How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and function to children's rooms. They can also help reduce space.

Find bunk beds that are able to be moved, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easy to remove. There are also twins that can be stacked and divided to create two beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting buy bunk bed beds for your kids you should consider the size, style and security. Look at the ceiling height to make sure the bunks are able to are suitable for your space, and make sure that there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be spaced apart enough that kids can safely move up and down and not hit each other or the walls. Also, you'll need to find out whether the top bunk beds for kids on sale can support a mattress of the same size as the bottom one so that you don't have to pay for a trundle or an extra bed in the future.

You can also choose an arrangement for your bunk 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 shared guest room. It will save space on the floor, and also allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you choose.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens will grow with your kids by converting into two independent beds when it's time for them to transition into a regular double bed. For instance, bunk bed for teens 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 made from 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 space around corners in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies 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, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom by using blue painter's tape. This will give you a feel of whether it can be easily climbed into and out of at night, without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You'll also want to take into consideration the safety of your family by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features that prevent entrapment or falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it is important to take into consideration the safety features before purchasing. You'll need to find bunk beds with guardrails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling off or becoming trapped as well as a mattress that does not raise the mattress too much. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have less weight limits than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, make sure to check the website of the manufacturer for details on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines for the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also list the maximum weight capacity of the upper bunk bed as well as the bunk.

The best bunk beds will be sturdy and have an stairway or ladder that is securely attached to the frame and has side handles. It is also recommended to avoid bunks that have slatted sides because they are unsafe for children to climb up and down, particularly when the slats aren't securely connected. If your children love playing on the ground, you should opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to allow them to sit up and play without being too high off the ground.

Choose an L-shaped bed if do not have enough space in the room of your child or if you don't want it taking up a lot of space. These are smaller in size and are typically only the same size as a single bed so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also ideal 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 choice. These are the most fashionable and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used as full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is a stylish and sturdy option that grows with your child's development as they grow. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of chemicals. It is made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood and comes in a range of colors.

Style

It's for a shared room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed will give teens something to be enthusiastic about. Many designs are minimalist and sleek and some have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in different sizes, from twin-over-twin to full-over-full or even queen. A twin over full design is popular for tweens because it gives them room to sleep two kids in the same space and still leave room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers at the lower level. There are some options with Trundle beds that permit the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says that tweens love 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 an extended guardrail is a popular choice for older kids bunk because it's "built to last and it's the most sturdy grown-up bunk available," she adds.

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is basically a raised platform bed. These beds are constructed with a ladder at their end. This makes them more sleek and more space for a desk or dresser. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

You should consider a futon bunk if you want bunk beds for adults beds that are affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile which means you can move them around if your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the future. However, they're not as durable 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 and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can also be used as seats by younger children. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair to allow your child to have the ideal bedroom set for both play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive purchase, so it's essential to factor in your budget when shopping. While there are plenty of affordable options If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that can last into the teens (or even adulthood), it may be worth paying more for a high-quality design that can be used for many years to come.

Think about who will be using the cheap bunk beds for kids bed and what their sleeping requirements could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for families with multiple children or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults who wish to make space and avoid the cost of buying an additional queen or king mattress. You'll also have to decide how much headroom you want between the bottom and top bunks. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to choose a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The best bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable and one that will expand with them. Look for a style that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or choose something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can separate into two freestanding twin beds should you're looking to alter your space down the road. This design has a modern, clean-lined silhouette as well as boucle upholstered guardrails an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is another option to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves beneath the top. This can help you keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is especially beneficial when you have a small space. Many of the bunks listed on our list have this feature, and a few offer additional storage options like bookcase headboards for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.