The Best Bunk Bed Ideas to Dress Up Your Kids' Beds
When your little one is ready to transition from cribs to bigger beds, choose a style that will make them feel confident. A cactus-themed mural that you can make yourself from A Beautiful Mess is just the ticket.
Ideas for adult bunk bedrooms can be equally interesting. Multifunctional components like desks built into the structure or trundle beds underneath the bunks allow you to maximize space while maintaining an elegant, modern design.
Loft Beds
Bunk beds are the ideal solution for bedrooms, whether they are for children's rooms, bedrooms for primary use, or guest rooms. They are a combination of two or more beds in one unit, freeing up floor space for study, play or storage. There are a myriad of ways to style bunk beds. It doesn't matter if you go for traditional full-over-full or a twin-overtwin configuration, or a loft bed with a desk, these stylish bunk bed designs will help you design a one-of-a-kind sleeping nook.
The basic bunk bed is a great option for the majority of families. It features the twin bed on top and a large mattress below. The lower part can be used for other furniture, such as a desk or storage. There are bunk beds with an escalator or ladder to make it easy to reach the top bed. Some bunk bed designs have an incline or tower for additional fun.
If you're looking for a contemporary bunk bed idea, try a clean-lined wooden platform frame with neutral colors which can be easily updated with patterns or pops of color. Add accent furniture and bedding that coordinates for a cohesive design. This basic bunk bed from @thejamielynnshow is decorated to celebrate Christmas with a wreath and garland to make it look festive and fresh. This bright treehouse loft from @pocketfulofpaint is cheerful and bright in her daughter's bedroom, with a rainbow-colored rug.
Visit your local retailer to find a castle or playhouse style bunk bed that you can customize by adding curtains, murals, and other embellishments. You can also look for a study loft bed that has work space or desk beneath, which is great for adults or teens who wish to transform their bedroom into a productive workspace.
If you have plenty of floor space, a custom-built bunk room can provide plenty of sleeping and play space for several children. A mezzanine balcony was built above these built-in beds in this East London house designed by Hunting For George. This allows children to be up high while still having plenty of floor space to eat and play.
Platform Beds
Consider bunk beds that have platforms for a modern minimalist look perfect for industrial apartments and contemporary homes. These bed frames do not require a box spring and instead, they have a solid base composed of solid wood or wooden slats. Based on the design, this can make them more affordable. They might not be appropriate for heavier sleepers who require a firmer base.
Platform beds can be styled in a variety of different ways. Some beds have simple headboards and feetboards that give them a sleek, minimalist appearance. They work well in any room. Some are equipped with storage drawers into the walls for additional utility, which is beneficial in small bedrooms and apartments. Some bunk beds feature reading lights built into each bunk, which is ideal for a room with limited natural lighting.
If you opt for an solid-wood platform bed it could be a fantastic investment that will last for years to come. Wood is a durable and abrasive material. If you choose to purchase a wooden slat bunk, it's a good idea to use a mattress protector to keep it looking clean and free from mold and mildew.
Since platforms don't have a box spring, it's a great space-saving option for smaller rooms like lofts and studios. It allows the full mattress to occupy less area on the floor, making it easier to move around the room. It can even make a room feel bigger by creating more open visual space.
A platform bed can be utilized with any mattress. This includes hybrid, innerspring and memory foam. But, you must ensure that the slats don't sit too close to each other to prevent the mattress from sliding as time passes.
You can make the platform bed frame at home if your on a budget. All you require is a basic wood or metal bed frame and plywood sheets that are cut to the size of the mattress. Then simply connect the slats onto the frame with wood glue and nail gun or screws. If you're worried about the slats' strength not being enough, you can add the reinforced slats over them to improve stability and support.
Ladder Bunks
Bunk beds are an ideal solution to add extra sleeping space to a small room without sacrificing the floor space. If you want a bunk bed as stylish as it is functional, opt for one with a ladder rather than an escalator. Ladders occupy a small floor area and offer a safe climbing experience for children of all different ages. To further ease the climb, opt for an angled ladder with hand hole cutouts that help kids grab onto to pull themselves up to the bed.
Ladders are available in a variety of lengths, widths and heights that can be adapted to your particular room. Ladders come in different sizes, widths, and heights, based on the size of your room.
Some children may be uncomfortable at first because they are not used to having beds that are is so close to their ceiling. It could be beneficial for them to have an un-level bunk in their room so they can get used to the height and avoid any issues.
The design of a bunk bed can also affect the experience of climbing, with stairs adding more steps to the climb and often needing more space to stand than a ladder. Stairs are also more difficult to relocate and move around, making them less suitable for families that tend to move around frequently.
To address these concerns With a ladder, bunk beds provide a more comfortable climb and are an excellent option for older children who are ready to get rid of their toddler-style steps for something more modern. This mezzanine-style bunk bed by Katharine Poole is a great choice for kids who want to enjoy a beach house theme and uses ladders to allow children to climb up to the top level easily while also creating a comfortable space for reading, studying or playing.
Storage Bunks
There are several kinds of bunk beds that go a step beyond just securing space on the floor. Beds with storage built-in are a great option for kids' rooms. They also provide an area for children to store their belongings such as books and toys, as well as extra linens. Beds with desks provide an ideal solution that lets children work and play in one space. Stair storage is a smart choice that combines safety and innovative design in order to help children to reach the top bunk.
The simple wood bunk bed looks great in a neutral room, but you can also dress it up by adding an exciting color, such as this green shade, which makes the bedroom feel cozy and fresh. This set of bunk beds is suitable for both girls and boys. It comes with the mattress cover in a striped pattern, matching wall art, and a striped headboard. If you're creating a bunk set for an area that is shared by children choose dark-colored finishes that can stand up to frequent use and washing.
If you're working with an area that is larger enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed you could consider installing a mezzanine floor above the bunks to create a huge play area. A lofted bedroom comes with an integrated desk, a cool balcony and a mezzanine reading area. If your room is tall enough, you could consider the triple bunk arrangement that is suitable for adults and kids alike.
Bunks that have stairs are an ideal storage solution for small spaces, particularly if they have drawers that are big enough to store bedding and other items. Here's a unique, farmhouse-style bunk beds beds bed that has natural wood trim and ladder that combines an elegant design with plenty of storage space to aid children in keeping their rooms neat and tidy.
No matter what style the room has, a bunk bed with drawers for storage can be an excellent feature for any bedroom for a child. This minimalist design from a DIY blogger is a great illustration of how a bunk bed can serve as a focal point while keeping its design in the right place.