How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft beds can add fun and functionality to rooms for kids. They can also help save space.

Find bunk beds that are able to be moved, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that is easy to take off. You can also find twins that can be stacked and divided to create two beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

You'll need to take into consideration the dimensions design, style, and security when choosing a bunk bed for your children. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in your space. Make sure there's enough space for your kids to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to climb and descend safely and not collide with one another or fall into walls. Additionally, you should determine whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so you don't have to pay for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.

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

Many of the best kids bunkbeds bunk beds for teens can be adapted to your children's needs and can be converted into two separate beds when it's time to transition into a regular double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This leaves more space for children to play.

A loft bed is another option that can maximize the space around corners in rooms with tweens. It's a great choice for smaller spaces because it doesn't require the same amount of vertical space and allows the bottom level to be used as a desk, dressers or storage cabinets. It's a great option for older children since it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder which makes it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, check it in your children bedroom using blue painter's tape to determine how high it will be off the ground. This will give you a feel of whether it can be easily climbed in and out of at night, without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Finally, you'll want to keep your family's safety in mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds, which establish standards for guardrails and other features that prevent entrapment and falls.

Safety

buy bunk beds uk beds are the ideal choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it is essential to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll want to look for beds with rails that are high enough to keep children from falling or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have smaller weight limits than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to find out what specifications are available on mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and they'll typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles to ensure security. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides, as they could be dangerous for children to climb up and down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly joined. If your children love to play on the ground, select a low-slung bunk that allows them to sit and play without being too far from the floor.

Consider an L-shaped bed if you don't have a lot of 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 suitable for rooms with narrow ceilings. These are also more suitable for children of smaller age who may feel intimidated by high bunk beds.

If you require a little more space, the full-overfull bunk bed is the best choice. They are the most stylish and secure bunk beds you can find. They can be used for twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn kids bunk beds' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will grow with children as they get older and accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it comes in multiple color options.

Style

The ideal bunk bed adults bed will make teens happy regardless of whether it's in the bedroom of a couple or only one child. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in various sizes, such as twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. A twin over full design is a favorite among teens 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. There are some options with trundle beds that allow the upper level to fit an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Teens also adore a twin over king loft bed, which takes up 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 choice for older children because they're "built to last and are the most durable, adult-sized bunk," 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 giving an elegant look and makes room for a dresser or desk under. These beds aren't as space-saving as a bunk bed however they do allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

If you're looking to find a more affordable bunk that will still provide plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are portable and compact and can be moved around in case you're looking to revamp your child's space in the near future. They're not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top bed has no guardrails.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can also be used as a seat by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair so that your child can have the ideal bedroom set that can be used for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive purchase, so it's essential to consider your budget when you shop. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if you want a bunk bed to last into the teens and into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more for a high-quality product that can be used indefinitely.

Before you shop take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. A twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings who share bedrooms, while the full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to save space or avoid the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top bunk and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to select a layout that is lower than the ground.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable and one that is able to grow with them. Choose a style that will work in both traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be divided into two beds, if needed. This style features a modern, clean-lined silhouette as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose an area of the bunk that is built-in storage, such as drawers under the bed or shelves below the top. This can help you keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is particularly useful when you have a small space. Many of the bunks listed on our list offer this option, and a few offer additional storage options such as an bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.