How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and utility in the kids' room. They also can help in reducing space.
Find bunk beds that are able to be moved, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easily removed. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to make two beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.
Size
When you're choosing a bunk bed for your kids you should consider the size, style and security. Take a look at the ceiling's height to make sure the bunks are able to are suitable for your space, and make sure there's enough space for your kids to move around them. The beds should be spaced enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not run into one another or fall into the walls. Also, you'll want to determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so that you won't need for a trundle or another extra bed in the future.
You may also opt for an alternative to the traditional bunk shape, which may be better suitable for your space. For instance an L-shaped bunk might be perfect for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can help save the floor space and can accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both upper and lower levels depending on the model you choose.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens can grow with your kids and can be converted into two separate beds when it's time for them to transition to a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example, features an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curved headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's made from 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.
A loft bed is an alternative option that maximizes the corner space in tween-rooms. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a great choice for older kids because it doesn't require them to climb a ladder or stairs, making it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.
Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room using blue painter tape. This will help you determine whether it's safe to climb into and out at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. Also, it is important to keep your family's safety in mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features to prevent entrapment and falls.
Safety
Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all ages. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features prior to purchasing. You should look for beds with rails that are high enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have a lower weight limit than others.
When you are choosing a bunk bed, make sure to check the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and they'll often list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.
The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and have stairs or ladders that is securely attached to the frame, and has side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, especially if they're poorly joined. If your kids love to play on the ground, choose a bunk with a low slung that lets them play and sit without having to be too far off the ground.
If you're limited in space or don't want to take up the entire space of your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. These take up less floor space and are usually only as wide as a single bed making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who may be intimidated by a higher bunk.
If you have more room, go for a full-over-full bunk bed. These are the most fashionable and safe bunk beds available. They can be used for full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will grow with children as they grow older and accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made of sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in multiple color options.
Style
The right bunk bed can keep teens content, whether it's in the bedroom of a couple or only one child. Many designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. The twin-overfull design 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 on the bottom. There are some options with trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says that teens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it takes up less space and gives them the space to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with an extended guardrail is a popular choice for older kids because it's "built to last, and it's the most sturdy, grown-up bunk," she adds.
Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped style, which is basically an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with the ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more space to set up a desk or dresser. They aren't as spacious as a bunk bed however they do give teens more room 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 kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However, they're not as durable as a wood or metal bunk bed and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.
Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders require less space and are more convenient to climb. Stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger children. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to build the perfect bedroom space for study time and playtime.
Budget
A bunk bed is a big investment, so it's crucial to factor in your budget when buying. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if you want a bunk bed to last through the teens and even into adulthood, it's worth paying a little 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 sleeping needs may be before you start shopping. A twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a bedroom, while the full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults looking to save space or avoid the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to choose a lower-to-ground configuration.
The ideal Bunk Beds Bunk bed for teens will be an affordable option and one that will grow with them. Find a design that can work in both modern and traditional rooms, or choose something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space down the road. This design has a clean-lined modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb and down and down. It's 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 beneath the bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will allow you to make your bedroom less cluttered, and it's especially useful if you're working with the space of a small one. A majority of the bunks on our list come with this feature, and some come with additional storage options like bookcase headboards for the upper bunk, and a desk for the bottom.