Kids Beds Bunk Bunk beds can add excitement and drama to a child's room. Ms. Keenan adds a shelf to hold books, or a reading light in each sleeping space to make bunk beds more attractive to children. A lot of our kids' beds bunks can be converted to two beds that are complete, perfect if you plan to have your children move into their own bedrooms at some point. Choose from finishes like white, brushed gray and rich walnut. Ladders or Stairs If you're looking for bunk beds for kids, you have the option to pick between ladders or stairs. Ladders are cheaper and easy to set up, and they provide an easy way to climb into the top bunk. They are also considered to be safer than staircases, because they have a bigger area for children to step on and a handrail built-in. Ladders usually have grooves in the steps to avoid slips when climbing up and down the bed. If you like the look and design of stairs, they may be a beautiful addition to your bunk bed. Staircases are also ideal for rooms that are small on space since they don't obstruct the room like ladders do. They can be constructed of wood or metal and can be matched to a wide range of bedroom designs. Some staircases come with storage drawers that are an ideal way to expand the space of a bunk bed. When deciding between a ladder and stairs take into account the age of your child. While it is recommended no one sleep on the top bunk before the age of 6, older children who are comfortable with vertical climbing might be better off using stairs rather than a ladder. Additionally when you're thinking of using your bunk bed as an extra bed for children or for adults with a mobility issues stairs are the most suitable option. A straight staircase that runs along the sides of the bunk requires a minimum of 95" of space on each side. If you don't have the space, you could opt for a u shaped staircase which doesn't require as much space but still allows you to reach the top bunk in a safe and securely. Some beds allow you to remove the stairs when they are not being used. This reduces the footprint of the bed, making it more versatile for multipurpose spaces. You can also find staircases that connect to the end of the bed and eliminate the need for a separate handrail, and makes it easier for children to climb up and down. Guard Rails Guard rails provide children with the confidence and the freedom to climb into and out of bed independently. But they must be positioned properly, making sure that there are no gaps or movement occurs between guard rails and the bed frame. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing guard rails and make sure to check them regularly to ensure they are not loose or have holes that could cause trapping. Keep bunk beds clear of electrical appliances and other objects that could become projectiles when your children are playing or sleeping. Make sure you place bunks away from windows, as they could be a danger to fall when children climb up to the top floor. It is possible to install a nightlight on the ladder to light the way up and down if your child wakes at the end of the night to use the bathroom, or if they wake up due to the sound of a storm and are forced to leave their room. Another great security feature for bunk beds is a safety net which can be placed on the top level to stop children from falling off while asleep or playing. This is a great idea for older kids, who may be more likely to sleep on the top bunk. The guardrails must be secured to the bunk beds. They cannot be removed without tools. The guardrail openings that are above the mattress foundation should not be more than 3.5 inches wide to prevent strangulation or entrapment. The wedge block is placed in Figure 1 in each of the openings in the topmost guardrail member, and above the mattress foundation. Apply a force of 33 lbf (147 N) in a direction perpendicular the plane of the largest edge of the block for a minute. https://www.openlearning.com/u/rivershjort-sj2r6i/blog/9SignsThatYouReACheapBunkBedsForKidsExpert is a good idea to tell your children not to hang anything on the ladder or guardrail, such as belts, clothing, and sports equipment. Instead, you should use a rack for clothes to stop these items from becoming a strangulation risk for your child. Be sure that no more than one child is sleeping on the top bunk. This can lead to a risky imbalance and even falls. Mattresses When choosing a mattress for bunk beds, take into account the size and age of your child. A bunk mattress should last at least eight years or until the children are no longer sharing the same bedroom. You should select one that will grow with your child and still offer enough comfort as they age. There are a variety of bunk mattress sizes. They are typically twin or full size. If your child is suffering from allergies or asthma choose an allergy-free mattress that has a dust-mite barrier and moisture-wicking cover. Mattresses with an antimicrobial coating will shield the foam from harmful bacteria and germs. The feeling of your mattress is crucial. Children typically weigh less than adults, so they need a mattress that feels firm but also comfortable. A lot of hybrid and latex mattresses come with a firm and softer side to meet the needs of both children and adults. Memory foam mattresses be a great choice for children however they're not the first choice as they can trap heat and may be too hard on young spines. Consider a hybrid or latex mattress instead, which will provide solid support and cooling infusions to ensure that your child or guest asleep cool and comfortable. A mattress with a low profile is typically the best choice for children's bunk beds. They are designed to be less bulky than normal mattresses, and increase the safety rail's height on the top bunk. They minimize "filler" material to offer the highest quality and slim lines. Consider an innerspring model or hybrid with upper comfort layers which can be removed and replaced as your child grows. These models can provide an idea of the durability of the mattress as your child grows. You can also add an extra bed skirt or mattress pad to stop it from sliding. Some mattresses have side rails or a lip built in to prevent this. Storage Bunk beds are a great option to make space in shared rooms for children. They can also be a cheaper alternative to purchasing two separate full sized single beds. Many bunks also provide the option of an trundle bed that can be hidden under the bunk that is not being used. Consider installing a kids bedroom furniture set that has desks, bookcases, and/or dressers to maximize storage and space in a room that has a bunk bed. This will let you keep all your child's personal items such as clothing, toys and clothes in one spot without cramming them into overstuffed closets or chests. These sets of kids bedroom furniture are sold from a variety of retailers. They meet federal safety standards. Stacked bunks can be a playground for the imagination as kids can turn the spaces underneath into cosy hidden play areas and hideaway spaces. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked six bunks to create the ultimate children space. It can be used for playing, sleeping or even for superhero cape twirling. The room is decorated with a bubble wallcovering made of Chasing Paper, and the ceiling is painted Benjamin Moore Blue Jean. If you're unable to construct a staircase to your 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 ladder rungs to make it easier for children to climb. The rungs of the ladder are also placed so that they're in line with the ground instead of above it, so that climbing is less intimidating. The installation of loft beds that can be lowered to just above the floor is another way to maximize space in a bunk bedroom. This allows you to slide dressers, desks, or toy chests under the beds that are elevated. This is an excellent way to maximize space in small bedrooms, or in large family homes where beds have to be sufficient for multiple people to sleep.