How to choose the right bunk bed

There are a few key things to consider when choosing a bunk bed. Follow these links to find out what you need to know:

• Think about safety
• Choose the right bunk bed size and height
• Decide whether you need storage
• Choose the type of bunk bed you need
• Choose your bunk bed finish
• Buy a bunk mattress

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Safety first

Bunk bed safety is crucial. Your bunk bed should be high quality and solidly built. All bunk beds sold in the UK must adhere to the British Safety Standard BS EN 747-1:2012+A1:2015.

It's very important to discuss safety with your child. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) explains that "most accidents involving bunk beds occur when children are playing on them."

You should explain to your child that:

• they must be sensible and shouldn't play on it, use it as a climbing frame or lean over the top bunk
• only one child can use the top bunk at a time
• they should always use the ladder - teach them how to use it if necessary

Here are some bunk bed FAQs that you may find helpful.

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Think about size

Bunk beds are great for smaller rooms. Of course, you'll need to make sure that there's enough bedroom space to accommodate a bunk bed.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Measure the total bedroom floor area
2. Check the floor-to-ceiling height
3. Cross-reference this with the bunk bed dimensions, which you'll find on each individual product page on our website

1. Measure the floor space

Make sure you have enough floor space for your bunk bed and opening any underbed drawers.

1. Measure the total room area, factoring in any skirting boards
2. Check the total width and length of the bunk bed frame
3. Subtract this from the total space available

Is there enough room? If not, you may need to choose a smaller bed instead, such as a single bed.

2. Check the ceiling height

Make sure there's plenty of room for your child to sit up in bed safely.

1. Measure your floor-to-ceiling height
2. Subtract the total height of your bunk bed

You should be left with at least 2 feet (61cm) between the top of the bunk bed and the ceiling. However, the more space, the better!

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Consider storage

Bunk beds aren't just great for saving on space. They can include plenty of underbed storage, too! Ideal for storing bedding, toys and more, drawers make it easier to keep your child's room clean and tidy.

Alternatively, you can choose bunk beds with shelving or simply additional space underneath. This is great if you already have toy boxes that you'd like to store underneath the bed, or items that won't neatly fit into a drawer.

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Choose the right type of bunk bed

There is a wide variety of bunk bed types available! You can choose from:

1. Single bunk beds
2. Three-sleepers
3. Trundle beds
4. L-shaped bunk beds
5. Loft sleepers

Single bunk beds

This traditional bunk format is simply two single beds stacked on top of one another and securely fixed for stability. The most popular and familiar bunk bed design, it's perfect for two children.

The Casper Wooden Bunk Bed is a great standard bunk bed for two children. Made from sturdy pine it's the perfect addition to any child's bedroom. This bunk bed can also be converted into two single beds, too!

Three-sleeper (triple-sleeper) bunks

A great space-saving idea, the three-sleeper bunk consists of a double bed on the bottom and single bed on top. These bunks are ideal if you have three children or if your kids like having friends over to stay.

The States Wooden Three Sleeper Bunk Bed is built from durable pine. It comes complete with two spacious drawers underneath to help keep your child's bedroom tidy.

Trundle guest beds

A trundle bed is a great alternative to a bunk bed. Designed for one sleeper and for occasional use by two, they're perfect for sleepovers and when guests come to stay. They feature an extra pull-out bed underneath, which is stowed away when not in use. A great space-saver, it takes up less room than a traditional bunk bed.

L-shaped and corner bunks

A contemporary take on the traditional bunk bed, an L-shaped or corner bunk has space underneath for a bookcase or play area. Since the bottom bunk is at a 90 degree angle to the top bunk, you can create a multi-functional, flexible space underneath, for a variety of uses.

Loft sleepers

As the name suggests, a loft-sleeper (or high-sleeper) is a 'high-up' bed on a platform accessed via a ladder. It leaves plenty of space underneath for a desk, bookcase or chest of drawers. Alternatively, you could create a cosy area underneath with bean bags and soft furnishings.

Browse our hypoallergenic mattress range today

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Choose your bunk bed finish

There are two main types of materials used in bunk beds - wooden and metal.

• Wooden bunk beds

Classic and sturdy, they're often made from hard-wearing pine or rubberwood. A more eco-friendly choice, many modern wooden bunks are made from sustainable sources. They can be sprayed with non-toxic lacquer or paint in a range of colour options and to ensure a longer lifespan.

• Metal bunk beds

Great for a minimalist, modern look, they're easy to clean too. Usually produced using steel tubes, metal bunks are powder-coated for durability and to enhance their visual appeal. Often less expensive than wooden bunks, they're a great low-cost alternative.

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Finish off with a bunk mattress

Once you've chosen the right bunk bed, it's time to choose a mattress! Read on to find out what size you need and discover the best bunk bed mattresses.

What mattress should I buy for a bunk bed?

You can choose any type of mattress for a bunk bed, so long as it fits the bed and sits 16cm below the top of the safety barrier. However, we recommend buying a bunk mattress - they're thinner than regular mattresses, which helps the safety barriers do their job effectively.

Here are some of our favourite mattresses, specially designed for bunk beds:

What size mattress should I get?

To choose the correct size mattress, check the size of your bunk bed first. The mattress should fit securely within the frame, with no gaps.

All of our bunk bed mattresses come in standard UK sizes:

• Most bunk beds will fit a single or small single mattress
• If you purchase a three-sleeper, you'll need a small double or double mattress for the bottom bunk

Here's a quick overview of standard UK bunk bed mattress sizes:

UK bunk mattress size	Best for	Metric dimensions	Imperial dimensions
Small single	Most standard bunk beds	75cm x 190cm	2'6" x 6'3"
Single	Most standard bunk beds	90cm x 190cm	3' x 6'3"
Small double	Three-sleeper (bottom bunk)	120cm x 190cm	4' x 6'3"
Double	Three-sleeper (bottom bunk)	135cm x 190cm	4'6" x 6'3"

Some mattresses you can buy elsewhere may be European sizes - always check the dimensions carefully prior to purchasing.

Browse all kids and bunk mattreses

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We hope this guide has helped you to choose the right bunk bed and mattress for your child. If you have any questions, why not give us a call? Our friendly team of experts are on-hand to help you choose the ideal bunk bed. You can also read our complete guide on buying a mattress for children and find out how you can give your little ones a cosy night's sleep.