Bunk Bed Options for Your Home
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If you have a growing family but are also looking for ways to save space in your kids’ rooms, a bunk bed may be the way to go. While there are many different kinds of bunk beds, the traditional definition is still very simple. Technically speaking a bunk bed is simply one bed that is stacked on top of another. There are no limits to how many beds can be stacked, and in fact, there are several builders of four level bunk beds that can be used to rooms with vaulted ceilings.
The most common kind of bunk bed is made from wood or a wood substitute that is readily available from most manufacturing companies. These standard beds tend to be very strong and can withstand both kids and adults sleeping on the bed. If you look for a standard bunk bed at Target, Wal-Mart or other general retail stores you can expect to pay around two-hundred fifty to over five-hundred dollars, not including delivery and set-up. When shopping at a more traditional furniture store you will see price ranges from several hundred dollars to several thousand.
If your family already owns single, full or double size mattresses you may be able to search for just bunk bed frames you can easily assemble yourself. Of course this will cut down on your cost, but requires you to make sure you measure your mattresses and insure they will fit on a frame before you purchase it. You should also make sure a bunk bed frames’ warranty won’t be voided if you use frames from a different manufacturer. While you can sometimes find bed frames at local swap meets or garage sales, you will want to make sure all joints and welding points are strong and sturdy. While it is rare, younger children can be seriously injured or killed while sleeping on a bunk bed that collapses.
If your family is like many others, and you have used the purchase of a kids’ bunk bed to motivate little ones to sleep in their own room, allowing the kids to pick the bed’s colors or designs may be a unique experience. While browsing the web you can easily research all kinds of bunk bed sizes, colors and features. Often you will be able to find a built-in desk or extra storage with some beds while others will include secret compartments for hiding toys or other items. Making sure your child likes their new bunk bed will probably help him or her transition to shared sleeping arrangements.
Now most of the beds we have talked about are from the wood family, but there are also very nice metal bunk beds that can be purchased for your home. The benefits of a metal frame bed include a longer life of use and a much easier surface to clean when the inevitable milk spill happens to younger kids. These days most metal bunk beds are also built to be taken apart, stored and rebuilt later without losing any strength. Often times wood bed parts will start to loosen or not go back together perfectly after a move or storage time. Bunk bed frames made from metal also tend to be a little cheaper compared to comparable wood frames.
Finally your child may want more of a combination bunk bed and desk system. The official name for sleeping and storage or work pieces like this is “loft bunk beds” and they are most popular in college dorm rooms. A loft bunk bed is usually built for either a single or double mattress, and can including add-ons ranging from a full size desk to a wardrobe and even an entertainment center designed to hold a larger television. Loft bunk beds are also available at most furniture stores, but can be a bit more complicated to put together on your own.