Five Killer Quora Answers To Best Bunk Beds For Teens

How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and functionality in the room for kids. They can also help to save space.

Find bunk beds that can be adapted like those with bottom storage drawers or a trundle that's easily removed. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to create two separate beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

When you're choosing a bunk bed for your children You'll need to think about the size, style and security. Consider the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to fit in your space. Make sure there's enough room for your kids bedroom furniture to move around them. The beds should be far enough apart so that children can move up and down with ease and not bump into one another or fall into the walls. You'll also want to check whether the top bunk bed can support a mattress similar to that of the bottom one. This will help you avoid having to buy bunk beds an additional bed or trundle in the future.

You may also opt for a different shape for your bunk that is for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk could be perfect for a small bedroom or even a shared guest room. It saves the floor space and can fit a queen or twin over full mattress on each of the upper and lower levels, depending on which 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 for them to transition to a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example it has the classic farmhouse look with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on 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 leaves more space for children to play.

A loft bed is an alternative option that maximizes the space at the corner in rooms with tweens. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and lets you use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's a great choice for older children since it doesn't require stairs or ladders, making it more accessible to adults and children of larger sizes.

Before purchasing any type of bunk bed, check it in your children' bedroom with blue painter's tape to determine how high it will be above the ground. This will give you a feel of whether it could 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. Finally, you'll want to keep your family's safety in mind by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds. They define standards for guardrails as well as other features that prevent entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds can be an ideal option for families with children of all age groups. However, it's crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll need to find bunk beds with guardrails that are tall enough to stop children from falling or becoming trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise up the sleeping surface too much. Be sure to be aware of the weight capacity, as certain bunks are less able than others.

When you are choosing the bunk bed you want, look on its manufacturer's website for specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top buy bunk bed mattress should be, and typically list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The best bunk beds are sturdily constructed and the ladder or stairs should be attached to the frame securely and be equipped with side handles to ensure security. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, especially if they're poorly fitted together. If your kids love playing on the ground, go for a lower-slung bunk to let them sit and play without being too high off the floor.

Pick an L-shaped mattress if you don't have much space in the room of your child or if you do not want it to take up much space. They require less space and are typically only as wide as one single bed. This makes them perfect for rooms with small ceilings. They're also ideal for younger kids, who might feel intimidated by the higher bunk.

If you have more room, go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. They are generally the safest and most elegant bunk beds available on the market, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an attractive and sturdy option that grows with your child as they grow. It can also accommodate Trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably sourced Baltic birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

The ideal bunk bed will make teens happy regardless of whether it's the shared bedroom or for only one child. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more fun elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-over-twin, full-overfull, or even queen. The twin-over-full style is popular among teens because it allows the possibility of sleeping two children in the same space, while leaving space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower part. There are some options that include a trundle bed that allows the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress.

Tweens also love the twin over king loft bed that occupies less floor space and provides them with more room to stretch out or work from home, according to Fenton. Metal bunk beds with an extended guardrail is a popular option for older children because it's "built to last, and is the most durable grown-up bunk available," she adds.

For a truly cool bunk, consider a l-shaped or T-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder on the end giving the appearance of a sleeker design and allows more room for a desk or dresser beneath. These beds are not as space-saving as bunk beds, but they give teens more room in their rooms.

If you're looking to find a more affordable bunk that can offer plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are lightweight and portable which means they can be moved around when you want to redecorate your child's space in the future. However they're not as sturdy as a wood or metal bunk bed and they don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders require less space and are more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seat for smaller kids. Some models can even be able to convert into a chair and desk which allows your child to have the ultimate bedroom suite for play and study.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it's essential to consider your budget. While there are plenty of affordable options, if you're planning on purchasing a bunk bed that will last through the teens (or even into adulthood) it could be worth paying a bit extra for a quality design that will last for a long time.

Consider who will use the bunk bed and what their sleep needs may be before you start shopping. For example, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a room and a full-over-full bunk is ideal for adults looking to save space and avoid the expense of buying a separate queen or king mattress. It is also important to determine how much headroom you want between the bunks at the top and bottom. If children are still sleeping in toddler beds, for example it could be beneficial to go with a lower-to ground configuration.

The best bunk beds for teens are those that offer a good price and can grow with the teenager. Look for a style that is suitable for both modern and traditional rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice pick for the Spruce--which can be divided into two freestanding twin beds in case you want to change the layout of your space in the future. This design has a modern, clean-lined silhouette with boucle-upholstered guardrails, boucle upholstered railings and an easy-to-climb, stationary ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

Another option to save money is to locate a bunk that has built-in storage, such as drawers beneath the lower bed or shelves below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clutter-free and is particularly useful if you're working with smaller space. Many of the bunks listed on our list offer this feature, and a few offer additional storage options such as bookcase headboards for the upper childrens bunk beds and a desk for the bottom.