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 children’s room. They also can help save space.

Find bunk beds that can be adapted, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or trundles that are easily removed. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to create two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

When choosing bunk beds for your children, you’ll want to consider the size, style and security. Take a look at the ceiling’s height to ensure that the bunks will are suitable for your space, and make sure there’s enough room for your kids to move around them. The beds should be enough apart so that children can get up and down safely and not run into one another or fall into walls. You’ll also want to check whether the top bunk can support a mattress the same size as that of the lower one. This will allow you to avoid having to buy an additional bed or trundle later on.

You can also opt for a non-traditional bunk shape, which may be better for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed can be ideal for a small room or an area that is shared by two people. It is a great way to 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 bed for teens are designed to adapt to your child’s needs, converting to two free-standing double beds when they’re ready to an adult bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed for instance is a classic farmhouse style with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on the top bunk. It’s made of knot-free New Zealand pine and has an adjustable ladder that connects the beds at the top and bottom and leaves more floor space for children to play on.

A loft bed is another option that makes the most of the corner space in rooms with tweens. It’s a great option for smaller spaces because it doesn’t take up the same amount of vertical space and also allows the lower level to be used for desks, dressers or storage cabinets. It’s a great option for older children because it doesn’t require a staircase or ladder which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child’s room with blue painter tape. This will let you know whether it’s safe to climb in and out at night without crashing into anyone or hitting the bottom window sill. It is also important to consider the safety of your family by examining the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features that prevent entrapment or falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all age groups. However, it’s crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You’ll need to choose a bunk bed with guardrails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling over or getting trapped, and a mattress which does not elevate the mattress excessively. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.

Check the manufacturer’s website to see the specifications available for mattress dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and will often list the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature a ladder or stair that is secured to the frame and has handles on the sides. Avoid bunks with slatted sides as they can be unsafe for children to climb up or down, particularly when the slats aren’t securely connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom so that they can sit and play without being too high off the ground.

Pick an L-shaped mattress if you don’t have a lot of space in your child’s bedroom or if you don’t want it to take up much space. They require less floor space and are usually only the same size as a single bed, making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. They’re also more suitable for kids who might be scared of a bunk that is higher.

If you have a little more space, consider an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most fashionable bunk beds that are available, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids’ Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will grow with children as they age and even accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It’s Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it comes in multiple color options.

Style

If it’s the shared room or one child, the ideal bunk bed can give teenagers something to be happy about. Some designs are minimalist and sleek and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds also come in various sizes, ranging from twin-over-twin to full-over-full, and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular among 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. Some options have Trundle beds that permit the upper level to fit an extra mattress for sleepovers.

Teens also adore the twin over king loft bed that takes up less floor space and gives them more space to spread out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are 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 basically an elevated platform bed. The beds feature a ladder on the end giving it a more sleek look and makes room for a desk or dresser beneath. These beds are not as space-saving as a bunk bed however they do give teens more room in their rooms.

Consider a futon bunk If you’re looking for bunk beds that are affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are portable and compact and can be moved around if you’re looking to revamp your child’s space in the future. However, they’re not as durable as a metal or wood bunk bed and do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are smaller and can be more convenient to climb. Stairs are more secure and can serve as a seating area for younger children. Some models can be transformed into a table or chair to let your child have the ideal bedroom set-up for study and play.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it’s essential to think about your budget. There are plenty of options for cheap beds available, but if you want a bunk bed to last into the teens and into adulthood, it’s worth spending more to get a top-quality bed that can be used for a long time.

Before you shop, consider who will be sleeping on the bunk bed, and what their needs for sleep could be. For instance, a twin-over-twin arrangement is ideal for rooms with siblings, while a full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults who want to save space and avoid the cost of buying a separate queen or king size mattress. It is also important to determine the amount of headroom you’d like between the top and bunkbedsstore bottom bunks--if kids 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 teenagers are those that are affordable and are able to grow with the teen. Pick a design that can work in both traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors’ Choice for the Spruce. It can be separated into two beds if required. This style has a sleek, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings and a stationary ladder that’s simple for children 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 locate a bunk with built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or a shelf below the top. This will help you to keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. It’s also useful for those with a smaller space. A majority of the bunks on our list come with this feature, and some offer additional storage options such as an bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.