How to Choose the best bunk bed ideas Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can be a great way to add fun and function in the kids' room. They also can help in reducing space.

Find bunk beds that can be adapted, such as ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easily removed. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to make two beds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.

Size

You should think about the size, style, and safety when choosing a bunkbed for your children. Make sure you check the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to fit into the space. Also, ensure that there's enough space around the bunks to allow the kids to move. The beds should be placed sufficiently apart that children can safely get up and down and not hit each other or the walls. You'll also want to check if the top bunk bed can be able to support a mattress of the same size as that of the lower one. This will help you avoid having to buy an additional bed or trundle later on.

You can also pick a bunk shape that isn't conventional or asymmetrical, if it fits your space better. For instance an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a smaller bedroom or even a shared guest room. It will save floor space, and allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the lower and upper levels depending on the model you choose.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens are made to adapt to your child's needs and can be converted into two free-standing double beds when they're ready to transition to an adult bed. For example, the Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed features a classic farmhouse-inspired silhouette with curved headboards and wagon-inspired guardrails that run along the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has a built-in, stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for children to play.

Another option is a loft bed, which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to make use of the lower levels for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children since it doesn't require them to use an elevator or ladder which makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.

Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, try it in your children' bedroom with blue painter's tape to see how high it will be off the ground. This will give you a sense of whether it could be easily climbed into and out at night without causing any damage to heads or the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's regulations for bunk beds. These regulations establish standards for guardrails and other features to prevent the risk of falling and entrapment.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great option for families with children of all ages, but it's important to consider the security features when you shop. You'll need to find bunk beds with railings that are tall enough to prevent children from falling off or becoming trapped, and a mattress which doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. Be aware of the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have a lower weight limit than others.

Visit the website of the manufacturer to find out the specifications available for mattress sizes and weight limitations. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed weight capacities.

The most suitable bunk beds are sturdy and feature a ladder or stair that is securely attached to the frame and has side handles. You should also avoid any bunks with slatted sides as they could be unsafe for children to climb up or down, especially if the slats aren't tightly connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, opt for a low-slung bottom bunk to allow them to sit up and play without being too high off the ground.

If you have a limited space or don't want to take up too much space in the bedroom of your child, opt for an L-shaped bunk bed. These take up less floor space and are usually as wide as a single bed making them ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who may feel intimidated by the higher bunks.

If you have more room, go for a full-over-full bunk bed. These are the most stylish and safe bunk beds available. They can be used as full-size or twin-sized beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish, sturdy choice that will expand with kids as they get older and accommodates trundle mattress (sold separately) for adults and older teens. It is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of harmful chemicals. It's made of sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood and comes in a range of colors.

Style

Whether it's for the shared room or one child, the perfect bunk bed can give teenagers something to be excited about. Some designs are sleek, minimalistic while others have more fun elements. Bunk beds are available in a variety of sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. The twin-overfull design is popular among teens because it permits the possibility of sleeping two children in the same room while leaving enough room for a desk, dresser or storage drawers on the bottom. Some designs come with a trundle bed that allows the upper level to accommodate an extra mattress.

Teens also adore an over-king twin loft bed that occupies less floor space and gives them more room to stretch out or work from home, says Fenton. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular choice for older kids because they're "built to last and is the most sturdy, adult-friendly bunk," Fenton adds.

Take a look at a T-shaped or L-shaped design, which is essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with the ladder at the end. This makes them more sleek and more room to set up a desk or dresser. They're not as efficient at conserving space as a traditional bunk but they're an attractive option for teens, and give them more space in their rooms.

If you're looking for an affordable bunk that will still provide plenty of security and comfort, think about a futon bunk. Futons are small and flexible and can be moved them around if your kids are looking to revamp their rooms in the future. However they're not as sturdy like a metal or wood bunk bed, and they don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have ladders or stairs are also available. Ladders are smaller and are easier to climb. Stairs are safer and can double as a seat for smaller children. Some models can be converted into a table or chair to allow your child to have the ideal bedroom set-up for play and study.

Budget

When you're looking for a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are many cheap options available but if you're planning on buying a bunk bed that will last until the teens (or even adulthood) it might be worth paying more for a high-quality design that will be used for years to come.

Before you begin shopping think about who will be sleeping in the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. A twin-overtwin configuration works well for siblings sharing a bedroom, while the full-over-full bunk is a great option for adults who want to save space or reduce the expense of a separate queen mattress. You'll have to decide on the amount of headroom between the top bunk and the bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to choose a configuration that is lower to the ground.

The ideal bunk bed for teens will be a good value and one that is able to adapt to their needs. Select a style that can work well in traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be split into two beds if required. This design has a clean-lined contemporary silhouette, boucle-upholstered guardrails and a ladder that's simple for children to climb up and down and down. It's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

A bunk bed with built-in storage is another way to save money. This can include drawers underneath the bed, or shelves underneath the top. This will help make your bedroom less cluttered, and is particularly useful for those who have smaller space. A majority of the bunks on our list have this feature. Some come with additional storage accessories, such as bookshelf headboards and desks for the lower bunk.