The Advanced Guide To Best Bunk Beds For Teens
How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Bunk and loft beds can bring fun and function to kids' rooms. They also can help save space.
Look for bunk beds that are able to be moved like ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that is easy to remove. There are also stacked twins which can be separated to create two beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.
Size
When choosing bunk beds for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style, and safety. Look at the ceiling height to ensure the bunks are suitable for your space. Also, make sure there's enough room for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be far enough apart so that children can climb and descend safely and not run into one another or fall into walls. Also, you'll want to determine whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress 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 pick a bunk shape that isn't conventional, if it suits your space better. An L-shaped bunk bed can be the perfect choice for a small room or an area that is shared by two people. It can help save the floor space and can allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you select.
Many of the best bunk bed for teens are made to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to the size of a double bed. For example, 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 an adjustable ladder that connects the top and bottom beds, leaving more floor space for kids to play on.
Another alternative is a loft bed which maximizes corner space in tween rooms. It's a great option for smaller spaces because it doesn't require as much vertical space and allows the lower levels to be used as a desk and dressers, or storage cabinets. It's a great choice for older children as it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway and makes it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.
Check the height of any bunk bed in your child's room using blue painter tape. This will give you an idea of whether it could be easily climbed into and out at night without bumping heads or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to think about the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails and features to prevent entrapment or falls.
Safety
Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it's crucial to consider the safety features prior to purchasing. You should look for a bed with rails that are high enough to prevent kids from falling off or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity, as some bunks have lower limits than others.
Visit the website of the manufacturer to find out what specifications are available regarding mattresses and weight limits. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum capacity for the weight of the upper bunk bed and the bunk bed.
The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladders or stairs should attach to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles for security. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides, because they are dangerous for kids to climb up and down, particularly when the slats aren't securely joined. If best rated bunk beds like to play on the ground, choose a low-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without having to be too far off the floor.
Consider an L-shaped bed if don't have much space in your child's bedroom or if you do not want it to take up lots of space. They take up less space and are generally as wide as one single bed. This makes them perfect for small rooms with low ceilings. They're also suitable for younger children who may be scared of high bunk beds.
If you need a bit more space, the full-overfull bunk bed is the best option. They are generally the most secure and elegant bunk beds available that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will expand with kids as they age and even can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of chemical. It is made from sustainably harvested Baltic Birch wood and comes in a range of colors.
Style
The right bunk bed can make teens feel happy regardless of whether it's a shared bedroom or for only one child. Many designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds are also available in a variety of sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full or even queen. A twin-over-full design is popular with teens since it lets them sleep two kids in the same room and still leave room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers in the lower level. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper level to fit an extra mattress for sleepovers.
Fenton says that teens like a twin-over-king loft bed because it takes up less space and gives them more room to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are another popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and is the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.
Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. The beds feature a ladder at the end, which gives the appearance of a sleeker design and allows more room for a desk or dresser beneath. They aren't as spacious as a bunk bed, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.
If you're looking to find a more affordable bed that will provide plenty of safety and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible which means you can move them around if your children wish to redesign their rooms in the future. However they're not as strong like a metal or wood bunk bed, and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.
Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders require less space and are more convenient to climb. Stairs are safer and double as a seat for younger children. Some models are even able to convert into a chair and desk and allow your child to create the perfect bedroom space to study or play.
Budget
A bunk bed is a big investment, so it's important to factor in your budget when shopping. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you are looking for a bunk bed that will endure through your teens and into adulthood, it's worth spending a little more for a quality product that can be used for a long time.
Before you shop, consider who will be sleeping in the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be. For example, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings and a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults who want to make space and avoid the expense of buying an additional queen or king-sized mattress. You'll need to determine the amount of headroom that is available between the top and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you might want to choose a bed that is lower to the ground.
The best bunk bed for teens is a good value and one that is able to expand with them. Choose a style that will work well in traditional and modern rooms. You can also choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds, if needed. This design has a clean-lined contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails, and a stationary ladder that's simple for children to climb 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 beneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom tidy and clutter-free. It's also helpful for those with a smaller room. A majority 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.