How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

Loft beds and bunk beds can add fun and functionality to kids' rooms. They can also help save space.

Choose bunk beds that are flexible like ones with drawers on the bottom or a trundle that's easy to take off. There are also twins that can be stacked and separated to make two separate beds. Also consider the capacity for weight of the top bunk.

Size

You'll need to think about size design, style, and security when choosing a bunkbed for your kids. Consider the height of the ceiling to ensure that the bunks will fit in your space, and make sure there's enough room for kids to maneuver around them. The beds should be enough apart that kids can move up and down with ease and not run into each other or crash into the walls. Additionally, you should find out whether the top bunk is able to support mattresses similar to the bottom one, so that you don't have to pay for a trundle or another additional bed in the future.

You could also choose a different shape for your bunk one that is more for your space. An L-shaped bunk bed can be perfect for a small space or a guest room that is shared by two people. It can save the floor space and can also accommodate a twin over full or queen mattress on the upper and lower levels, depending on which model you select.

Many of the best bunk beds for teens are built to grow with your child, converting to two free-standing double beds when they're ready to an adult bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example, features a classic farmhouse style with curved headboards. It also features wagon-style guardrails on 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 leaves more space for kids to play.

Another alternative is a loft bed that maximizes corner spaces in rooms with tweens. It's great for small spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower floor for storage cabinets, desks or dressers. It's a great option for older children since it eliminates the use of a staircase or ladder which makes it more accessible to large children and adults.

Test the height of any bunk bed in your child's room with blue painter tape. This will give you an idea 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. Also, it is important to ensure your family's safety is on your mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds. They define standards for guardrails as well as other features to prevent the chance of entrapment and falls.

Safety

Bunk beds are a great choice for families with children of all ages, however, it's important to consider the safety features when buying. You'll need to find bunk beds with railings that are high enough to stop children from falling off or becoming trapped, and a mattress which doesn't raise up the sleeping surface excessively. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some beds have smaller weight limits than others.

When choosing the bunk bed you want, look on its manufacturer's website for specifications regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers will offer guidelines on the maximum thickness of the top bunk mattress. They'll also give the maximum capacity for the weight of the upper bunk bed as well as the bunk.

The Best Bunk Bed bunk beds are sturdily constructed, and the ladder or stairs must be attached to the frame securely and have handles on the sides for security. Avoid bunk beds with slatted side panels as they can be dangerous for children to climb, especially if they're poorly fitted together. If your children like to play on the ground, pick a bunk with a low slung that lets them sit and play without being too far off the floor.

If you have a limited space or do not want to take up too much room in your kid's bedroom, choose an L-shaped bunk bed. They require less space and are usually only about the same size as a single bed. This makes them suitable for rooms with narrow ceilings. These are also more suitable for younger children who may be scared of high bunk beds.

If you have more space, you can opt for an over-full or full-over-full bunk bed. They are typically the most secure and fashionable bunk beds on the market, and they can be used as full or twin size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish solid and sturdy option that can grow with kids as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It's made from sustainably-sourced Baltic birch wood, and it is available in a variety of color options.

Style

It's for an entire room or just one child, the perfect bunk bed for teens will provide something to be happy about. Some designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. A twin over full style is popular with teens since it allows them to accommodate two children in a single room, and still leave room for a dresser, desk or storage drawers on the lower level. There are some options that include a an trundle bed that can be used on the upper level to fit an additional mattress.

Fenton says teens like a twin-over-king loft bed because it takes up less space and provides them with more space to spread out or work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails make a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and are the strongest, grown-up bunk," Fenton adds.

For a truly cool bunk, consider a l-shaped or T-shaped design that's basically an elevated platform bed. These beds have the ladder at the end, which gives an elegant look and makes room for a dresser or desk under. They're not as good for saving space as a traditional bunk, however, they're a stylish choice for teenagers that offers more space in their rooms.

You should consider a futon bunk if you want bunk beds that are affordable and offers security and comfort. Futons are compact and portable which means they can be moved around when you're looking to revamp your child's room in the near future. However, they're not as durable like a metal or wood bunk bed, and they don't come with guardrails for the top bed.

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 seat for smaller children. Some models can even be capable of being converted into a desk and chair which allows your child to have the perfect bedroom set-up to study or play.

Budget

When shopping for a bunk bed, it's essential to think about your budget. There are a variety of affordable options available, but if are looking for a bunk bed that will endure through your teens and on into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more for a high-quality product that can be used for years.

Before you shop take into consideration who will be using the bunk bed, and what their needs for sleep might be. A twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing bedrooms, while a full over full bunk is ideal for adults who are looking to save space or avoid the cost of a separate queen bed. It is also important to determine how much headroom you want between the bunks at the top and bottom. If kids are still sleeping in toddler beds, for instance it could be beneficial to go with a lower-to ground arrangement.

The best childrens bunk bed beds for teens are ones that offer a good price and can adapt to 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 divided into two beds if needed. This design features a contemporary elegant, clean-lined design 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 with built-in storage, such as drawers under the bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom clutter-free and is particularly useful if you're working with a small space. A majority of the bunks on our list come with this feature, and some have additional storage accessories available, such as bookcase headboards for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.