Everything You Need to Know About Children's Bunk Beds

Before investing in children's bunk beds, parents need to ask themselves a series of questions and have clear answers. We'll provide all the answers you need to make sure you make the right choice.
Everything You Need to Know About Children's Bunk Beds

Last update: 14 March, 2023

Children’s bunk beds are, without a doubt, the dream of many children. They’re ideal when it comes to sharing a single bedroom between two or more children, especially if the room is small.

This is why we’re going to tell you about the things you should consider if you’re thinking of buying one of these for your little ones.

The questions you should ask yourself before buying children’s bunk beds

Before investing in children’s bunk beds, parents need to ask themselves a series of questions and have clear answers. These go beyond the basic questions about the measurements, colors, and models. Keep reading to learn more!

At what age can children sleep in a bunk bed?

Children can sleep in the children's bunk beds from the age of five.
Children’s bunk beds are suitable from the age of five.

For new parents, it’s difficult to identify the appropriate age for many things. Well, the approximate age at which little ones can begin sleeping in a bunk bed is from five years old. At this age, they already sleep soundly, are aware of their movements, and can get up and down the stairs without help.

Now, you may be wondering up to what age they can sleep in this type of bed. Depending on the model, the answer is simply until they decide not to anymore. There are some children’s bunk beds that have been designed to adjust to the size of children, as they grow.

Are children’s bunk beds safe?

Of course, we all worry about the safety of our children, and it’s reassuring to know that children’s bunk beds are quite safe. Depending on the design, some have protective rails on all four sides. This means that regardless of whether your children sleep on the top or the bottom, they’ll be quite safe.

Moreover, safety can be increased by placing the bunk in a corner, so that the walls act as protectors. Likewise, it’s necessary to securely join all parts of the beds together.

What are the ideal measurements?

The ideal measurements of your children’s bunk beds are relative since they depend on the space that you have available for your children’s bedroom. You might even be able to find a company that’ll custom-build the bunk beds for you.

Now, something else you’ll need to consider is the height of the top bunk. Including the mattress, a space of 60 centimeters must be left so that your child can move safely and easily. Of course, if your children are tall, then you should increase the measurement.

What can you do if the bedroom has a low ceiling?

As we mentioned before, it’s important that the child who’ll sleep in the upper bunk has enough space to avoid bumps or discomfort. In the case of a room with a low ceiling, you can place the lower bunk at ground level.

This is one way to take advantage of the space, without causing any disruption. Equally, and since we’re talking about a small bedroom, take the opportunity to install some drawers in the lower bunk where you can store shoes or toys.

Are there triple-deck bunk beds?

Yes, there are three-story bunk beds, ideal for having your three children together in the same bedroom. However, these bunk beds do require rooms with high ceilings so that the three little ones are comfortable and safe. For your peace of mind, it may be a good idea to give the top bunk to your eldest child.

If you have three children, another option is having a bunk bed with two beds below and one above. In the case of having four children, it’s best to install two bunk beds, each with two beds. This way, you’ll avoid arguments and each child will feel comfortable and safe.

Types of children’s bunk beds

The four-space children's bunk beds are ideal for large families.
The four-space children’s bunk beds are ideal for large families.

We’ve explained all the answers to the types of questions that we recommend you should be clear about before buying children’s bunk beds. However, we want to delve a little into the types of bunk beds that you have to choose from, so you can finish guiding your purchase.

  • The traditional ones: bunk beds that share measurements and are located one above the other.
  • Train type: a model where three beds fit into a single room, two below and one above.
  • L-shaped bunk beds: similar to the previous model where there are three beds, the bottom two are located exclusively in an L shape.
  • At ground level: these bunk beds, as we mentioned before, are ideal for small rooms with low ceilings.
  • Folding bunk beds: a second option when it comes to small bedrooms since they can be folded to enjoy the space available during the day.
  • Suspended bunk beds: as their name indicates, they’re usually built-in bunk beds and are suspended from the ceiling.
  • In the shape of a house: which adds a plus through the design and goes beyond the beds. They have slides, windows, curtains, and other elements that your children will like.

It’s time to choose the best bunk bed for your children!

We’ve told you about some of the most common models and types of children’s bunk beds and some questions that you should be clear about before buying. By following our advice, you’ll be able to choose the best option for your children, considering the available space and other options that are important to you.