How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Bunk and loft bed can bring fun and utility in the children's room. They can also help reduce space.
Find bunk beds that can be adapted, such as those with bottom storage drawers or a trundle that is easy to remove. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to make two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.
Size
You should take into consideration the dimensions design, style, and security when choosing a bunkbed for your children. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure the bunks fit in your space, and make sure that there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be spaced far enough apart so that children can safely get up and down and not hit each other or the walls. Also, you'll want to determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress similar to the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.
You may also opt for a bunk design that is not traditional and suited to your space better. For instance an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save space on the floor, and also accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you choose.
Many of the best bunk beds for teens can grow with your kids, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time for them to transition into a regular double bed. For example, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails along the top bunk beds for kids. It's made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has a stationary built-in ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom and leaves more floor space for kids to play on.
A loft bed is another option that can maximize the corner space in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you use the lower level for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's a great choice for older children since it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder and makes it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.
Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, try it out in your kids' bedroom with blue painter's tape to determine how high it will rise above the ground. This will give you a sense of whether it could be easily climbed in 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 reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds. These regulations set standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.
Safety
Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages, however, it's important to consider the safety features when buying. You'll want to choose a bed with rails that are high enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped. Also, you need an option that doesn't raise the bed's surface too high. You should also be aware of the capacity for weight, as certain bunks have a lower limit than others.
Check the manufacturer's website to see what specifications are available regarding mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and typically provide the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.
The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs should be attached to the frame securely and have side handles for safety. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides because they are dangerous for children to climb up and down, especially if the slats aren't tightly fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, opt for a low-slung bottom bunk so that they can sit up and play without being too high off the floor.
Pick an L-shaped bed if you do not have enough space in your child's room or if you don't want it to take up a lot of space. They are smaller in size and are typically only larger than a single bed. This makes them perfect for small rooms with low ceilings. They're also suitable for children who may feel intimidated by higher bunks.
If you need a bit more space, an overfull or full-overfull bunk is the best choice. These are usually the most secure and stylish bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn kids bedroom furniture' Belden bunk bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that can grow with your child as they grow. It can also accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made of 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 the bedroom of a couple or only one child. Many designs are minimalist and sleek and others have more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. A twin-over-full design is popular with teens since it gives them room to accommodate two children in the same space and still has room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the bottom. Some options have trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says teens like a twin-over-king loft bed because it occupies less space and gives them more space to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with a full-length guardrail is another popular option for older kids bedroom furniture because it's “built to last and is the most durable adult-sized bunk,” she adds.
For a truly cool bunk, think about an T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically a platform bed elevated. The beds feature a ladder on the end, which gives an elegant look and makes room for a dresser or desk beneath. They're not as effective at saving space like a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens, and give them more space to move around in their rooms.
Think about a futon bunk bed if you're looking for an affordable bunk bed that is affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are lightweight and portable and can be moved around if you're looking to revamp your child's room in the future. However they're not as strong like a metal or wood bunk bed and they don't have guardrails on the top bed.
Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can also be used as a seating area by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk to allow your child to have the ultimate bedroom set for both study and play.
Budget
When shopping for a bunk bed, it's essential that you consider your budget. While there are plenty of inexpensive options out there, if you're planning on purchasing a bunk bed that will last into the teens (or even adulthood), it may be worth paying a little more for a better design that will be used for years to come.
Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleep needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for families with multiple children and a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to reduce space and avoid the cost of purchasing a separate queen or king size mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it may be better to choose a lower-to-ground configuration.
The most suitable bunk beds for teens are ones which are priced at a reasonable price and are able to grow with the teenager. Find a design that can work in both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk–an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce–which can separate into two freestanding twin beds if you need to reconfigure your space down the road. This design has a modern, clean-lined silhouette as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/476/162/3ft-single-metal-bunk-bed-frame-2-storey-2-sleepers-bed-frame-bunk-bed-can-be-used-as-two-single-beds-bedroom-dorm-apartment-for-adults-children-teenagers-twins-white-162.jpg)A bunk bed with built-in storage is a different option to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will help keep the bedroom clutter-free, and it's especially useful when you have the space of a small one. 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 upper bunk, and a desk for the bottom.
