How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft and bunk beds can add fun and functionality in the kids' room. They also can help save space.

Look for bunks that are built with flexibility, such as drawers that store items in the bottom and a trundle bed that's easily removed and stacked twins that can be divided into two beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

You should consider the dimensions design, style, and security when selecting a bunk bed for your kids bunk beds. Look at the ceiling height to ensure that the bunks will are suitable for your space. Make sure there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be enough apart so that children can get up and down safely and not collide with each other or smash into the walls. Additionally, you should find out whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so you can avoid the need for a trundle or an extra bed in the near future.

You may also opt for a different shape for your bunk that is suitable for your space. A bunk bed with an L shape can be the perfect choice for a small room or a guest room shared by two people. It saves floor space and can accommodate a queen or twin over full mattress on the lower and upper levels, depending on which model you choose.

A lot of the top bunk bed for teens are built to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to an adult bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired style with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and Bunk Bed For Teens has a stationary built-in ladder that connects the bottom and top beds with more space for children to play on.

Another option is a loft bed, that maximizes corner spaces in rooms that are tween. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and lets you use the lower level for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children because it eliminates the need to use an elevator or ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will give you a feel 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. In addition, you should ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds. These regulations set standards for guardrails and other features that reduce entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages, however, it is important to think about safety features when buying. You'll need to find bunk beds with guardrails that are high enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped, and a mattress which doesn't raise up the sleeping surface too much. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have smaller weight limits than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to see what specifications are available on mattresses and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines regarding how thick the top bunk mattress should be, and typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best places to buy bunk beds bunk beds will be sturdy and have a ladder or stair that is attached securely to the frame, and has side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb, especially if they're not tightly fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom so that they can sit and play without being too high off the ground.

Choose an L-shaped mattress if you do not have enough space in your child's room or if you do not want it to take up much space. They are smaller in size and are usually only about the same size as a single bed. This makes them ideal for rooms with narrow ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who may be scared of higher bunks.

If you need a bit more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best option. These are usually the safest and most elegant bunk beds available on the market and can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that grows with your child's growth. It can even accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in multiple color options.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens feel happy regardless of whether it's in the shared bedroom or for just one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with tweens because it permits them to sleep two kids in the same space, while leaving room for a desk, dresser, or storage drawers on the bottom. Certain designs have trundle beds which allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for bunk bed for teens sleepovers.

Fenton says that teens love a twin-over-king loft bed because it occupies less space and provides them with more space to spread out and work from home. A metal bunk bed with an extended 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 design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with the ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more space for a dresser or desk. They're not as effective at conserving space like a traditional bunk but they're a stylish option for teenagers that offers more space to move around in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed If you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are compact and portable, so they can be moved around if you want to redecorate 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 that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, can also be used as a seating area by younger children. Some models are capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to create the perfect bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's important to take into consideration your budget when shopping. There are many inexpensive options available, but if want a bunk beds bunk bed to endure through your teens and into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more for a quality product that can be used for years.

Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their needs for sleep might be. A twin-overtwin configuration works well for siblings who share the same bedroom, whereas a full over full bunk is a great option for adults who are looking to save space or reduce the expense of a separate queen mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom between the top and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to choose a bed that is lower than the ground.

The ideal bunk bed for teens is an affordable option and one that will expand with them. Select a style that can work well in traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be divided into two twin beds if required. This design has a modern elegant, clean-lined design, boucle upholstered guardrails and a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another option to save money is to find an area of the bunk that is built-in storage, such as drawers beneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This will help you keep your bedroom tidy and clutter-free. It's also helpful for those with a smaller room. Many of the bunks in our list come with this feature. Some come with additional storage options like a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.