How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and utility to kids' rooms. They can also help to save space.

Choose bunk beds that are able to be moved like ones with drawers on the bottom or trundles that are easily removed. There are also twins that are stacked, which can be divided to create two separate beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing a bunk bed for your kids, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Consider the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to fit into your space, and make sure there's enough room for your kids to move around them. The beds should be set far enough apart so that children are able to safely go up and down without having to hit one another or the walls. Also, you'll need to find out whether the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one so that you won't need for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.

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

Many of the best bunk beds for teens bunk bed for teens are built to adapt to your child's needs by converting into two independent double beds when they're ready to the size of a double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example is the classic farmhouse look with curving headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has a stationary built-in ladder that connects the bottom and top beds, leaving more floor space for children to play on.

Another alternative is a loft bed, which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a good choice for older kids because it doesn't require them to climb an elevator or ladder, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room by using blue painter's tape. This will give you an idea of whether it can be easily climbed in and out of at night, without bumping heads or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You should also consider the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails and features that protect against falls and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be an ideal option for families with children of all different ages. However, it's crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll need bunk beds with railings that are high enough to keep children from falling or becoming trapped and a mattress that does not raise the mattress too much. You should also be aware of the weight capacity, since certain bunks have lower limits than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, make sure to check the website of the manufacturer for details on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines regarding how thick the top best bunk bed with desk mattress can be, and often list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best convertible bunk beds bunk beds are sturdy constructed, and the ladder or stairs should attach to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles to ensure security. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they are dangerous for children to climb, particularly if they're not securely connected. If your kids love playing on the ground, opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to allow them to play and sit without being too high off the ground.

If you have a limited space or do not want to take up the entire space of the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. These are smaller in size and are usually about the same width as a single bed which is why they're perfect for smaller rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for children of smaller age who may feel intimidated by high bunk beds.

If you require a little more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best price bunk beds choice. These are usually the safest and most fashionable bunk beds that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is a stylish and sturdy option that grows with your child's growth. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made of sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in a variety of colors options.

Style

If it's an entire room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed for teens will provide something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are sleek, minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. A twin over full design is popular with teens since it gives them room to accommodate two children in a single room, and still leaves space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers at the lower level. Some options come with Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress.

Teens also love a twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, according to Fenton. A bunk bed made of metal with a full-length guardrail is another popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy grown-up bunk available," she adds.

Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder at the top that gives it a more sleek look and gives more space for a dresser or desk under. These beds aren't as space-saving as a bunk bed, but they provide teens with more space in their rooms.

If you're looking to find a more affordable bunk that can offer plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible which means you can move them around in case your kids wish to redesign their rooms in the future. However, they're not as durable as a metal or wood bunk bed, and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on the other hand, can be used as a seat for children younger than. Some models are even able to convert into a desk and chair, allowing your child to create the perfect bedroom set-up for study time and playtime.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major purchase, so it's essential to factor in your budget when buying. While there are plenty of cheap options available If you're thinking of purchasing a bunk bed that will last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit more for a better design that can be used for a long time.

Before you shop take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. For instance, a twin over a twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room and a full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults who wish to reduce space and avoid the cost of buying an additional queen or king mattress. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bunks at the top and bottom. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it may be better to go with a lower-to ground arrangement.

The best triple bunk bunk beds for teens are ones that are affordable and can adapt to the teen. Choose a design that can work in traditional and modern rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space in the future. This style features a modern elegant, clean-lined design with boucle-upholstered guardrails, boucle upholstered railings and an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is an additional option to save money. It could be drawers under the lower bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. It's also helpful if you have a small room. Many of the bunks on our list come with this option, and a few come with additional storage options like bookcase headboards for the upper bunk, and a desk for the bottom.