Kids Beds Bunk Bunk beds provide drama to children's rooms and provide the feeling of adventure. Ms. Keenan adds a shelf to hold books or a reading light in every sleeping nook to make bunk beds more attractive to children. Many of our beds for kids can be converted into two complete twin beds ideal if you are planning to move your children to their own bedrooms at some point. Choose from finishes like the brushed gray, creamy white and rich walnut. Ladders or Stairs You can pick between stairs or ladders when choosing bunk beds for children. Ladders are cheaper and easy to set up and offer an easy way to climb into the bed at the top. They are more secure than stairs, since they provide a greater surface for children to walk on and include a handrail that is integrated. Ladders also usually have grooves on the steps, which prevent slippage when climbing up or down the bed. If you like the design and style of stairs, they could be a more elegant option to your bunk bed. Staircases are also great for rooms that are tight on space since they don't protrude into the room like ladders do. They can be constructed of metal or wood and are able to match a wide range of bedroom styles. Some staircases have integrated storage drawers, which are an excellent way to add more space to the bunk bed. When choosing between a staircase and a ladder it is important to consider the age of your child. It is recommended that children less than six years old do not sleep on the top bunk. Children older than 6 years old who can climb vertically could do better with stairs rather than climbing a ladder. If you are planning to use your bunk bed to accommodate guests, like younger children or adults with limited mobility, it is best to use stairs. A straight staircase on the opposite side of the bed requires 95" of space on either side. If you don't have this much room, you can opt for a u-shaped stairs that doesn't need as much space, but provides a safe and secure way to access the top bunk. Certain beds let you disconnect the stairs when they're not in use. This reduces the size of the bed, making it more adaptable to multi-purpose spaces. There are also 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 give children the confidence and freedom to climb into and out of bed on their own. However, they must be set properly, ensuring that there aren't any gaps or movement occurs between rails of the guard and bed frame. If you choose to use guard rails, be sure to follow the directions of the manufacturer and examine them regularly for any holes or looseness which could cause an entrapment. 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, which can pose a fall risk when children climb up to the top floor. You might want to put a nightlight on the ladder to illuminate the steps up and down if your child wakes at night to use the bathroom, or are awakened by a storm to leave their bedroom. A safety net could be installed on the top of the bunk to stop children from falling out while they sleep or play. This is especially a good idea for older children, who may be more likely to sleep on the top bunk. Guardrails must be securely attached to the bunk bed structure and are not removable without the use of tools. The openings in the guardrails that are above the mattress foundation shall not be more than 3.5 inches to prevent entrapment and strangulation. To test this, insert the wedge block shown in Figure 1 into each opening in the lower edge of the highest member of the guardrail and above the mattress's underside foundation. Apply an amount of 33 lbf (147 N) in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the larger edge of the block for a minute. It's also recommended to teach youngsters not to hang things on the ladders or guardrails such as belts, clothing and sports equipment; instead a clothes rack should be used to ensure that these objects aren't a strangulation risk for your child(ren). Also, make sure that more than one kid is not sleeping on the top of the bunk, since this can create an imbalance that could cause falls. https://jsfiddle.net/wallbelief31/8kdf2vx3/ When choosing a mattress to use for bunk beds, think about the size of your child and their age. A bunk mattress should last at the least eight years or until siblings stop sharing a bedroom. You should select one that will grow with your child, but still offer enough comfort as they age. There are many options for 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 coating will protect the foam from harmful bacteria and germs. The feeling of your mattress is also crucial. Children weigh less than adults, which means they need a mattress that feels firm but also comfortable. A lot of hybrid and latex mattresses come with an extra firm side as well as a soft side that can accommodate both children's needs. Memory foam mattresses work well for kids, but they're not our first recommendation because they tend to hold heat and are too harsh on young spines. Think about a hybrid or latex mattress that provides solid support and cooling infusions to your child or guests to rest comfortably. Low-profile mattresses are often the best choice for bunk beds for children. These mattresses are designed to be less bulky than regular mattresses, and maximize the height of the safety rails on the top bunk. They minimize "filler" materials to provide premium quality with slim lines. Consider an innerspring model or hybrid with upper comfort layers which can be removed and replaced as your child develops. These models will provide you with an idea of the mattress's durability as your child grows. You can also include an extra bed skirt or mattress pad to stop it from sliding. Some beds even have side rails or a lip built-in to prevent this from happening. Storage Bunk beds are a great way to save space in shared kid rooms. Bunk beds can also be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing two large single beds. Some bunks offer the option of adding a trundle bed that can be tucked away beneath the bottom bunk when it is not being used. You might want to consider installing a bedroom for your child furniture set that has bookshelves, desks, or dressers to maximize storage and space in a bedroom with bunk beds. This will let you store all of your child's clothes, toys and personal items in one place instead of stuffing everything into overstuffed chests or closets. These sets of kids bedroom furniture can be found at a variety of stores. They are safe to use and meet federal standards. The stacking bunks provide a playground for imagination, as children can transform the spaces below into secret hideaways or cosy play areas. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked 6 bunks in this room to create the ultimate space for kids that can be used to sleep, play and even superhero cape twirls. 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 beds, a ladder is an option. 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 increase or decrease the distance between ladder rungs to make it easier for toddlers to climb. The rungs of the ladder are also placed so that they're in line with the ground instead of above it, to make climbing less daunting. The installation of loft beds that can be lifted to just above the floor is another method to maximize space in the bunk bedroom. This allows you to slide desks, dressers and toy chests directly under the beds. This is an excellent way to maximize space in bedrooms that are small or in large family homes where beds need to be able to accommodate multiple sleepers.