How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

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

Find bunk beds that are flexible, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that is easy to take off. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to create two beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting bunk beds for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Make sure you check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, ensure that there's enough space around the bunks for the children to move. The beds should be placed far enough apart so that children are able to safely go up and down without having to hit one another or the walls. It is also important to determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress similar to that of the bottom one. This will help you avoid the need for an additional bed or trundle later on.

You may also opt for a bunk design that isn't traditional, if it suits your space better. For example an L-shaped bunk might be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can save space on the floor, and also accommodate a twin-over-full or queen-sized mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you choose.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens will expand with your kids by converting into two independent beds when it's the right time to transition to a regular double bed. For example the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an inbuilt, stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for kids bunk to play.

A loft bed is a different option that maximizes the space around corners in rooms that are tweens. It's an excellent option for smaller spaces because it doesn't require as much vertical space and allows the lower levels to be used for desks as well as dressers and storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older children since it doesn't require them to use a ladder or stairs and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before you buy bunk beds uk any kind of bunk bed, try it out in your kids bedroom using blue painter's tape to determine how high it will be above the ground. This will allow you to determine whether it's possible to climb up and down at night without hitting anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. It is also important to take into consideration the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails as well as features that protect against falls and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great option for families with children of all ages, however, it's important to take into consideration the security features when you shop. You'll want to look for a bed with guard rails that are high enough to stop children from falling or s Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

If it's an entire room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed can give teenagers something to be excited about. Some designs are sleek and minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with tweens, as it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space while leaving enough room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower part. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress.

Fenton says that teens love a twin-over-king loft bed because it occupies less space and gives them more room to spread out and work from home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular option for older children because they're "built to last and it's the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.

For a truly cool bunk, consider a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are constructed with the ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more space to set up a desk or dresser. These beds are not as spacious as a bunk bed however they do give teens more room in their rooms.

If you're looking for an affordable bed that will offer plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible and can be moved them around if your children want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However they're not as sturdy as a metal or wood bunk bed and do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders require less space and can be more convenient to climb. Stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger children. Some models can be converted into a table or chair so that your child can have the ultimate bedroom set for both study and play.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it's important to consider your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if you need a bed that will last into the teens and into adulthood, you should consider spending more for a quality product that can be used indefinitely.

Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping on the bunk bed and what their needs for sleep could be. A twin-overtwin configuration works well for siblings sharing a bedroom, while a full over full bunk is a great option for adults who are looking to save space or avoid the expense of a separate queen-sized mattress. You'll need to determine the amount of headroom between the top and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, it may be better to choose a bed that is lower than the ground.

The best bunk beds for teens are those that are affordable and can grow with the teenager. Choose a design that can work in both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice option for the Spruce. It can be divided into two freestanding twin beds if you want to change the layout of your space later on. This design features a contemporary elegant, clean-lined design, boucle upholstered guardrails and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is a different option to save money. It could be drawers beneath the bed, or shelves beneath the top. This will help keep your bedroom clutter-free and is particularly useful if you're working with smaller space. A majority of the bunks on our list have this option, and a few come with additional storage options such as bookcase headboards for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.