Bunk Bed Ideas For Boys And Girls: 58 Best Bunk Beds Designs

Bunk bed ideas are not something that you find easily. Cool bunk beds ideas are something that may be even harder to find. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a bunk bed, this article is for you!

From bunk bed plans with stairs to loft bed DIY, this article wants to provide you the inspiration for bunk bed designs. We will do so by showing you unique bunk beds examples from cool interiors

When you have more than one child and space is a problem, you have the simple solution of bunk beds.

However, even if you have space, you can be sure that your children, boys or girls, will love to climb their bunk bed stairs when they are going to sleep. From a homemade loft bed to creative bunk beds, your children will love being off the ground.

Bunk bed ideas for your kids

Today the bunk beds market has developed a lot and you can find an entire ensemble of beds, from the loft bed with desk plan to toddler loft beds with stairs. You can even choose a castle bed plan or, from a very practical perspective, bunk beds with stairs and storage. You can even choose an entire range of colors and materials for this area so you don’t have to be worried that your choice will not fit your room or home design.

If your kid is a lazy one this is the perfect way to convince him to leave his bed because he will adore getting down from the bed by sliding onto the ground.

Placing the bunk beds near the window will allow your children to fall asleep with the natural view of moon and stars, use this as a tip for long nights. Kids will love a deck bed, where they can chat with each other while falling asleep.

Depending on the number of children and the available space you can adopt more than two beds bounded between them as you see in these pictures of bunk beds: triple bed ideas or four bunk beds in the same room. Bunk beds design is adaptable in every room by simply changing the colors.

This means you can explore girl bunk bed ideas as well as bunk bed ideas for boys. Look online for a range of unique bunk bed ideas and pictures of cool beds, and share the images with your children.

So if you decided to buy a bunk bed, but are searching for ideas, I hope these bunk bed design ideas will help you to make the best decision regarding the whole interior design of the room. You can also create your own by following DIY bunk beds plans.

Finding ideas and inspiration for bunk bedroom designs won’t be hard. You’ll be familiar with a range of cool bunk bed designs after seeing this article.

And here’s a set of frequently asked questions that you might have had about bunk beds:

Do you need a box spring on a bunk bed?

No. As long as your mattress fits well into the frame of the bed, you will have all the support you need. Bunk beds come with a built-in frame that supports the mattress. Look for a great mattress fit for both the top and bottom bunk beds.

What is a bunk bed mattress?

Bunk beds are manufactured according to standard mattress sizes. The majority of the time, a standard single or twin sized mattress will be suitable for your bunk bed.

Do you need a special type of mattress for your bunk bed?

When choosing a bunk bed mattress, your most important goal is fit. As long as your mattress fits the bunk bed, this is all you need. There are no set criteria you would need to meet for a bunk bed mattress.

What is a double bunk bed?

A double bunk is a bed style where to beds are layered on top of one another. Double bunks can be stacked, one on top of the other, or they can be L-shaped. L-shaped bunk beds often have a bookshelf or a pedestal underneath. A bunk bed is different from a loft bed, where the lower bed is missing and may be replaced by a desk or workspace.

What is the length of a bunk bed?

Most bunk beds come in standard sizes. The majority are made to fit two twin mattresses. Twin mattresses are usually 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. However, twin mattresses do come in extra-large sizes. These mattresses add an extra 5 inches to the mattress length. When searching for mattresses for your bunk bed, check whether you need standard-sized or extra long twin mattresses.

What is the average height of a bunk bed?

Bunk beds vary in height, but are, on average, between 5 ½ and 6 feet. When using a bunk bed, the space between the top bunk and ceiling should be at least two feet. This will prevent any accidents or bumps.

What is the average height of a bunk bed mattress?

Although the bottom of a bunk bed can take a mattress which has a height between 7 ½ and 12 inches, the top bunk will need a mattress which is no more than 6 or 7 inches tall. This is because the mattress height will need to be lower than the guard rail in order to offer protection. If the mattress is too high, this will put the person sleeping on the top bunk at risk of rolling out of bed.

What age is appropriate for bunk beds?

Children under 6 should be limited to the lower bunk. Small children often don’t have the coordination to climb up and down the ladder easily when accessing the top bunk. Many small children will also be unable to prevent themselves from falling from the top bunk.

Can you split bunk beds?

If you have two small children you believe are not bunk bed ready, or would eventually like to divide your beds between rooms, you can split your beds. Most bunk beds are designed to convert into two separate beds.

How high should your ceiling be for a bunk bed?

