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 save space.

Find bunk beds that can be adapted like those with bottom storage drawers or trundles that are easy to take off. You can also find twins that can be stacked and separated to make two separate beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll want to consider size as well as style and safety when choosing a bunkbed for your children. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure the bunks fit into your space, and make sure there's enough space for kids bunk beds to maneuver around them. The beds should be spaced apart enough that children are able to safely go up and down and not collide with each other or the walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk bed can support a mattress the same size as that of the lower one. This will allow you to avoid needing an extra bed or trundle in the near future.

You may also opt for a bunk shape that isn't conventional, if it suits your space better. An L-shaped bunk bed can be the perfect choice for a small space or a guest room shared by two people. It can save the floor space and can fit a queen or twin over full mattress on the lower and upper levels, based on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens can be adapted to your children's needs by converting into two independent beds when it's the right time to move to a normal double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example it has an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style 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 leaves more space for children to play.

A loft bed is another option that maximizes the corner space in tween-rooms. It's great for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a great choice for older children since it doesn't require you to use stairs or a ladder, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room using blue painter tape. This will give you an idea of whether it can be easily climbed into and out of at night, without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to take into consideration the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails as well as features that protect against falls and [empty] entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with children of all ages, however, it's important to take into consideration the safety features when buying. You'll want to look for beds with rails that are high enough to stop children from falling or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have smaller weight limits than others.

When you are choosing a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and they'll typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds for adults uk bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have side handles to ensure security. Avoid bunks that have slatted sides as they could be dangerous for kids to climb up and down, especially if the slats aren't tightly fitted together. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, opt for a lower-slung bunk so that they can sit and play without being too high off the ground.

If you have a limited space or do not want to occupy too much space in your kid's bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. They require less space and are generally about the same size as a single bed. This makes them perfect for small rooms with low ceilings. They're also suitable for children of smaller age who may be scared of the higher bunks.

If you have a little more space, consider a full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most stylish bunk beds that are available, and they can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden adult bunk beds bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that will grow with your child's development as they grow. It can also accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made from sustainably-sourced Baltic birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

If it's the shared room or one kid, the right bunk bed will give teens something to be happy about. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist and some have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular with tweens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space while leaving enough room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower part. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Tweens also love an over-king twin loft bed, which takes up less floor space and provides them with more space to sprawl out or work from home, according to Fenton. A metal bunk bed 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," she adds.

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is basically a raised platform bed. These beds are constructed with a ladder at their end. This makes them more sleek and more space to set up a desk or dresser. These beds aren't as space-saving as bunk beds however they do give teens more room in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that can offer plenty of security and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are portable and compact which means they can be moved around in case you want to redecorate your child's room in the future. However they're not as strong as a wood or metal 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 be used as seats for children younger than. Some models are even capable of being converted into a chair and desk and allow your child to build the perfect bedroom space for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a big investment, so it's important to factor in your budget when shopping. There are many inexpensive options available, but if you are looking for a bunk bed that will last through the teens and on into adulthood, you should consider spending a little more for a high-quality product that can be used for a long time.

Before you start shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping on the bunk bed and what their needs for sleep could be. A twin-overtwin arrangement is ideal for siblings who share a bedroom, while a full over full bunk is perfect for adults who are looking to reduce space or the expense of a separate queen-sized mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The best bunk beds for teens are those that are affordable and are able to grow with the teenager. Choose a design that works in both modern and traditional rooms, or opt for something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space down the road. This design features a contemporary, clean-lined silhouette, boucle upholstered guardrails and an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is an additional way to save money. This can include drawers beneath the bed, or shelves below the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. It's also a good option if you have a small room. Many of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.