Kids Beds Bunk Bunk beds can add drama and adventure to a child's bedroom. To make bunk beds more appealing to children, Ms. Keenan often includes a shelf to store books or a reading lamp in each sleeping nook. A lot of our bunk beds for kids can be converted into two twin beds. This is a great option when you plan to make them move to their own bedroom in the future. Pick from finishes such as the brushed gray, creamy white and rich walnut. Ladders or Stairs When you are choosing a bunk bed for your kids there is the option to choose between ladders or stairs. Ladders are easy to install and are also less expensive. They also provide an easy way to get into the top bunk bed. They are also considered to be safer than staircases, as they have a larger surface for children to step on and a handrail built-in. There are grooves on the steps to prevent slips when climbing up and down the bed. If you prefer the design and look of stairs, they could be an elegant addition to your bunk bed. They can also be used in rooms with limited space since they aren't as imposing as ladders. They can be constructed from metal or wood, and they can match the wide variety of bedroom designs. Some staircases are equipped with storage drawers that can be a great way to increase the size of a bunk bed. Another factor to consider when choosing between stairs and a ladder is the age of your child. It is recommended that children under six years old do not sleep on the top bunk. Children older than 6 years old who can climb vertically may be better off with stairs than a ladder. If you intend to use your bunk bed for guests, such as older children or adults who have limited mobility, it is best to choose stairs. A straight staircase that runs along the side of the bed will require 95" of space on either side. If you don't have that room, you can opt for a u-shaped stairs which doesn't require as much space, but provides a safe and secure method of getting to the top bunk. Some beds have the option of distancing the stairs when they're not being used, which reduces their footprint and makes them more suitable for rooms that can be used in multiple ways. You can also find stairs that connect to the top of the bed. This eliminates the need for separate handrails, and makes it easier to climb up and to the bottom for kids. Guard Rails Guard rails let kids climb into and out of their beds independently and provide them with the feeling of independence and security. They must be set in a proper way to ensure there are no gaps or loosening between the guardrails and the bed's frame. If you decide to use guard rails, make sure you follow the directions of the manufacturer and examine them regularly for any looseness or holes that could potentially lead to the entrapment. One of the most important safety tips for bunk beds is to ensure they are kept away from electrical devices and any other objects that could be projectiles while your children play or sleep. Place bunk beds away from windows to prevent a potential fall hazard when your children climb up on the top level. You might want to put an evening light on the ladder to illuminate the ladder's climb and descent in the event that your child gets up at the night to go to the bathroom, or if they wake up due to the sound of a storm and are forced to leave their room. Another excellent security feature for bunk beds is a safety net which can be placed on the top level to stop children from falling down while asleep or playing. This is a great idea especially for older children who are more likely to sleep on the top bunk. Guardrails must be securely attached to the bunk bed structure and not removed without the use tools. The openings in the guardrails that are above the mattress foundation shall not be more than 3.5 inches to avoid entrapment and strangulation. To test this, place the wedge block as shown in Figure 1 into each of the openings on the lower edge of the uppermost guardrail member and above the underside of the mattress foundation. Apply a force of 33 lbf (147 N) in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the large edge of the block for one minute. It's also a good idea to teach children not to hang anything on the ladders or guardrails such as belts, clothing and sports equipment; instead a rack for clothes should be used to ensure that these objects aren't a strangulation risk for your child(ren). Also, ensure that more than one child does not sleep on the top floor of the bunk, since this could create a dangerous imbalance which may result in falls. Mattresses When choosing a mattress to use for bunk beds, consider your child's size and age. A bunk mattress should last for at least eight years, or until siblings no longer share bedrooms So, you'll want to pick one that's designed to grow with your child and still provide sufficient support as they grow older. There are a variety of bunk mattress sizes. They are usually full or twin size. If your kiddos suffer from allergies or asthma you should choose an hypoallergenic mattress that has a dust mite barrier as well as an wicking cover for moisture. Mattresses that have an antimicrobial layer will protect the foam against harmful bacteria and germs. Another important consideration is the feel of your mattress. Kids generally weigh less than adults, so they require mattresses that feel firm but also comfortable. A lot of hybrid and latex mattresses have a firm side and a soft side to accommodate the needs of both children. Memory foam mattresses are a good choice for children, but we wouldn't recommend them because they tend not to cool properly and could be hard on the spines of small children. Consider a hybrid or a latex mattress that provides solid support and cooling infusions to your child or guests to sleep comfortably. Low-profile mattresses are often the best option for bunk beds for children. They are designed to be smaller than standard mattresses and increase the height of the safety rails for the top bunk. They also eliminate "filler" materials to offer top quality and slim designs. If your child is looking to try a mattress thicker than a regular mattress, think about an hybrid or innerspring mattress with comfort layers on the top that can be removed or replaced as your child grows. These models will give you a good idea of how the mattress will hold up as your child grows and you can always add an extra mattress pad or bed skirt to stop it from slipping off the frame. https://blogfreely.net/racingsoda3/what-experts-from-the-field-of-kids-bunk-bed-with-stairs-want-you-to-know have side rails or lip that are built-in to stop this. Storage Bunk beds are an excellent option to make space in rooms shared by children. They can also be a cheaper alternative to buying two separate single beds. Many bunks allow to add a trundle which can be tucked under the bunk that is not being used. To maximize storage and space in a room with bunk beds, you should consider installing a mix kids bedroom furniture set that includes dressers, desks and/or bookcases. This will allow you keep all your child's clothing, toys and personal items in one spot instead of cramming everything into overstuffed chests or closets. These bedroom furniture sets are available from a number of retailers and typically meet all federal safety standards. Stacked bunks are an imaginative playground as children can transform the spaces beneath into cozy places to hide and play. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked six bunks to create the ultimate kids' space. It can be used to sleep, play or even for superhero cape twirling. The room is decorated with a bubble wallcovering from Chasing Paper, and the ceiling is painted Benjamin Moore Blue Jean. If you cannot install an stairwell to your stacked bunk beds A ladder is a simple alternative. These ladders are built with a combination of Single Socket Tee Flange, Single Socket Tee and 90 Degree Side Outlet Tee fittings and can be easily adjusted to alter the distance between rungs of a ladder to make it easier for children to climb. The ladder rungs can also be placed directly on the ground rather than higher, to make climbing easier. Another method to maximize space in a room with bunk beds is to install loft beds for kids that can be lowered down to just above the floor. This lets you slide desks, dressers and toy chests directly under the elevated beds. This is an effective maximization of space and it can be a great solution for smaller bedrooms or in a huge family home where beds have to be able to accommodate a lot of people sleeping.