The space they take up is greatly reduced by bunk beds, making them a great choice for households. Additionally, they are perfect for young people who host regular sleepovers with their closest friends.
But how do you go about selecting a bunk bed that is both sturdy and suitable for your home and children?
You are reading: Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Best Bunk Beds 12/2024
In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide to bunk beds, including information on how to use them and suggestions for the top bunk beds currently on the market.
Why Use Bunk Beds?
Many factors suggest that bunk beds would be a good fit for your family:
- Space-saving:Because they only take up half the space that a regular bed does, bunk beds leave more room for tables, couches, and play areas.
- Money-saving:You can save a lot of money on a bed by not purchasing the optional headboard, box spring, or any other costly accessories.
- FlexibleIt is possible to convert some bunk beds into two single beds by separating the lower bunk. Some can be transformed into chairs, tables, or couches.
- Social:It’s convenient to have a trundle underneath a bunk bed for guests or extra sleeping space.
- Insights from Real Life:Bunk beds teach kids cooperation, compromise, and adaptability as they force individuals to share a sleeping area.
- Privacy:In contrast to traditional beds, bunk beds allow each child more personal space.
- Fun:In some cases, like when camping, it’s more enjoyable to spend the night in a confined or lofty location.
Are Bunk Beds Dangerous for Kids?
Bunk beds, like many other things, are not automatically unsafe. As a result, they are not always safe and may be used irresponsibly at times. Bunk beds are safe for children when purchased from a reputable retailer and used as intended.
What Age Is Safe for Bunk Beds?
Children under the age of six are not recommended to sleep in the top bunk, according to most experts.(1)Children under the age of six lack the motor skills necessary to safely access the top bunk.
Any parent will tell you that kids that young still occasionally fall out of bed, so the top bunk isn’t a good idea.
How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds
DIY bunk bed plans are widely available online in the form of articles and video tutorials. Don’t do it unless you know what you’re doing. Instead, opt for bunk beds made by a trusted brand.
Some things to think about when buying bunk beds for your kids are the ones listed here.
Material
The primary options are metal or wood. Neither is inherently superior to the other; rather, your decision should be based on personal preference.
Storage
Take a moment to ponder the following questions:
- Would you prefer standard bunk beds, or bunk beds with built-in shelves and/or storage drawers?
- Will there be room for additional pieces of furniture on the floor?
- Do the drawers fit under the mattress?
- Can I store things in the area under the bottom bunk?
Safety
You should measure the height of the top bunk to make sure your child won’t hit their head if they get up suddenly in the middle of the night.
Find out how much of a mattress topper the maker of your bunk bed suggests. Avoid using a box spring and stick to mattresses of this depth instead.
Inspect the bed’s attachments, especially the ladder and side rails, to make sure they are stable and secure.
Make sure the guardrail will extend over the top of the mattress by at least 5 inches by measuring from the floor to the top of the guardrail and back down again.
Keep in mind that there is a strict weight restriction on the top bunk. You shouldn’t put too much pressure on it.
Size
How much room do you want the bunk beds to take up on the floor? Make sure the beds’ footprint fits your room by measuring it.
Ceiling Height
Take into account not only the height of the bunk beds themselves, but also the distance that the top bunk’s mattress must travel before it touches the ceiling. Also, warn your kid not to try standing on the top bunk, as this could result in a nasty head smack.
Adaptability
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Think about whether or not the bunk beds you’re interested in can be unhooked to create two separate beds.
It is a good idea to look for bunk beds where the lower bed can be used as a bench, a table, or some other furniture piece.
Trundle Options
There are bunk beds that include a trundle underneath the lower bunk, which can be used for overnight guests or, in a pinch, to accommodate a third child in the room.
The Best Bunk Beds
We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the top bunk beds available right now.
1. Bedz King Stairway Bunk Beds
Bunk beds with an attached staircase instead of a ladder are a great choice for parents worried about their children’s safety.
The Bedz King Stairway features a three-step staircase that is 22.5 inches wide and is enclosed by a barrier. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean the stairwell is enclosed by walls. The railings and banister of a stairway are what serve as the barrier here.
There are two drawers under the bed and one in each of the steps. The storage drawers beneath the bed aren’t mounted on drawer glides or otherwise integrated into the frame. The drawers, on the other hand, are mounted on four wheels that make them simple to roll across carpet or hardwood.
There is no cross bracing and the distance between each slat is about 2 3/4 inches. There is a warning from the maker that a memory foam mattress will eventually flatten out and get stuck in the gaps between the slats.
Pros
- The bottom bunk of a bunk bed can be pulled out to make two standard twin beds.
