Kids Beds Bunk Bunk beds can bring excitement and drama to a child's bedroom. To make bunk beds more appealing to children, Ms. Keenan often includes a bookcase or a reading lamp in each sleeping space. A lot of our bunk beds for kids can be converted into two twin beds. This is perfect if your plan is to make them move to their own bedroom in the near future. Choose from finishes such as brushed gray, cream white and rich walnut. Ladders and Stairs When choosing kids beds bunk, you have the option to choose between stairs or ladders. Ladders are more affordable and easy to set up and offer a straightforward means of climbing into the bed at the top. They are also considered safer than staircases, as they have a bigger area for children to step on and have a built-in handrail. Ladders also tend to have grooves on the steps which can prevent slippage while climbing up or down the bed. If you like the style and look of stairs, they could be a beautiful addition to your bunk bed. Staircases can also be used in rooms that are small as they don't protrude as ladders. They can be constructed from metal or wood, and they can match the wide variety of bedroom styles. Some staircases have integrated storage drawers that are a great way to increase the space of bunk beds. When deciding between a ladder or stairs it is important to consider the age of your child. It is recommended that children younger than 6 years old should not be sleeping on the top bunk. Children older than 6 years old who are able to climb vertically could do better with stairs rather than using a ladder. If you are planning to use your bunk bed to accommodate guests, like older children or adults who have limited mobility, it's best to choose stairs. A straight staircase on the side of the bunk requires at least 95" of space on each side. If you don't have that much space, you could choose a u-shaped staircase which doesn't require as much space, but provides a safe and secure means of accessing the top bunk. Certain beds let you remove the stairs when they are not being used. This reduces the footprint of the bed and makes it more versatile for multipurpose spaces. There are also stairs that connect to the end the bed. This eliminates the requirement for separate handrails and makes it easier to climb to the bottom for children. Guard Rails Guard rails allow kids to climb into and out of their beds independently, giving them the feeling of independence and confidence. They must be placed correctly to ensure that there are no gaps or loosening between guardrails and the frame of the bed. If you decide to install guard rails, follow the manufacturer's instructions and check them on a regular basis for any holes or looseness that could lead to the entrapment. One of the most important safety tips for bunk beds is to keep them free from electrical devices as well as other objects that could be projectiles if your children play or sleep. Also be sure to position bunks away from windows, as they could pose a fall risk when children climb up to the top level. You might want to put a nightlight on the ladder so that it can illuminate the ladder's climb and descent if your child wakes at the end of the night to use the bathroom, or wake up due to an erupting storm and have to leave their room. A safety net can be installed at the top of the bunk to prevent children from falling out when they sleep or play. This is a great idea, especially for older children, who tend to sleep on the top bunk. The guardrails must be secured to the bunk beds and cannot be removed without tools. The openings in the guardrails over the mattress foundation must not be greater than 3.5 inches to prevent strangulation and entrapment. To test this, place the wedge block in Figure 1 into each opening on the lower edge of the topmost member of the guardrail and above the underside of the mattress foundation. Then apply a 33-lbf (147-N) force in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the large end of the block and maintain it for a period of 1 minute. https://blogfreely.net/henmaple06/7-things-about-bunk-beds-for-kids-youll-kick-yourself-for-not-knowing is a good idea to inform your children to not hang any objects on the ladder or guardrail, such as belts, clothes, or sporting equipment. Instead you should make use of a rack for clothes to stop these objects from becoming a strangulation risk for your child. Also, ensure that more than one child is not sleeping on the top floor of the bunk as this could cause an imbalance that could lead to falling. Mattresses When choosing a mattress for bunk beds, take into account the size and age of your child. A bunk mattress will last for at least eight years or until siblings are no longer sharing a bedroom So, you'll want to choose a mattress that is designed to expand with your child, while providing sufficient support as they grow older. There are a myriad of options for bunk mattress sizes. They are typically twin or full size. If your child suffers from asthma or allergies you should choose an allergy-free mattress with a dust mite barrier and a moisture-wicking cover. Children are prone to a lot of accidents and spills, which is why mattresses with an antimicrobial layer will help protect the foam from harmful bacteria and germs. The feel of your mattress is important. Children weigh less than adults, which means they need an item that is firm but also comfortable. Many hybrid and latex mattress have a firm side and a soft side to meet the needs of both kids and adults. Memory foam mattresses are a good choice for kids but we don't recommend them as they tend not to cool properly and could be a strain on the spines of infant children. Consider a hybrid or latex mattress instead, which will provide solid support and cooling infusions that will ensure that your child or guest asleep cool and comfortable. Low-profile mattresses are usually the best option for bunk beds for children. They are designed to be less bulky than regular mattresses, and to maximize the height of the safety rails on the top bunk. They minimize "filler" material to offer top quality and durability with slim designs. Think about https://notes.io/wmCXA or hybrid that has upper comfort layers which can be removed and replaced as your child develops. These models will give you a good idea of how the mattress will stand up as your child grows and you can always add the mattress skirt or mattress pad to prevent it from slipping off the frame. Some mattresses have side rails or a lip built-in to prevent this. Stores Bunk beds are an excellent alternative to save space in shared rooms for children. They can also be an affordable alternative to buying two separate, full-sized single beds. A lot of bunks have the option to add a trundle which can be placed under the bunk that is not being used. To maximize storage and space in a space with bunk beds, think about creating a kids' bedroom furniture set which includes desks, dressers or bookcases. This will allow you keep all your child's clothing, toys and personal items in one spot instead of stuffing everything into overstuffed chests or closets. These sets of bedroom furniture are available at a variety of stores. They are safe to use and meet federal standards. Stacked bunks can become an imaginative playground as kids can turn the space beneath into cozy hidden play areas and hideaway spaces. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked 6 bunks in this room to create the ultimate play space for kids that can be used to sleep, play and even twirling superhero capes. 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 an stairwell to your bunk that is stacked, a ladder can be an ideal solution. The ladders are constructed 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 little ones to climb. The rungs of the ladder are also positioned so that they're in line with the ground instead of being above it to make climbing less intimidating. Another method to maximize space in a room that has bunk beds is to put up loft beds for kids which can be lowered to just above the floor. This lets you slide dressers, desks or toy chests under the elevated beds. This is an excellent way to maximize space in bedrooms that are small or in large family homes where beds need to be sufficient for multiple people to sleep.