How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Bunk and loft beds can bring fun and function to rooms for kids. They also can help reduce space.

Find bunks designed to be flexible, such as drawers that store items in the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to take down, and stacked twins that can be separated into two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing a bunk bed for your children, you'll want to consider size, style and safety. Examine the ceiling's height to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, ensure that there is enough space around the bunks for children to move around. The beds should be enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not collide with one another or fall into the walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk can accommodate a mattress that is the same size as that of the lower one. This will allow you to avoid the need for an additional bed or trundle in the near future.

You can also pick a bunk design that is not traditional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. For example an L-shaped bunk might be perfect for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It is a great way to save floor space and can accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the upper and lower levels, based on the model you pick.

Many of the best bunk bed for teens are designed to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to move up to an adult bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example, features an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curved headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in stationary ladder that connects the upper and lower bunk beds. This gives more room for kids to play.

Another option is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in rooms that are tween. It's a great option for smaller spaces since it doesn't take up as much vertical space and also allows the lower level to be used for desks and dressers, or storage cabinets. It's also a great choice for older children because it doesn't require them to use stairs or a ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, try it out in your child's' bedroom with blue painter's tape to see how high it will rise above the ground. This will give you a feel of whether it can be easily climbed in and out of at night, without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. In addition, you should ensure your family's safety is on your mind by checking out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds. These regulations establish standards for guardrails and other features that reduce entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it is crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You should look for a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to keep children from falling or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't elevate the sleeping surface too much. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have smaller weight limits than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, check its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and they'll typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature an stairway or ladder that is securely attached to the frame and comes with side handles. Avoid bunks that have slatted sides because they are dangerous for kids to climb up or down, especially when the slats aren't securely fitted together. If your children love to play on the ground, pick an un-slung bunk that allows them to sit and play without having to be too far off the ground.

If you're limited in space or do not want to occupy too much space in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are generally about the same size as a single bed. This makes them perfect for rooms with small ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who may be intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you have more room, go for a full-over-full bunk bed. These are the most stylish and secure bunk beds that are available. They can be used for full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and bunkbedsstore sturdy option that can 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 for low chemical emissions. It's also made of sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in multiple color options.

Style

If it's a shared room or just one child, the ideal bunk bed for teens will provide something to be enthusiastic about. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in various sizes, ranging from twin over twin to full-over-full, and even queen. A twin-over-full design is popular for tweens because it lets them accommodate two children in the same space and still leaves space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the lower level. There are some options that include a trundle bed that allows the upper level to fit an additional mattress.

Tweens also love an over-king twin loft bed that occupies 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 make a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and is the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.

Consider a T-shaped or l-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. The beds feature a ladder at the top giving it a more sleek look and allows more room for a desk or dresser underneath. These beds are not as space-saving as bunk beds however, they can allow teens to have more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that can provide plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are compact and versatile, so you can move them around if your kids want to redecorate their rooms in the near future. However they're not as strong as a metal or wood bunk bed and do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are smaller and can be more convenient to climb, whereas stairs are safer and double as a seat for younger kids. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a desk and chair, allowing your child to build the perfect bedroom space for play and study.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important to think about your budget. There are many inexpensive options available, but if you want a bunk bed to last through the teens and on into adulthood, it's worth paying an extra amount for a quality product that can be used for years.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs might be prior to shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room or a full-over-full bed is perfect for adults who wish to reduce space and avoid the cost of buying a separate queen or king-sized mattress. You'll also have to decide how much headroom you want between the bottom and top bunks. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance, it might be best to opt for a lower-to-ground arrangement.

The most suitable bunk beds for teenagers are those that offer a good price and can adapt to the teenager. Choose a style that will fit in both traditional and modern rooms. Choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two twin beds if needed. This style features a modern, clean-lined silhouette, boucle upholstered guardrails 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 another way to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves beneath 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 in our list have this feature. Some even come with additional storage options, such as a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.