The Best Bunk Bed Ideas to Dress Up Your Kids' Beds

When your little one is ready to transition from cribs to big kid beds, select a style that will make them feel confident. A cactus-themed mural that you can make yourself from A Beautiful Mess is just the ticket.

Adult bunk bedroom ideas are equally appealing. Multi-functional elements such as a desk built into the structure or trundle beds under the bunks allow you to maximize space while maintaining an elegant, modern design.

Loft Beds

Bunk beds make the perfect solution for bedrooms, whether they're intended for primary bedrooms or guest rooms. They can combine two or more beds in a single unit, allowing floor space for study, play or storage. And there are plenty of ways to dress up bunk beds in a stylish way. These chic bunk bed ideas can help you create an original sleeping nook, no matter if you select a full-overfull layout or a twin-over-twin arrangement or a loft that has a desk.

The basic bunk bed design is a fantastic option for most families. It has a twin bed on top, and a full-size mattress below. The lower portion is free to be used for other furniture, such as an office or storage. There are also bunk beds that have a staircase or ladder for easy access to the top bed. Some bunk beds come with an incline or tower for extra enjoyment.

If you're looking for an innovative bunk bed design, think about a clean-lined wooden platform frame with neutral colors that are easily modernized with the addition of patterns or colors. Combine it with bedding and furniture that are coordinated to create a cohesive design. This basic bunk bed from @thejamielynnshow can be dressed up for Christmas with garland and a wreath to make it feel fresh and festive. This bright treehouse loft from @pocketfulofpaint looks bright and cheerful in her daughters' bedroom with a rainbow-colored ombre rug.

Shop at your favorite store to find a castle or playhouse style bunk bed that can be customized with curtains, murals and other embellishments. You can also find a study loft that has a desk or workspace underneath. This is great for those who wish to transform their bedroom into a functional workspace.

If you have lots of floor space and a custom-built best bunk beds for small rooms space will provide plenty of sleeping space and play space for a number of children. A mezzanine balcony has been built over these beds in this East London house designed by Hunting For George. This allows children to be up high while still having enough floor space to eat and play.

Platform Beds

For a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for contemporary homes and industrial-style apartments, consider bunk beds with a platform. These bed frames don't require a box spring, but instead offer a sturdy base made of solid wood or wooden slats. This can also make the bunk beds less expensive, dependent on the design. However, they may not be suitable for people who sleep heavier and require a more solid mattress base.

Platform beds are easy to style in a variety of ways. Some feature simple headboards and footboards that give a sleek, minimal look that can be incorporated into any room. Some come with storage drawers built into them for added utility, which is useful in smaller apartments and bedrooms. And some have sconces that are built into the bunks for reading lights, an especially good idea in a bedroom where natural lighting is limited.

Solid-wood platform beds are a great investment. They can last for a long time. Wood is also a sturdy material that can resist scratches and scratches and. If you decide to go with a wooden slat bunk, it's a smart idea put a mattress protector on it to keep it clean and free of mildew and mold.

Since a platform bed doesn't have a box spring, it's a great space-saving option for smaller spaces like lofts and studio apartments. It allows for a full-size mattress to be placed in a smaller space on the floor, which makes it easier to move around the room. It also makes the space appear bigger by allowing for a more open visual space.

Another benefit of the platform bed is that it works with almost any type of mattress that includes innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid. You'll need to make sure that the slats don't come too close to each other to avoid the mattress sagging.

You can easily make an adjustable platform bed frame at home if you're on best budget bunk beds. You'll need a basic wood or metal bed frame, as well as plywood sheets cut to the dimensions of your mattress. Then, simply join the slats to the frame using wood glue and nail gun or screws. If you're worried about the slats' strength not being enough, you can add an additional layer of reinforcing slats to improve stability and support.

Ladder Bunks

Bunk beds can be a great solution for adding extra sleeping space to small rooms without having to sacrifice the floor space. If you want a bunk bed that is as stylish as it is functional, opt for one with a ladder, not an elevator. Ladders can be a great way to save space and also provide a safe climbing space for children of all different ages. To further ease the climb choose an angled ladder with hand hole cutouts that help children grasp onto to pull themselves up into the bed.

A bunk with a ladder is suitable if you intend on changing the layout of your room in the near future, since the option to move the ladder up or away from the footboard or end of the bed gives maximum flexibility. Ladders come in different lengths, widths and heights based on the size of your room.

Some children may be uncomfortable at first, because they're not used to having an area of their bed that is close to their ceiling. For those kids, it might be beneficial to create a room with a low bunk so they have a chance to adjust to the high of their new bed and avoid any potential issues.

The design of the bunk bed could influence the experience of climbing. Stairs add more steps and usually require more standing space than ladders. Stairs can also be more difficult to move, which makes them less suitable for families that move homes often.

To alleviate these concerns the bunk beds that have ladders can offer an easier climb. They can also be an excellent option for children who are ready to let go of their toddler-style steps for something that is more simple. This mezzanine style best bunk bed by Katharine poole has a fun beach theme. It also has a staircase to let children easily reach the top level while also providing a cozy area to read, play or studying.

Storage Bunks

Some bunk beds go beyond just a space-saving feature. Beds with storage built in are an excellent option for kids' rooms. They also offer the children with a place to store their belongings such as books or toys, as well as other linens. Beds with desks provide an ideal solution that lets children play and work in the same room. Stair storage is another clever option that combines safety and innovative design to make it easier for children to climb up the bunk while minimizing the risk of falling.

The basic wood bunk bed is a great choice for a neutral space, but you can also make it more attractive by adding an exciting color, such as this green shade that makes the bedroom feel cozy and fresh. A mattress cover with stripes and wall art that matches adds even more color to the space and makes this set fit for a boy or girl. If you are building a bunk bed for the shared space, select dark colors to withstand the rigors of washing and use.

Consider adding a mezzanine above the bunk beds to create a great play area if you have a large space that can fit a queen-sized bed. This lofted space features a built-in desk, cool balcony and mezzanine reading area. If your room is big enough, you could also try a triple bunk bed arrangement for both adults and children.

Bunks that have stairs are a great storage solution for small rooms, especially when they have drawers that are that are big enough to store bedding and other items. Here, a unique farmhouse bunk with a natural wood ladder and trim offers an elegant design with plenty of storage for children to keep their space clean and organized.

Putting together a bunk bed with drawers is a great option to create a sleek and modern bunk bed in any child's room, regardless of the design of the bedroom. This minimalist design created by an DIY blogger illustrates how a bunk bed can be a focal point, and still keep its design.