We won’t be the first ones to say it: bunk beds are awesome! Whether you are looking to add some fun to your child’s bedroom, accommodate more sleepovers, or add some style to a teen’s room with a loft bed, there is a lot to consider before you make your final purchase. To help you check your boxes and feel confident in your decision, we put together this list of things you should know before buying a bunk or loft bed.
The first thing you should think about before buying a bunk bed or loft bed is your intention for the room you are placing the bed in. Who are you getting the bed for? Will this be a fun bunk bed for your little ones? Or perhaps an elaborate sleeping arrangement for multiple siblings? Or a stylish loft bed for your teen that needs study space. Maybe you are looking to save some floor space in your guest bedroom and sleep your guests in bunk beds.
There are many styles of bunk and loft beds to fit your unique lifestyle and needs. Knowing who the bunk bed is intended for and what purpose it will serve will help you narrow down the style and shape of bed you are looking for.
Now that you have a plan for your room, look at the size of the room. Consider measuring the room’s length, width, and height to get an idea of the space you are working with. Installing a bunk bed doesn’t just require space for the bunk bed, but also adequate space around the bunk bed for use of features like stairs, slides, storage drawers, door clearance, and top bunk head space. Knowing the size of your bedroom space helps you know the size of bunk bed you can start looking for.
Next, think about who is going to be using the bunk or loft bed to help you decide further on the right size of bed. If you are just sleeping children, you may be only looking for a twin mattress. You may also want to think about getting a twin XL to fit your growing child. For teens, a double or full mattress may be a better fit. For adults, you can always upgrade your size again to have a queen mattress that can sleep 2 adults.
Once you understand your space constraints and have determined the intended user of the bed, you can now decide on your ideal bunk configuration. There are many options for configuring your bunk beds, with many manufacturers making bunks that can be added on or removed from in a modular format. Now is the time to get creative with your space, the bed arrangement, and the desires of your child or guest.
Simple bunk bed configurations include twin mattress over twin mattress or twin over full mattress. But there are also more in depth designs that include full over queen or even queen over queen. The beds can be in a L-shape where one bed is perpendicular to the foot of the other bed, or T-shaped, where the second bed is perpendicular to the top bunk and sits immediately underneath it. Bunk beds can even be larger than this, coming in triple formats with three or more mattresses. The extent of design and style of bunk beds is limited only to your imagination.
Another thing to keep in mind as you plan out your room is the future of the occupant and the room itself. Will your little one soon be a teen who will need study space? Look for a bunk bed that can easily be changed to a loft bed with a desk underneath. Do you have many siblings sleeping together now, but only for the next few years? Find a bunk bed that can be separated into individual beds so the bed frame your purchased can move with your child as he or she grows. Make sure that you are keeping in mind the future use of the bunk bed as these pieces of furniture are sturdy and can last many years with many ways to use them.
The next thing to know before making your big purchase is the price of the bunk bed. You can find bunk beds on the lower end of the price spectrum for around $500-$700. These bunk beds may be simpler and smaller, but you may be compromising on quality. When it comes to the safety of your children’s sleep, be sure that you are not cutting corners. Investing in a quality piece of furniture made of durable materials is a good investment in both your child and your home. Investing in a quality-made bunk bed will also allow you to add on or remove components from the bunk bed over time, increasing the longevity of the furniture and increasing your return on investment.
Continuing with quality materials, be sure to consider the necessary safety precautions including top bunk railings and handles for climbing ladders and stairs. These safety features can go a long way in making your bunk bed safe for each child to sleep in. Some bunks also sit low to the ground to protect the restless sleeper that rolls out of bed at night. Remember to also double check the weight load restrictions on each bunk bed to ensure they will hold more weight than your child weighs. Typical bunk beds hold up to 200 lbs, but higher quality beds can hold over 500 lbs.
Finally, think about the design and style you are looking for. Is the bunk bed’s design primarily being chosen by the kids for a fun look and feel? Or are you looking for a more chic and modern finish that elevates the sense of style of the room? Take into account the color of the finished product including the color of the material it is made from. Bunk beds come in many design styles and materials including modern, farmhouse, and traditional made from wood or metal or a combination of both.
This is also the time to plan out your ideal storage arrangement. Are you needing drawers in the stairs? Or perhaps a large removable trundle? Do you require a tall bottom bunk that has storage space underneath the bed? Or can you sacrifice the space for a short bunk? Consider all these questions to help you decide how you want the room to ultimately look.
Once you have considered all of your options and have teased out the details you are looking for, you can now begin narrowing down your search to include only the bunk and loft beds that fit your needs. Still feeling lost in the sea of bunk bed options? Check out our Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for Bunk Beds.