How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and utility in the children's room. They can also help save space.

Find bunks designed with flexibility, like drawers that store items in the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to take down and stacked twins that can be divided into two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting bunk beds for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Examine the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks can fit in the space. Also, ensure that there's enough space around the bunks to allow children to move around. The beds should be enough apart so that children can climb and descend safely and not bump into each other or crash into the walls. It is also important to determine whether the top bunk bed can accommodate a mattress that is the same size as that of the bottom. 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 that is suitable for your space. For example, an L-shaped bunk can be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It saves the floor space and can also accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you pick.

Many of the best bunk bed for teens are made to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to an adult bunk bed bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin bunk beds childrens Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in, stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This creates more space for kids to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed, which optimizes corner spaces in rooms that are tween. It's a great option for smaller spaces since it doesn't take up the same amount of vertical space and also allows the lower level to be used for desks and dressers, or storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older kids because it eliminates the need to climb a ladder or stairs which makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom using blue painter tape. This will let you know whether it's possible to climb in and out at night without crashing into anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. 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 and features to protect against falls and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are an ideal option for families with children of all age groups. However, it is essential to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll want to look for a bed with rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or getting trapped and an option 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.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to see the specifications available for mattress dimensions and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and will often list the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best deals bunk beds beds are sturdy constructed and the ladders or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles to ensure safety. Avoid bunk beds with slatted side panels as they can be dangerous for children to climb, particularly if they're not securely joined. If your kids love playing on the ground, you should opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to let them sit and play without being too high off the floor.

Consider an L-shaped bed if don't have much space in the room of your child or if you do not want it to take up much space. They take up less space and are typically only as wide as one single bed. This makes them ideal for rooms with narrow ceilings. They're also more practical for younger kids, who may be intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you need a bit more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best choice. They are the most stylish and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used as full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will grow with children as they age and even can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of harmful chemicals. It is made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a variety of colors.

Style

A good bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's the bedroom of a couple or only one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalistic while others have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, ranging from twin over twin to full-over-full, and even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens, as it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while leaving space for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage in the lower part. There are some options with Trundle childrens beds bunk that permit the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says that tweens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed because it takes up less space and provides them with more room to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with an extended guardrail is a popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy, grown-up bunk," she adds.

For a really cool bunk, consider a l-shaped or T-shaped design that's basically an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder at the end, which gives an elegant look and makes room for a desk or dresser beneath. They're not as efficient at saving space like a traditional bunk however, they're a stylish choice for teenagers that offers more space to move around in their rooms.

If you're looking for an affordable bunk that will still offer plenty of security and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are lightweight and portable, so they can be moved around when you're looking to revamp your child's space in the future. However they're not as sturdy as 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 more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, can be used as seats for children younger than. Some models can be converted into a desk or chair so that your child can have the perfect bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's crucial to consider your budget when shopping. While there are plenty of inexpensive options out there If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that can last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a little extra for a quality design that will be used for years to come.

Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. For instance, a twin over a twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room, while a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults who want to reduce space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the top and bottom bunks--if children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example, it might be best to go with a lower-to ground arrangement.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable and one that will expand with them. Pick a design that can work in both traditional and modern rooms. You can also choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be separated into two twin beds if needed. This design features a contemporary, clean-lined silhouette as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose a childrens bunk beds with built-in storage, for example drawers underneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom tidy and free of clutter. It's also useful if you have a small space. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature, and a few have additional storage accessories available such as a bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.