Kids Beds Bunk
Bunk beds add drama to kids' rooms, and they also provide them with an excitement. Ms. Keenan adds a shelf to store books, or a reading light in each sleeping space to make bunk beds more appealing to children.
Many of our bunk beds for kids can be converted into two twin beds. This is a great option when you plan to make them move to their own bedroom in the future. Choose from finishes like brushed gray, cream white and rich walnut.
Ladders or Stairs
You can pick between ladders or stairs when you are choosing bunk beds for children. Ladders can be easily installed and are less expensive. They also offer an easy way to climb into the top bunk bed. They are more secure than stairs, since they provide a greater surface for children to walk on and have an integrated handrail. Ladders also usually have grooves in the steps which prevent slippage when climbing up or down the bed.
If you like the design and style of stairs, they may be a more elegant addition to your bunk bed. Staircases can also be utilized in rooms with limited space since they don't protrude as ladders. They can be constructed from wood or metal and are able to match a wide range of bedroom styles. Some staircases are equipped with storage drawers which can be a great way to increase the size of a bunk bed.
When choosing between a ladder or stairs, you should also consider the age of your child. It is recommended that children younger than 6 years old should not be sleeping on the top bunk. Children older than 6 years old who can climb vertically could do better with stairs rather than using a ladder. If you plan to use your bunk bed to accommodate guests, for example, young children or adults who have limited mobility, it's best to use stairs.
A straight staircase on the opposite side of the bed requires 95" of space on either side. If you don't have that much space, you can choose a u-shaped staircase that doesn't need as much space, but offers a secure and safe means of accessing the top bunk. Some beds come with the option of removing the stairs when they're not in use, which further reduces their footprint and makes them more suitable for multipurpose rooms. There are stairs that connect to the top of the bed. This eliminates the need for separate handrails, and makes it easier to climb up and down to the bottom for kids.
Guard Rails
Guard rails allow kids to climb into and out of their beds independently and provide them with an experience of independence and confidence. They must be placed correctly to ensure that there are no gaps or loosening in between the guardrails and the frame of the bed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing guard rails, and make sure to examine them regularly to ensure that they aren't loose or have holes that could result in trapping.
Keep bunk beds clear of electrical appliances and other objects that could become projectiles when your children are playing or sleeping. Position bunk beds away from windows to avoid the risk of falling when your children climb up on the top level.
A safety feature you may want to consider is a night lighting for the ladder; it can aid in illuminating the path and down in case children awake at night and need to go to the bathroom, or wake up by a storm and have to get from their bedroom safely.
Another excellent security feature for bunk beds is a safety net that can be put up on the top level to keep children from falling down while they are asleep or playing. This is a great idea especially for older children, who tend to sleep on the top bunk.
Guardrails must be securely attached to the bunk bed structure and not removed without the use of tools. The openings in the guardrails that are above the mattress foundation must not be larger than 3.5 inches to prevent entrapment and strangulation. To test this, insert the wedge block as shown in Figure 1 into each of the openings on the lower edge of the topmost guardrail member and above the mattress's underside foundation. Then apply a 33-lbf (147-N) force in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the larger end of the block and keep it there for 1 minute.
It's a good idea to inform your children to not hang any objects on the ladder or guardrail like belts, clothing, and sporting equipment. Instead you should utilize an organized rack to keep these objects from becoming a strangulation hazard for your child. Also, ensure that more than one child should not sleep on the top level of the bunk, as this can create an imbalance that could cause falls.
Mattresses
Take into consideration the age of your child and their size when selecting a mattress to fit a bunk beds. A bunk mattress will last for at least eight years, or until siblings are no longer sharing bedrooms and you'll need to choose a mattress that is designed to grow with your child while still providing adequate support as they grow older.
There are many options for bunk mattress sizes. They are typically full or twin size. If your child suffers from asthma or allergies, opt for an hypoallergenic mattress with a dust-mite barrier as well as a moisture-wicking cover. Mattresses with an antimicrobial coating will shield the foam from harmful bacteria and germs.
The feeling of your mattress is also crucial. Kids are usually lighter than adults and need an appropriate mattress that is firm but also comfortable. Many latex and hybrid mattresses have a firm side and a soft side to accommodate the needs of both kids and adults.
Memory foam mattresses are a good choice for kids, but we don't recommend them due to their tendency not to cool effectively and can be hard on the spines of young children. Think about a hybrid or a latex mattress instead, which can provide solid support and cooling infusions that will keep your child or guest sleeping cool and comfortable.
A low-profile mattress is often the best option for kids bunk beds. They are designed to be slimmer than standard mattresses and increase the height of the safety rail for the top bunk. They also minimize "filler" materials to offer premium quality in an ultra-slim design.
Consider an innerspring model or a hybrid with upper comfort layers that can be removed and replaced as your child grows. These models will give you a clear idea of how the mattress will perform as your child grows, and you can always put in a mattress pad or bed skirt to prevent it from sliding off the frame. Some beds come with a side rails or a lip built-in to stop this from happening.
Storage
Bunk beds are a great alternative to save space in shared children's rooms. Bunk beds can also be a cheaper alternative to buying two full-sized single beds. Some bunks offer the option of adding a trundle bed that can be hidden under the bottom bunk when it is not in use.
Consider installing a kids bedroom furniture set that includes desks, bookcases, and/or dressers to maximize storage and space in a room with a bunk bed. This will allow you to keep all your child's personal belongings including toys, clothing and clothes in one location without having to cram them into overstuffed chests or closets. These combination kids bedroom furniture sets are available from a number of retailers and typically comply with all safety standards of the federal government.
The stacking bunks provide an opportunity for creativity as kids can transform the spaces below into secret places to play or cozy areas. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked 6 bunks in this room to create the ultimate space for kids that can be used to sleep, play and even superhero cape twirls. The room is decorated with a bubble wallcovering from Chasing Paper, and the ceiling is painted Benjamin Moore Blue Jean.
If you are unable to construct an stairwell for your stacked kids bunk the ladder could be a simple solution. The ladders are constructed using a combination Single Socket, Flange, and 90 Degree Side Outlet Fittings. They can be easily adjusted in order to increase or decrease distance between the ladder rungs. The ladder rungs can also be set flush with the ground, rather than above to aid in climbing.
Another method to maximize space in a room that has bunk beds is to put up loft kids beds that can be lowered down to just above the floor. This allows you to slide desks, dressers or toy chests under the elevated beds. This is a real maximization of space and it can be a great solution for small bedrooms or even in a large family home where beds have to be able to accommodate many people sleeping.