The Best Bunk Beds For Maximum Flexibility

The fact that bunk beds are only for kids is nothing but a misconception. They’re actually a lot more versatile than that and they offer a series of major advantages over regular beds. First of all, they allow you to save/ free up a lot of floor space which is always great, especially in a small room.

They can also be designed to include storage in the form of shelves or drawers and be combined with other furniture pieces such as desks or dressers. Quite a few models offer the option to disassemble the bunks and use them as standalone beds which offers even more flexibility. We should also mention that bunk beds are pretty fun and great for sleepovers or guest rooms.

How to Choose a Bunk Bed

There are several factors that come into play when it’s time to choose a bunk bed, as one must consider how it’s going to be used, how much room is available, what materials it’s made from, how much it costs, what type and style is most suitable for the room, and, most importantly, if the sleepers are safe using the product in question. Let’s take a more in-depth look at all of these things:

Cost: Bunk bed consumers on a budget can locate designs for less than $300, yet they need to expect to invest a minimum of $300 to $900 for a brand-new bunk bed. Some premium versions set you back with $3,000 to $5,000.
Materials: Naturally, the material that’s used to make a bunk bed will determine its end characteristics. Those made from solid plastic are less expensive, but also less capable of supporting too much weight. Steel options are also cheap, but they are sturdier. Softwood beds are durable, but not as durable as hardwood models. The latter category consists of sturdy and durable beds made with high-quality wood varieties, but are also the most expensive.
Dimensions: Moms and dads need to determine the length, width, as well as ceiling height of the room where they plan to mount a bunk bed prior to actually browsing for versions. This will ensure that the bunk bed they pick will fit.
Weight capacity: The weight capacity for the top bunk will certainly be dramatically lower than that of the bottom bunk. A steel bunk bed, for instance, can normally sustain approximately 200 pounds on the top and up to 500 pounds on the bottom bed. This won’t be a problem for many little kids, but a bunk bed weight capacity is a lot more crucial for teens who share a bunk bed, especially if one of them is bigger than the other. Keep in mind that weight capacity refers to both the sleeper and the bed mattress, so lighter mattress options (like memory foam and also some innerspring versions) are preferable for bunk beds than much heavier ones (such as latex or hybrid models).
Storage space: Those with greater storage requirements may favor a loft bed or a bunk bed model with a large amount of cabinet area. Those with minimal storage needs have extra alternatives.
Installation: Some manufacturers/sellers offer in-home assembly services for customers, but in many cases, the proprietor will require to assemble the bunk bed without additional aid.
Design: Although this is a simple aesthetic factor to consider, bunk bed customers might favor designs that tend to be compatible with the current interior design of the elements where the bunk bed will be placed.
Return policy: A sleep test might be included with the purchase of a brand-new bunk bed. In most cases, bunk beds allow you to test the product for up to 30 nights before attempting to initiate a return, as well as allow consumers to return their bunk bed design for a complete reimbursement within those 30 days if they are not satisfied with the item.
Service warranty: Maker’s warranties for bunk beds typically run 1 month to one year, yet some manufacturers can provide up to five-year warranties (few are the cases with lifetime warranty coverage).
Security plans: Instead of or in addition to a service warranty, some bunk bed sellers offer coverage plans that include compensation in case of unexpected damages, such as discolorations, cuts, and rips, slits, damages, and also water rings. These offers aren’t available in case of damages that take place due to owner mishandling or overlook, or other exclusions noted in the item warranty.
Certifications: Bunk beds ought to be certified for property and/or business use, as well as fulfill all suitable CPSC guidelines. Basically, all bunk beds offered with brick-and-mortar and online brand names and sellers satisfy these standards, yet consumers should still examine the available offers and what each product promises to make sure all accreditations stand.

