18 Best Bunk Beds for Kids That Even Adult Guests Can Appreciate | Architectural Digest

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Finding the best bunk beds for kids may sound like an innocent task, but there’s more to it than you think. The finished product exudes fun—two sleeping areas connected by a treehouse-like construction, promising nights of sharing secrets and late-night giggles. Oh, and when the kids are back they’ll have plenty of fun hosting sleepovers in the space. The best bunk beds save a little bit of floorspace, they offer some variety (top bunk vs. bottom bunk), and there are a bunch of space-saving styles to choose from. From twin-over-twin designs with built-in ladders to minimalist IKEA classics, there are a lot of ways to incorporate a bunk bed into your home.

Finding the right fit for your home is tough and it’s easy to choose solely on looks. But there’s more to consider, particularly when it comes to safety. We spoke to designers with real-life experience (a.k.a., kids!) to help paint a better picture of what you should be looking for. Ahead, you’ll find some best-selling, expert-approved bunk bed options that hit all budgets to help set up the coolest kid bedroom ever, along with answers to FAQs from professionals on some of the biggest bunk bed quandaries.

Veronika Bamfield—founder of Doma Design and mother of three—names this as one of her all-time favorite bunk beds for a number of reasons. “You can get a matching trundle bed, which is awesome if you need to accommodate three kids, or as an extra sleeping space for sleepovers,” she says. “It also has a neat matching shelving unit that attaches to the bed. It’s simple, minimalist, and sustainably made in Europe.”

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

Oeuf

2Modern

If you’re dealing with a low ceiling, we recommend considering a design that has the lower bunk sitting directly on the floor. A low bunk bed—like this one from West Elm—also has the power to make your ceilings look even higher. The Milo ultra-minimal bunk bed comes in two colors: the monochromatic “simply white,” and another that comes with a “pebble-hued” upper bunk.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

West Elm

Pottery Barn Kids

Alternatively, if you’ve got plenty of ceiling height and you want to make a statement, prepare to fall in love with this design from Sarah Sherman Samuel’s collab with West Elm. “You will need to have the perfect disposition because it doesn’t look like the ladder can be in another spot,” says Veronika. “So make sure you have space to access the ladder on the right side.”

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

West Elm

This, right here, is the wood bunk bed of so many kids’ dreams. It’s imaginative, evoking days of playing dress up and house. “It’s something to inspire play,” says Veronika, “but it requires sufficient ceiling height so may not work for every bedroom.” This is to say, check your measurements and then get excited. It comes in three colors (white, brushed grey, and weathered navy) and doesn’t lean too hard into the theme—the minimal silhouette will stand the test of time.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

Pottery Barn

Sleek and sculptural, this is a bunk bed design you won’t feel tempted to ditch the moment your kid outgrows a twin-size bed. The best part? The minimal silhouette and color palette means it won’t clash with an ever-changing room theme.

Size: Twin over fullStorage: No

Crate & Barrel

Staircase bunk beds are just cute, there’s no getting around that. The other perk? They add a safer way to climb to the upper bunk. This design comes in five colors and, at 50 inches tall, is especially great for rooms with low ceilings

Size: Twin over twinStorage: Yes

Max and Lily

Sleek gray, minimalist natural, chic white, rich espresso, or traditional blue—you’ve got a bunch of solid color options here. Anchored by a set of storage drawers, the high-quality pine wood construction of this bunk bed supports up to 400 pounds on each bunk. Plus, the angled ladder makes it super easy to climb into the upper sleeping space.

Size: Twin over fullStorage: Yes

Wayfair

What we love about this bed frame is that it wouldn’t look out of sorts in an adult bedroom. Made of heavy-duty metal with guardrails and a sturdy side ladder, there are five colors to choose from: black, blue, silver, pink, and white. This one would be great for one of those guest rooms we were describing above—the one that’s occupied by your niece one week and your older brother the next.

