How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

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

Choose bunk beds that can be adapted, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that's easy to remove. You can also find stacked twins which can be divided to create two beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll need to consider the size design, style, and security when selecting a bunk bed for your children. Examine the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks can fit in the space. Also, make sure that there's enough space around the bunks for the kids to move. The beds should be spaced sufficiently apart that kids can safely move up and down without having to hit each other or the walls. Additionally, you should determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress that is the same size as the bottom one so you don't have to pay for a trundle or an extra bed in the future.

You could also choose a different shape for your bunk that is suitable for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save the floor space and can also accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on both the upper and lower levels, based on the model you select.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens will expand with your kids, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time for them to move to a normal double bed. For instance, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired style with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an attached ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom, leaving more floor space for children to play on.

Another alternative is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in rooms that are tween. It's an excellent option for smaller spaces because it doesn't require the same amount of vertical space and allows the bottom level to be used as a desk and dressers, or storage cabinets. It's an excellent choice for older children since it eliminates the use of a ladder or stairway, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, test it out in your kids' bedroom with blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will be above the ground. This will give you a feel of whether it could be easily climbed into and out of at night without bumping heads or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. It is also important to think about the safety of your family members by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These regulations include guardrails and features to stop falls or entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with kids of all ages, but it's important to take into consideration the safety features when shopping. You'll need bunk beds with guardrails that are tall enough to keep children from falling over or getting trapped as well as a mattress that doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity, since certain bunks are less able than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, make sure to check its manufacturer's website for specifications regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines for the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum capacity for the weight of the upper bunk bed and the bunk.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature stairs or ladders that is securely attached to the frame, and has handles on the sides. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides because they are unsafe for children to climb up and down, especially in the case where the slats haven't been tightly joined. If your kids love playing on the ground, opt for a low-slung bottom bunk so that they can sit up and play without being too high off the floor.

If you have a limited space or do not want to take up the entire space of your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are generally larger than a single bed. This makes them ideal for small rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who might be intimidated by higher bunks.

If you have more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are generally the most secure and fashionable bunk beds that are available and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that can grow with your child's growth. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of chemicals. It is made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood and comes in a range of colors.

Style

If it's the shared room or one child, the ideal bunk bed will give teens something to be happy about. Some designs are sleek and minimalistic while others have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in a variety of sizes, including twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with teens, as it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while leaving enough space for a desk dresser, or storage drawers in the lower part. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress.

Fenton says teens love a twin-over-king loft bed because it takes up less space and gives them more space to spread out and work at home. A best bunk beds for heavy adults bed made of metal with a full-length guardrail is a popular option for older children because it's "built to last, and is the most sturdy adult-sized bunk," she adds.

For a really cool bunk, consider a T-shaped or l-shaped design that's basically a platform bed elevated. These beds are constructed with the ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more room for a dresser or desk. They're not as efficient at saving space like a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens that gives them more space in their rooms.

Think about a futon bunk bed If you're looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are compact and versatile which means you can move them around if your children are looking to revamp their rooms in the near future. However they're not as strong as a wood or metal bunk bed and don't have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and can double as a seat for smaller kids. Some models are capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's important to factor in your budget when you shop. Although there are plenty of best affordable bunk beds options If you're thinking of buying a bunk bed that will last through the teens (or even adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit extra for a quality design that will be used for many years to come.

Before you start shopping, consider who will be sleeping in the best triple bunk bed, and what their sleeping needs could be. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for siblings sharing a room or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults looking to make space and avoid the expense of buying a separate queen or king mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, you might want to choose a bed that is lower than the ground.

The best triple bunk beds bunk beds for teenagers are those that offer a good price and can grow with the teenager. 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 divided into two beds, if needed. This style features a modern, clean-lined silhouette as well as boucle upholstered guardrails a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It is also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another way to save money is to choose a bunk that has built-in storage, such as drawers under the bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. It's also a good option in the case of a small room. A majority of the bunks on our list offer this feature, and a few offer additional storage options like a bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.