Alexandra Ramirez
1. Coaster Twin
Best Overall Bunk Bed
5/5 Product Rating
The padded seats convert to another twin sleeping area that works for guests or a roommate.
The table and benches work terrific for doing homework, having a snack, or playing cards. It is available in either pure white or a dark rich finish.
This contemporary design turns an older teen’s room into something to really love and provides them their own space as well. Assembly is required but nothing overly complicated. Assembly will be easier with two people.
The sturdy wooden ladder is securely attached to the bed frame and makes climbing in and out of the bed easy and safe. Measurements of this bunk bed set are 72” x 42.63” x 81 ½”. The top bunk can hold up to 125 pounds and the bottom will hold 150 pounds.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Coaster Kid
Best Overall Bunk Bed – Runner Up
4.6/5 Product Rating
The twin size mattress fits in a steel frame tubing that is durable and sturdy.
The army theme will appeal to children of all ages.
The side ladder and enjoyable slide along with a tent that is underneath provide not only a comfortable place for your child to sleep on top, but a fun way to get out of bed and a play place when they are awake.
Measurements of this fun bunk bed and attached slide are 115” x 100” x 50”. There is some assembly required and the mattress is sold separately or you can use the child’s existing twin mattress which will fit just fine. This bed is an army or GI lover’s dream bed and will create a wonderful creative room for your child.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Stork Craft
Best Budget Bunk Bed
4.5/5 Product Rating
The sturdy wooden ladder provides a safe way for the child on top to get in and out of their bunk. The full length guard rails eliminate any chance of the child falling out of the top bunk while they are sleeping.
There are even matching accessories that come with this Caribou bunk bed that can be purchased separately.
As your children get older, the bunk beds can be separated into two twin beds. This is a terrific set of bunk beds that will last your children a well into college age.
This bunk bed set meets all of the U.S and Canadian safety standards. It comes with a 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
Bunk Bed Buying Guide
Bunk Bed Sizes
There are a couple of different sizes available when it comes to bunk beds. The most common sizes are twin and full and they are available in different configurations. Some even have queen size beds on the bottom but these are much rarer. We’ve listed the two most common bunk bed sizes below.
Twin – The most common size for bunk beds is the twin size. Twin bunk beds free up a lot of space in a room and allow there to be more play space or room for other furniture like a desk, dresser or play table. There are different configurations of the twin over twin style bunk bed. They can be standard with each bed directly over the other or they can be in an L shape with each bed at a 90 degree angle of the other.
Some twin bunk beds are situated as loft beds with the top bunk in place and a work station underneath complete with dresser, desk and/ or book shelves. A good quality bunk bed will have all the safety features in place such as sturdy, well secured ladders, railings to prevent the child from rolling out and other safety features.
Full – Full size bunk beds are great for older kids and still have the advantage of opening up extra space in the bedroom. Some of the full size designs include a twin over full which means there is a twin bed on top and a full size bed on the bottom, or in rare cases, full over full where both beds are full sized.
A lot of these bunk bed designs can be disassembled and turned into two separate beds which are great for when the children get older. Many of the twin over full designs also incorporates drawers, shelves, desks, stairs and other great features. They also have the needed safety features such as railings and sturdy stairs. Twin over full bunk beds work very well, in rooms where one child is several years younger than the other.
Types / Materials
The majority of bunk beds are made from either metal or wood. There are benefits and disadvantages to both kinds. The material you choose your bunk bed to be made of will depend on the situation you are working with. Other factors include the safety features that are present, what the child or parent prefer and the durability and longevity of the bed itself. These are all things to think about when it comes to purchasing a bunk bed.
Metal – Metal bunk beds are fairly popular but there are some aspects of the metal bunk bed that make it more of a short term bed option rather than one that will last years. One of the issues that people often find with metal bunk beds is that they become squeaky or loose as time goes on. Keeping the bed’s joints oiled well will eliminate some noise but this is not a definite.
If your child is a restless sleeper that moves around a lot, metal bunk beds are not the best choice. Metal bunk beds are a lot lighter than wooden sets and that makes them ideal for families that move a lot or for a child that won’t be using them for long. They are usually less expensive than the solid wood bunk beds and are also resistant to problems like bed bugs.
Wood – Wooden bunk beds are very popular with parents for their longevity, style and beauty. There are a lot of different finishes, features and colors to choose from. The durability of wooden bunk beds is one of the things that make them so popular. They are much heavier than metal bunk beds which means they don’t move easily, but if you plan on keeping them in the same place they are a good choice.
Wooden bunk beds will keep their like new condition for a long time with the proper care and can even go with your child to college if it is allowed. Without the proper care, the wood can deteriorate and can crack and splinter. Most wooden bunk bed sets can be separated into separate beds as the children get older and want their own rooms.
Styles & Designs
There are many different styles and designs of bunk beds to choose from. We have outlined the different styles that are commonly seen.
- Futon – Futon bunk beds have a twin bed on top and a futon couch on the bottom that can be converted to a full sized bed. This is a great choice for a student that is going to a college where they can supply their furniture in the dorm or for those who are living in an apartment. The design of this bunk bed style is great for freeing up space in a smaller room. Futon bunk beds are available in wooden or metal varieties with an array of colors or finishes.
- L-Shaped – This unique style of bunk bed offers parents another creative way to utilize the space in a smaller room. Most L shaped bunk beds resemble the letter T more than a L. The bottom bunk is typically centered underneath the top one and is positioned perpendicular to the top bunk. In many cases, dressers, side tables, shelves, desks and other useful pieces of furniture are often incorporated into this design on both or one side of the bottom bed. These two beds can be separated into separate beds when the children get older or if they get their own rooms later on.
- Bunk Bed with Desk Underneath – This useful bunk bed style involves several possible configurations including twin over twin with the desks built into the frame, L shaped with the same premise or twin over full, again with the same built in desk idea. This type of bunk bed is perfect for the older school-aged child and even college students. This style is a great space saver since both the sleeping space and work space is taken care of in one unit. Parents will find that the bunk beds that have a desk built in are usually sturdier thanks to the extra weight on the base that the desk provides.
- Bunk Bed and Slide – A child’s room is not only where they sleep it is where they play, read and enjoy time as well. One of the best inventions created for a child is the bunk bed that has a slide. This provides a place for the child to sleep as well as giving them an opportunity to enjoy some good sliding time. Most bunk beds with slides do not have a bottom bunk although there are models that do have the bottom bed. Sometimes the bottom area is a tented play area or a place for a reading area, a desk or just dressers or shelves.
Conclusion
Bunk beds are still just as enjoyable today as they were decades ago and thanks to all of the innovative and creative designs, they are still one of the best ways that parents provide more play space and an enjoyable sleep experience for their kids. With all of the choices available, it is possible to find a design that every child, regardless of age, will love.
The information in this guide provides you with the knowledge of the different types of bunk beds available and helps you have the understanding of what’s available so you can sort through all of the choices and make an informed decision that will last you a long time.
Depending on the style and material, a bunk bed can be looked at as a long term investment that your child could potentially have and take with them when they move out on their own to pass on to their own children. A well made and well taken care of set of bunk beds can definitely stand the test of time and become an heirloom.
Resources
- Storkcraft – http://storkcraftdirect.com/product-categories/youth-beds/
- Coaster – http://www.coasterfurniture.com/
