How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and function to rooms for kids. They can also help save space.

Look for bunks that are built with flexibility, such as drawers for storage at the bottom, a trundle bed that's easy to remove, and stacked twins that can be split into two beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll need to think about the dimensions, style, and safety when selecting a bunk bed for your kids. Examine the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in the space. Also, ensure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow children to move around. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not bump into each other or smash into the walls. Also, you'll want to find out if the top bunk can support mattresses of the same size as the bottom one so that you don't have to pay for a trundle, or an additional bed in the future.

You can also choose a bunk design that isn't traditional and suited to your space better. An L-shaped bunk bed could be ideal for small spaces or a guest room shared by two people. It can save floor space, and accommodate a twin-over-full or queen-sized mattress on both the upper and lower levels, depending on the model you choose.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens will grow with your kids, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time to transition into a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed For instance is an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curving headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on the top bunk. It's made of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This leaves more space for kids to play.

A loft bed is an alternative option that makes the most of the space around corners in rooms that are tweens. It's ideal for smaller spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a great option for older children since it doesn't require them to climb an elevator or ladder and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, test it out in your kids' bedroom with blue painter's tape to determine how high it will rise above the ground. This will allow you to determine whether it's possible to climb in and out at night without bumping into anyone or hitting the window sill. Also, it is important to keep your family's safety in mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's rules for bunk beds. These regulations define standards for guardrails as well as other features that reduce entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great option for families with children of all ages, but it is important to think about security features when you shop. You'll need bunk beds with railings that are high enough to keep children from falling off or becoming trapped as well as a mattress that does not raise the mattress excessively. Be sure to be aware of the capacity for weight, as some bunks are less able than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to see the specifications available for mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress should be, and typically provide 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 have handles on the sides to ensure security. It is also recommended to avoid bunks with slatted sides, as they can be unsafe for children to climb up or down, especially if the slats aren't tightly fitted together. If your children love playing on the ground, you should opt for a lower-slung bunk to allow them to sit and play without being too high off the floor.

Pick an L-shaped bed if you don't have a lot of space in your child's bedroom or if you do not want it to take up lots of space. They require less space and are usually only about the same size as a single bed. This makes them ideal for rooms with small ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who might be intimidated by higher bunks.

If you require a little more space, the full-overfull bunk bed is the best choice. They are generally the safest and most elegant bunk beds available that are available, and they can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden bunk bed is an elegant and sturdy choice that will grow 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. It's also made from sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

Whether it's for the shared room or one child, the perfect bunk bed for teens will provide something to be excited about. Many designs are minimalist and sleek, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds come in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular with tweens because it permits them to sleep two kids in the same space, while still leaving space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the lower part. There are some options that include a Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an extra mattress.

Fenton says teens like a twin-over-king loft bed because it occupies less space and provides them with more space to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with a full-length guardrail is another 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, you should consider an T-shaped or l-shaped design that's basically a platform bed elevated. They're designed with a ladder at the end. This gives them a sleeker look and more room to set up a desk or dresser. They're not as efficient at saving space as a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens that gives them more space in their rooms.

You should consider a futon bunk If you're looking for bunk beds that are affordable and provides safety and comfort. 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. However, they're not as durable as a metal or wood bunk bed and don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks with stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders require less space and are more convenient to climb, while stairs are safer and double as a seat for smaller children. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a desk and chair and allow your child to have the ultimate bedroom suite to study or play.

Budget

A bunk bed is a major purchase, so it's essential to take into consideration your budget when shopping. There are many affordable options, if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that will last through the teens (or even adulthood) it might be worth paying more for a better design that can be used for many years to come.

Before you start shopping take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed and What Are The Best Bunk Beds their needs for sleep might be. A twin-overtwin arrangement is ideal for siblings who share the same bedroom, whereas full over full bunk is a great option for adults who want to reduce space or the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll also have to decide 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 teenagers are those which are priced at a reasonable price and can adapt to the teen. Choose a design that works in traditional and modern rooms, or go with something similar to 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 down the road. This style features a modern elegant, clean-lined design with boucle-upholstered guardrails, boucle upholstered railings and a sturdy, easy-to-climb ladder. It is 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 options, like drawers under the bed or shelving down below the top. This will help you keep your bedroom neat and free of clutter. It's also useful for those with a smaller room. Many of the bunks in our list feature this feature. Some even come with additional storage options, such as headboards for a bookcase or desk for the lower bunk.