Types of Bunk Beds

There are different types of bunk beds available on the market, so when you’re faced with this shopping decision, here are the types that you’re going to come across:

Standard bunk beds are represented by an ensemble made of one Twin-size bed that’s placed on top of the other. They are detachable, which means they can be moved around if needed.
Standard loft beds have one bed and a 40-inch open space located right underneath them. This open space is usually large enough to accommodate a work desk where people can place computers and laptops if the space allows it, along with a chair or some other form of seating. Therefore, basic loft spaces are a popular option for college dormitories.
The layout of a triple bunk bed is similar to the standard bunk choice, but the majority include three piled Twin-size beds. Some may be made with two bottom beds placed next to each other and also a top bed piled over the part where the bottom beds unite.
As far as the triple loft type is concerned, this is L-shaped, and also often positioned in one of the bedroom corners. The beds located on the top side meet to form a 90-degree angle. One of the beds on the top is piled over a lower bunk, while the other top bunk rises over an open space.
Twin-over-Full bunk beds provide extra sleeping room compared to a common bunk bed by featuring a Full-size bed mattress on the bottom that can hold two sleepers.
Another option is the futon bunk bed that features a common mattress resting on top of a sofa-like seating surface which can be turned into a bed.
A trundle bunk bed can accommodate three people. Much like the standard bunk bed design, this model is characterized by two Twin-sized beds that are stacked on top of each other, while the third bed is concealed in a discreet drawer that you have to pull out to convert it into a proper bed.
The last option is the L-shaped bunk bed. This style features a top Twin-size bunk piled perpendicularly over the bottom bed, which may be either a Twin-sized or a Full-sized bed, and this varies from one layout to another. When viewed from above, both beds form a mild L-shape. The bottom bed is likely to have steps or a ladder placed on the side, as well as some sort of storage means on the other (like drawers or cabinets).

The Best Bunk Beds For Kids Room

Briseis Standard Bunk Bed

One of our top choices that excel through simplicity but have a gorgeous retro appeal because of the wood finish is the Briseis. This is a Twin-over-Twin model that comes with plenty of noticeable features, aside from that beautiful appeal. It has a built-in ladder located on the front side to make it easy for the person sleeping in the top bunk to reach their mattress.

It has a slat kit, meaning you don’t have to use a box spring with this bed. The guardrails are detachable and sturdy enough to prevent the pressure exerted by a rolling sleeper. Both the top and the bottom bunk can support up to 250 pounds in weight.

Pros:

Guardrails included.
No need for box spring.
Beautiful rustic brown finish.

Cons:

Complaints about color inaccuracy.

Standard Bunk Bed by Mack & Milo

Built on top of a steel frame, this bunk bed assembly is perfect for a kid’s bedroom where metal elements could blend right in. Measuring 72” H x 56.5” W x 78.5” L overall, this is definitely one space-saving option. Because the structure requires placing a Full mattress in the top and bottom bunk, this is a structure that could be more suitable for teenagers, as it can support up to 300 pounds in weight for the top bunk and no more than 450 pounds in the bottom bunk. It comes with a slat kit, doesn’t require a box spring, and has a built-in ladder for reaching the top bunk.

Pros:

Easy to assemble.
Multiple color options.
No box spring needed.
High height capacity.

Cons:

Too much space between the bunks.

Standard Bunk Bed by Viv + Rae

A simple and elegant bunk bed is this one that features a standard construction and a Twin-over-Full mattress layout. There isn’t much to be said about the design, as it’s pretty much standard for what you expect to see in a bedroom shared by a toddler and a teenager (the latter might not be happy about this one, but what can you do when space is limited?) as the top bunk supports up to 225 pounds in weight and the bottom bunk, up to 450 pounds. There is a ladder attached to the side of the bed and the top bunk has guardrails included.

Pros:

High weight capacity on bottom bunk.
Slat kit included.
Guardrails included.

Cons:

Pretty squeaky.

Standard Bunk Bed with Trundle by Harriet Bee

Trundle beds are an awesome thing for your kids to have because you get an extra bed that encourages the sleepovers they seem to enjoy so much. Available in four finish options, this structure is made from solid wood and comes with CARB ii-compliant headboards and footboards. The ladder comes with wide steps to make climbing up this thing easier. What we love about this bed is that it meets a lot of safety standards, including US government safety norms, and ASTM and CPSC safety standards

Pros:

Meets industry safety standards.
High quality solid wood construction.
Supports up to 600 pounds in weight per bed.