- Either side of the bed is suitable for the stairway.
- Includes all necessary tools for building.
Cons
- When separated into two single beds, the staircase opening can be used as extra storage space in the footboard.
2. Dorel Living Clearwater Triple Bunk Beds
The triple bunk bed from Dorel Living combines a standard set of bunk beds with an “L”-shaped loft bed. The triple bunk bed can be placed in a corner of a room with the lower bunks on the left and the upper loft on the right.
The sturdy wooden frame can easily support the weight of three young children. If you need a fourth bed, there is room under the loft for a small futon or toddler bed. Under the loft, there is enough space for a table and chairs, chest of drawers, bookshelves, or other storage if you don’t need a fourth bed space.
Dorel Living’s triple bunk beds could be the perfect space-saving solution for a kid’s room with three occupants.
Pros
- There is more vertical space than on bunk beds with three tiers.
- Room for activities or stuff.
- Bed frames with slats to hold the mattress up.
Cons
- The bunk beds can’t be placed on the right, and the loft can’t be placed on the left.
- Children who are particularly tall or heavy may outgrow the bed, as it has a weight limit of 165 pounds per bed.
3. Max & Lily Low Bunk Bed
The Max & Lily low bunk bed is a good option if your children are on the younger end of the safe bunk bed age range.
In the event that a child rolls out of bed on the lower bunk, the maximum distance they could fall is the two inches provided by the slats and the height of their mattress. The upper bunk, meanwhile, is outfitted with standard safety features like guard rails on all four sides.
Moreover, each bunk can support up to 400 pounds, which is a huge bonus. You won’t have to worry about falling off the bottom bunk if you climb up to read your child a bedtime story.
Pros
- Its low profile (just 50 inches) makes it a good choice even in spaces with limited headroom.
- Its railings are 14 inches high.
- A detachable slide is included.
- It has a weight capacity that is higher than most bunk beds.
Cons
- Due to its low height, the bottom bunk is not appropriate for older kids.
4. Dorel Living Brady Wood Bunk Beds
When square footage is at a premium, the Brady solid wood bunk beds can accommodate two adults and a child, or three adults. The Brady is a versatile bunk bed that can be easily transformed into a twin or full-size bed, making it ideal for use as a guest bed or in a smaller home.
The upper guardrail can be moved to either end of the bunk beds to reveal an easy-to-climb, four-step ladder. You can skip the box spring by using just a mattress on either of the bunks, as they are equipped with slats for support.
However, the manufacturer suggests using no more than a 6-inch mattress. Some people may need something thicker to use the lower full-size bunk, and this may not be it.
Pros
- You can occasionally share a bed with your young child by sleeping in the lower bunk.
- Rather than being a single bunk bed, it can be separated into two separate beds.
- Affordable.
Cons
- The lower bunk’s maximum thickness of 6 inches may not be adequate for some people’s long-term comfort.
5. Meritline Convertible Dorm Loft Bunk Beds
The Meritline convertible loft bunk beds are one of a kind in that they can be used as a bed, a bench, a table, and even a second bunk thanks to their clever design. This bunk bed is perfect for kids’ rooms, studio apartments, and other small living quarters.
The soft bench cushions that come with the bunk bed can double as a makeshift bed if needed. A regular twin size mattress would be more comfortable if a child was going to be sleeping on the bottom bunk for an extended period of time.
The bunk beds have two rolling drawers for storage that can be tucked away under the bench seating. When the bed is transformed into a bunk, these drawers will still fit underneath the lower bed.
Pros
- Offers a bed, sofa, table, and additional bed in one convenient location.
- A quick adjustment and you can have a comfortable bed in no time.
- There’s a great space for playing or studying.
Cons
- Offers a spare bed for guests on occasion rather than a permanent sleeping arrangement.
6. DHP Miles Twin Metal Bunk Bed
Many bunk beds that sit low to the ground are meant for toddlers and preschoolers, so the actual sleeping area is often quite cramped. While still taking up as little floor space as possible, the DHP Miles bunk beds can comfortably accommodate two adults.
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These bunk beds take up much less room on the floor and walls than conventional bunk beds, and their simple style makes them look more like furniture. Because of this, smaller pieces of furniture are preferable in rooms where larger pieces would feel too confining.
With slats spaced at just 3.5 inches apart, you can skip the extra expense and clutter of a box spring or board under your mattress.
Pros
- Minimalist, straightforward construction.
- The railings are a generous 12.50 inches high.
- The weight limit per bunk is a whopping 200 pounds.
Cons
- Head space can become an issue with the use of a thicker mattress on the bottom.
