How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and utility to rooms for kids. They can also help to save space.
Look for bunks that are built with flexibility, such as bottom storage drawers, a trundle bed that's easy to take down and stacked twins that can be separated into two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.
Size
When you're choosing bunk beds for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style, and safety. Look at the ceiling height to ensure that the bunks will fit into your space, and make sure there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to climb and descend safely and not bump into each other or smash into walls. Also, you'll want to find out whether the top bunk can support mattresses that is the same size as the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.
You can also choose a bunk design that is not traditional, if it suits your space better. For example, an L-shaped bunk can be perfect for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It is a great way to save 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 choose.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens are designed to grow with your child by converting into two independent double beds when they're ready to transition to an adult bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the top and bottom beds, leaving more floor space for kids to play on.
Another alternative is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's a great choice for older children because it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway which makes it more accessible for adults and children of larger sizes.
Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with blue painter tape. This will let you know whether it's possible to climb in and out at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. Also, it is important to keep your family's safety in mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce the chance of entrapment and falls.
Safety
Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages. However, it's crucial to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll need to choose bunk beds with railings that are tall enough to prevent children from falling over or getting trapped, and a mattress which doesn't raise up the mattress excessively. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.
Visit the website of the manufacturer to see what specifications are available on mattresses and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress should be, and will often list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.
The most sturdy bunk beds are constructed and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles to ensure safety. Avoid bunks with slatted sides, as they can be dangerous for kids to climb up and down, especially when the slats aren't securely joined. If your kids love to play on the ground, pick a low-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without being too far from the floor.
If you're in a tight space or do not want to occupy too much room in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They take up less space and are usually only as wide as one single bed. This makes them suitable for rooms with narrow ceilings. They're also more practical for younger kids, who might be scared of the higher bunk.
If you need a bit more space, an overfull or full-overfull bunk is the best option. They are the most stylish and safe bunk beds available. They can be used for full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish solid and sturdy option that can grow with kids as they age and even accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of chemicals. It's made of sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood and comes in a variety of colors.
Style
Whether it's for a shared room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed will give teens something to be happy about. Many designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in various sizes, such as twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with teens because it permits them to sleep two children in the same room while still leaving space for a desk dresser, or drawers for storage at the bottom. Some options have trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.
Teens also adore a twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, according to Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular option for older children because they're "built to last and are the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.
For a truly cool bunk, consider a l-shaped or T-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with a ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a dresser or desk. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.
If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that can provide plenty of security and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are compact and versatile, so you can move them around if your children are looking to revamp their rooms in the future. They are not as durable as metal or wood bunk beds and the top one does not have guardrails.
Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs on the other hand, can also be used as a seating area by younger children. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a chair and desk, allowing your child to create the perfect bedroom space for play and study.
Budget
When shopping for a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you are looking for a bunk bed that will last through the teens and on into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more to get a top-quality bed that can be used indefinitely.
Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs might be. A twin-overtwin configuration works well for siblings who share a bedroom, while the full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults looking to save space or avoid the expense of a separate queen bed. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower than the ground.
The best bunk bed for teens is one that is affordable, and one that can grow with them. Pick a design that can fit in both traditional and modern rooms. You can also choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds if needed. This style has a sleek, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings and a ladder that's simple for children to climb and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.
A bunk bed that has built-in storage is a different option to save money. This could include drawers underneath the bed, or shelves beneath the top. This will allow you to keep the bedroom clutter-free, and it's especially useful for those who have the space of a small one. Many of the bunks in our list feature this feature. Some even offer additional storage options, such as headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.