How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and utility to kids' rooms. They can also help in reducing space.

Look for bunk beds that are flexible, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that is easy to remove. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to make two separate beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing a bunk bed for your children, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Consider the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to fit in your space. Make sure there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not run into each other or smash into walls. Additionally, you should determine if the top bunk can support mattresses similar to the bottom one, so that you can avoid the need for a trundle or another extra bed in the near future.

You could also choose a different shape for your bunk, which may be better for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed can be ideal for a small room or a guest room that is shared by two people. It can save the floor space and can fit a queen or twin over full mattress on the lower and upper levels, based on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens can be adapted to your children's needs, converting into two free-standing beds when it's the right time to transition into a regular double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an adjustable ladder that connects the bottom and top beds with more space for kids to play on.

Another alternative is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you use the lower floor 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 which makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, test it in your children' bedroom with blue painter's tape to see 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 any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You'll also want to take into consideration the safety of your family by reviewing 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 different ages. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features before purchasing. You'll want to choose a bed with rails that are high enough to prevent 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 smaller weight limits than others.

When choosing the bunk bed you want, look on its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress's sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and will typically list the total bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed, and the ladder or stairs should be attached to the frame securely and have handles on the sides for safety. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides because they are dangerous for kids to climb up and down, particularly when the slats aren't securely fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, go for a low-slung bottom bunk so that they can play and sit without being too high off the floor.

If you're in a tight space or don't want to take up too much space in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. These require less floor space and are typically only about the same width as a single bed so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also ideal for younger kids, who may be intimidated by the higher bunk.

If you require a little more space, an overfull or full-overfull buy bunk beds is the best choice. They are the most stylish and safe bunk beds available. They can be used as twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that grows with your child's development as they grow. It can also accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of harmful chemicals. It's made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a variety of colors.

Style

A good bunk beds uk bed can make teens feel happy, whether it's in a shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are minimalist and sleek and some have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in a variety of sizes, including twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. A twin over full style is a favorite among teens because it lets them sleep two kids in a single room, and still leaves space for a dresser, desk or storage drawers at the lower level. There are some options that include a Trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress.

Tweens also love an over-king twin loft bed, which takes up less floor space and provides them with more space to spread out or work from home, according to Fenton. A metal bunk bed with an extended guardrail is a popular option for older children because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy, grown-up bunk," she adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped style, which is basically a raised platform bed. They have a ladder at the top, which gives an elegant look and gives more space for a dresser or desk beneath. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed however they do provide teens with more space in their rooms.

You should 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 versatile, so you can move them around if your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However, they're not as durable as a wood or metal bunk bed and don't have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are smaller and can be more convenient to climb, whereas stairs are safer and can double as a seating area for younger children. Some models are able to convert into a desk and chair which allows your child to build the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's crucial to consider your budget. While there are plenty of cheap options available but if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that will last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it might be worth paying a little extra for a quality design that can be used for years to come.

Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their sleeping needs could be. For instance, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for families with multiple children or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults who wish to save space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king size mattress. It is also important to determine the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example, it might be best to opt for a lower-to-ground configuration.

The ideal bunk bed for teens is a good value, and one that can grow with them. Select a style that can work well in traditional and modern rooms. Choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be divided into two twin beds if needed. This design has a modern sleek, clean lines, boucle upholstered guardrails and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is an additional option to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves beneath the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom neat 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 offer additional storage options like headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.