How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and functionality to rooms for kids bunk bed sale. They can also help to save space.

Choose bunk beds that can be adapted, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that's easy to take off. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to create two separate beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

You should consider the dimensions design, style, and security when choosing a bunk bed for your children. Make sure you check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks can fit in the space. Also, make sure that there's enough space around the bunks for the kids to move. The beds should be spaced apart enough that children can safely get up and down and not collide with each other or the walls. Also, you'll need to determine whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one, so that you won't need for a trundle, or an additional bed in the future.

You could also choose an alternative to the traditional bunk shape that is suited to your space. For example an L-shaped bunk could be perfect for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can help save the floor space and can accommodate a twin-over-full or queen-sized mattress on both the lower and upper levels, based on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens are made to grow with your child by converting into two independent double beds when they're ready to move up to the size of a double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example is an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curving headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on 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 leaves more space for children to play.

Another option is a loft bed, which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's great for small 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 choice for older children since it doesn't require a staircase or ladder which makes it more accessible for adults and children of larger sizes.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will give you a sense of whether it can be easily climbed into and out of at night without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to consider the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails as well as features that stop falls or entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll need to choose bunk beds with railings that are tall enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the mattress excessively. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have smaller weight limits than others.

When selecting a bunk bed, make sure to check the website of the manufacturer for details regarding the mattress's dimensions 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 and the bunk beds kids.

The ideal bunk beds will be sturdy and have stairs or ladders that is attached securely to the frame, and has side handles. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides as they could be unsafe for children to climb up or down, especially when the slats aren't securely fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, you should opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to let them sit up and play without being too high off the ground.

If you have a limited space or do not want to occupy too much room in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They take up less floor space and are usually only as wide as a single bed so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also suitable for children who may feel intimidated by high bunk beds.

If you need a bit more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best quality bunk beds option. These are usually the safest and most fashionable bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will expand 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 and is made of sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in multiple color options.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens happy regardless of whether it's the bedroom of a couple or just one child. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. A twin over full style is a favorite among teens because it gives them room to sleep two kids in the same space and still has room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers in the lower level. Certain designs have trundle beds which allow the upper level to fit an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says teens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and gives them more room to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are another popular choice for older kids because they're "built to last and is the strongest, grown-up bunk," Fenton adds.

Consider a T-shaped or l-shaped style, which is basically an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the top that gives the appearance of a sleeker design and allows more room for a dresser or desk underneath. They're not as good for conserving space as a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens that gives them more space to move around in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk if you want a bunk bed that is affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are portable and compact, so they can be moved around when you're looking to revamp your child's room in the near future. They're not as durable as metal or wood bunk beds, and the top bed has no guardrails.

Bunks that include ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can be used as a seat by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a desk or chair to let your child have the perfect bedroom set-up for study and play.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important to consider your budget. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if you are looking for a bunk bed that will last through the teens and even into adulthood, it's worth paying an extra amount for a quality product that can be used for years.

Consider who will use the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be prior to shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults who want to save space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king size mattress. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it could be beneficial to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable, and one that can adapt to their needs. Pick a design that can work well in traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be separated into two twin beds if required. This style has a sleek, modern 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 social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is a different option to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will allow you to make your bedroom less cluttered, and is particularly useful when you have the space of a small one. Many of the bunks listed on our list have this feature, and some come with additional storage options, such as bookcase headboards for the upper bunk, and a desk for the bottom.