How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Bunk and loft bed can be a great way to add fun and function in the children's room. They can also help save space.
Choose bunk beds that are flexible, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easy to remove. You can also find twins that can be stacked and separated to create two separate beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.
Size
You should take into consideration size as well as style and safety when selecting a bunk bed for your kids. Check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, make sure that there's enough space around the bunks to allow the children to move. The beds should be set sufficiently apart that children can safely get up and down without having to collide with one another or the walls. Also, you'll want to find out if the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one so that you don't have to pay for a trundle, or an additional bed in the future.
You can also choose a bunk shape that isn't conventional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. For instance, an L-shaped bunk can be ideal for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save 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 beds for teens are made to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to the size of a double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an inbuilt stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This leaves more space for kids to play.
A loft bed is another option that can maximize the space around corners in tween-rooms. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and lets you use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's a great option for older children as it doesn't require a ladder or stairway which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.
Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, test it out in your child's bedroom using blue painter's tape to determine how high it will rise above the ground. This will give you a sense of whether it could be easily climbed in and out at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You'll also want to think about the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails and features to prevent entrapment or falls.
Safety
Bunk beds are a great option for families with kids of all ages, but it's important to consider the security features when you shop. You'll need bunk beds with guardrails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling off or becoming trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. You should also be aware of the weight capacity, since certain bunks have a lower limit than others.
Visit the website of the manufacturer to see what specifications are available on mattresses and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines for the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum capacity for the weight of the upper bunk bed as well as the bunk bed.
The most suitable bunk beds are solid and sturdy, with a ladder or stair that is attached securely to the frame and has handles on the sides. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides, as they could be unsafe for children to climb up or down, especially in the case where the slats haven't been tightly fitted together. If your children love to play on the ground, select an un-slung bunk that allows them to play and sit without having to be too far off the floor.
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 are smaller in size and are usually only as wide as a single bed making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also suitable for children of smaller age who may feel intimidated by the higher bunks.
If you have a little more space, you can opt for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. These are the most fashionable and secure bunk beds that are available. They can be used for twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that grows with your child's growth. It can also 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 comes in multiple color options.
Style
A good bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's the shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. A twin over full style is a favorite among teens because it gives them room to accommodate two children in a single room, and still has room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers at the bottom. Certain designs have trundle beds which allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Teens also adore a twin over king loft bed that occupies less floor space and gives them more room to stretch out or work from home, according to Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular option for older children because they're "built to last and it's the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.
For a truly cool bunk, consider a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically a platform bed elevated. These beds are constructed with the ladder at the end. This provides a more modern look and more space to set up a desk or dresser. These beds aren't as spacious as a bunk bed however, they can give teens more room in their rooms.
If you're looking for an affordable bunk that will still provide plenty of safety and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are compact and portable and can be moved around when you're planning to redesign your child's space in the near future. They're not as durable as wood or metal bunk beds, and the top bed has no guardrails.
Bunks that include stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can also be used as a seat by younger children. Some models are capable of converting into a desk and chair, allowing your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.
Budget
When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. While there are plenty of cheap options available, if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that can last through the teens (or even into adulthood), it may be worth paying more for a better design that will be used for many years to come.
Before you shop, consider who will be sleeping in the bunk bed and what their sleep needs could be. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great 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-sized mattress. You'll need to decide on 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 choose a bed that is lower to the ground.
The ideal bunk bed for teens is one that is affordable and one that is able to grow with them. Find a design that works in both modern and traditional rooms, or opt for something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space in the future. This design has a clean-lined modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb up and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.
A bunk bed that has built-in storage is another way to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clutter-free and is especially beneficial for those who have smaller space. Many of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.