How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft and bunk beds can bring fun and utility in the room for kids. They can also help save space.

Look for bunks that are designed to be flexible, such as drawers for storage at the bottom, a trundle bed that's easily removed, and twin beds that can be divided into two separate beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You should take into consideration the dimensions, style, and safety when choosing a bunk bed for your children. Check the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks can fit in the space. Also, ensure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow the kids to move. The beds should be set far enough apart so that children are able to safely go up and down and not hit one another or the walls. Also, you'll need to find out whether the top bunk can support a mattress similar to the bottom one so that you can avoid the need for a trundle or an extra bed in the 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 small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can help save the floor space and can accommodate a twin-over-full or queen-sized mattress on both the upper and lower levels, based on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens will grow with your kids bunk by converting into two independent beds when it's time for them to move to a normal double bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an integrated stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This gives more room for children to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed that maximizes corner spaces in rooms that are tween. It's a great choice for smaller spaces as it doesn't require as much vertical space and allows the bottom level to be used as a desk, dressers or storage cabinets. It's also a good choice for older children because it doesn't require you to use a ladder or stairs and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will help you determine whether it's possible to climb up and down at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. You'll also want to take into consideration the safety of your family members by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails and features to stop falls or entrapment.

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 want to choose beds with rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Be sure to pay attention to the capacity for weight, as some bunks have a lower limit than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to see the specifications available for mattresses and weight limits. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum weight capacity of the upper bunk bed and the bunk.

The most sturdy bunk beds are constructed and the ladders or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have handles on the sides for security. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides because they are dangerous for kids to climb up and down, particularly if the slats aren't tightly connected. If your kids love playing on the ground, go for a lower-slung bunk so that they can play and sit without being too high off the floor.

If you're in a tight space or do not want to take up too much room in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. They take up less space and are usually only as wide as one single bed. This makes them ideal for small rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for younger children who may feel intimidated by higher bunks.

If you have a little more room, loveland-shop.ru go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. These are the most fashionable and secure buy bunk bed beds that are available. They can be used as twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is a stylish and sturdy option that grows with your child's growth. It can even accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably sourced Baltic birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

Whether it's for a shared room or just one child, the perfect bunk bed for teens will provide something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are minimalist and sleek and some have more playful elements. Bunk beds are also available in a variety of sizes, ranging from twin over twin to full-over-full or even queen. A twin over full design is popular for tweens because it gives them room to accommodate two children in the same space and still has room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers in the lower level. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to fit an additional mattress.

Teens also adore the twin over king loft bed, which takes up less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with a full-length guardrail is another popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy grown-up bunk available," she adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with a ladder at their end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a desk or dresser. They're not as good for conserving space like a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens that gives them more room 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 lightweight and adaptable which means you can move them around in case your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. They're not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top bed isn't equipped with guardrails.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, newss.info on other hand, can also be used as a seat by children who are younger. Some models are capable of converting into a desk and chair which allows your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it's important to think about your budget. Although there are plenty of cheap bunk beds for kids options available, if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that will last through the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a little more for a better design that will last for a long time.

Before you start shopping, consider who will be using the bunk bed, and what their sleeping needs could be. For example, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings, while a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to save space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king-sized mattress. It is also important to determine how much headroom you want between the bunks at the top and bottom. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance, it might be best to choose a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The best bunk bed for teens is an affordable option and one that will expand with them. Find a design that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or opt for something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds should you're looking to alter your space later on. This style has a sleek, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings and a ladder that's easy for kids to climb and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is a different way to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves underneath the top. This can help you make your bedroom less cluttered, and is particularly useful when you have a small 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.