Bunk Bed Buying Guide

Is there anything more fun than sleeping up high, reaching your bed via a ladder and having extra space for friends to stay over? It’s official, there are few beds more exciting than the bunk bed! Brilliant for bedrooms which are tight on space, bunk beds allow you to stack two beds on top of each other, which helps to free up floor space for an extra play area or more freestanding furniture.

Wondering how to choose the perfect bunk bed design for your little one’s bedroom? Here, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about these fun (and space-saving) bed designs. Bagsie top bunk!

Our New England White Bunk Bed has a classic feel for a look that’s fresh and contemporary.

What is a bunk bed?

A brilliant way to make the most of space in bijou bedrooms, bunk beds combine two single beds in one ingenious design by stacking them on top of eachother. Great for bigger families, or for children who love sleepovers, bunk beds also allow you to free up that all-important floor space in your little one’s bedroom. Handy, right?

We know what you’re thinking: are bunk beds a good idea? If you’re tight on space, or you have two children sharing a bedroom, then the answer is a resounding yes! With two beds taking up the same amount of space as one, you’re able to maximise floor space in your child’s bedroom and create more room for an additional wardrobe, chest of drawers, homework desk or a play area. Plus, they’re super fun… who wouldn’t want to climb a ladder to get into bed?!

Bunk beds are sometimes confused with the other space-efficient bed design: the high sleeper bed. Sometimes called a ‘loft bed’, these beds have a slightly higher sleeping platform than the standard bunk bed. And, rather than two single beds stacked on top of eachother, they have a handy area beneath the sleeping platform which often includes a desk, wardrobe, chest of drawers or futon.

What age are bunk beds for?

In order to keep everyone safe, the upper bed of our bunk bed designs are only suitable for children aged 6 and upwards.

Though you might think of bunk beds as designs for younger children, they can be great for older kids who love to have friends stay over. The beauty of our classic bunk bed designs is that they can easily be refreshed with colourful bedding, throws and cushions as your child gets older.

Now, we bet you’re wondering – can adults use bunk beds? As cool as it might seem to sleep on the top bunk, our bunk beds are designed especially for children. However, we’ve got loads of other gorgeous designs for grown ups! How about a super-trendy industrial style bed, a sumptuously stylish antique style bed, or a bed with an in-built TV? Yep, we thought that might pique your interest…

How big is a bunk bed?

If you’re feeling concerned about the size of a bunk bed in relation to your child’s bedroom, fear not! Though they’re double the height of a standard single bed (they’re two beds stacked on top of one another, after all) they’re not usually any wider, which means you’re able to make the most of any remaining floor space.

Bunk bed dimensions differ between designs – but they’re designed with standard room sizes in mind. Our New England White Bunk Bed, for example, is 98cm wide and 172cm tall. In terms of sleeping areas, a standard bunk bed includes two single beds on top of eachother. However, some clever designs also include an additional slide out bed underneath – such as our Harmony Lydia White Wooden Bunk Bed Including Underbed, which is brilliant for sleepovers. Or, for a handy guest bedroom solution, how about our Montana Triple Bunk Bed? This design includes a full-size double bed on the bottom, and a single bed on the top (which can also be separated out into a standard double and single bed, should the need strike).

Our Montana Triple Bunk Bed is perfect for guest bedrooms, with a full-size double bed on the bottom and a single bed up top.

What mattresses and bedding can be used on bunk beds?

If you’re considering investing in one of our beds for your little one, you’re probably wondering if you can use a regular mattress on a bunk bed. For safety reasons, it’s important to use a mattress which is the correct size for the bed. For one of our bunk beds, only use a mattress that is 1905mm long and 915mm wide. However, we recommend having a thorough read of the guidance provided with your specific bed design.

To make sure that your child is as safe as possible and can’t roll out of bed, the height of the mattress is also important. The mattress must not be higher than the safety barriers on the side of the bed. Which means, on our bunk beds, the top of the mattress needs to be at least 160mm below the edge of the safety barriers.

The good news is that a standard UK single fitted sheet and duvet is perfect for use with a bunk bed – and, with two beds to dress, you have double the opportunity to get creative! Our classic, pared-back bunk bed designs mean that you can try pairing bedding in contrasting prints, patterns and colours. You could even layer up quilts and throws for a cosy and eclectic feel.

Are bunk beds safe?

How dangerous are bunk beds? The answer is, when properly assembled and used, a bunk bed isn’t dangerous at all! In fact, it can be a safe and space-saving addition to your child’s bedroom. However, as we explained earlier, the upper bunk is only suitable for children aged 6 and over.

As a rule of thumb, we always recommend doing your own research and thoroughly reading the safety and assembly instructions provided with your specific bunk bed design. To prevent any unwanted accidents, children should never play or jump on a bunk bed, and always use the ladder when climbing down from the upper bunk. The upper bunk is only suitable for one person, and you should also avoid hanging anything from the upper bunk which is not designed for use with the bed (such as ropes, hooks, bags or belts).

For safety reasons, it’s also important to consider the positioning of the bunk bed in your child’s bedroom. Always ensure there’s adequate clearance between the top bunk and the ceiling, any overhead lights or other pieces of furniture. It’s also important to check that a child can not become trapped between the bed and the wall, ceiling or adjoining pieces of furniture. As such, the distance between the top safety barrier and the adjoining structure should not exceed 75mm or should be more than 230mm.

Looking for inspiration for your child’s bedroom?

Why not peruse our full collection of children’s beds? From practical trundle beds, to high sleepers with additional storage space, there’s a bed to suit all needs!