How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens

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

Look for bunk beds that can be adapted like those with bottom storage drawers or a trundle that is easy to take off. You can also find 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, style, and safety when selecting a bunk bed for your kids. Examine the ceiling's height to make sure the bunks are able to fit into the space. Also, make sure that there is enough room around the bunks to allow the kids to move. The beds should be spaced enough apart to allow kids to climb and descend safely and not bump into each other or smash into the walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk can support a mattress similar to the size of the bottom one. This will help you avoid needing an extra bed or trundle in the future.

You can also opt for an alternative to the traditional bunk shape that is suitable for your space. For example an L-shaped bunk might be ideal for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can help save floor space, and allow for a queen-sized or twin-overfull mattress on both the upper and lower levels, based on the model you select.

Many of the best bunk beds 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, features the classic farmhouse look with curving headboards. It also has wagon-inspired guardrails on the top bunk. It's constructed of knot-free New Zealand Pine and has an integrated stationary ladder that connects the lower and upper bunk beds. This gives more room for kids to play.

Another option is a loft bed, which maximizes corner space in tween rooms. It's ideal for small spaces as it occupies less vertical space and allows you to use the lower level for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's also a good choice for older children because it eliminates the need to use an elevator or ladder which makes it more accessible to larger children as well as adults.

Before you buy any kind of bunk bed, check it out in your child's bedroom using blue painter's adhesive 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 of at night without causing head bumps or hitting the bottom of the window sill or hanging curtains. You'll also want to take into consideration the safety of your family by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for bunk beds. These standards include guardrails and features to prevent entrapment or 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 should look for a bed with rails that are tall enough to prevent children from falling or getting trapped and a mattress that doesn't raise the sleep surface too high. Pay attention to the weight limit of the bunk bed. Some have less weight limits than others.

When choosing a bunk bed, check the website of the manufacturer for details regarding the mattress's dimensions and weight limits. Most manufacturers provide guidelines on how thick a top bunk mattress can be, and typically provide the total capacity of the bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.

The most sturdy bunk beds are constructed and the ladders or stairs should be attached to the frame securely and have handles on the sides to ensure safety. Avoid bunk beds with slatted sides panels, as they're dangerous for children to climb on, especially if they're not tightly fitted together. If your kids love to play on the ground, select an un-slung bunk that allows them to sit and play without being too far off the ground.

Choose an L-shaped mattress if you do not have enough space in your child's bedroom or if you do not want it to take up much 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 ideal for children who might feel intimidated by a higher bunk.


If you have a little more space, consider a full-over-full-size bunk bed. They are typically the safest and most fashionable bunk beds on the market and can be used as twin or full size beds. Pottery Barn Kids' Belden is a stylish sturdy and durable option that will expand with kids as they grow older and can accommodate trundle mattresses (sold separately) for older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it releases low levels of harmful chemicals. It's made of sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a range of colors.

Style

If it's the shared room or one child, the perfect bunk bed can give teenagers something to be excited about. Many designs are sleek and minimalist and others have more playful elements. Bunk beds come in many sizes, including twin-overtwin, full-overfull, and even queen. The twin-over-full design is popular among teens because it permits 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 come with Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress.

Fenton says that tweens love a twin-over-king loft bed since it occupies less space and provides them with more space to spread out and work at home. Metal bunk beds with full-length guardrails are a popular choice for older children because they're "built to last and are the most durable, adult-sized bunk," Fenton adds.

If you want a cool bunk, you should consider an T-shaped or l-shaped design that's essentially an elevated platform bed. These beds are designed with a ladder at their end. This makes them more sleek and more room for a desk or dresser. These beds are not as spacious as bunk beds however, they can give teens more room in their rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable bunk that can provide plenty of security and comfort, you should consider a futon bunk. Futons are lightweight and adaptable and can be moved them around if your kids are looking to revamp their rooms in the future. However they're not as sturdy as a metal or wood bunk bed, and they do not have guardrails for the top bed.

Bunks that have stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are more efficient in space and easier to climb. Stairs on the other hand, could be used as a seat by children who are younger. Some models can be transformed into a chair or desk so that your child can 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 want a bunk bed to last through the teens and into adulthood, it's worth paying a little more for a quality product that can be used for a long time.

Before best queen bunk beds start shopping, consider who will be sleeping on the bunk bed and what their sleep needs might be. For instance, a twin-over-twin configuration is great for families with multiple children or a full-over-full bed is ideal for adults who want to save space and avoid the cost of purchasing a separate queen or king mattress. You'll need to decide on the amount of headroom between the top and bottom bunk. If your children are still in toddler beds, it may be better to choose a configuration that is lower to the ground.

The most suitable bunk beds for teens are those which are priced at a reasonable price and can grow with the teen. Choose a style that will work well in traditional and modern rooms. Or, choose the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed, an Editors' Choice for the Spruce. It can be divided into two twin beds, if needed. This style has a sleek, modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's easy for kids to climb and descend, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for its environmental and social responsibility.

Another option to save money is to locate an area of the bunk that is built-in storage, such as drawers underneath the lower bed or shelving down below the top. This will allow you to keep your bedroom neat and free of clutter. It's also useful if you have a small room. Many of the bunks listed on our list have this feature, and some have additional storage accessories available, such as bookcase headboards for the upper bunk and a desk for the bottom.