How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

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

(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/476/12813/vida-designs-sydney-high-sleeper-bunk-bed-solid-pine-wood-kids-loft-bed-frame-with-desk-perfect-for-children-single-3-foot-white-12813.jpg)Find bunks built with flexibility, such as drawers for storage at the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to take down and twin beds that can be split into two beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When choosing bunk beds for your children you should consider size, style and safety. Examine the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks can fit in the space. Also, make sure that there is enough room around the bunks for children to move around. The beds should be spaced far enough apart so that children can safely get up and down and not collide with one another or the walls. Also, you'll need to find out whether the top bunk is able to support mattresses similar to the bottom one so that you don't have to pay for a trundle or an extra bed in the future.

You can also pick a bunk design that isn't conventional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. A bunk bed with an L shape can be the perfect choice for small spaces or an area that is shared by two people. It can save the floor space and can fit a twin over full or queen mattress on each of the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you select.

Many of the best bunk bed for teens are built to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to the size of a double bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is 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 a stationary built-in ladder that connects the top and bottom beds, leaving more floor space for kids to play on.

A loft bed is a different option that maximizes the corner space in rooms that are tweens. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and lets you use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a great choice for older kids because it eliminates the need to climb stairs or a ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's room by using blue painter's tape. This will let you know whether it's possible to climb up and down at night without bumping into anyone or hitting the window sill. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds, which define standards for guardrails as well as other features to prevent the chance of entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages. However, it is crucial to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You'll need bunk bed for kids beds with railings that are high enough to stop children from falling over or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity, since certain bunks have a lower limit than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer for details on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and will often list the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk (Fionapremium noted) beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and have handles on the sides for security. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides because they are unsafe for children to climb up or down, particularly when the slats aren't securely fitted together. If your kids love to play on the ground, choose a bunk beds for kids with a low slung that allows them to play and sit without being too far from the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you do not have enough space in the room of your child or if you do not want it to take up a lot of space. They require less space and are generally as wide as one single bed. This makes them suitable for rooms with small ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who might be scared of a bunk that is higher.

If you have more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. These are usually the most secure and stylish bunk beds that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn kids bunk beds' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that will grow with your child as they grow. It can even accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's made from sustainably sourced Baltic birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

The right bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's in a shared bedroom or for just one child. A lot of designs are minimalist and sleek, while others feature more fun 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 popular for tweens because it gives them room to sleep two children in a single room, and still has room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Teens also adore an over-king twin loft bed that occupies less floor space and provides them with more space to sprawl out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails make a popular option for older children because they're “built to last and it's the strongest, grown-up bunk beds uk,” Fenton adds.

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the top that gives the appearance of a sleeker design and makes room for a dresser or desk under. These beds aren't as space-saving as bunk beds however, they can allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed If you're looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are lightweight and adaptable which means you can move them around in case your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However, they're not as durable as a wood or metal bunk bed and do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have 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 by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a desk or chair so that your child can have the ideal bedroom set that can be used for play and study.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it's crucial to consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if are looking for a bunk bed that will last through the teens and into adulthood, you should consider spending more for a high-quality product that can be used for years.

Before you start shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. For instance, a twin over a twin configuration is great for families with multiple children or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults who want to make space and avoid the expense of purchasing a separate queen or king size mattress. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it may be better to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The most suitable bunk beds for teens are those that are affordable and are able to grow with the teen. Find a design that works in traditional and modern rooms, or opt for something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk–an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space later on. This design features a clean, modern silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a ladder that's easy for children to climb up and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.

Another option to save money is to locate a bunk with built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom tidy and clutter-free. It's also a good option if you have a small room. Many of the bunks in our list feature this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories like a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.