How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft beds can bring fun and function to children's rooms. They can also help save space.

Look for bunks that are designed to be flexible, such as bottom storage drawers, a trundle bed that's easily removed, and twin beds that can be separated into two beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When selecting a bunk bed for your children you should consider size, style and safety. Make sure you check the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks are able to fit into the space. Also, ensure that there's enough space around the bunks for the children to move. The beds should be spaced enough apart to allow kids to climb and descend safely and not run into one another or fall into walls. Additionally, you should find out if the top bunk can support a mattress similar to the bottom one, so that you won't need for a trundle, or an additional bed in the future.

You can also choose an arrangement for your bunk that isn't traditional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. For example, an L-shaped bunk can be perfect for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It saves floor space and can accommodate a queen or twin over full mattress on the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you choose.

Many of the best triple bunk beds bunk bed for teens are made to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to a double bed. For example, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed is a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in, stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower 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 smaller spaces because it takes up less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's an excellent choice for older children since it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway and makes it more accessible for large children and adults.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, try it in your children' bedroom with blue painter's tape to determine how high it will rise off the ground. This will give you a sense of whether it is easily climbed in and out of at night without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to take into consideration the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails as well as features that prevent entrapment or falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with kids of all ages, but it's important to consider the safety features when buying. You'll want to look for a bed with rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.

When choosing the bunk bed you want, look on its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress's sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and will typically list the total bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The best low profile bunk beds bunk beds will be sturdy and feature stairs or ladders that is securely attached to the frame and has side handles. It is also recommended to avoid bunks that have slatted sides because they are dangerous for kids to climb up or down, particularly when the slats aren't securely connected. If your children love playing on the ground, you should opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to let them sit and play without being too high off the floor.

If you have a limited space or don't want to take up the entire space of your kid's bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. They take up less space and are usually only about the same size as a single bed. This makes them ideal for small rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for children who may feel intimidated by the higher bunks.

If you have more space, consider a full-over-full-size bunk bed. These are usually the safest and most stylish bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will grow with children as they get older and accommodates trundle mattresses (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of chemical. It's made from sustainably harvested Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a variety of colors.

Style

The right bunk bed can make teens happy regardless of whether it's in the bedroom of a couple or only one child. Some designs are minimalist and sleek and others have more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. A twin over full style is popular for tweens because it lets them sleep two children in a single room, and still has room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower level. There are some options with trundle beds which allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says that tweens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it takes up less space and provides them with more space best place to get bunk beds spread out and work at home. A metal bunk bed with a full-length guardrail is a popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most durable, grown-up bunk," she adds.

For a truly cool bunk, you should consider an T-shaped or L-shaped design, which where is the best place to buy bunk beds basically an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder on the end, which gives it a more sleek look and allows more room for a desk or dresser under. They aren't as space-saving as a bunk bed however, they can give teens more room in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk If you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are portable and compact, so they can be moved around in case you're planning to redesign your child's bedroom in the near future. However they're not as sturdy as a metal or wood bunk bed and don't have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs on the other hand, can be used as seats by younger children. Some models are even capable of being converted into a chair and desk which allows your child to have the ultimate bedroom suite to study or play.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if you want a bunk bed to endure through your teens and even into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more for a quality product that can be used indefinitely.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be prior to shopping. For instance, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room and a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to save space and avoid the expense of buying a separate queen or king mattress. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower than the ground.

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

Another option to save money is to find a bunk with built-in storage, such as drawers beneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This will allow you to keep the bedroom clutter-free, and it's especially useful for those who have smaller space. Many of the bunks in our list have this feature. Some even offer additional storage options, such as a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.