7. Discovery World Furniture Mission Bunk Beds
Finding a high-quality bunk bed with integrated storage that has as much space as the Mission may be impossible.
There is a built-in dresser with four drawers into the staircase leading to the upper bunk. This dresser features four large drawers, much more than you’d get in the “mini” drawers found on some bunk beds.
Finally, there are three storage drawers located beneath the lower bed. These utilize the full height and width of the space under the bed.
Your little late-night reader will appreciate the extra storage space provided by the magazine/book rack attached to the rear of the dresser in the bottom bunk.
Pros
- Abundant space for storing things.
- It doesn’t matter which end you put the stairwell at.
- Mattresses up to 8 inches in thickness can fit.
Cons
- This bed cannot be split into two separate beds.
8. WE Furniture Wooden Twin Bunk Beds
When shopping for bunk beds, many of us try to find ones that can be disassembled into two separate beds. However, converting your bunk beds into two single beds is a viable alternative that is often disregarded. We did that with some WE Furniture twin bunk beds.
Prior to our youngest two being of age for bunk beds, we used this set as two individual twin beds. Then, when they were old enough to sleep in peace, we converted their beds into bunks. After they retired to their individual quarters, we once again created sleeping space by putting a curtain between the two beds.
These bunk beds can be used as separate units or stacked for a space-saving solution, and they retain their good looks regardless of how you choose to arrange them.
Pros
- Buildings that last a long time and are built well.
- Trundle bed is perfect for guests or sleepovers.
- Completely polished, visually pleasing.
Cons
- It may take a few weeks for the wood’s finish to lose its lingering odor.
9. DHP Junior Twin Low Bunk Beds
The DHP low bunk beds are an exception because of their high quality and low price.
These bunk beds are a little different from the norm because they sit low to the ground (but are not on the floor) and feature high-quality, securely fastened metal slats along the length of both bunks. A box spring or bunk board is unnecessary for use with any mattress, saving you even more money.
You can also get this set of bunk beds in black or white, but for some reason those are more expensive than the silver. Unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, a silver finish can make a space feel clinical and clinical.
Pros
- The upper bunk has a weight limit of 200 pounds, while the lower bunk can hold up to 250 pounds.
- The mattress on the bottom bunk can be up to eight inches thick.
Cons
- Older, taller children may not be comfortable in such a low-height setting.
10. Harper & Bright Trundle Bunk Bed with Drawers
The Harper & Bright trundle bed is a good option if you need a simple bunk bed but value the added security provided by an attached staircase leading to the upper bunk.
The bunk bed’s four-step staircase can be positioned at either end. The top three steps of the staircase feature drawers for storage and a safety rail on both sides. The bottom stair lacks a drawer for obvious reasons.
This set of bunk beds includes a trundle bed, perfect for extra guests or sleepovers. To prevent the trundle from rocking back and forth while in use, simply take off the castors. The trundle bed and the two standard bunks do not have mattresses.
Pros
- Stable stairwell, suitable for installation on either end.
- Included trundle bed.
- A rail surrounds the lofted bed.
Cons
- Three separate shipments, arrival dates for which cannot be guaranteed.
- There’s a significant time commitment involved.
FAQ
What kind of mattress goes with bunk beds?
It is recommended by most bunk bed manufacturers that the top bunk’s mattress be no more than 8 inches high. By adhering to this safety tip, you can prevent the top sleeper from accidentally rolling out of bed.
You should choose a mattress that has a depth that is at least 8 inches if you plan on using a bunkie board below it or a mattress topper on top of it. (For specific instructions for your bunk bed, please refer to the owner’s manual that came with it.)
How tall are bunk beds?
A typical set of bunk beds will be between 5.5 and 6 feet tall, though you can also find 4-foot-tall units and 7-foot-tall triple-bed sets. Be sure to measure to ensure that there will be at least two feet of headroom between the top bunk and the ceiling.
Are bunk beds safe?
Bunk beds are generally safe, but mishaps can and do occur. The annual average number of injuries attributable to bunk beds is 36,000. Over half of these injuries happen to children younger than 5 years old, so bunk beds are a great way to reduce the risk of injury for kids aged 6 and up.2
Prioritize recommended safety features like side rails with openings of no more than 15 inches at either end and no more than 3.5 inches between gaps (to prevent strangulation) when shopping. If you have young children, it is best to use a bunk bed that has built-in stairs and a handrail rather than a ladder. The final piece of advice is to always use the product in accordance with the manual’s instructions.
What age is recommended for bunk beds?
Only children over the age of six should sleep in bunk beds. Because of the risk of falling out and the inability to climb safely out of the upper bunk, bunk beds should not be used in bedrooms with children under the age of 6.
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