How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

best bunk bed brands and loft bed can bring fun and utility in the children's room. They also can help save space.

Choose bunks that are designed to be flexible, such as drawers that store items in the bottom and a trundle bed that's easy to remove and twin beds that can be split into two separate beds. Also, think about the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You should take into consideration size as well as style and safety when selecting a bunk bed for your children. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in your space, and make sure there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be spaced enough apart so that children can move up and down with ease and not bump into each other or smash into walls. Also, you'll need to find out if the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one so you won't need for a trundle or another extra bed in the near future.

You may also opt for a non-traditional bunk shape, which may be better for your space. For example, an L-shaped bunk can be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It will save space on the floor, and also accommodate a queen-sized or twin-over-full mattress on both upper and lower levels depending on the model you choose.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens can be adapted to your children's needs by converting into two independent beds when it's time to transition to a regular double bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with curving headboards and wagon-themed guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an inbuilt stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for kids to play.

A loft bed is a different option that can maximize the space at the corner in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's a great choice for older children since it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with blue painter tape. This will give you an idea of whether it is easily climbed in and out at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds, which define standards for guardrails as well as other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be an ideal option for families with children of all ages. However, it is essential to consider the safety features before purchasing. You should look for a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't elevate the bed's surface too high. You should also pay attention to the capacity for weight, as certain bunks have lower limits than others.

When you are choosing a bunk bed, check its manufacturer's website for specifications regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and often list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature stairs or ladders that is securely attached to the frame and comes with handles on the sides. Avoid bunks with slatted sides as they could be dangerous for kids to climb up or down, particularly in the case where the slats haven't been tightly fitted together. If your children like to play on the ground, select a bunk with a low slung that lets them sit and play without being too far off the floor.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you do not have enough space in your child's room or if you do not want it to take up a lot of space. These are smaller in size and are usually about the same width as a single bed, so they're ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also ideal for younger kids, who might feel intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you have a little more room, go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. They are typically the most secure and elegant bunk beds available on the market 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 development as they grow. It can also accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate adults and older teens. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably sourced Baltic Birch wood. Additionally, it comes in multiple color options.

Style

It's for the shared room or one kid, the right bunk bed will give teens something to be happy about. Many designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in different sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full, and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular with teens because it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space while leaving enough space for a desk, dresser, or drawers for storage at the bottom. There are some options with Trundle beds that permit the upper level to fit an additional mattress for sleepovers.

Tweens also love the twin over king loft bed, which takes up less floor space and provides them with more space to sprawl out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are another popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and it's the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.

If you want a cool bunk, you should consider an T-shaped or l-shaped design that's basically a platform bed elevated. They're designed with a ladder at their end. This gives them a sleeker look and more room to set up a desk or dresser. These beds are not as spacious as bunk beds however they do allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk If you're looking for an affordable bunk bed that is affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are small and flexible and can be moved them around in case your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However they're not as strong as a wood or metal bunk bed, and they don't have guardrails on the top bed.

Bunks that include ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders require less space and can be more convenient to climb, while stairs are more secure and can serve as a seat for younger children. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair so that your child can have the ideal bedroom set for both study and play.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major investment, so it's important 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 is designed to last into the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit extra for a quality design that will be used for a long time.

Before you shop, consider who will be sleeping on the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs might be. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults who want to reduce space and avoid the cost of purchasing an additional queen or king-sized mattress. You'll also have to decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the bottom and top bunks. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it could be beneficial to opt for a lower-to-ground configuration.

The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those which are priced at a reasonable price and can grow with the teen. Find a design that can work in both modern and traditional rooms, or choose something similar to the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice option for the Spruce. It can be split into two separate twin beds if you want to change the layout of your space later on. This style has a sleek, modern silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a ladder that's easy for kids to climb up and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for environmental and social responsibility.

Another option to save money is to find a bunk that has built-in storage, for example drawers under the bed or a shelf below the top. This will help keep your bedroom clutter-free and it's especially useful if you're working with a small space. Many of the bunks on our list have this option, and a few have additional storage accessories available such as a bookcase headboard for the top bunk and a desk for the bottom.