When you install a bunk bed, you would require a two-foot gap between the top of the bed and your ceiling in order to prevent bumps. Most ceilings are 8 feet high. With the average bunk bed reaching 65 – 75 inches, this gives plenty of space. Most bedrooms are therefore suitable for bunk bed use.

Are bunk beds safe? At what age?

Children love to play hide and seek and take part in fantasy games. This often means climbing, swinging and jumping. However, this means that bunk beds can be dangerous for small children. Children can get trapped in the railings of the beds, or fall and hurt themselves.

In the United States, over 30,000 children sustain injuries from bunk beds each year and up to 10 children die from bunk bed-related injuries. While children who are fatally injured are often less than 3 years of age, older children are also treated for bunk bed-related injuries.

Here are some safety tips for bunk bed use:

Don’t allow children under 6 to use the top bunk. Young children often lack the co-ordination to climb the ladder or to prevent themselves from falling off.

Buy a bunk bed which is designed according to safety standards. All rails should be securely attached to the bed (even when positioned against a wall). The guard rail should begin at no more than 3.5 inches from the base of the bed to prevent a child’s head from getting stuck. The upper guard rail should be at least 5 inches higher than the top of the mattress to keep a child safe from falls.

Teach your children these important safety rules:

No jumping, pushing, kicking or fighting on the beds.

Always use a ladder when getting up and down from the top bunk.

Only one person should be on the top bunk at any time.

Bunk beds with stairs

Most of us are somehow skeptic about the idea of buying bunk beds, and it makes sense. The first association that comes to your mind is metal military platforms, and that’s not an option you would consider.

You hesitate because you don’t want to see your child struggling to get up and down from the upper bunk, but luckily for you, bunk beds changed a lot. In a good way!

Today’s bunk beds with stairs are real design masterpieces. They come in all shapes and sizes, with creative climbing accessories and delightful features. There is a range of creative bunk bed ideas, from L-shaped bunk beds, where children can chat with each other at nighttime, to stacked bunk beds. These interesting bunk beds can often be changed or altered as your child grows up. Bed ideas for toddlers will be different to bunk bedroom ideas for older children or even teens.

Image source: Cotton Tree Interiors

The market is heaped with interesting solutions to satisfy the needs of every room, and the compulsory expectations of your growing toddler.

Besides, designers work hard to comply with safety requirements, and you can take precautions for granted when choosing the best bunk bed for your child.

Ready to find out how to choose a bunk bed with stairs? Let’s begin:

Look at bunk bed ideas and choose in accordance with their age

Image source: rice paddies interiors

If you’re searching for bed ideas for toddlers, the most exhausting part of the ‘hunt’ would be to find cool bunk beds , but the good side of this process is that it narrows choice down to the safest and most solid beds (children under the age of 6 should not even sleep on the upper bunk).

Toddler bunk beds with stairs are often the safest for young children. This is, because stairs are easier to climb, and they usually have safety rails attached to them, unlike ladders. If your child is specific, you could choose a DIY toddler bunk bed which you could custom design to suit your child.

Age matters also in terms of style; even if that would mean draining your pocket in order to respond to your children’s requests.

Eight years old girls will probably ask for a My little pony-themed bunk bed, and boys on a similar age will ask for planes, but both of them will refuse to sleep in those bunk beds after a year or two. That’s why you should talk to your youngsters and try to convince them to choose something more traditional that will simply grow as they do. There are amazing bunk beds that will suit children of all ages, growing as they do to accommodate a bookshelf or desk.

Take the size of the room into consideration for your bunk bed ideas

Image source: Morgan-Keefe Builders, Inc.

Bunk bed measurements are an important consideration when it comes to selection. You might be looking at the cutest bunk bed ever, but unless you have enough space to accommodate it; it is worth nothing to you. Measuring your room in advance will narrow down the choice, and will provide precise guidelines on what to look for (both for the bed and the accessories).

The height of the bunk bed matters the most: you need to be sure there will be at least two feet of spare space between the mattress and the ceiling, otherwise, your child could get hurt while getting up.

When it comes to floor space, twin bunk beds don’t have to be larger than standard twin beds, unless you’ve decided to go for a trundle/L shaped beds, or such that have special features (pullout drawers, for instance).

Choose the right built style for the loft bed design

Image source: Polhemus Savery DaSilva Photo credit: Brian Vanden Brink

There are five styles to be considered: twin on twin; full twin; futon twin; desk twin; or trundles. While making a decision, you should observe both the functional and aesthetic sides of the style.

