Kids Beds Bunk
Bunk beds can add drama to kids' rooms and provide an excitement. To make bunk beds more appealing to children, Ms. Keenan often includes a shelf to store books or an reading lamp in each sleeping nook.
Many of our kids beds bunk are convertible to two beds that are complete which is ideal if you intend to let your children move into their own bedrooms at some point. Pick from finishes like brushed gray, cream white, and rich walnut.
Ladders and Stairs
When you are choosing a bunk bed for your kids there is the option to select between stairs or ladders. Ladders can be easily installed and are cheaper. They also offer an easy way to climb into the top bunk bed. They are also considered to be safer than staircases, because they have a larger surface for children to walk on and a handrail built-in. Ladders usually have grooves in the steps to avoid slips when climbing up and down the bed.
However, if you prefer the style and look of stairs, they can be a more elegant addition to your bunk bed. Staircases can also be utilized in rooms that are small as they don't protrude as ladders. They are usually made of wood or metal and can be a great match for a variety of bedroom styles. Some staircases have integrated storage drawers, which are ideal for adding more space to the bunk bed.
When deciding between a ladder and stairs take into account the age of your child. While it is recommended that no one sleep on the top bunk before the age of 6, older children who are comfortable climbing vertically may be better off with stairs rather than a ladder. In addition should you be planning on using your bunk bed as an extra bed for children or adults who have limited mobility, stairs are the preferred option.
A straight staircase along the side of the bunk requires a minimum of 95" of space on each side. If you don't have this much space, you can opt for a u-shaped stairs that doesn't need as much space but still offers a secure and safe way to access the top bunk. Some beds come with the option of removing the stairs when not being used, which reduces their footprint and makes them more suited for rooms that can be used in multiple ways. 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 let children climb into and out of their beds without assistance, giving them an experience of independence and security. They must be positioned correctly to ensure there aren't any gaps or loosening between guardrails and the bed's frame. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing guard rails and make sure to examine them regularly to ensure that they're not loose or have holes that could cause entrapment.
Keep bunk beds for kids from electrical appliances and other things that could become projectiles when your children are playing or sleeping. Make sure you place bunks away from windows, which could be a danger to fall when children climb up to the top of the bed.
A safety feature you may be considering is a night lighting for the ladder; it can help to illuminate the ladder's path up and down in the event that children awake at night to go to the bathroom or get woken by a storm and have to make their way out of their room safely.
Another great security feature for bunk beds is a safety net which can be installed at the top to stop children from falling over 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's structure and must not be removable without the use of tools. The guardrail openings above the mattress base must not exceed 3.5 inches wide to avoid strangulation or entrapment. The wedge block is placed on Figure 1 in each opening of the uppermost guardrail member and above the mattress foundation. Then apply 33-lbf (147-N) force in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the large end of the block and keep it there for 1 minute.
It's a good idea to tell your children not to hang any items on the ladder or guardrail like belts, clothing, and sports equipment. Instead, you should use an organized rack to keep these objects from becoming a strangulation risk for your child. Be sure that no more than one child sleeps on the top bunk. This could result in an unsafe imbalance and fall.
Mattresses
When choosing a mattress for bunk beds, think about your child's size and age. A bunk mattress should last for at least eight years or until the children are no longer sharing a bedroom. You'll want to select one that grows with your child and still provide adequate comfort as they age.
Bunk mattresses are usually full or twin-sized, but there are plenty of alternatives that will fit either. If your child is suffering from allergies or asthma choose a hypoallergenic bed with an anti-dust barrier and a moisture-wicking cover. Mattresses with an antimicrobial layer will protect the foam against harmful bacteria and germs.
The feel of your mattress is also crucial. Kids are usually lighter than adults and need mattresses that are firm, yet comfortable. A lot of hybrid and latex mattresses come with one side that is firm and the other soft side to meet children's needs.
Memory foam mattresses are good for kids but we don't recommend them as they tend not to cool well and can be hard on the spines of infant children. Consider a hybrid or a latex mattress, which offers strong support and cooling infusions to your guest or child to sleep comfortably.
A low-profile mattress is often the best option for kids bunk beds. They are designed to be smaller than standard 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 lines.
Think about an innerspring model or hybrid that has upper comfort layers that can be removed and replaced as your child grows. These models will give you an idea of how the mattress will stand up as your child grows, and you can always put in an extra mattress pad or bed skirt to prevent it from sliding off the frame. Some mattresses have side rails or a lip built-in to prevent this.
Storage
Bunk beds are an excellent option to make space in rooms shared by children. Bunk beds are also a less expensive alternative to purchasing two full-sized single beds. Some bunks offer the option of adding an trundle bed that can be tucked away beneath the bottom bunk when it is not being used.
To maximize space and storage in a space with bunk beds, consider installing a mix kids bedroom furniture set which includes desks, dressers or bookcases. This will let you keep all your child's personal belongings, clothing and toys in one spot without cramming them into overstuffed closets or chests. These kids bedroom furniture sets are available from a number of retailers and typically meet all federal safety standards.
Stacking bunks can provide an ideal playground for children, as children can transform the spaces below into secret spaces for play or cozy spaces. Designer Elizabeth Georgantas stacked six bunks to create the ultimate kids space. It can be used as a place for sleeping, playing 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 aren't able to construct a staircase for your bunk bed that is stacked with kids the ladder could be an ideal solution. These ladders are built with a combination of Single Socket Tee Flange, Single Socket Tee, and 90 Degree Side Outlet Tee fittings. They can be easily adjusted to alter the distance between rungs of a ladder to make it easier for little ones to climb. The ladder rungs are placed in a straight line with the ground rather than higher to facilitate climbing.
The installation of loft beds that can be raised to just above the floor is another method to maximize the space of the bunk bedroom. This allows you to slide desks, dressers, or toy chests beneath the beds that are elevated. This is a real way to maximize space and can be a great option for smaller bedrooms, or in a big family home where the beds need to be able to accommodate several sleepers.