Muktu’s Bunk Bed Buying Guide

It’s not entirely clear why kids think bunk beds are so cool; after all, only one of the two beds is really the “cool” part. If you get stuck on the bottom you’re basically just sleeping in a regular bed. Well actually it’s a regular bed with a hundred pound kid above you waiting to crash down on your face. Nevertheless, kids across the world pine to have bunk beds in their rooms, and I was no different when I was young.

I only got to sleep in a bunk bed on two occasions in my life. Once was during a skiing trip and I had to sleep on the bottom bunk. The second time was during a school camping trip and I literally got stuck in the space between the wall and the bed. My teacher had to pull me out and it’s only now that I realize what a hazard that metal contraption was. But I still think bunk beds are cool although my days of wanting to sleep in one have long passed. Last year while apartment hunting, I ran into one classified ad that listed a single bedroom that you had to share with another person on a bunk bed. I would have jumped at that chance when I was a kid, but since I can afford a real place today there’s no way I would want to live under those conditions.

Anyways, if you’re looking to buy a bunk bed then you’ve come to the right place. This is Muktu’s Bunk Bed Buying Guide and it will help you to find the bery best bunk bed balong bith bafety bips.

All kidding aside, you have to careful when you get a bunk bed for your home. They aren’t outright death-traps, but you have to responsible and make sure that they are set up properly. Bunk bed accidents do happen, and apparently one of the most dangerous things happened to me when I got stuck in between the wall. Thankfully I was thirteen years old at the time and fat enough that my body was able to wedge the bed away from the wall. But please be careful with younger children because a heavy bed and a small child can meet with disastrous consequences. Here are some other safety tips:

Follow construction instructions carefully if the bed requires assembly. Don’t take short cuts and never leave out anything that comes in the box.

Don’t let children under 6 years old sleep on the top bunk.

Don’t let too many kids get on the top bunk. In fact, limit it to one person at a time no matter how small your kids may be.

Inspect your bunk bed on a regular basis to make sure there are not cracks or structural weaknesses.

Make sure the upper guard rail is firmly in place.

Check to see that your mattress is a solid fit and not to high as to cause your child to be raised above the guard rail.

Metal bunk beds are more prone to losing their structural integrity. So check them often, and they should not be used at all if you notice and cracks or bends in the frame.

Make sure the ladder is securely fastened and stable. If you want added safety, you can look for bunk beds that come with stairs instead of ladders.

Bunk beds should be fun, but don’t allow your kids to use them as jungle gyms. They should be for sleeping only and make sure they never tie ropes or cords to the rails or ladder.

Most bunk bed injuries don’t occur from children falling off the top bunk. In fact, most kids seem to be pretty good about staying in place, especially with guard rails. But you have to be very careful about all the other things listed above because they can lead to things like suffocation or strangulation.

Types of Bunk Beds

There are many types of bunk beds on the market, and although appearance is important you will always want to find something that is strong and sturdy. For this reason look to solid wood bunk beds as they can support the weight of fully grown adults (or kids who really love milkshakes). Metal bunk beds are more sleek in design and generally more inexpensive, but you get what you pay for so wood is always the better choice if you can afford it.

Twin over Twin

These are the traditional bunk beds designed for children. They are the most practical and space-effective bunk beds available. Unfortunately they will be outgrown eventually and need to be replaced by bigger beds.

Twin over Full

You can place the kid that you love more on the larger more comfortable bottom, while the brat you always asks you stupid questions can get the tiny mattress on the top.

Full over Full

For two fat kids who demand big beds so they can get enough rest to eat a lot once they wake up.

Loft Beds

Many of these models are great space savers, but aren’t technically bunk beds. The bottom portion may house a desk area for doing school work, while the top is a bed that is accessed via ladder. They certainly add to the fun level of any room and most any kid would probably love one of these.

Cabin beds

A raised bed above furniture such as a drawer or dresser.

Stair Bunk Beds

Instead of having ladder, these bunk beds have steps that lead up to the top bunk.

Futon Bunk Bed

If you want to give your kid a head start on a life of couch-hopping vagrancy, go ahead and get them a bunk bed with a folding futon on the bottom. After all, which kid wouldn’t love to have a flimsy couch to sit on underneath a bed? Oh yah, no kid that’s who.