Give your child a cool bunk bed it can access

Image source: Ronald F. DiMauro Architects, Inc.

Once you’re undergoing the last phases of your purchase, think of the ways in which the bunk bed can be accessed, and whether it would be easier for your child to maneuver ladders or stairs.

A thing you should certainly avoid is narrow stairs, or such that are tucked out of view and represent a hidden stumbling hazard for kids.

In order to choose properly, test and compare different options, but ideally, only those that have handrails to hold onto. If the bunk bed doesn’t have handrails, it was probably made for teenagers who don’t need to care about balance anymore. Therefore, it all depends on the age of your child.

The importance of the bunk bed material

Image source: Rock Paper Hammer

Regardless of its looks, color, or size, we all want to buy the most solid bunk bed we can find. This pretty much limits the choice of wooden and metal bunk beds (which is good because they come in all colors, patterns, or children themes).

We would recommend you to go for the wooden option, since metal is modern and industrial, but has its hidden dangers when it comes to children.

Sometimes is too sharp, slippery, or cold, and you have to consider all of this before you jump to the awesome price these beds have. Wooden bunk beds are often the cool, cheap bunk beds which may vary in price depending on the material used s (oak, pine, cherry, etc).

Besides, it is the ultimate material choice that never goes out of style, and if finished properly, it can be the rustic delight of many generations to come. That’s why parents prefer wooden bunk beds to their metal counterparts. These awesome bunk beds will last for years to come.

Stylish or functional bunk bed designs? How about both?

Image source: Beach Dwellings

Children’s rooms are often too small for the piles of personal belongings these small treasures have. You need to be both practical and creative in order to give them the room they want but to think of functionality too. Space-saving bunk beds are often a great solution.

These multi-purpose bunk beds have storage space or entire desks under the stairs. You could also choose loft beds for your one and only child, knowing that he/she will accept nothing less than a bunk bed.

As we said, you’re the one in charge of alternative solutions that can make the most of the disposable space: for instance, if your kid likes to have friends over, add a trundle bed underneath his to be pulled in or out upon need. Trundles make great space saving kids beds.

One thing that you should not forget to do is to consult him/her: at the end of the day, they are the ones who know best in which type of bed they want to sleep in. Even we that are all grown tend to be capricious for that matter!

Safety precautions for bunk bed designs

Image source: Jonathan Raith Inc.

Choose semi-high bunk beds that have solid guyed rails to prevent the little one from falling on the ground.

Bunk beds usually come with such rails, but you can install ones of your own to make sure you’ve not neglected a single safety concern. In case you’re not sure how this goes, read some DIY tips, or ask for professional assistance.

Would a dividable bed be a better option?

Will you need to look at bunk bed alternatives? You never know, but why not staying flexible and keep your options open? Children may be happy to share the bed now, but this is not something that will necessarily last forever.

Maybe you’ll have to move one part of the bed to another room, so choose a bunk bed that can actually allow that. However, remember that bunk beds are not the same when you divide them, and they may lose that chic appearance you spend so much money on.

Explore a range of bunk bed styles, looking at options that may eventually divide into attractive twin beds. DIY twin bed ideas are available if you would enjoy creating beds for your children.

Bunk beds mattresses

Image source: Kraig Kalashian

Standard sprung mattresses are ideal for children who have no support issues, and they count for the traditional, budget-friendly choice that comes in all shapes and sizes. The best option is open coil ones, as they provide equal support regardless of the point where the spring is most pressured.

Memory foam mattresses are another innovative solution, with a record of resistance and irreplaceable comfort. Whatever your choice is, consider that there should be at least four inches distance between your kid and the mattress core.

Compare stairs to ladders carefully

Image source: Keeoco Development Inc

Ladders are great when you don’t have enough space around the bed, but they are significantly less safe than proper stairs. Besides, they are not as easy to implement as you imagine them to be: you have to think how to position them, and to make sure they are close enough to the mattress for the youngster not to hurt himself.

On the other hand, stairs occupy space, but such that can be used wisely for pullout drawers and additional storage.

Purchasing cool bunk beds online

Image source: Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography

Online shopping for kids’ bunk beds is a great idea, because it gives you the full picture of the choices you have available, and it allows you to compare them in order to suit the needs and preferences of your children. Before you do it, ensure you’ve remembered the above-mentioned tips.

It is then up to you to explore a range of fun bunk beds. Once you’ve made the choice, show your children all the cool bed ideas you can find. From different styles of bunk beds to bunk bed decorating ideas, your children will be able to play a part in adding their own personalities to their bedrooms.