Cons:

Very strong paint smell.

Standard Bunk Bed by Novogratz

Designed to offer an amazing sleeping experience combined with the practicality of saving space by using two beds stacked on top of each other, this Novogratz option is surely one worth considering. It has an industrial design that brings forth a metal frame to provide that timeless bedroom look.

The ladder is positioned to take the shape of the bottom bed and it looks very odd, but that doesn’t really matter as long as it makes it easy to reach the top bunk. There are multiple color options to choose from. The top bunk can support up to 200 pounds in weight, and the bottom one supports up to 450 pounds.

Pros:

2 beds can accommodate 3 people.
Built-in stairs.
Guardrails included.

Cons:

Difficult to assemble.

Solid Wood Standard Bunk Bed by Viv + Rae

When it comes to beautiful bunk beds, this Viv + Rae bed will take home the prize. But since it’s not all about aesthetics, let’s take a look at some of the features you can expect to see. Much like in the previous example, we’re dealing with a Twin-over-Full bunk construction, with the top bunk supporting up to 165 pounds in weight and the bottom one supporting up to 450 pounds. The weight capacity of the top bunk is pretty low, but not unusual for this type of bed. It comes with a slat kit, a built-in ladder, and storage drawers at the bottom.

Pros:

Storage underneath the bottom bed.
Built-in ladder.
High weight capacity for bottom bunk.

Cons:

Low weight capacity for top bunk.

Standard Bunk Bed by Winston Porter

This has to be one of the most gorgeous bunk beds you’ve ever seen because the attention to details and the way the construction makes use of every bit of free space is truly a dream-come-true for parents who need to fit two beds in a single room. Instead of a ladder, this system uses a staircase to grant access to the top bunk, with storage drawers and a couple of shelves located underneath the stairs. The bottom bed is a Full-size model that can support up to 450 pounds in weight. The top bunk supports 250 pounds in weight and is a Twin-sized bed.

Pros:

Plenty of storage room.
Staircase for top bed access.
Includes bed extension kit.

Cons:

Assembly instructions are confusing.

Storkcraft Caribou Solid Hardwood Twin Bunk Bed with Ladder

The Caribou twin bunk bed is made of rubberwood which much denser than other commonly used hardwoods and thus more durable and sturdy. The top bunk has full-length guardrails and is accessed via a 4-step ladder. What’s great here is that you can reconfigure this into two separate twin beds if you ever want to do so. This way you can use it for years to come, even if later on you decide to redesign the room or move the beds to a different space.

Dorel Living Airlie Solid Wood Bunk Beds Twin Over Full with Ladder

Similarly, the Dorel bunk beds can also be reconfigured into two separate beds. The bottom bunk is a full-size bed and the top one is a twin bed. They both have sturdy wood frames with a beautiful espresso finish and a design that’s simple yet classic and stylish.

DHP Twin-Over-Twin Bunk Bed with Metal Frame and Ladder

The metal frame allows the DHP bunk beds to look very sleek and lightweight while also being very strong and durable. It’s a great look for small bedrooms. A slanted 4-step ladder also made of metal gives access to the top bunk which also has slender guardrails for extra safety. These bunk beds come in four different color options: black, white, pink and navy blue.

Mission Twin Over Full Staircase Bunk Bed with 3 Drawers in Honey Finish

The Merlot bunk beds have a rich lacquered finish and a somewhat traditional appearance, although they would look at home in a variety of modern or contemporary settings as well. The solid wood construction provides stability.

South Shore , Pure White and Exotic Light Wood Bebble Twin Modern Bunk Beds

The South shore Bebble bunk beds were designed with kids in mind. The top bunk has solid guardrails in place and the ladder is angled away from the frame which makes it easier to climb up and to get down from up there. The design is simple with strong Scandinavian influences and meets and exceeds the safety standards for kids.

Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Trundle and Stairs

Two beds are better than one but in this case there’s actually also a third bed that enters the equation. The trundle bed is a great extra feature which comes in handy for sleepovers or extra guests in general. There’s also a built-in stairway as opposed to the typical ladder.

