Children's bunk beds are a clever space-saving solution for your children's bedroom. They are especially convenient for siblings who share a bedroom, as well as sleepovers, and they are perfect for smaller rooms. Buying your first bunk bed can be a daunting task and you probably have lots of questions. Safety is, of course, the primary concern, and this guide covers how to ensure your bunk bed is built and used safely, as well as how to choose the right bed for your children.
In this bunk bed buying guide, we cover everything from looking at how to teach your children to use bunk beds safely, things to avoid, to what beds can be split into single beds.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bunk Bed for Your Child:
- Space in your children’s room.
- The age of your children.
- The number of children that can use the bunk bed.
1. Using Bunk Beds Safely
Within this section of the buying guide, you will find everything that you need to know about making sure a bunk bed is safe for your children and the correct option for them.
Listen to the Manufacturer
When assembling the bunk bed, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
- Ensure all parts are fastened securely.
- Verify that the bunk bed is stable
- Check regularly for loose joints or screws, tightening them when necessary.
- Check the manufacturer's recommended age and the weight limitations
- Use an appropriate size of mattress that fits snugly
- The bed is positioned away from light fixtures and other potential hazards
- Don't hang anything from the bunk bed
Safety Rules to Teach
Children's bunk beds are perfectly safe when safety rules are followed, and it is important to teach your children how they should and should not be used. This is crucial to maintain a safe sleeping environment. Discourage children from jumping on or off the bunk bed as this can result in falls and injuries. Tell your children not to hang or swing from the ladder, the guardrail or any part of the bunk bed, as it can make the bed unstable and unsafe. The top bunk should not be used for playing and is primarily a place for sleeping.
Activities Suitable for a Bunk Bed
There are many activities that a bunk bed is great for, some of our favourites are:
- Making dens
- Telling stories
- Watching films all snuggled up
These are just some ideas of fun things you can do with your child's bunk bed but let your imagination run and make some memories for your child!
Have My Kids Got Space in Their Room?
Bunk beds and triple bunk beds don't take up any more floor space than a typical single bed because the beds are stacked on top of each other. One thing to bear in mind, however, is the height of your ceiling, as this may limit which beds you can choose. You need to allow around 33 to 36 inches (84 to 91 cm) between the top of the mattress and the ceiling so the child on the top bunk has enough room to sit up comfortably without bumping their head!
How Tall Are the Bunk Beds at Children's Bed Shop?
Here at Children's Bed Shop, we have a wide range of children's bunk beds that span a number of sizes so rest assured we should have something to suit your home
The smallest bunk bed we have is the Relaxa Mini Bunk Bed and this measures a mere 121 cm in height, so it should be suitable for even the lowest ceilings. You will need to carefully measure the room in which you will place the bunk bed, so you know the maximum height you can accommodate.
At the other end of the scale, we have the Julian Bowen Trio Triple Bunk Bed, which measures 198 cm in height. If you have sufficient ceiling height for this bed, you can fit three single beds whilst only taking up the floor space of one.
In addition to the height, you will also need to ensure there is enough clearance around the bed to access the ladder safely. Extra space will also make it easier when you change the sheets. Safety and comfort are essential, so again, ensure you take accurate measurements of the room and consult the manufacturer's specifications to confirm that the bed will fit.
Bunk Bed Weight Limit
Bunk beds have weight limits for safety reasons and these limits vary depending on the design of the bed and the manufacturer. Weight limits are there to ensure the frame can support the weight of the occupants. The manufacturer has determined the weight limits after thorough testing to ensure they meet the safety standards. It is vitally important to stay within the limits in order to maintain a safe sleeping environment.
A standard child's bunk bed typically has a weight limit of 150 to 220 pounds (68 to 99 kg) per bed. The material from which the frame is made has an impact on the weight limit, and metal bed frames can safely hold more weight than wooden ones. However, it is vital to be aware that this is just guidance, and these weight limits will vary. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's specific weight guidance.
Exceeding the weight limit will put excessive stress on the frame, causing it to warp or break, compromising the safety of the bunk bed and putting it at risk of collapse. Also, mattress supports may become uneven or sag if the weight limit is exceeded. This is why it is important to teach children not to stand or jump on the bed, as the weight limits are based upon even weight distribution across the mattress. Uneven mattress supports will affect comfort and could lead to back problems.
It is essential to adhere to the weight limits the manufacturer has provided, and if you are uncertain of the bunk bed weight limit, we recommend contacting the manufacturer for clarification.
2. Things to Consider
It is crucial to your child's development that they have a bed that provides them with a comfortable night's sleep. In this section of our guide, you will find out everything you should consider to ensure it’s the correct bed for your child.
How Old Your Child Is
The type of bunk bed you choose will depend upon the age of your child. Bunk beds are generally recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 16, but it varies according to the development of each individual child. Manufacturers recommend that children should be over the age of 6 to use the top bunk, due to safety reasons.
Ages 6 to 9
Children this age will love the adventure and excitement of bunk beds. Climbing the ladder or stairs will feel like a fun activity and they will love the sense of independence it gives them. Bunk beds for this age range come in a wide variety of designs and styles and can help to stimulate your child's imagination.
