How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can be a great way to add fun and function in the kids' room. They can also help reduce space.

Find bunks built with flexibility, such as bottom storage drawers or a trundle bed which is easy to take down and twin beds that can be split into two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting a bunk bed for your kids you should consider size, style, and safety. Check the ceiling's height to make sure the bunks are able to fit into the space. Also, ensure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow the kids to move. The beds should be set far enough apart so that children are able to safely go up and down without having to collide with each other or the walls. It is also important to determine if the top bunk bed can support a mattress the same size as that of the lower one. This will help you avoid needing an extra bed or trundle in the future.

You can also opt for a different shape for your bunk one that is more suitable for your space. For instance an L-shaped bunk might be perfect for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save floor space and can accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on which model you choose.

Many of the best bunk bed for teens are designed to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to an adult bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed for instance, features an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curving headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk bed for kids. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in, stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This leaves more space for kids to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed, that maximizes corner spaces in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children because it eliminates the need to climb a ladder or stairs, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's bedroom by using blue painter's tape. This will allow you to determine whether it's safe to climb into and out at night without crashing into anyone or hitting the window sill. Finally, you'll want to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds. They set standards for guardrails and other features that prevent entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with children of all ages, but it's important to take into consideration the security features when you shop. You'll need to choose bunk beds with guardrails that are high enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress which doesn't raise up the mattress excessively. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have smaller weight limits than others.

When choosing the bunk bed you want, look on the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress's sizes 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 a ladder or stair that is securely attached to the frame, and has handles on the sides. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, particularly if they're not securely joined. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, go for a low-slung bottom bunk to allow them to sit up and play without being too high off the ground.

If you're limited in space or don't want to take up too much room in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are generally larger than a single bed. This makes them perfect for rooms with small ceilings. They are also suitable for children who may be scared of the higher bunks.

If you have a little more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are generally the safest and most stylish bunk beds that are available and can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will grow with children as they get older and accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it is free of harmful chemicals. It's made of sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood and comes in a range of colors.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens happy regardless of whether it's the shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more fun elements. Bunk beds come in different sizes, from twin-over-twin to full-over-full and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular with tweens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space, while still leaving space for a desk, dresser, or storage drawers in the lower part. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper level to accommodate an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says teens like a twin-over-king loft bed because it takes up less space and provides them with more space to spread out or work at home. A bunk bed made of metal with a full-length guardrail is another popular choice for older kids because it's "built to last, and it's the most sturdy adult-sized bunk," she adds.

For a truly cool bunk, think about an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are constructed with the ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a dresser or desk. These beds are not as spacious as a bunk bed uk bed however, they can provide teens with more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that will still provide plenty of safety and comfort, consider a futon bunk. Futons are portable and compact and can be moved around when you want to redecorate your child's space in the near future. They're not as sturdy as metal or wood bunk beds, and the top bed isn't equipped with guardrails.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders require less space and are easier to climb, while stairs are more secure and can serve as a seating area for younger kids. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk to allow your child to have the perfect bedroom set for both play and study.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important to consider your budget. While there are plenty of cheap options available but if you're planning on purchasing a bunk bed that can last into the teens (or even adulthood), it may be worth paying a bit more for a better design that can be used for a long time.

Before you shop bunk beds 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 who share a bedroom, while a full over full bunk is ideal for adults who want to save space or avoid the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top bunk and bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower to the ground.

The best bunk bed For teens, glamorouslengths.com, will be one that is affordable and one that will expand with them. Look for a style that is suitable for traditional and modern rooms, or opt for something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be split into two separate twin beds if you want to change the layout of your space down the road. This design has a modern elegant, clean-lined design as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another way to save money is to find an area of the bunk that is built-in storage options, like drawers under the bed or shelves below the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom tidy and free of clutter. It's also a good bunk beds option if you have a small space. A majority of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some even come with additional storage options like headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.