How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and functionality to children's rooms. They also can help in reducing space.
Look for bunks that are designed with flexibility, like drawers that store items in the bottom, a trundle bed that's easily removed and stacked twins that can be separated into two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.
Size
You'll want to consider size, style, and safety when choosing a bunk bed for your children. Examine the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks will fit in the space. Also, make sure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow children to move around. The beds should be spaced apart enough that children can safely get up and down and not crash into one another or the walls. Additionally, you should find out if the top bunk can support a mattress of the same size as the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle or another extra bed in the near future.
You can also opt for a non-traditional bunk shape that is for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed could be the perfect choice for a small room or a guest room that is shared by two people. It can save the floor space and can allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the lower and upper levels depending on the model you select.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens are built to adapt to your child's needs, converting to two free-standing double beds when they're ready to the size of a double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed for instance, features an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curving headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on the top bunk. It's made from knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the bottom and top beds and leaves more floor space for kids to play on.
A loft bed is a different option that maximizes the space at the corner in rooms that are tweens. It's an excellent option for smaller spaces because it doesn't take up as much vertical space and allows the lower levels to be used as a desk as well as dressers and storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older children because it doesn't require you to climb an elevator or ladder which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.
Before purchasing any type of bunk bed, test it in your children bedroom using blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will be above the ground. This will give you an idea of whether it could be easily climbed in and out of at night, without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You should also consider 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 ages, however, it's important to consider the security features when you shop. You'll want to look for a bed with rails that are tall enough to keep kids from falling off or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep surface too high. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have less weight limits than others.
When you are choosing a bunk bed, make sure to check the website of the manufacturer for details on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and typically provide the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.
The ideal bunk beds will be sturdy and have an stairway or ladder that is securely attached to the frame and comes with side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted side panels as they can be dangerous for children to climb on, particularly if they're not securely fitted together. If your children love to play on the ground, pick a low-slung bunk that lets them sit and play without being too far from the ground.
Pick an L-shaped mattress if you don't have much space in your child's bedroom or if you don't want it to take up much space. They are smaller in size and are usually only as wide as a single bed making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for children of smaller age who may feel intimidated by high bunk beds.
If you have a little more space, consider an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. These are usually the most secure and stylish bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that can grow with kids as they age and even accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of chemicals. It's made of sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood and comes in a variety of colors.
Style
The right bunk bed can make teens feel happy regardless of whether it's in the shared bedroom or for just one child. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens, as it allows them to sleep two kids in the same space while leaving enough space for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage in the lower part. Some options have trundle beds which allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Teens also love a twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, says Fenton. best place to buy bunk beds near me with a full-length guardrail is a popular choice for older kids because it's "built to last, and is the most durable, 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 a ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more room for a dresser or desk. These beds are not as spacious as bunk beds, but they give teens more room in their rooms.
Consider a futon bunk If you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are small and flexible, so you can move them around in case your kids are looking to revamp their rooms in the future. However they're not as sturdy like a metal or wood bunk bed, and they don't have guardrails on the top bed.
Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are smaller and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are more secure and can serve as a seating area for younger children. Some models are even capable of converting into a desk and chair, allowing your child to build the perfect bedroom set-up for play and study.
Budget
When choosing a bunk bed, it's essential that you consider your budget. While there are plenty of cheap options available If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that is designed to last until the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a little extra for a quality design that can be used for many years to come.
Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs might be prior to shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults looking to save space and avoid the cost of buying an additional queen or king mattress. You'll need to determine the amount of headroom that is available between the top and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, it may be better to select a layout that is lower to the ground.
The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those that are affordable and can grow with the teenager. Find a design that is suitable for both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds should you want to change the layout of your space later on. This design features a contemporary elegant, clean-lined design as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.
Another option to save money is to locate an area of the bunk that is built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clutter-free and is particularly useful for those who have a small space. A majority of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some even offer additional storage options, such as a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.