At Children's bed shop, we have a superb range of themed beds that will bring out the adventurer in your child. Choose from a camper van bed, police car beds, and even a London Bus bed.
The campervan bunk bed is a great addition to make to your child's bedroom. It was designed by a highly reputable manufacturer, Julian Bowen. It will provide your children with a comfortable night's sleep and help aid their development.
The London Bus Bunk Bed is a fantastic children's bunk bed, also designed by Julian Bowen. The iconic design of the London Bus is reimagined as a fun sleeping solution, immediately introducing fun and colour into your children's bedroom.
Ages 10 to 14
Older children love bunk beds too, and we have lots of choices for your tweens and teens. Children in this age range often have more belongings, so you might want to consider beds with built in shelves and storage. We have a range of triple bunk beds which feature a double bed at the bottom and a single on top, which are perfect for growing teens, our favourite for teenagers is the Julian Bowen Orion Triple Bunk Bed in Anthracite.
The Neutron Triple Bunk Bed is the ideal bunk for your older children and includes many useful features such as 3 underbed drawers, large wide-stepped stairs and several shelves. The drawers are a convenient place for storing spare bedding, clothes or toys and the wide-stepped stairs ensure safety is the highest priority.
3. Pick the Right Mattresses for Your Bunk Bed
Once you've built your bunk bed and checked it is safe and sturdy, you just need to add mattresses and bedding and it will be ready to go. So, what kind of mattress do you need?
- Bunk beds don't need a special mattress as a normal single mattress will fit.
- You will need either a UK sized single or an EU single depending on the bed you chose.
- Ensure that the mattress fits the bunk bed frame snugly.
- Top bunk mattresses shouldn't be any thicker than 16cm
Here at Children’s Bed Shop, we have a number of comfortable mattresses that will help your child get a good night sleep. The pick of the bunch from our range of mattresses is the Komfi Unity Comfort Mattress. This mattress is available in UK and EU sizes meaning it’s perfect for every bed.
Other Considerations When Choosing a Mattress
Look for a mattress that provides adequate support for your child's body. A medium-firm mattress is usually a good choice, as it offers a balance of support and comfort. It should be able to contour to the body while, at the same time, providing sufficient firmness for proper spinal alignment.
At Children's Bed Shop, we only stock mattresses that conform to UK safety regulations, making your search much easier and giving you peace of mind.
Splitting a Bunk Bed into Single Beds
We have already shown how versatile bunk beds can be, but there's more! We stock a selection of bunk beds that can be separated and made into two single beds, so if your needs change, so can the bed. Perhaps as your children get older, they may want their own space, or if you move into a larger home and can give your children a room each, the beds will not be wasted. When your children ultimately move out, you can separate the beds and use them for guests. This makes them even better value for money.
Some of your options include:
The Julian Bowen Maine Bunk Bed in Surf White has a Nordic, modern finish. The Maine Bunk Bed would make a wonderful addition to any child's bedroom. Strong and durable, it is easy to convert into two single beds when you need to do so.
The Stompa Classic Bunk Bed in Grey is made from solid pine, meaning the frame is strong and hardwearing. It features tongue and groove details in the footboard and headboard, giving a classic feel to the bedroom. It can be used as a bunk bed but also splits down to 2 single beds should you need to do this in the future.
The Daisy White Wooden Bunk Bed will give your child's room a modern, contemporary feel. Made with high quality pine and finished in a beautiful white lacquer, it features four guard rails for the top bunk. The vertical slatted headboard and footboard add style, and the solid wooden slats provide extra support for the mattresses.
Whichever bed you choose, you can be confident that you are buying a bed of the highest quality that will last longer than you expected, thanks to its convertible design.
4. Getting the Right Bunk Bed
After everything we have already covered, you should have a good idea of what bunk bed you should be getting your child, however, there are a couple more things you should think about.
How Many Kids Will Use the Bunk Bed?
Typically a bunk bed only sleeps 2 children, however we have a wide range of triple bunk beds that are suitable for children of all ages.
The Julian Bowen Trio Triple Bunk Bed is a neat, compact solution, with three single beds taking up the space of just a single. It is available in a choice of different finishes, including dove grey, darker grey or surf white. It also has matching ladders at each end, used to access the middle and top bunks. Well-designed and stylish, it is made from solid pine, so it is sturdy and durable.
Where to Buy the Best Bunk Beds?
At Children's Bed Shop, we specialise in the very best beds for your children to rest their sleepy heads. We pride ourselves on providing high quality beds at the best prices backed by excellent customer service, so you feel looked after. We have the widest range of children's beds to meet everyone's needs, from their very first toddler bed to beds designed with teenagers in mind.
We have a huge range of beds in every style you could imagine for your children. Our fun, themed beds are a hit with young children and you'll find a London bus, a campervan, safari beds and playhouse beds, as well as many others, so there's something to suit every little adventurer.
We have an unbeatable price match guarantee, meaning you won't ever pay more with us. We also offer free delivery on a date of your choice (apart from in very remote areas), and our beds are usually delivered within 1-7 working days.
We spend time researching and choosing the very best children's beds, so you don't have to. Why not browse our range today? We're sure you'll find just what you're looking for.
