How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft bed can bring fun and utility in the room for kids. They can also help to save space.

Find bunks designed with flexibility, like drawers that store items in the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to take down and twin beds that can be separated into two separate beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You should take into consideration the size design, style, and security when choosing a bunk bed for your kids. Check the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks are able to fit into the space. Also, ensure that there is enough space around the bunks to allow the kids to move. The beds should be enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not run into each other or smash into walls. Also, you'll want to find out whether the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one, so that you can avoid the need for a trundle, or an extra bed in the near future.

You may also opt for a bunk shape that is not traditional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. For example an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It will 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.

Many of the best bunk bed for teens are built to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to a double bed. For example, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails on the top 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 creates more space for kids to play.

A loft bed is an alternative option that makes the most of the corner space in rooms that are tweens. It's a great option for smaller spaces as it doesn't require as much vertical space and also allows the lower level to be used for desks and dressers, or storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older children because it eliminates the need to use stairs or a ladder, making it more accessible to larger children as well as 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 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. In addition, you should keep your family's safety in mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features before buying. You'll need a best value bunk beds bed with guardrails that are tall enough to keep children from falling off or becoming trapped as well as a mattress that does not elevate the mattress too much. Be sure to pay attention to the capacity for weight, as certain bunks have lower limits than others.

When you are choosing the bunk bed you want, look on the website of the manufacturer to find specifications regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress can be, and will typically list the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

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

If you have a limited space or don't want to take up too much space in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are usually only as wide as one single bed. This makes them perfect for rooms with narrow ceilings. They are also suitable for children who may be scared of the higher bunks.

If you have a little more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most fashionable bunk beds that are available, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that can grow with your child's development as they grow. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of chemical. It's made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a variety of colors.

Style

It's for the shared room or one child, the ideal bunk bed for teens will provide something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are sleek, minimalist while others are more playful elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular with tweens because it permits them to sleep two kids in the same space, while still leaving room for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage at the bottom. There are some options that include a Trundle beds that allow the upper level to fit an additional mattress.

Teens also adore an over-king twin loft bed, which 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 another popular option for older children because they're "built to last and are the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. These beds have the ladder on the end giving an elegant look and allows more room for a dresser or desk beneath. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed however, they can give teens more room in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed If you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are lightweight and adaptable and can be moved them around in case your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the future. They're not as sturdy as metal or wood bunk beds, and the top bed isn't equipped with guardrails.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs on the other hand, could be used as seats by children who are younger. Some models are capable of converting into a chair and desk, allowing your child to create the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive investment, so it's important to take into consideration your budget when buying. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if want a bunk bed to last through the teens and into adulthood, it's worth paying more for a high-quality product that can be used for years.

Before you shop, consider who will be using the bunk bed, and what their needs for sleep could be. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for families with multiple children and a full-over-full best cheap bunk beds is ideal for adults who wish to make space and avoid the cost of purchasing a separate queen or king-sized mattress. You'll need to determine the amount of headroom that is available between the top and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to choose a bed that is lower than the ground.

The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those which are priced at a reasonable price and can adapt to the teen. Choose a style that will 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 separated into two beds if required. This style has a sleek, modern silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb up and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose a bunk with built-in storage options, like drawers beneath the lower bed or a shelf below the top. This will help you keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. It's also useful if you have a small room. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature, and a few come with additional storage options like an bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.