How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and utility to rooms for kids. They can also help reduce space.
Find bunks 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 split into two separate beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.
Size
When choosing bunk beds for your kids You'll need to think about the size, style and security. Take a look at the ceiling's height to ensure the bunks fit in your space. Also, make sure there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be placed sufficiently apart that children can safely get up and down and not hit one another or the walls. It is also important to determine if the top bunk bed can support a mattress similar to the size of the bottom one. This will help you avoid the need for an additional bed or trundle in the future.
You can also choose a bunk shape that isn't conventional and suited to your space better. An L-shaped bunk bed could be ideal for a small room or a guest room 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 both the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you select.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens will expand with your kids, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time to transition into a regular double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an inbuilt, stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This gives more room for kids to play.
A loft bed is an alternative option that can maximize the space at the corner in rooms with tweens. It's a great option for smaller spaces as it doesn't require as much vertical space and allows the bottom level to be used for desks, dressers or storage cabinets. It's a great choice for older children because it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway and makes it more accessible for large children and adults.
Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with blue painter tape. This will allow you to determine if it is possible to climb into and out at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. You'll also want to think about the safety of your family members by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails as well as features that protect against falls and entrapment.
Safety
Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages, but it's important to consider the safety features when buying. You should look for a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to stop kids from falling off or getting trapped and an option that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have smaller weight limits than others.
Check the manufacturer's website to find out the specifications available for mattresses and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines for 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 stairs or ladders that is secured to the frame and has handles on the sides. You should also avoid any bunks that have slatted sides as they could be dangerous for children to climb up or down, particularly if the slats aren't tightly fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, you should opt for a lower-slung bunk to let them sit and play without being too high off the floor.
If you're in a tight space or do not want to occupy too much room in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. These require less floor space and are usually as wide 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're looking for a little more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best choice. These are the most fashionable and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used for twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will expand with kids as they grow older and accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made of sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors options.
Style
The right bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's the bedroom of a couple or just one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalist while others are more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in different sizes, from twin-over-twin to full-over-full or even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular among teens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while still leaving room for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage in the lower part. There are some options with trundle beds which allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says that tweens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and provides them with more room to spread out or 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 is the most durable grown-up bunk available," she adds.
If you want a cool bunk, think about an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's basically an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with the ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more room for a desk or dresser. They're not as good for conserving space as a traditional bunk, but they're an attractive option for teenagers that offers more space in their rooms.
Consider a futon bunk If you're looking for an affordable bunk bed that is affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are compact and portable which means they can be moved around in case you're planning to redesign your child's bedroom in the future. However they're not as strong as a metal or wood bunk bed, and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.
Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, can be used as a seating area by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair to let your child have the ultimate bedroom set for both study and play.
Budget
When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you are looking for a bunk bed that will endure through your teens and even into adulthood, you should consider spending a little more for a high-quality product that can be used indefinitely.
Consider who will use the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for Bunkbedsstore.Uk siblings sharing a room and a full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults who want to make space and avoid the cost of buying a separate queen or king mattress. You'll also have to decide how much headroom you want between the bunks at the top and bottom. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to choose a lower-to-ground arrangement.
The most suitable bunk beds for teens are those that offer a good price and can grow with the teen. Choose a design that works in both modern and traditional rooms, or opt for something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds if you need to reconfigure your space in the future. This design has a modern, clean-lined silhouette with boucle-upholstered guardrails, boucle upholstered railings and an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.
A bunk bed that has built-in storage is a different way to save money. This can include drawers beneath the bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom neat and free of clutter. It's also helpful for those with a smaller room. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some even come with additional storage options like headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.