Size: Full over fullStorage: No

Wayfair

Sometimes buying into the bunk bed lifestyle isn’t about having two beds—there are plenty of things to be done with the space that’s saved when you loft a bed. This design from IKEA is tried-and-true, transforming the under-bed space into a workstation with tons of extra storage.

Size: TwinStorage: Yes

IKEA

This design comes in two colors: white and washed natural, and black and natural walnut. The contrast of the ladder gives it a chic vibe, offering a bit more life than themed designs on the market. Veronika notes that this is “a more affordable version of the Oeuf Perch bed.” You also have the option to add a trundle bed.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

Crate & Barrel

Allmodern

Wayfair

Available in five colors—espresso, natural, white, blue, and grey— and with two easy-access drawers for added storage space, there’s a lot to love about this wood bunk designed for twin mattresses. The solid pine design doesn’t require a box spring, making this a better choice for rooms with lower ceilings.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: Yes

Wayfair

Max & Lily

Sometimes two beds won’t cut it…so opt for three (or more). You don’t have to drop another bed on top to add sleeping space—make the most of a corner and invest in an L-shaped bunk bed station. This design even has drawers for added storage. In our opinion, it’s the ultimate sleepover hub.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: Yes

Bed Bath & Beyond

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind swapping solid wood for a metal bunk bed, take a look at this twin-over-double bunk bed. With more than 4,500 reviews (averaging 4.5 stars out of 5), the construction is stable and the mattresses sit on top of sturdy metal slats. The metal frame is simple and sleek, meaning your sleepers won’t age out of the design within months.

Size: Full over fullStorage: No

Amazon

Some IKEA designs hit icon status within months of hitting the website. This bunk bed is one of those icons, thanks to how beautifully simple and versatile it is, giving it a chameleon-like ability to blend into any style of room. It’s made of solid pine wood and many reviewers praise its easy installation and durable design.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

Ikea

Your kid may not really understand the beautiful and complex intersection of Scandinavian minimalism and mid century-modern quite yet, but hey—no harm in surrounding them with some nostalgia early on. Available in brown or sage green (we’re particularly into the latter), the angled ladder makes it easy to climb up to the top.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: No

Perigold

Wayfair

We love this steel bunk bed for many reasons, but the fact that it comes in 17 colors hits high on the list. There are two design options: a traditional bunk bed construction with the lower bunk floating above the ground and a second composition where the bottom bed sits directly on the floor. The former offers a tiny sliver of space for under-bed storage, but the second option delivers more head space.

Size: Twin over fullStorage: No

Room&Board

If you’re not as concerned about conserving floorspace, consider going all in on a “capital B Bunk Bed.” This design from Pottery Barn Kids is quite the piece of furniture, but it comes packed with a ton of storage space. The set of sturdy stairs is especially helpful for little sleepers and the abundance of drawers makes hiding toys and extra blankets a breeze. Plus, this bunk bed is Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it’s passed extensive testing for chemical emissions and helps contribute to cleaner air.

Size: Twin over twinStorage: Yes

Pottery Barn

The beautiful little magic trick hiding in this bunk bed is the trundle that slides right under the bottom bed—offering even more sleeping options. It’s perfect for last-minute sleepover guests and great for storing blankets and pillows when it’s not being slept on. Available in white and blonde oak, the bunk is made of solid, sustainably sourced wood and has a sleek ladder built into the frame. Just add some funky sheets, a cozy duvet, and a few animal-shaped pillows and you’ve got an A+ sleeping set-up for the kids.

Size: Twin over twin, plus trundleStorage: Yes

West Elm

The answer to this question is actually quite complex. “These days, there are so many variations of bunk beds, from full size to twin size, to bunks that are technically loft beds with room for a kid lounge or desk underneath, to bunk beds where the bottom bed sits perpendicular to the upper bunk,” says Noz Nozawa, the interior designer behind San Francisco-based Noz Designs who’s no stranger to playful bedroom setups (just take a peek at the kids room in this Menlo Park family home and the unforgettable bunk bed in this Japanese-style tree house). “Besides this, there are sleek modern bunk beds, traditional bunk beds, bunks that look like they belong in a log cabin for summer school, and fully custom built-into-a-room limitless options,” says Noz.

