How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and function to kids' rooms. They also can help save space.
Look for bunk beds that are able to be moved, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that's easy to remove. best bunk bed reviews 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 bunk beds for your children you should consider the size, style and security. Make sure you check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, make sure that there's enough space around the bunks for children to move around. The beds should be spaced apart enough that kids can safely move up and down without having to crash into one another or the walls. Also, you'll need to find out whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one, so that you don't have to pay for a trundle or another extra bed in the near future.
You may also opt for a non-traditional bunk shape, which may be better suitable for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed could be perfect for a small room or a guest room shared by two people. It saves the floor space and can also accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the lower and upper levels, based on the model you select.
A lot of the top bunk beds for teens are designed to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to an adult bed. For example, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette 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 adjustable ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom with more space for kids to play on.
Another alternative is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in tween rooms. It's ideal for smaller spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower level for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's a great option for older children as it doesn't require stairs or ladders and makes it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.
Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom using blue painter tape. This will give you a feel of whether it is easily climbed into and out of 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. These regulations set standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the chance of entrapment and falls.
Safety
Bunk beds are an ideal option for families with children of all ages. However, it's essential to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll need to choose a bunk bed with guardrails that are high enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped as well as a mattress that does not elevate the mattress excessively. Also, pay attention to the weight capacity, as certain bunks have a lower limit than others.
Visit the website of the manufacturer to see what specifications are available on 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 as well as the bunk bed.
The ideal bunk beds will be sturdy and have a ladder or stair that is secured to the frame and has handles on the sides. You should also avoid any bunks that have slatted sides because they are dangerous for children to climb up and down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly fitted together. If your children love playing on the ground, opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to allow them to sit and play without being too high off the floor.
If you're in a tight 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 take up less floor space and are typically only about the same width as a single bed, which is why they're perfect for smaller rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who may feel intimidated by the higher bunks.
If you have a little more room, go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. They are generally the safest and most stylish bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that can grow with your child's development as they grow. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of chemicals. It's made of sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a range of colors.
Style
Whether it's for a shared room or just one child, the perfect bunk bed can give teenagers something to be happy about. Some designs are minimalist and sleek and others have 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-overfull design is popular with teens, as it allows them to sleep two kids in the same room while leaving space for a desk dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. There are some options with trundle beds which allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says that tweens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed since it occupies less space and gives them the 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 it's the most sturdy adult-sized bunk," 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 constructed with the ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more space for a desk or dresser. They're not as efficient at conserving space like a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teenagers that offers more space to move around in their rooms.
If you're looking for an affordable bunk that will still provide plenty of safety and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible which means you can move them around if your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the future. They're not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top one isn't equipped with guardrails.
Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and are more convenient to climb, whereas stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger children. Some models are even able to convert into a chair and desk which allows your child to build the perfect bedroom set-up for play and study.
Budget
A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's important to take into consideration your budget when buying. There are many inexpensive options out there but if you're planning on purchasing a bunk bed that will last until the teens (or even into adulthood) it might be worth paying more for a better design that can be used for a long time.
Before you shop, consider who will be sleeping on the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs might be. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for siblings sharing a room, while a full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults who want to reduce space and avoid the expense of purchasing an additional queen or king size mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top bunk and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower than the ground.
The best bunk bed for teens will be an affordable option and one that will expand with them. Look for a style that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can separate into two freestanding twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space down the road. This style features a modern, clean-lined silhouette, boucle upholstered guardrails and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.
A bunk bed with built-in storage is another way to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will help keep the bedroom clutter-free, and it's especially useful when you have the space of a small one. Many of the bunks on our list offer this feature, and some come with additional storage options, such as a bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.