Bunk Beds for Kids & Teens

Bunk beds are two single beds stacked vertically, usually with a ladder for easy access to the top bunk. One sits above the other to form a single unit helping maximise floor space which would be taken up by two separate frames. For bedrooms that are low on storage space, or for shared bedrooms, a bunk bed is the perfect choice. You can find several different styles in our bunk beds range, from wooden to metal as well as bunks with storage.

Are bunk beds safe?

All our bunk beds conform to British Standard Specification 1 BS EN 747. These safety standards require bunk beds to:

• Have fixed guard rails on both sides of the top bunk.
• Be solid in their construction.
• Contain no sharp edges.
• 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 with safety features in the design to prevent them from 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.

There is no recommended weight limit to our bunk beds. However, we’d recommend that only one person sit or sleep on the top bunk at a time to keep the bed balanced and ensure that everyone’s safe.

What ages are they suitable for?

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

What about bunk beds for adults?

Perhaps surprisingly, bunk beds can be slept in by adults. This is most common in non-domestic spaces such as hostels and where workers are required to sleep on-site. However, for households who often have guests and family members to stay, a bunk-bed in a spare room can provide well-needed space and save anyone sleeping on a make-shift bed on the floor.

That said, it’s absolutely crucial here to ensure adults stay in the bottom bunk only. Top bunks can take the weight of some smaller adults but we don’t recommend it for safety reasons.

What different types of bunk beds are available?

Bunk beds come in a range of styles, colours, and designs to suit the tastes of boys and girls.

Standard

A standard bunk bed is two beds, stacked one on top of the other to save space in small bedrooms. Bunk beds usually come with a small ladder for easy access to the top bunk, however, some come with stairs, which are easier to climb but take up more space.

Wooden

Wooden bunk beds are sturdy, easy to put together and are made from high-quality wood. As a result, they’re long-lasting and can be re-painted to freshen up a room. A classic wood bunk bed is a timeless piece for a children's bedroom as they grow up and their tastes change, these remain stylish and practical for years to come.

Metal

Sturdy, easy to clean, and long‐lasting, metal bunk beds are great for a range of room styles. They’re ideal for older kids still sharing a room, offering a more adult-looking design compared to 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’s often shelving within cupboards making it easy to store clothes, bedding, shoes, and whatever you see fit.

Some bunk beds with storage have shelves and are usually designed so that the shelves sit against a wall, allowing easy access and a safe space for books, lamps, and ornaments. You can also get a bunk bed with under-bed drawers for extra storage, which is perfect for keeping spare bedding, clothes, or toys out of sight.

For more on storage, check out this Inspire Me post about storage ideas for a kid’s bedroom.

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. Check out our home-measuring guide for more information.

It's also worth noting that bunk beds aren't the only beds which maximise space in a child's room or a guest room. If you’re looking for a specific bed for a guest room, check out our guest beds. Or we have other great space saving kids beds, including mid sleepers, high sleepers, and cabin beds.

What mattresses can you use with bunk beds?

Top bunk mattresses should be no thicker than 15cm to ensure the guard rails are at the correct and safe height. Therefore, we recommend pocket spring, traditional spring, or 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.

Read more about mattress sizes on our mattress size guide.