5 Killer Quora Answers On Best Bunk Beds For Teens

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft and bunk beds can add fun and functionality in the children's room. They can also help save space.

Choose bunks that are built with flexibility, such as drawers that store items in the bottom and a trundle bed that's easy to take down and twins that stack and can be split into two beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

You'll want to consider size as well as style and safety when choosing a bunkbed for your kids. Look at the ceiling height to make sure the bunks are able to fit in your space. Make sure there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart so that children can move up and down with ease and not collide with each other or crash into the walls. Also, you'll want to determine whether the top bunk is able to support a mattress similar to the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle or another extra bed in the future.

You can also opt for an alternative to the traditional bunk shape, which may be better suitable for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed can be ideal for a small space or a guest room shared by two people. It can save floor space and can accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the lower and upper levels, depending on which model you select.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens can grow with your kids, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time to transition to a regular double bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed has an elegant farmhouse-inspired design with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails along the top bunk. It's made from knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the top and bottom beds and leaves more floor space for kids to play on.

A loft bed is a different option that makes the most of the space at the corner in rooms that are tweens. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a great choice for older kids because it doesn't require them to climb stairs or a ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, check it out in your child's' bedroom with blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will be above the ground. This will help you determine if it is possible to climb in and out at night without bumping into anyone or hitting the window sill. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds, which set standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be a great choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it's essential to consider the safety features before buying. You should look for a bed with guard rails that are high enough to prevent kids from falling off or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have less weight limits than others.

When you are choosing a bunk bed, check its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and typically list the total bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed, and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and have side handles to ensure security. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides because they are unsafe for children to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly joined. If your kids love to play on the ground, choose an un-slung bunk that allows them to sit and play without being too far from the floor.

If you're limited in space or do not want to take up too much room in your kid's bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are typically only as wide as one single bed. This makes them perfect for rooms with small ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who may be intimidated by a higher bunk.

If you have a little more space, consider an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most stylish bunk beds that are available and can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that will grow with your child as they grow. It can also accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of harmful chemicals. It is made from sustainably harvested Baltic Birch wood and comes in a variety of colors.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens happy regardless of whether it's a shared bedroom or for only one child. Some designs are sleek and minimalist and some have more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in various sizes, from twin-over-twin to full-over-full, and even queen. A twin over full design is a favorite among teens because it allows them to sleep two children in a single room, and still leave room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers at the lower level. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress.

Tweens also love the twin over king loft bed that occupies less floor space and gives them more room to stretch out or work from home, according to Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails make a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and it's the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.

For a truly cool bunk, you should consider an l-shaped or T-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder on the end, which gives it a more sleek look and gives more space for a dresser or desk underneath. They aren't as spacious as bunk beds however they do provide teens with more space in their rooms.

If you're looking to find a more affordable bunk that will still offer plenty of security and comfort, think about a futon bunk. Futons are lightweight and adaptable, so you can move them around in case your kids are looking to revamp their rooms in the near future. They're not as sturdy as wood or metal bunk beds and the top bed does not have guardrails.

Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are more efficient and less space-consuming to climb. Stairs, on other hand, can be used as a seating area by younger children. Some models are even able to convert into a desk and chair, allowing your child to have the ultimate bedroom suite to study or play.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it's essential to think about your budget. There are many inexpensive options out there, if you're planning on purchasing a bunk bed that is designed to last through the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a little more for a better design that will last for many years to come.

Before you begin shopping think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleep needs might be. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for rooms with siblings or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults who wish to save space and avoid the expense of purchasing an additional queen or king mattress. You'll also need to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If kids bedroom furniture are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example, it might be best to opt for a lower-to-ground configuration.

The best bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable, and one that can expand with them. Pick a design that can fit in both traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds, if needed. This style has a sleek, contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a stationary ladder that's simple for children to climb and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is another option to save money. This can include 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 useful if you have a small room. Many of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.