How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft and bunk beds can be a great way to add fun and function in the kids’ room. They also can help reduce space.

Find bunk beds that are able to be moved like ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that is easy to take off. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to create two beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting a bunk bed for your kids, you’ll want to consider size, style, and safety. Examine the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks can fit in the space. Also, make sure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow the children to move. The beds should be spaced enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not collide with each other or crash into the walls. Additionally, you should determine whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one, so that you can avoid the need for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.

You could also choose a different shape for your bunk one that is more suitable for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed could be the perfect choice for small spaces or a guest room that is shared by two people. It can save floor space, and accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both the upper and lower levels, depending on the model you select.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens will grow with your kids and can be converted into two separate beds when it’s time to transition to a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example is the classic farmhouse look with curving headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It’s constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an integrated, stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper Bunk beds uk beds. This leaves more space for children to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed which maximizes corner space in rooms that are tween. It’s ideal for smaller spaces because it takes up less vertical space and allows you to make use of the lower levels for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It’s an excellent choice for older children because it doesn’t require a ladder or stairway, making it more accessible to large children and adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, check it out in your kids’ bedroom with blue painter’s tape to determine how high it will rise off the ground. This will give you a sense of whether it is easily climbed in and out at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Finally, you’ll want to ensure your family’s safety is on your 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 prevent entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with kids of all ages, however, it is important to think about safety features when shopping. You’ll need to choose bunk beds with railings that are tall enough to keep children from falling or becoming trapped and a mattress that does not raise the sleeping surface excessively. You should also pay attention to the weight capacity, as some bunks have a lower limit than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to find out what specifications are available on mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines for the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They’ll also give the maximum capacity for the weight of the upper bunk bed as well as the bunk.

The best bunk beds are sturdy constructed and the ladder or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have handles on the sides to ensure security. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides as they can be dangerous for kids to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven’t been tightly joined. If your children love playing on the ground, opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom so that they can sit and play without being too high off the ground.

If you have a limited space or don’t want to take up too much space in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. These are smaller in size and are usually only about the same width as a single bed so they’re ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They’re also ideal for kids who may be intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

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

Style

A good bunk bed can keep teens content regardless of whether it’s the shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens, as it allows them to sleep two children in the same space, while still leaving space for a desk dresser, or storage drawers at the bottom. Some options come with Trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress.

Teens also love a twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more space to sprawl out or work from home, according to Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails make a popular option for older children because they’re “built to last and are the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk,” Fenton adds.

For a really cool bunk, consider a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically a platform bed elevated. These beds are designed with a ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more space for a dresser or desk. They’re not as good for saving space as a traditional bunk beds usa, but they’re a stylish option for teens, and give them more room to move around in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk if you’re looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile which means you can move them around if your children wish to redesign their rooms in the near future. However they’re not as strong like a metal or wood bunk bed and they don’t have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are smaller and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seat for younger kids bunk bed. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk to let your child have the ideal bedroom set for both study and play.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it’s important to think about your budget. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if want a bunk bed to endure through your teens and into adulthood, it’s worth paying an extra amount for a high-quality product that can be used for years.

Consider who will use the bunk bed and what their sleeping requirements may be before you start shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for families with multiple children or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults looking to save space and avoid the expense of buying a separate queen or king size mattress. It is also important to determine how much headroom you want between the top and bottom bunks–if kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it may be better to go with a lower-to ground configuration.

The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those that are affordable and are able to grow with the teenager. Choose a design that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or choose something like the Oeuf Perch bunk–an Editors’ Choice pick for the Spruce–which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds if you’re looking to alter your space later on. This style has a sleek, contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails, and a stationary ladder that’s easy for children to climb up and down and down, and it’s Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose an area of the bunk that is built-in storage, for example drawers under the bed or shelves below the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. It’s also helpful in the case of a small space. Many of the bunks listed on our list come with this feature, and some offer additional storage options, such as a bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.