best bunk beds

Buying Guide for Kids Bunk Beds

Bunks are a fun and space efficient way to create comfy sleeping quarters. Kids love sleeping in bunks; they get all the benefits of good company and the comfort and individual style of their own bed. While you begin your kids bunk beds search, know that there are quite a few things to consider before purchasing. Here are a few simple questions that may help you make the perfect choice.

maxtrix kids bunk bed buying guide

Kids Bunk Beds Shopping Considerations

1. Is space a precious commodity?

Bunks are great space savers, and if the room is narrow or oddly shaped, they can really help you maximize square footage. If you are struggling to make a small space work, consider the following:

  • Go for a straight ladder, it will save you plenty of valuable floor space. 
  • Investigate corner bunk beds to accommodate even the strangest roof-lines and corners.
  • Stick to Twin size beds, and check if you have enough room for a pull out bed (trundle) or underbed storage drawers. You may even have enough ceiling height and floor space for a triple bunk – guests and slumber parties are almost guaranteed, and everybody loves to sleep in a bunk!
stacked triple bunk bed
Kids' coastal bedroom with natural wood bunk beds, teal bedding and palm-tree surfboard wallpaper
White wooden bunk bed with pull-out storage drawers in a modern coastal blue kids bedroom featuring hardwood floors, geometric blue area rug, striped window shades, large windows and a potted plant
Solid natural wood twin-over-twin bunk bed with ladder, white linens and decorative pillows in a cozy modern children's bedroom

2. Do you love cuddling and reading before bed? Need some extra space for downtime?

If you cherish some quality time before bed, you may want to go for some extra space on the bottom bunk. Twin over Full Bunk Beds - or Twin over Queen Bunk Beds - give lots of space for parents to be comfy, too. Or, just add a few back and bolster pillows and turn the bottom bunk into a permanent couch, which is ideal for reading, homework or just chilling out. 

twin over full bunk bed with ladder on end

Solid pine twin-over-full wooden bunk bed with side ladder and blue bedding in a modern kids' bedroom, space-saving slatted design
Natural wood twin-over-twin bunk bed with ladder in bright minimalist kids bedroom, neutral bedding and built-in shelving
White loft bunk bed with built-in staircase storage and drawers in a cozy children's bedroom, pink throw blanket, decorative tree-print pillows and hopscotch rug

 

3. Want to Turn Your Kids Bunk Beds into Indoor Playgrounds?

A bed can be so much more than just a place to sleep – you can trick out your kids bunk beds with slides, curtains, towers and a top tent to create the ultimate indoor playground. A bed with so much fun value is serious competition to any playground! (Take a look at our new Fun Kids Beds collection.)

twin over full with stairs and slide

Natural wood bunk bed with slide and stairs, featuring a safe and fun design for children's bedrooms.
Wooden bunk bed with slide in modern bedroom interior, featuring minimalist decor and neutral color palette.
Modern white bunk bed with slide and storage stairs in a stylish kids' bedroom.

 

4. Need to sleep more than 2?

There are plenty of options for sleeping three and four with triple bunk beds and quadruple bunk beds. Put 3 beds on top of each other, link 2 bunks with a staircase for a sleek looking hex bunk, or consider a triple or quadruple L shape or corner bunk. And remember you can choose from lots of different ladder options to customize your perfect fit. Adding trundle beds to the mix – like the hex bunk – makes space for 8! The possibilities are endless.

long quadruple bunk bed with stairs in middle

Kids' coastal bedroom with natural wood bunk beds, teal bedding and palm-tree surfboard wallpaper
Light wood twin-over-twin bunk beds in a bright coastal-style kids' bedroom with white shiplap walls, gray bedding, blue accent pillows, wall-mounted reading lamps, built-in ladder storage and woven pendant light
L-shaped solid wood bunk bed in natural finish, space-saving twin corner bunk for kids in a bright neutral bedroom with patterned rug

 

5. Is Safety a Concern with Your Kids' Bunk Beds?

Guard rails help to keep our children safe while playing and sleeping. Make sure the bed you purchase has the maximum possible guardrail height. Remember that even if you have a really tall guardrail, if you add a plush, thick mattress you reduce that safety rail height right down again. Try to go for the tallest rail and the slimmest – but high quality – mattress to get to the maximum height safety rail. (Read why low profile mattresses for bunk beds)

Opt for quality beds! Maxtrix bunk beds are made from solid hardwood, so even the strength of three boys isn't enough to make our Triathlon budge! ;)

Also, consider bunk beds with stairs for the safest entry. Designed for little feet with grooves for placement and support, you can't go wrong with this option.

twin bunk beds with stairs in white

Solid wood bunk bed with staircase storage in a modern kids' bedroom with blue paneled wall, dresser and natural jute rug.
Modern white bunk bed with slide and storage stairs in a stylish kids' bedroom.
Natural wood twin-over-full bunk bed with built-in staircase drawers, green bedding and modern kids' bedroom decor

6. Want Extra Headspace or Leg Room?

Even if your room has a small footprint, there may be extra space above! Check if you can go taller and create some extra headroom for the person in the lower bunk. There are plenty of heights to choose from, and extra-long slides and tall accessories can help maximize the fun factor and storage options. So measure carefully, and make the optimal choice for your room! (Read: How to Measure Your Room for a Kids Bed - 6 Expert Tips)

Need to accommodate adults or growing kids? There are XL and Queen size bunk beds available that work really well for rooms that double as guest accommodations, older teens, beach or vacation homes.

twin xl over queen bunk with stairs

Natural wooden twin bunk bed in a minimalist Scandinavian kids' bedroom with white bedding, neutral pillows, boho rug and potted plant
White wooden loft bunk bed with ladder and under-bed drawers, green bedding and toys in a bright kids bedroom
Classic Queen Bunk Bed

We hope this little guide gave you some inspiration on the many bunks you can choose from. Please contact us for more information or to customize your solutions for you. Our design team is standing by ready to help you create the perfect bunk bed!

custom kids bed design assistance