How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft and bunk beds can add fun and functionality in the room for kids. They can also help to reduce space.

Choose bunk beds that can be adapted like ones with drawers on the bottom or trundles that are easy to remove. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to make two beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll want to take into consideration the size, style, and Best Small Bunk Beds safety when choosing a bunkbed for your children. Make sure you check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, make sure that there is enough room around the bunks for the children to move. The beds should be spaced enough apart so that children can get up and down safely and not collide with each other or crash into the walls. You'll also want to check whether the top bunk bed can accommodate a mattress that is similar to the size of the lower one. This will allow you to avoid having to buy an additional bed or trundle later on.

You can also choose a bunk design that isn't traditional and suited to your space better. For instance an L-shaped bunk might be ideal for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It will save the floor space and can accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both upper and lower levels, based on the model you pick.

Many of the best sturdy bunk beds for adults bunk bed for teens are designed to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to an adult bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired style with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails that run along 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 children to play.

Another option is a loft bed which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's ideal for smaller spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's an excellent choice for older children because it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder and makes it more accessible to large children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom using blue painter tape. This will give you an idea of whether it could be easily climbed into and out of at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Also, it is important to keep your family's safety in mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds. They define standards for guardrails as well as other features that reduce the chance of entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great option for families with children of all ages, but it's important to consider the safety features when buying. You'll want to choose a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped. Also, you need an option that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have a lower weight limit than others.

When selecting the bunk bed you want, look on the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress's sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum weight capacity of the top bunk bed as well as the bunk bed.

The best bunk beds for low ceilings bunk beds are sturdy constructed and the ladders or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have side handles for security. Avoid bunk beds that have slatted side panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, especially if they're poorly connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, you should opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to let them sit and play without being too high off the floor.

If you're limited in space or don't want to take up too much space in your kid's bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. They require less floor space and are usually as wide as a single bed, so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also more practical for younger kids, who might feel intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you have a little more space, you can opt for a full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the most secure and fashionable bunk beds on the market and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will grow with children as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors options.

Style

A good bunk bed can make teens happy, whether it's in the shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalist while others are more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with tweens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while leaving room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. Some designs come with a Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress.

Tweens also love an over-king twin loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more room to stretch out or work from home, according to Fenton. A metal bunk bed with a full-length guardrail is a popular option for older children because it's "built to last and is the most durable adult-sized bunk," she adds.

Consider a T-shaped or l-shaped style, which is basically a raised platform bed. The beds feature a ladder on the end giving it a more sleek look and allows more room for a desk or dresser underneath. They're not as good for conserving space like a traditional bunk but they're a stylish option for teens, and give them more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for an affordable bunk that can provide plenty of security and comfort, think about a futon bunk. Futons are compact and versatile, so you can move them around if your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However they're not as strong as a wood or metal bunk bed, and they don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that include ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on other hand, could be used as a seating area for children younger than. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk to let your child have the perfect bedroom set that can be used for play and study.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's essential to think about your budget. Although there are plenty of cheap options available but if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that can last into the teens (or even into adulthood), it may be worth paying a bit extra for a quality design that will be used for many years to come.

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

The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those that are affordable and are able to grow with the teenager. Choose a style that will work in both traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds, if needed. This style features a modern, clean-lined silhouette with boucle-upholstered guardrails, boucle upholstered railings and a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another option to save money is to find an area of the best triple bunk beds that is built-in storage, for example drawers underneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This can help you keep your bedroom clutter-free and is particularly useful if you're working with a small space. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some even come with additional storage options like a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.