With so many choices available, how do you choose the right bunk bed that best fits your needs and the needs of your family? You will need to give the following careful consideration.
1. Measure the space available. Your first step should be to measure the space that you have available to place a bunk bed. Perhaps the most critical measurement will be the height of the room, from floor to ceiling. Most bunk beds average 5 ½ to 6 feet tall, and the recommended space above that includes an extra two feet. This extra two feet is an allowance to try to avoid bumped heads or bruises from hitting the ceiling while in the top bunk. Remember, bunk beds work well not only in smaller rooms but they can be just as beneficial in larger rooms since they utilize vertical space.
2. Who is the bunk bed for? Another factor to consider when choosing the right bunk bed for your home is how many people you are trying to accommodate and what their ages are. A top bunk is not recommended for children under six years of age. If you are dealing with a relatively small area and your goal is to accommodate children, you might choose a standard twin-over-twin bunk bed which should take up the least space.
If you have a student using a computer, you may wish to choose a configuration that allows space for a study/desk area.
There are extravagant choices of bunk bed designs as well. If you have only one child per room, desire to create a fun environment, and aren’t necessarily as concerned about floor space, you might want to consider a bunk bed that includes a tent covering the bottom section and a slide, which becomes a play area.
3. Is the bunk bed going to be used full time or part time? Your decision on which bunk bed to purchase will also depend on whether it’s for a room with a regular occupant or if you just want to have extra bed space available for friends and family who visit and stay over night. If the bunk bed is going to be used mainly for overnight guests, you might want to consider a configuration that has a full bed on the bottom level with a standard twin on top, or one that will use a futon to make into a couch during the day and a full size bed at night. Some beds separate as well as stack, thereby allowing them to be used in two different rooms, if the occasion calls for it.
4. Simple bed or multi-purpose piece of furniture. You will need to decide if you want a simple bunk bed configuration with only a sleeping area, or if you want a piece of furniture that can serve several other uses as well. Bunk bed combinations include those with a simple alcove area that would hold a desk, computer, or television, to areas designed for storage uses, to a loft bed that includes desk space, storage space, and cabinets or compartments for various other uses.
5. Trundle bed. Bunk beds can also come with a trundle bed located in the bottom of the structure. A trundle bed is an extra bed on rollers, or casters, that pulls out from a bottom drawer when needed for use, and rolls back inside the compartment to store out of the way when not needed. Trundle beds can really be handy if your child has a friend who often stays overnight.
6. L-shaped bunk beds. An L-shaped bunk bed uses more horizontal space, although floor space could be saved by using a corner of the room. An L-shaped bunk bed has the top and lower bunks designed perpendicular to each other, and can accommodate up to three or four persons, depending on your selection.
7. Wood, metal, or a combination. Another choice you will need to make is the construction of the bunk bed. Do you prefer wood or metal, or a combination of both? Which is going to be more suitable to your needs and your room décor? Wood and metal are both sturdy materials in their own right. Do you want a fashionable or functional bunk bed, or both?
8. Colors and styles. If you choose wood construction, you will have the option of keeping a natural finish, staining, or painting the wood. With metal, you have the option of painting it as well. Styles of bunk beds include arched, contemporary, mission, cottage, rustic, and traditional.
9. Built-in ladder or removable ladder. Bunk beds can come with a built-in ladder, which is sturdy, solid, and won’t move away from you as use it. On the other hand, if you are trying to prevent a younger child from reaching the top bunk, you might want a removable ladder so it won’t always be there as a temptation.
10. Well known manufacturer and warranty. Whichever bunk bed type and style you choose, be sure to purchase it from a reputable manufacturer and that all tags are intact as to manufacturer name, model number, and mattress size information.
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