Trudi Gardiner

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

bunk beds for kids and loft bed can add fun and functionality in the children's room. They can also help to save space.

Choose bunks that are built with flexibility, such as drawers that store items in the bottom, a trundle bed that's easily removed and stacked twins that can be separated into two separate beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing a bunk bed for your children, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Look at the ceiling height to ensure the bunks fit into your space, and make sure there's enough space for your kids to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to get up and down safely and not collide with each other or crash into the walls. Additionally, you should find out whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress of the same size as the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle, or an extra bed in the near future.

You can also choose a bunk shape that is not traditional, if it suits your space better. For example, an L-shaped bunk can be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It will save the floor space and can accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens will expand with your kids by converting into two independent beds when it's time for them to transition into a regular double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed Kids Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired style with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has a stationary built-in ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom, leaving more floor space for kids to play on.

A loft bed is another option that makes the most of the corner space in rooms that are tweens. It's ideal for small spaces because it takes up less vertical space and lets you make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's an excellent choice for older children since it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Before purchasing any type of bunk bed for adults bed, test it in your children bedroom using blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will rise above the ground. This will allow you to determine whether it's possible to climb in and out 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. They establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be an ideal option for families with children of all ages. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features before purchasing. You should look for a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity, since some bunks have lower limits than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to see the specifications available for mattress sizes and weight limitations. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress should be, and they'll typically provide the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds will be sturdy and have an stairway or ladder that is attached securely to the frame and has handles on the sides. It is also recommended to avoid bunks that have slatted sides because they are unsafe for children to climb up and down, especially in the case where the slats haven't been tightly fitted together. If your children like to play on the ground, pick an un-slung buy bunk beds uk that allows them to play and sit without being too far from the floor.

If you have a limited space or do not want to take up too much room in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are usually the same size as a single bed, so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for children who may be scared of higher bunks.

If you have more space, consider a full-over-full-size bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most stylish bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is a stylish and sturdy option that will grow with your child's development as they grow. It can even accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

A good bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's a shared bedroom or for just one child. Many designs are sleek and minimalist and some have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens, as it allows them to sleep two kids bunk beds sale in the same room while leaving room for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage in the lower part. There are some options with Trundle beds that permit the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.

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

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped style, which is basically a raised platform bed. These beds are designed with a ladder at their end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a desk or dresser. These beds are not as spacious as bunk beds however, they can allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed if you want an affordable bunk bed that is affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are lightweight and portable and can be moved around when you're planning to redesign your child's bedroom 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 ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and are more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seat for smaller children. Some models can be transformed into a desk or chair so that your child can have the ultimate bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive purchase, so it's essential to take into consideration your budget when you shop. There are many inexpensive options available, but if you want a bunk bed to last through the teens and even into adulthood, it's worth spending a little more for a quality product that can be used for years.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleep needs may be before you start shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for families with multiple children and a full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults who wish to reduce space and avoid the expense of buying an additional queen or king size mattress. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to opt for a lower-to-ground configuration.

The best 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 both modern and traditional rooms, or choose something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can separate into two freestanding twin beds if you want to change the layout of your space down the road. This style has a sleek, contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a stationary ladder that's simple for children to climb and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is another way to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clutter-free and is especially beneficial when you have smaller space. A majority of the bunks on our list feature this feature. Some even come with additional storage options like bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.