The 11 Greatest Bunk Beds of 2024

Our Overview Course of 

Earlier than researching a wide range of widespread bunk beds, we learn security ideas from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Nationwide Youngsters’s Hospital, and the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC), paying attention to all security options beneficial. We additionally consulted a medical knowledgeable to learn the way to make use of bunk beds safely: 

• Kelly Moriarty, DNP, MSN, RN, trauma damage prevention coordinator at Novant Well being Presbyterian Medical Middle and a scientific teacher at South Piedmont Group Faculty

We additionally spoke with two actual moms who use bunk beds each day with their youngsters, to listen to about their on a regular basis experiences and discover out what they regarded for when procuring. Then we started merchandise, assessing the opinions and specs of every possibility, and paying shut consideration to the supplies used. We famous any options that made the bunk beds extra handy or enjoyable, like slides or storage. 

Components to Take into account When Shopping for Bunk Beds

Since a bunk mattress is one thing you’ll use each day for years, it’s a purchase order you’ll need to put some thought into. Security and sturdiness ought to all be prime of thoughts. 

• Dimension, Top, and Capability: Take into account the scale of the bed room and the age and measurement of your children. Bunk beds have weight limits, so make sure the product works to your youngsters. If two older youngsters are utilizing the bunk beds, you might have considered trying a full-over-full as an alternative of a twin-over-twin. For teenagers of various ages, strive a twin-over-full. Be aware of how low the underside bunk is simply too; one thing low to the bottom can be simpler with youthful toddlers. Lastly, take note of what number of children can use the bunk beds. 
• Supplies: Bunk beds must be as sturdy as potential, and that begins with what they’re made from. Stable wooden, like birch, maple, or pine, is robust and can stand the check of time. Observe that high-quality hardwood materials can be dearer and require extra upkeep over time; wooden can scratch simply and should be saved clear to remain in good situation. If chemical compounds are a priority, search for supplies which are Greenguard Gold licensed, that means the product meets strict chemical emissions limits. Metallic is a good different to wooden. It’s inexpensive and might even be extra sturdy. Nevertheless, it will also be extra noisy, rather less comfy, and fewer aesthetically pleasing.  
• Design and Standout Options: Normal bunk beds usually embrace house for 2 mattresses and a ladder for youths to go up and down. Extra stylized bunk beds can include enjoyable options like slides, treehouse-style tops, and castle-style designs, or different components. Many choices embrace handy options like storage drawers, a trundle mattress, a desk, or staircases as an alternative of ladders. Some supply longevity and flexibility by remodeling into two separate beds. 
• Security Options: The AAP stresses the significance of getting guardrails on each side of the highest bunk that rise at the very least 5 inches above the mattress. Dr. Moriarty recommends searching for guardrails that rise 6 inches above the mattress and staircases as an alternative of ladders, particularly for youthful youngsters. As well as, “all bunk beds ought to have sturdy assist below the mattress, often wooden slats or wire, and must be in good situation,” Dr. Moriarty says. With ladders, search for choices which are securely fixed to the highest and backside bunks to keep away from wobbling and pinch factors. 

The way to Use Bunk Beds Safely

Bunk beds could be nice for smaller rooms and is usually a enjoyable possibility for youthful youngsters. Nevertheless, the AAP asserts that bunk beds are related to worse accidents than customary beds. If you’re utilizing bunk beds, it’s important to maintain these security ideas in thoughts. 

• Keep within the backside bunk till age 6: Each the AAP and Nationwide Youngsters’s Hospital advise in opposition to youngsters youthful than age 6 sleeping within the prime bunk. Most prime bunk accidents occur to youngsters below 6 years outdated. 
• Place it in a nook: The AAP recommends placing the bunk mattress within the nook of a room so there are partitions on two sides. By no means place your bunk mattress close to a ceiling fan that’s near the highest bunk. Any object that would doubtlessly be harmful or trigger strangulation, like ropes or pull cords for blinds, shouldn’t be close to the bunk beds.  
• Excessive guardrails: “The guard rails alongside the highest bunk are most essential in stopping a toddler from rolling off,” Dr. Moriarty says. “These ought to go at the very least 6 inches taller than the mattress and mustn’t have greater than 3 ½ inches between slats to forestall strangulation.” If there may be greater than 3 ½ inches between the underside of the mattress and the guardrail, it’s best to add one other rail to shut the hole. 
• Add an evening mild: The AAP recommends maintaining an evening mild near a bunk mattress. This helps youngsters who might have to climb down in the midst of the night time, permitting them to see higher and doubtlessly keep away from damage. 
• Guarantee every part is sturdy: Ladders can come free and pose a threat for damage. Assess its sturdiness, particularly if it may be moved. Search for stable mattress assist slats, particularly for the highest bunk. “All bunk beds ought to have a sturdy assist below the mattress,” Dr. Moriarty says. This must be wooden or wire slats. Dr. Moriarty recommends inspecting the bunk mattress usually to make sure it’s in good situation. 
• Educate youngsters methods to behave on bunk beds: The AAP stresses the significance of educating children methods to correctly behave on a bunk mattress. “A very powerful factor is to set guidelines to be used,” Dr. Moriarty agrees. “Encourage children to keep away from horseplay or leaping from the highest bunk. Ensure they know methods to rise up and down and really feel secure doing so.” 
• Keep on prime of recollects: Register your bunk beds and at all times hold updated with CPSC recollects. In case you discover there’s a recall to your bunk mattress, take the suitable steps to restore or exchange it. 

What Age Is Acceptable for the Prime Bunk?

The AAP recommends dad and mom don’t permit youngsters below the age of 6 to sleep on the highest bunk in case of damage. “As soon as a toddler outgrows a toddler mattress, they will begin utilizing a regular-sized mattress, together with the underside bunk of a bunk mattress,” Dr. Moriarty says. “The overall age to make use of the highest bunk is 6 years outdated. That is additionally a judgment name. In case your little one just isn’t capable of observe instructions to fastidiously use a ladder or stairs to securely rise up to their mattress, then I might wait longer earlier than permitting them to make use of the highest bunk.” 

How A lot Does a Bunk Mattress Value?

Bunk beds vary extensively in value, from $250 to over $2,000. The value will depend on the fabric used (hardwood is mostly dearer), in addition to the scale (full-over-full can be dearer than twin-over-twin). It additionally will depend on the model and options—bunk beds with slides, treehouse tops, and different enjoyable add-ons can be dearer. 

How Excessive Ought to a Bunk Mattress Be?

There must be at the very least 30 inches of house between the highest of the mattress on the highest bunk and the ceiling. Most bunk beds are between 5 and a half and 6 toes excessive. 

Who We Are

Jessica Sales space is a contract author who covers parenting, procuring, wellness, leisure, and marriage ceremony content material. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and earlier than that, labored as an editor at a web based publication for seven years. She has written for websites equivalent to Brides, Individuals, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Day by day Beast, Reviewed, She Is aware of, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Count on. She additionally has two younger daughters.