Mahalia Eldredge

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft bed can be a great way to add fun and function in the kids' room. They can also help reduce space.

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

Size

You'll need to think about size as well as style and safety when choosing a bunkbed for your kids bunk beds for sale. Consider the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to are suitable for your space. Also, make sure there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be spaced enough apart so that children can get up and down safely and not bump into each other or smash into the walls. Also, you'll want 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 extra bed in the near future.

You may also opt for an arrangement for your bunk that isn't conventional and suited to your space better. For example an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can help save space on the floor, and also accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you pick.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens can expand with your kids bunk bed sale by converting into two independent beds when it's time for them to transition to a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example it has a classic farmhouse style with curved headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in, stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for children to play.

A loft bed is another option that can maximize the space around corners in rooms that are tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's a great choice for older children as it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will help you determine whether it's safe to climb up and down at night without hitting anyone or hitting the window sill. In addition, you should keep your family's safety in mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds. These regulations establish standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be a great choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it's important to take into consideration the safety features before purchasing. You'll need to find bunk beds with railings that are high enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped and a mattress that does not elevate the mattress too much. Also, pay attention to the weight capacity, as certain bunks are less able than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to find out what specifications are available regarding mattresses and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also list the maximum weight capacity of the top bunk bed as well as the bunk.

The ideal bunk beds will be solid and sturdy, with an stairway or ladder that is secured to the frame, and has side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted side panels, as they are dangerous for children to climb, particularly if they're not securely connected. If your kids love playing on the ground, opt for a lower-slung bunk to let them play and sit without being too high off the ground.

Choose an L-shaped mattress if you don't have much space in your child's bedroom or if you do not want it to take up a lot of space. These are smaller in size and are typically only the same size as a single bed so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for younger children who may be scared of high bunk beds.

If you have more space, you can opt for a full-over-full bunk bed. They are the most stylish and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used as full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will expand with kids as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of chemical. It's made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood and comes in a variety of colors.

Style

If it's an entire room or just one child, the perfect bunk bed for teens will provide something to be happy about. Some designs are sleek and minimalist while others are more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with teens because it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while leaving space for a desk dresser, or drawers for storage on the bottom. There are some options that include a trundle bed that allows the upper level to fit an extra mattress.

Fenton says that tweens like a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and provides them with the space to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and is the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.

For a truly cool bunk, you should consider an T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically a platform bed elevated. They're designed with the ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more space to set up a desk or dresser. They're not as effective at saving space as a traditional bunk but they're a stylish option for teens, and give them more space to move around in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed if you're looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are lightweight and adaptable which means you can move them around if your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the near future. They are not as durable as wood or metal bunk beds, and the top bed does not have guardrails.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, can also be used as a seating area by younger children. Some models can be converted into a desk or chair so that your child can have the ideal bedroom set for both play and study.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it's crucial that you consider your budget. There are many inexpensive options out there If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that is designed to last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying extra for a quality design that will last for years to come.

Before you begin shopping, consider 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 full over full bunk is perfect for adults who want to reduce space or the expense of a separate queen-sized mattress. It is also important to determine 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 to opt for a lower-to-ground configuration.

The best bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable, and one that can grow with them. Look for a style that works in both modern and traditional rooms, or choose something like 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 later on. This style has a sleek, contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb and descend and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another option to save money is to choose a bunk that has built-in storage options, like drawers underneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to make your bedroom less cluttered, and is especially beneficial when you have smaller space. Many of the bunks listed on our list come with this option, and a few have additional storage accessories available, such as an bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.