Five Killer Quora Answers On Best Bunk Beds For Teens

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and utility to children's rooms. They also can help reduce space.

Look for bunk beds that can be adapted, such as those with bottom storage drawers or trundles that are easy to take off. There are also twins that are stacked, which can be divided to create two separate beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing bunk beds for your kids you should consider size, style and safety. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in your space. Make sure there's enough room for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to climb and descend safely and not run into one another or fall into the walls. Also, you'll need to determine if the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one so you don't have to pay for a trundle or an additional bed in the future.

You may also opt for an alternative to the traditional bunk shape one that is more suitable for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It can help save the floor space and can allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the upper and lower levels depending on the model you select.

A lot of the top bunk beds for teens are made to grow with your child and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to the size of a double bed. For instance the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed has a classic farmhouse-inspired style with the curved headboards and the wagon-themed guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand pine and has a stationary built-in ladder that connects the top and bottom beds, leaving more floor space for children to play on.

A loft bed is an alternative option that can maximize the space around corners in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children since it eliminates the need to use an elevator or ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before purchasing any type of bunk bed, check it in your children bedroom using blue painter's adhesive to see how high it will be above the ground. This will give you an idea of whether it is easily climbed into and out at night without bumping heads or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You'll also want to think about the safety of your family members by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features to prevent entrapment or falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be the ideal choice for families with children of all different ages. However, it's essential to consider the safety features before buying. You'll want to look for a bed with guard rails that are tall enough to keep children from falling over or becoming trapped, and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep 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 the website of the manufacturer for details regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines regarding how thick the 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 have an stairway or ladder that is attached securely to the frame and comes with side handles. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels as they can be dangerous for children to climb, particularly if they're not securely fitted together. If your children love to play on the ground, pick a low-slung bunk that lets them play and sit without being too far off the ground.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you don't have much space in the room of your child or if you don't want it to take up a lot of space. They are smaller in size and are typically only about the same width as a single bed which is why they're perfect for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They're also more practical for kids who might be scared of a higher bunk.

If you're looking for a little more space, a full-overfull bunk bed is the best twin bunk beds option. These are usually the safest and most fashionable bunk beds on the market and can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that can grow with your child as they grow. It can even 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 is available in a variety of color options.

Style

The right bunk bed can make teens feel happy regardless of whether it's in the shared bedroom or for only one child. Many designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds come in different sizes, ranging from twin over twin to full-over-full or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular with tweens, as it allows them to sleep two children in the same room while leaving enough space for a desk dresser, or storage drawers at the bottom. Certain designs have trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Fenton says that teens are awestruck by a twin-over king loft bed because it occupies less space and gives them the space to spread out or work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are another popular choice for older kids because they're "built to last and are the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is essentially a raised platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the top, which gives the appearance of a sleeker design and gives more space for a dresser or desk beneath. These beds aren't as spacious as bunk beds, but they provide teens with more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for an affordable bed that will offer plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are portable and compact which means they can be moved around when you're planning to redesign your child's space in the near future. They're not as sturdy as metal or wood bunk beds, and the top bed has no guardrails.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders take up less space and are easier to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seating area for younger children. Some models are even able to convert into a desk and chair and allow your child to have the perfect bedroom space for play and study.

Budget

When choosing a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are many cheap options available If you're thinking of buying a bunk bed that will last into the teens (or even into adulthood), it may be worth paying a bit extra for a best quality bunk beds design that will be used for a long time.

Before you shop take into consideration who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs might be. For instance, a best twin over twin bunk beds-over-twin configuration is great for families with multiple children and a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults who wish to make space and avoid the cost of buying an additional queen or king mattress. You'll also need best place to buy bunk beds online decide the amount of headroom you'd like between the top and bottom bunks--if kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to choose a lower-to-ground configuration.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be a good value, and one that can adapt to their needs. Find a design that can work in traditional and modern rooms, or opt for something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be split into two separate twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space down the road. This design features a contemporary sleek, clean lines, boucle upholstered guardrails and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another way to save money is to locate a bunk that has built-in storage options, like drawers beneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This can help you keep the bedroom clutter-free, and is particularly useful for those who have the space of a small one. A majority of the bunks on our list come with this feature. Some even offer additional storage options, such as headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.