Dorel Living Phoenix Triple Bunk Bed

In case you actually need three permanent beds as opposed to two with an extra one that you can pull out occasionally, triple bunk beds do exist. This one features sturdy wood construction with a light grey finish (also available in white, mocha and black). If you want to you can separate it into a bunk bed and a daybed, in case you’re restricted by the ceiling height or you prefer this configuration for different reasons.

Dorel Living Brady Solid Wood Bunk Beds with Ladder and Guard Rail

Convertible bunk beds are actually quite common and this is yet another example. With solid construction and a simple design, this bunk is built to last. It’s also designed to be highly flexible and versatile. You can convert it into two standalone beds if you want to. The top bunk is a twin bed and the bottom one is a full-size bed.

DHP Miles Metal Bunk Bed

This bunk bed features a metal construction which makes it extra strong and durable and also gives it an industrial appearance. The two twin beds have dentical dimensions: 73.5”L x 41.5”W x 54”H and assembly is quick and simple. Access to the top bunk is ensured by a straight ladder as opposed to other options such as angled ladders or staircases which makes it slightly more challenging.

DIY Bunk Bed Ideas

Simple Bunk Beds

We love this very well-explained Ana White tutorial on how to make your own Twin-over-Twin bunk beds. For this project, you’re going to need some screws, Elmer’s wood glue and filler, sandpaper, primer, paint and brush, wood conditioner, and the necessary wood to make the frame. The article will give you the exact measurements and show you how to make the cuts and put everything together to get an amazing end result.

DIY Industrial Bunk Bed

Having an industrial-style bunk bed is definitely the way to go if you love the steampunk decor style, so here is a project that will teach you exactly how to make it happen. Granted, this is not the easiest project out there because you are going to need a few power tools that are essential to getting the work done, such as a sander, an impact driver, and a saw. That’s on top of the supplies needed, such as boards, leg posts, slats, and stuff. However, we’re in love with how it looks in the end.

Minimalist Bunk Bed

Basically, what this tutorial will teach you is how to convert two Twin-sized beds into a bunk bed by following the step-by-step text tutorials and images that will guide you through the entire process. The reason why this project is awesome is because you only need to spend about $130 on new materials.

Compact-Size Bunk Bed

Another relatively simple project (well, about as simple as it can get considering that this is a bunk bed, after all) is this one right here. It requires combining timbers, wood screws, angle brackets, cordless drills, door hinges, and a few other items and tools that are needed to make a new piece of furniture. Once you have everything you need, the steps in the tutorial will paint a pretty clear picture of what it is that you have to do.

FAQ

How to build a bunk bed

If you want to learn how to make your own bunk bed ensemble, make sure to check our section on “DIY Bunk Bed Ideas”. You’ll find some pretty cool tutorials in there.

What size is a bunk bed mattress?

Bunk bed mattresses are typically available in Twin or Full-sized options.

How tall are bunk beds?

This is yet another answer that varies from one bunk bed to another. However, most bunks measure around 5.5 to six feet in height.

How much does a bunk bed cost?

There is a lot of variety when it comes to the price of a bunk bed. It can be as cheap as $400 and as expensive as $4,000. You can get a good bunk bed for less than $1,000

How much weight can a bunk bed hold?

This depends on the materials used to make the bunk bed in question. Usually, bunk beds can support up to 150 to 250 pounds in weight, while some models support up to 450 pounds. Usually, the bottom bed can support more weight than the top bunk.

What kind of mattress for bunk beds

This really depends on the type of bunk bed in question. For the most part, bunk beds are compatible with Twin or Full-sized mattresses that measure around six to seven inches in thickness (some beds support mattresses up to nine or 10 inches as well). Foam and innerspring beds are usually the most common choices for bunk beds.

Conclusion

With a deeper understanding of what makes a bunk bed, hopefully, we made this shopping decision easier for you. Granted, the many available options can be overwhelming, but we feel that it’s always best to have options rather than have the market limit you to just a single type of bunk bed. Remember, safety comes first!

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