How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft bed can bring fun and utility in the room for kids. They can also help to save space.

Find bunk beds that are flexible like ones with drawers on the bottom or trundles that are easily removed. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be divided to create two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting bunk beds for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure the bunks are suitable for your space, and make sure that there's enough space for your kids to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not collide with each other or smash into the walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress similar to the size of the bottom one. This will help you avoid needing an extra bed or trundle in the future.

You could also choose a non-traditional bunk shape, which may be better for your space. For instance an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It saves the floor space and can fit a twin over full or queen mattress on the upper and lower levels, based on the model you pick.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens will be adapted to your children's needs, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time for them to transition to 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. It's made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an adjustable ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom, leaving more floor space for kids to play on.

A loft bed is a different option that maximizes the space at the corner in rooms with tweens. It's a great choice for smaller spaces as it doesn't require as much vertical space and allows the lower levels to be used as a desk as well as dressers and storage cabinets. It's a great option for older children since it eliminates the use of stairs or ladders which makes it more accessible for adults and children of larger sizes.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom with blue painter tape. This will let you know whether it's possible to climb into and out at night without crashing into anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. Also, it is important 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 the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with kids of all ages, but it is important to think about safety features when buying. You'll need to choose bunk beds with guardrails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling over or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have smaller weight limits than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, check its manufacturer's website for specifications regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also provide the maximum weight capacity of the upper bunk bed as well as the bunk bed.

The ideal bunk beds will be solid and sturdy, with an stairway or ladder that is attached securely to the frame and comes with handles on the sides. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides as they could be unsafe for children to climb up and down, especially if the slats aren't tightly joined. If your children like to play on the ground, choose a low-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without being too far from the floor.

Pick an L-shaped mattress if you don't have much space in your child's room or slimex365.com if you do not want it to take up much space. These require less floor space and are typically only as wide as a single bed so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also more practical for children who might feel intimidated by a higher bunk.

If you have a little more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the most secure and fashionable bunk beds on the market and [empty] can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will grow with children as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's also made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors options.

Style

Whether it's for an entire room or just one kid, the right bunk bed for teens will provide something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with teens because it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space while leaving space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower part. Some designs come with a Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress.

Fenton says that tweens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed because it takes up less space and gives them the space to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with a full-length guardrail is a popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most durable adult-sized bunk," she adds.

If you want a cool bunk, consider a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is basically a platform bed elevated. They're designed with a ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more room for a dresser or desk. They're not as good for saving space like a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens that gives them more space to move around in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk if you want an affordable bunk bed that is affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile, so you can move them around in case your kids are looking to revamp their rooms in the future. However they're not as sturdy like a metal or wood bunk bed bunk bed and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger kids. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk so that your child can have the ultimate bedroom set-up for study and play.

Budget

A bunk bed is a big investment, so it's crucial to factor in your budget when buying. Although there are plenty of affordable options, if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that can last through the teens (or even adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit more for a high-quality design that will last for a long time.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for rooms with siblings or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults looking to make space and avoid the expense of buying an additional queen or king-sized mattress. It is also important to determine the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example, it might be best to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The best bunk bed for teens is an affordable option and one that is able to adapt to their needs. Choose a style that will work well in traditional and modern rooms. Choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds if required. 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 social and environmental responsibility.

Another way to save money is to find a buy bunk beds online that has built-in storage, for example drawers beneath the lower bed or a shelf below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. It's also useful in the case of a small room. A majority of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.