How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can bring fun and utility in the kids' room. They can also help save space.

Look for bunk beds that are flexible, such as those with bottom storage drawers or a trundle that's easy to remove. You can also find twins that are stacked, which can be separated to make two beds. Also, consider the weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll need to think about the size, style, and safety when selecting a bunk bed for your children. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure the bunks fit into your space. Make sure that there's enough space for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be far enough apart to allow kids to move up and down with ease and not collide with each other or crash into walls. Also, you'll need to determine whether the top bunk can support mattresses similar to 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, if it suits your space better. A bunk bed with an L shape can be ideal for small spaces or an area that is shared by two people. It can help save floor space, and accommodate a twin-over-full or queen-sized mattress on both the lower and upper levels, depending on the model you pick.

A lot of the top bunk bed for teens are built to grow with your child by converting into two independent double beds when they're ready to move up to a double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed For instance is an old-fashioned farmhouse design with curved headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's made 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 kids to play.

Another option is a loft bed that maximizes corner spaces in rooms that are tween. It's ideal for smaller spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a great choice for older children because it doesn't require them to climb an elevator or ladder, making it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, check it in your children bedroom using blue painter's tape to determine how high it will rise off the ground. This will allow you to determine whether it's possible to climb in and out at night without hitting anyone or hitting the window sill. You'll also want to consider the safety of your family by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features that stop falls or entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds can be an ideal option for families with children of all different ages. However, it is crucial to consider the safety features before purchasing. You'll want to look for a bed with rails that are tall enough to keep children from falling or getting trapped. Also, you need a mattress that doesn't elevate the sleeping surface too much. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.

Check the manufacturer's website to find out the specifications available for mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress should be, and will typically provide 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 securely attached to the frame and comes with side handles. Avoid best bunk bed for teens beds with slatted sides panels as they can be dangerous for children to climb, especially if they're poorly fitted together. If your children love playing on the ground, go for a low-slung bottom bunk to allow them to play and sit without being too high off the ground.

Consider an L-shaped bed if don't have much space in your child's room or if you don't want it to take up lots of space. They require less space and are usually only as wide as one single bed. This makes them ideal for rooms with narrow ceilings. They're also more suitable for kids who might feel intimidated by a bunk that is higher.

If you have more room, go for a full-over-full-size bunk bed. These are the most fashionable and safe bunk beds available. They can be used for twin or full-size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, best sturdy bunk beds for adults choice that can grow with kids 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. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors options.

Style

The right bunk bed can keep teens content regardless of whether it's in a shared bedroom or for only one child. A lot of designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. A twin over full style is popular with teens since it allows them to sleep two kids in the same room and still leaves space for a dresser, desk or storage drawers on the lower level. Some designs come with a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress.

Fenton says that tweens like a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and provides them with more room to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with an extended guardrail is a popular choice for older kids because it's "built to last, and it's the most sturdy grown-up bunk available," she adds.

Consider a T-shaped or l-shaped design, which is basically an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the top, which gives an elegant look and allows more room for a desk or dresser under. They're not as effective at conserving space like a traditional bunk but they're a stylish option for teens that gives them more space in their rooms.

Think about a best futon bunk bed best white bunk beds bed if you want bunk beds that are affordable and provides safety and comfort. Futons are lightweight and portable which means they can be moved around when you're planning to redesign your child's space in the future. They're not as durable as metal or wood bunk beds and the top one has no guardrails.

Bunks with ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders take up less space and are more convenient to climb. Stairs are safer and can double as a seating area for younger children. Some models are capable of converting into a desk and chair, allowing your child to create the perfect bedroom space to study or play.

Budget

A bunk bed is an expensive purchase, so it's essential to factor in your budget when buying. There are many inexpensive options available, but if you want a bunk bed to last through the teens and even into adulthood, you should consider spending a little more to get a top-quality bed that can be used for years.

Think about who will be using the bunk bed and what their sleeping needs could be prior to shopping. A twin-overtwin configuration works well for siblings sharing a bedroom, while the full-over-full bunk is perfect for adults looking to save space or reduce the expense of a separate queen-sized mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom that is available between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, you might want to select a layout that is lower than the ground.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be one that is affordable and one that will adapt to their needs. Pick a design that can work well in traditional and best modern bunk beds rooms. Choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be divided into two twin beds, if needed. This design features a contemporary elegant, clean-lined design with boucle-upholstered guardrails, The best bunk beds boucle upholstered railings and a stationary, easy-to-climb ladder. It's also Greenguard Gold and fair trade certified for its social and environmental responsibility.

A bunk bed that has built-in storage is an additional way to save money. This can include drawers under the lower bed, or shelves below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom tidy and free of clutter. It's also helpful for those with a smaller space. Many of the bunks on our list offer this option, and a few offer additional storage options such as a bookcase headboard for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.