How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and function to children's rooms. They can also help in reducing space.

Look for bunk beds that can be adapted, such as those with bottom storage drawers or a trundle that's easy to take off. There are also stacked twins which can be divided to create two separate beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting a bunk bed for Adult Bunkbed your kids You'll need to think about size, style and safety. Look at the ceiling height to ensure that the bunks will fit in your space. Make sure there's enough room for your kids to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not run into each other or smash into the walls. Also, you'll want to find out whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress similar to the bottom one so that you won't need for a trundle, or an extra bed in the near future.

You can also pick a bunk shape that isn't conventional and suited to your space better. For instance an L-shaped bunk might be perfect for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It saves the floor space and can fit a twin over full or queen mattress on both the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you pick.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens will grow with your kids bunk bed by converting into two independent beds when it's time to transition to a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example is the classic farmhouse look with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on the top bunk beds bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for children to play.

A loft bed is a different option that maximizes the space around corners in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's a great choice for older children since it doesn't require a staircase or ladder, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with blue painter tape. This will give you a sense of whether it can be easily climbed in and out at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Finally, you'll want to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be a great choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it's crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll want to choose a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to stop kids from falling off or becoming trapped, and an option that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to see the specifications available for mattress dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and often list the total bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The best bunk beds will be solid and sturdy, with stairs or ladders that is attached securely to the frame, and has side handles. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides, because they are unsafe for children to climb up or down, especially in the case where the slats haven't been tightly fitted together. If your children like to play on the ground, choose a low-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without being too far from the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you don't have much space in your child's bedroom or if you don't want it to take up much space. They require less space and are generally about the same size as a single bed. This makes them ideal for rooms with small ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who may be intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you require a little more space, the full-overfull bunk bed is the best option. They are typically the most secure and fashionable bunk beds that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish solid and sturdy option that will expand with kids as they grow older and accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for 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 comes in multiple color options.

Style

The right bunk bed can keep teens content regardless of whether it's a shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in a variety of sizes, from twin-over-twin to full-over-full or even queen. A twin over full style is popular with teens since it gives them room to accommodate two children in the same space and still has room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers on the lower level. Some options come with trundle bed that allows the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress.

Teens also adore the twin over king loft bed that occupies less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, according to 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," she adds.

Consider a T-shaped or l-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. They have a ladder on the end that gives it a more sleek look and gives more space for a desk or dresser beneath. They aren't as space-saving as bunk beds, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that will still offer plenty of security and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible and can be moved them around if your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the future. However they're not as sturdy as a metal or wood bunk bed and don't have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and can double as a seat for younger children. Some models are even capable of converting into a desk and chair, allowing your child to have the perfect bedroom space for play and study.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you need a bed that will last into the teens and on into adulthood, it's worth paying an extra amount for a quality product that can be used indefinitely.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping requirements could be prior to shopping. A twin-overtwin arrangement is ideal for siblings sharing bedrooms, while full over full bunk is a great option for adults looking to save space or avoid the cost of a separate queen mattress. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, you might want to select a layout that is lower than the ground.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable, and one that can adapt to their needs. Pick a design that can 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 design features a clean, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings and a ladder that's easy for children to climb and descend and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another way to save money is to find a bunk with built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or a shelf below the top. This will help make your bedroom less cluttered, and is especially beneficial when you have smaller space. A majority of the bunks on our list have this feature, and some offer additional storage options like an bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.