Bunk Beds

Bunk beds aren’t just for children, they are suitable for adults too. As one bed stacks above another, they are ideal for room shares and bedrooms that don’t offer a lot of space. A common concern is how safe are bunk beds – read our bunk bed safety guide or see the most commonly asked questions below.

Bunk Bed FAQs

• What are bunk beds?
• Who are bunk beds suitable for?
• Are bunk beds safe?
• What size are bunk beds?
• What mattresses can you use with bunk beds?
• What different type of bunk beds are available?
• What style of bunk bed should I get?

What are bunk beds?

Bunk beds are a piece of bedroom furniture consisting of two beds. One sits above the other to form a single unit. They are a great space saver in small bedrooms and are available in many different colours and styles. Bunk beds are suitable for both adults and children. There are some regulations though, so be sure to read on.

Who are bunk beds suitable for?

Bunk beds are appropriate for all ages above 4. However, regulations state that children under 6 years should only use the bottom bunk. If your littleones are younger, it's best to opt for cots or toddler beds instead.

Are bunk beds safe?

All bunk beds sold in the UK must conform to British Standard Specification 1 BS EN 747. Safety standards require bunk beds to have fixed guard rails on both sides on the top bunk, be solid in its construction, contain no sharp edges and have no gaps larger than 75mm. View our bunk bed safety guide for more information on safety features and regulations.

Our bunk beds have been carefully crafted to prevent them breaking, tipping over, collapsing or falling. On the top bunk, the guard rails are raised beyond the mattress depth to ensure your youngster can’t fall out. Dreams bunk beds are also constructed from the highest quality materials, Incorporating safety features within the design of our bunk beds ensures adults and children can sleep safe and sound all night long.

What size are bunk beds?

Bunk beds are typically 39 inches (99cm) in width, 79 inches (200cm) in length and 65 inches (165cm) in height. However, some bunk beds differ slightly in size depending on the style and design of the bed frame. Always measure the allocated room space before making your purchase and ensure that there is at least 24 inches (61cm) of space between the top bunk and the ceiling.

What mattresses can you use with bunk beds?

When purchasing a mattress for your bunk bed, it is important to consider the top bunk. Top bunk mattresses should be no thicker than 15cm to ensure the guard rails are at the correct and safe height. Therefore, you most likely will not be able to use a memory foam mattress in a bunk bed. However, you can choose between pocket spring, traditional spring and kids mattresses.

Most bunk beds will be suitable for single, Euro single, and small single size mattresses depending on the dimensions and style of the bunk bed frame. You may also want to consider a mattress protector to ensure you keep your mattress as fresh and effective as possible.

Read more about mattress sizes on our mattress size guide.

What different types of bunk beds are available?

Bunk beds come in a range of styles, colours and designs. They often serve as multiple purpose units incorporating drawers, storage units, and stairs.

• Standard bunk beds – Two beds, where one is stacked on top of the other to save space in small bedrooms. Bunk beds come with a small ladder for easy access to the top bunk.
• Wooden bunk beds – Warm, homely and often at incredible value, wooden bunk beds are an ideal choice whatever your needs. Easy to put together and made from high quality wood, they really stand the test of time. What’s more, if you want to wooden bunk beds another lease of life, they’re perfect for a light sanding and a lick of paint
• Metal bunk beds – Sturdy, easy to clean and long‐lasting, metal bunk beds are great for a range of room styles. They work well with industrial décor and minimalist rooms. But they’re also great for who love space and have planetary décor. They’re also ideal for older kids still sharing a room, offering a more adult design than a painted wood.
• Bunk beds with storage – As well as having two beds, some bunk beds offer cupboard space as another way of saving space in a small room. There is often shelving within cupboards making it easy to store clothes, bedding, shoes, and whatever you see fit.
• Bunk beds with stairs – Rather than a ladder, some bunk beds come with stairs offering a quirky alternative which some find easier to climb. These take up a little more space than a traditional ladder so make sure you’ve considered the space available.
• Bunk beds with shelves – Usually designed so that the shelves sit against a wall allowing easy access and a safe space for books, lamps and ornaments. Got a youngster who’s a bookworm? Let them put a light and their favourite books on their bedside shelves.
• Bunk beds with drawers – Drawers usually sit underneath the bottom bunk to provide extra storage space for bedding, clothing or toys. They’re perfect for rooms lacking space.

What style bunk bed should I get?

Our bunk beds come in a variety of styles, colours and designs. We have a wide range of options available to suit the décor of any bedroom.

Our neutral selection of colours mean that our bunk beds can blend seamlessly into any bedroom. Neutral colours are often a good idea for young children as their tastes tend to change very quickly. We supply black, white, brown, grey and silver bunk bed frames.

Want to add some texture to your bedroom? We also have wooden, metal and upholstered bunk bed frames available.

At Dreams, we pride ourselves on our great range of kids’ beds. Our price promise also ensures that you’re getting only the very best value for money around, leaving you a little extra money in your pocket.

If you’d like to speak to us about any of our beds or have any other questions, call us on 0800 652 5090.