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Blog entry by Bowers Valenzuela

Buying Bunk Beds Kids

Bunk beds kids allow siblings to share a room without compromising their privacy and are an ideal option for sleepovers. Based on the model you choose, these beds might have stairs or ladders that access the top bunk, and they can be crafted using a variety of materials including wood and metal.

Size

When shopping for a bunk bed, be sure to take precise measurements and compare them to your room dimensions. You'll need to ensure that there's enough room for your kids to climb up and down the ladder (or stairs if the bunk has stairs) and to maneuver around the loft without running into furniture or walls. It's also important to take into consideration the height of the bunk bed and headroom in relation to your children's standing and sitting height. You might need to purchase an earlier-sized bunk to accommodate children who are younger, while older children might prefer a taller setup.

Bunk beds for kids generally come in two styles including twin-overtwin and full-overfull. Both are great options for accommodating multiple kids in one room. Some bunks include a trundle bed to accommodate more guests during sleepovers. If your children are young, consider a bunk that is low to ensure that the bunk at the bottom is not more than 50 inches from the ground. This will prevent your children from falling out of their beds, which is a safety hazard.

The distance between the top bunk and the guardrails is another important aspect to take into consideration. The CPSC recommends the height of the top bunk mattress to be no higher than 5 inches above guardrail. This will prevent your children from slipping out of bed during the middle of the night and crashing into the guardrails. This could result in the entrapment of a child, or even a fall.

The most suitable bunk beds for children are constructed with durable materials and are in compliance with CPSC safety standards, says Ganjian. Check the construction of each bunk bed to be sure it's constructed with high-quality wood, and isn't too fragile or unstable. Some of the best bunk beds for kids also come with mortise-and-tenon joinery and are Greenguard Gold Certified for meeting strict standards for chemical emissions.

This triple bunk bed from Pottery Barn will work well for a guest room or as a holiday home or even to sleep your children. It's easy to assemble with the included tools, and it can be converted into three beds that stand on their own if your kids outgrow the arrangement. It is available in a neutral finish that can be combined with both vibrant and muted shades, such as brushed gray or weathered blue.

Safety

Bunk beds can be a fun and exciting accessory to any bedroom for children, but they can be dangerous if not properly constructed or used. Bunk bed injuries can happen to children of all ages but they are more common in children under six. It is crucial to adhere to the manufacturer's safety and assembly instructions as well as use the appropriate mattress size, and place the bunk beds so that they do not interfere with heaters, windows, or hanging lights. It's also a good idea to regularly inspect the bunk bed for any signs of wear and tear and then make repairs as required.

The top bunk's height should be restricted to four feet, and there should be a guardrail on both sides of the bed. The space between the guardrails should not be greater than 3 1/2 inches to prevent the risk of suffocation, and to ensure that your child doesn't fall under the guardrail when sleeping. The bottom mattress should be supported by wires or slats that are directly beneath the bunk. They should be fastened securely at both ends to prevent the possibility of a gap that your child could fall through.

The ladders and stairs must be securely attached to bunk beds and offer a safe way to climb to the top level. Make sure the ladder isn't near any dangers and that your children understand that they can use it only for climbing into bed, not as a play area. Also, discourage rough playing on the bunks since it could affect the structural stability.

It isn't possible to determine the age for children to sleep in bunk beds. However, a lot of experts recommend that children not sleep on the top bunk until they are at least six years old age and are mature enough to be able to stay still during sleep. If you are unsure of your child's capacity to climb on the top bunk, consider an adult-sized or twin bunk.
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Style

Bunk beds allow kids to share a room and remain close to their siblings, while also maximizing space. They're also a great method to encourage teamwork in younger children and make sleepovers more fun for everyone involved. Bunks that include desks are ideal for teenagers and older children because they incorporate the study and sleeping furniture into one. Bunks with stairs or ladders can make climbing up to the top bed safer and easier for kids of all different ages. You can personalize your bed by choosing the dimensions, style, and other features you prefer.

The kind of mattress you choose will determine the level of comfort your bunk bed will feel. At Slumberland, we offer a wide selection of premium-quality mattresses for all types of bunk beds. We offer innerspring, memory foam and hybrid mattresses in all sizes, so you will be able to find the perfect mattress for your kids' or teenagers bunk beds.

Stairs and ladders are another options to think about, along with safety rails and additional storage. Some bunk beds have ladders that connect along the side, while others incorporate stairs into the frame. Staircases provide a more modern and sleek design and are safer than standard ladders.

You can also customize the bunks with an appropriate color scheme to match your kids' personalities or the decor in the rest of the room. Some bunk beds are finished in white, while others are made in natural or dark cherry wood. If you're buying a wood bunk bed, you can paint it to match your children' rooms or choose a stain to keep the natural look.

You can add your own personal design to your bunk beds by investing in decorative lighting that complements the theme or style. It is possible to install recessed lighting in the ceiling, like to let in plenty of lighting without taking up the floor space. If you're using a metal or wood bunk bed, you could also consider adding swag lighting that hangs from the ceiling and provides an edgier lighting.

Storage

Most bunk beds are characterized by their capacity to expand the space in the bedroom of your child. This is achieved by stacking two mattresses on top of one other. These beds can be stacked the duration of time your children are young until they reach the age of tweenhood, or they can be divided to create individual bed frames. This is perfect for families who move frequently or have a smaller home.

These bunk beds are versatile and come in a wide range of configurations, with traditional twin over twin or twin over full and queen over queen options available (like the Crate and Barrel Babyletto TipToe White & Washed Natural Wood Bunk Bed). Some are available in different heights, and some include a step-ladder that is inclined to make it easier to climb.

Another aspect to consider when choosing the best bunk bed is its structure, with certain models combining medium-density fiberboard as well as kiln-dried wood. While the former is less expensive and has an updated look but the latter is more robust and durable.

Bunks with trundle mattresses are ideal for sleepovers. Certain models allow for the addition of a second trundle in another configuration. These beds can comfortably accommodate three children or adults, which can be ideal for a room shared that encourages family bonding while maximizing the use of space.

The last thing to think about when deciding on the right bunk bed is color and style with clean whites, neutral grays and muted clay finishes providing a range of aesthetic choices that can play nicely with any bedroom decor. A clean white bunk bed is a great pick for cottage, coastal or bright bedrooms, while a neutral gray or clay choice will seamlessly blend with various colors as your child grows up and develops into a person.

While the cost of a bunk bed will vary, most models feature an affordable price that's comparable to other similar kinds of furniture for bedrooms. Some lower-priced bunk beds are made with cheaper materials, but the majority of our top-rated models are sturdy enough to endure through childhood and beyond.