feel happy regardless of whether it's a shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalist and some have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular with teens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space, while still leaving room for a desk, dresser, or storage drawers on the bottom. Some designs come with a trundle bed that allows the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress.

Fenton says that teens like a twin-over-king loft bed since it takes up less space and provides them with more space to spread out and work at home. A bunk bed made of metal with a full-length guardrail is another popular option for older children because it's "built to last and it's the most sturdy, grown-up bunk," she adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder on the end, which gives an elegant look and makes room for a desk or dresser underneath. They aren't as spacious as a bunk bed, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk if you want bunk beds that are affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile which means you can move them around if your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the future. They're not as sturdy as metal or wood bunk beds, and the top bed does not have guardrails.

Bunks that include stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are smaller and are more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger children. Some models are capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive investment, so it's crucial to factor in your budget when you shop. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you need a bed that will last through the teens and even into adulthood, it's worth spending more to get a top-quality bed that can be used for a long time.

Before you begin shopping think about who will be sleeping on the bunk bed and what their sleep needs might be. For instance, a twin over a twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings and a full-over-full best bunk bed design is perfect for adults looking to save space and avoid the expense of purchasing a separate queen or king-sized mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example, it might be best bunk to go with a lower-to ground configuration.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be a good value and one that will adapt to their needs. Look for a style that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or opt for something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space in the future. This style features a modern elegant, clean-lined design, boucle upholstered guardrails and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose a bunk that has built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This will help keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is particularly useful when you have a small space. A majority of the bunks on our list offer this feature, and some have additional storage accessories available, such as an bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.