5 Killer Quora Answers To Best Bunk Beds For Teens
How to Choose the Best Bunk Beds for Teens
Bunk and loft beds can add fun and functionality to kids' rooms. They can also help save space.
Choose bunk beds that are able to be moved, such as ones with drawers for storage at the bottom or a trundle that's easy to remove. You can also find stacked twins which can be divided to create two beds. Also consider the weight capacity of the top bunk.
Size
When selecting bunk beds for your children, you'll want to consider the size, style and security. Consider the height of the ceiling to make sure the bunks are able to are suitable for your space, and make sure that there's enough space for children to move around them. The beds should be spaced enough apart to allow kids to get up and down safely and not bump into each other or smash into walls. Also, you should determine whether the top bunk bed can be able to support a mattress of similar to that of the bottom. This will help you avoid having to buy an additional bed or trundle in the near future.
You may also opt for a different shape for your bunk, which may be better for your space. For instance an L-shaped bunk could be ideal for a small bedroom or even a guest room that is shared. It can save the floor space and can fit a queen or twin over full mattress on both the lower and upper levels, based on the model you pick.
Many of the best bunk bed bunk beds for teens will be adapted to your children's needs, converting into two free-standing beds when it's time for them to transition into a regular double bed. Storkcraft Solid Wood Ladder Twin Bunk Bed, for example, features a classic farmhouse style with curved headboards. It also has wagon-inspired 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.
Another option is a loft bed which optimizes corner spaces in tween rooms. It's ideal for smaller spaces since it requires less vertical space and allows you to use the lower level for desks, storage cabinets or dressers. It's an excellent choice for older children since it eliminates the use of stairs or ladders and makes it more accessible to larger children and adults.
Before you purchase any type of bunk bed, try it out in your kids' bedroom with blue painter's tape to see how high it will rise above the ground. This will give you a sense 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. In addition, you should keep your family's safety in mind by reading the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines for bunk beds, which set standards for guardrails and other features that 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 want to choose beds with rails that are high enough to stop children from falling or getting trapped. Also, you need an option that doesn't raise the sleeping surface too much. Be sure to pay attention to the weight capacity, since certain bunks have lower limits than others.
When selecting the bunk bed you want, look on the website of the manufacturer to find specifications on the mattress sizes and weight limits. The majority of manufacturers offer guidelines on how thick the top bunk mattress can be, and they'll typically list the total bunk and upper bed capacity for weight.
The best bunk beds are sturdy constructed and the ladders or stairs should attach to the frame securely and have handles on the sides for safety. Avoid bunks that have slatted sides as they could be dangerous for children to climb up or down, especially in the case where the slats haven't been tightly connected. If your children enjoy playing on the ground, you should opt for a bunk with a low-slung bottom to allow them to play and sit without being too high off the floor.
If you're in a tight space or do not want to occupy too much space in your child's bedroom, go with an L-shaped bunk bed. They are smaller in size and are generally as wide as one single bed. This makes them ideal for small rooms with low ceilings. They are also suitable for younger children who might be intimidated by high bunk beds.
If you have a little more space, you can opt for a full-over-full bunk bed. These are usually the most secure and 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 attractive and sturdy option that will grow with your child as they grow. It can even accommodate trundle beds (sold separately) to accommodate older teens and adults. It's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it emits low levels of chemicals. It is made from sustainable sources of Baltic Birch wood, and is available in a range of colors.
Style
Whether it's for the shared room or one child, the ideal bunk bed can give teenagers something to be happy about. Some designs are sleek and minimalist, while others feature more playful elements. Bunk beds are available in various sizes, such as twin-overtwin, full-overfull and even queen. A twin-over-full design is a favorite among teens because it gives them room to accommodate two children in the same room and still leaves space for a desk, dresser or storage drawers in the bottom. There are some options that include a Trundle beds that allow the upper floor to accommodate an additional mattress.
Tweens also love an over-king twin loft bed, which takes up less floor space and provides them with more room to stretch out or work from home, says Fenton. A bunk bed made of metal with an extended guardrail is a popular option for older kids because it's "built to last and is the most sturdy, grown-up bunk," she adds.
Think about a l-shaped or T-shaped design, which is essentially 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 underneath. They aren't as spacious as bunk beds, but they allow teens to have more space in their rooms.
Think about a futon bunk bed if you're looking for a bunk bed that is affordable and offers safety and comfort. Futons are lightweight and portable, so they can be moved around when you're planning to redesign your child's bedroom in the near future. However they're not as sturdy as a metal or wood bunk bed and don't come with guardrails for the top bed.
Bunks that include stairs or ladders are also available. Ladders are smaller and are easier to climb. Stairs are more secure and can serve as a seat for younger children. Some models are even capable of being converted into a chair and desk which allows your child to build the perfect bedroom space for study time and playtime.
Budget
When choosing a bunk bed, it's important that you consider your budget. There are many inexpensive options available, but if you want a bunk bed to last through the teens and even into adulthood, it's worth paying more for a quality product that can be used for a long time.
Before you begin shopping take into consideration who will be sleeping on the bunk bed, and what their sleep needs could be. A twin-over-twin configuration is great for siblings sharing a bedroom, while a full over full bunk is a great option for adults who are looking to reduce space or the cost of a separate queen bed. You'll need to determine the amount of headroom between the top and bottom bunk. If your children are still in their toddler beds, you may want to select a layout that is lower than the ground.
The ideal bunk bed for teens is a good value and one that will grow with them. Choose a design that works in traditional and modern rooms, or go with something like the Oeuf Perch bunk--an Editors' Choice choice for the Spruce, which can separate into two freestanding twin beds in case you need to reconfigure your space down the road. This design has a clean-lined modern design, boucle-upholstered railings, and a stationary ladder that's simple for children to climb up and down, and it's Greenguard Gold and Fair Trade certified for social and environmental responsibility.
Another option to save money is to find a bunk that has built-in storage, such as drawers under the bed or shelving down below the top. This can help you keep the bedroom clutter-free, and it's especially useful if you're working with a small space. Many of the bunks in our list have this feature. Some even come with additional storage options, such as a desk and bookcase headboards for the lower bunk.