How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and functionality in the children's room. They also can help reduce space.

Look for bunk beds that can be adapted, such as those with bottom storage drawers or trundles that are easy to take off. There are also stacked twins which can be separated to create two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing bunk beds for your kids you should consider the size, style and security. Take a look at the ceiling's height to ensure the bunks fit in your space, and make sure there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be spaced enough apart to allow kids to get up and down safely and not run into one another or fall into walls. It is also important to determine if the top bunk bed can support a mattress similar to that of the lower one. This will help you avoid the need for an additional bed or trundle in the near future.

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

A lot of the top bunk bed for teens are built to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to an adult bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed For instance, features an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style 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 gives more room for children to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed, that maximizes corner spaces in rooms that are tween. It's ideal for smaller spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to make use of the lower levels for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children because it eliminates the need to climb stairs or a ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, test it out in your kids' bedroom with blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will be off the ground. This will give you an idea of whether it can be easily climbed in and out of at night without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Finally, you'll want to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds. These regulations set standards for guardrails and other features that reduce the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are the ideal choice for families with children of all ages. However, it's essential to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll want to look for a bed with guard rails that are high enough to keep children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have a lower weight limit than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to find out what specifications are available on mattress sizes and weight limitations. 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 best bunk bed with trundle bed and the bunk.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and have stairs or ladders that is attached securely to the frame, and has side handles. Avoid bunks with slatted sides as they could be unsafe for children to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to allow them to sit up and play without being too high off the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you do not have enough space in your child's bedroom or if you don't want it to take up lots of space. They require less floor space and are usually only about the same width as a single bed, so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for younger children who may feel intimidated by high bunk beds.

If you're looking for a little more space, an overfull or full-overfull bunk is the best bunk bed with desk choice. These are the most stylish and safe bunk beds available. They can be used as full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that grows with your child as they grow. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens feel happy, whether it's in a shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalist while others are more playful elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with tweens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space while leaving enough 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 additional mattress.

Fenton says that teens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed because it takes up less space and gives them more room to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular choice for older kids because they're "built to last and are the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the top that gives the appearance of a sleeker design and makes room for a desk or dresser underneath. They're not as effective at saving space as a traditional bunk but they're a stylish option for teenagers that offers more room to move around in their rooms.

You should consider a futon bunk if you're looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are compact and portable, so they can be moved around if you want to redecorate your child's bedroom in the near future. They are not as durable as metal or wood bunk beds and the top bed has no guardrails.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on other hand, could be used as seats by younger children. Some models can be converted into a chair or desk so that your child can have the perfect bedroom set that can be used for play and study.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's crucial to consider your budget. There are plenty of options for best cheap bunk beds beds available, but if are looking for a bunk bed that will endure through your teens and even into adulthood, it's worth paying more to get a top-quality bed that can be used for years.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleep needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin over a twin arrangement is ideal for families with multiple children, while a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults who want to reduce space and avoid the cost of purchasing a separate queen or king-sized mattress. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower than the ground.

The best bunk beds for adults bunk bed for teens is one that is affordable and one that is able to grow with them. Choose a design that is suitable for both modern and traditional rooms, or opt for something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice option for the Spruce. It can be divided into two freestanding twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space in the future. This design features a contemporary sleek, clean lines, 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 a different option to save money. This could include drawers underneath the bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom clean and clutter-free. It's also helpful if you have a small space. Many of the bunks in our list feature this feature. Some even come with additional storage options, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.