How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and function to kids' rooms. They can also help to save space.

Choose bunks that are designed with flexibility, like drawers that store items in the bottom and 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 selecting bunk beds for your children you should consider size, style and safety. Check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, ensure that there is enough room around the bunks for the children to move. The beds should be far enough apart that kids can climb and descend safely and not run into one another or fall into walls. Also, you'll need to find out if the top bunk can support mattresses that is the same size as the bottom one so that you won't need for a trundle, or an extra bed in the near future.

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

Many of the best bunk beds for teens will be adapted to your children's needs, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time for them to transition to a regular double bed. For instance, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired style with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails along the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom and leaves more floor space for kids to play on.

Another option is a loft bed which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's ideal 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 them to use stairs or a ladder which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with 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 ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds. They establish standards for guardrails and other features that prevent entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are the ideal choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it is essential to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You should look for a bed with rails that are high enough to stop children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have less weight limits than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to see the specifications available for mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines for the maximum thickness of the top bunk beds uk mattress. They'll also provide the maximum weight capacity of the top bunk bed and the bunk.

The best bunk beds are sturdy constructed and the ladders or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have handles on the sides to ensure security. Avoid bunk beds with slatted side panels, as they are dangerous for children to climb, especially if they're not tightly joined. If your kids love to play on the ground, pick a bunk with a low slung that lets them sit and play without being too far off the floor.

Pick an L-shaped mattress if you don't have much space in the room of your child or if you don't want it to take up lots of space. They are smaller in size and are generally larger than a single bed. This makes them suitable for small rooms with low ceilings. They're also more suitable for kids who might feel intimidated by a higher bunk.

If you require a little more space, an overfull or full-overfull bunk is the best places to buy bunk beds option. These are usually the most secure and fashionable bunk beds that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is a stylish and sturdy option that can grow with your child 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 comes in a variety of colors options.

Style

It's for a shared room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed can give teenagers something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are sleek and minimalist while others are more playful elements. Bunk beds are also available in a variety of sizes, ranging from twin over twin to full-over-full, and even queen. A twin over full design is a favorite among teens because it allows them to sleep two kids in a single room, and still leaves space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. There are some options with trundle beds which allow the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says teens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed because it occupies less space and gives them more space to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and it's the strongest, grown-up bunk beds adults," Fenton adds.

For a truly cool bunk, you should consider an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's basically an elevated platform bed. These beds are constructed with a ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a desk or dresser. These beds aren't as spacious as a bunk bed, but they give teens more room in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed if you're looking for an affordable bunk beds for kids bunk bed that is affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile which means you can move them around if your children want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. They're not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top one has no guardrails.

Bunks with 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 by younger children. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

A bunk bed is a big investment, so it's important to take into consideration your budget when buying. While there are plenty of inexpensive options out there but if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that can last through the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a little more for a better design that can be used for years to come.

Consider who will use the bunk bed and what their sleep needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin over a twin configuration is great for families with multiple children, while a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to reduce space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king size mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the top and bottom bunks--if children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it could be beneficial to choose a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The best bunk bed for teens will be a good value and one that is able to grow with them. Select a style that can work well in traditional and modern rooms. Choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds if required. This design has a clean-lined modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's simple for children to climb and down and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is another option to save money. This could include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves beneath the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom tidy and clutter-free. It's also useful if you have a small space. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some even come with additional storage accessories like bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.