Types of Bunk Beds

Bunk beds become more versatile and creative with each passing year. It is amazing to see the opportunities that await you to not only save space by utilizing a room’s vertical area but create a theme for the room in the process. The possibilities are endless with optional configurations of bunk beds and creative combinations to maximize your available floor space.

The different types of bunk beds available include:

• Standard
• Twin combined with full
• L-shaped
• Futon
• Loft
• Loft bunk bed with a tent and a slide
• Bunk beds that separate

A standard bunk bed usually indicates two twin mattresses, a lower and an upper, stacked one above the other.

A twin combined with a full mattress has the twin mattress on the upper level and the full mattress on the lower level. The lower level would then take a slightly larger horizontal space than if it were a twin, and the appearance is that of a staggered line.

An L-shaped bunk bed configuration combines pieces of furniture so that it ends up resembling an “L” if it were to be viewed from above. This “L” creates a niche where a computer desk or television set could be placed. This area could also make a great study place for the student.

A futon bunk bed has a twin mattress on the top bunk and a Western-style futon on the bottom bunk. Futons originated in Japan, with the Western-style futon recognized as the United States’ counterpart. The Western-style futon is designed to be used as a bed and/or a couch when the futon is propped up. This is just one more multi-purpose use bunk beds can offer.

A loft bunk bed is perhaps the most versatile unit. A loft bunk bed combines a twin or full mattress on the top bunk with several options possible underneath the bed frame. In the area available under the top bunk bed frame, you could position a chest of drawers, cabinets, or you could utilize the space for extra storage, or use it as a desk for your computer and accessories. You could also add a trundle, or hide-able, bed in a sliding drawer at the bottom of the structure, capitalizing on yet more possibilities. The trundle bed will be on rollers, or casters, so as to let the bed roll out from a bottom drawer for use and roll back in when the extra bed is no longer needed.

A loft bunk bed with a tent and a slide is another idea to make your child’s room and bedtime experience an adventure. This option uses a twin mattress on top with a tent over and enclosing a play area below. You can choose from different tent colors and designs. You can also purchase coordinating accessories. It is generally recommended that a child under the age of 6 not be allowed on the top bunk bed.

Bunk beds that separate can be helpful if a spare room opens up for a sibling who was previously sharing a room. The bunk beds can separate into two beds, with one being able to be moved to the newly available room, leaving the other sibling’s bed in place.

Also, the separation of bunk beds can be useful for overnight guests that would be more comfortable sleeping closer to floor level. This is yet another sign of the bunk bed’s versatility.

Bunk beds can be constructed of wood, metal, or a combination of both. You can leave the luxurious natural wood finish or you can apply a color to the wood to coordinate the bunk bed with your theme for the rest of the room. Metal frames for bunk beds can be fashioned into many different patterns, including a wavy pattern and a z-shaped pattern.

When choosing a bunk bed, you can hardly go wrong as there are so many options for use possible; you will be able to make a combination work in some form.