There are a lot of ways you can go. Veronika Bamfield—founder of Doma Design and mother of three—has one big piece of advice: “There’s a whole realm of beds that mimic castles, playgrounds, tree houses…but in my opinion [are] not as pretty or neutral, as they may grow out of that phase quickly,” she shares. “From there, it’s just a super specific—and probably expensive—bed that kills the vibe because they are no longer into princesses and forts.”

It really comes down to your budget and how long you plan on making the bunk bed the focal point of the room. As a design element, bunk beds can work extra hard in small spaces—but it’s also going to be more expensive than purchasing a premade design. “I’m very biased here, but custom is always my favorite version of a bunk bed,” Noz says. “The beauty of a custom bunk is that—especially in guest rooms or secondary bedrooms that might be smaller or more awkwardly shaped—you can configure a built-in solution that maximizes the utility (and beauty!) of that room.”

Another reason to look into a custom bunk bed design? If what you’re looking for might not exist, especially if you’re working with a specific nook or a certain design style. “Arches are a big hit, and up until recently there really wasn’t an arched bunk bed on the market,” Veronika says. “I’ve seen a few custom ones.” But passing trends aren’t the only call for a custom design—you can even incorporate some of your little sleeper’s favorite daytime activities into the space. “Sometimes people incorporate a climbing wall into their bunk bed, to satisfy little climbers,” Veronika says. Sign us up.

First and foremost, think about safety. “Read the reviews and look at the spec sheet,” says Veronika. Specific things to look out for in the reviews: Is it stable or shaky? What’s the weight limit? Is the ladder secure and safe? Does the top bunk have a tall enough guardrail (ideally on all sides)? In addition, look at the materials used to make the bunk bed and ensure that they are safe to keep around kids. Also, think about how active your young kids are. “For sleepers who move around a lot, a sturdy guardrail that runs across at least 70% the length of the upper bunk is crucial,” says Noz.

Safety aside, there are a few other things you’ll want to consider too. “Besides ensuring you are confident in the safety rails, the most important thing is to also consider how minimal the annoyance will be to change the sheets on the top bunk,” Noz continues. “I have discovered in my own cabin home—which has low ceilings and beams that come down right over the top bunk in our bunk room—that my husband’s childhood bunk bed is quite tall! Changing the fitted sheets on the top bunk while not bonking my head on the beam is often a literal headache.”

“Minimum ceiling height is typically eight feet, but nine feet is better for bunk beds—though not as common unless you live in a charming prewar building with these extra high ceilings,” says Veronika. “It’s not a good idea to put a bunk bed into the basement with seven-foot ceilings.”

It’s also important to think through how the upper-bunk sleeper gets in and out of bed: Are they dexterous enough to get down on a ladder? Is a little staircase better? And, if you’re designing a custom bunk for your home, have you ensured there’s enough head clearance for the height of the mattress you want to use, and for the (kid or adult) sleeper to sit up in bed?

The space between the top bunk and the ceiling isn’t the only thing to think about. “Make sure there’s plenty of clearance between the bottom bed and top bunk,” says Veronika. “Some of them have super low clearance making it very uncomfortable and claustrophobic for sleepers and it may also be hard to sit on the bottom bunk and just play or read there.”

If you plan on making the bunk bed a long-term part of your kids’ room—or guest room—take note of a bunk bed’s weight capacity. Most bunk beds will work for young kids, but if you plan on offering up the bed to adults, you’ll want to look for something sturdier and longer to accommodate bodies of different sizes. The biggest problem older guests will run into is not being able to stretch out—some bunk beds out there that are truly kid-sized. Rest assured: There are plenty of designs for every mattress size out there, as long as you aren’t looking for a California King bunk bed. (Maybe go custom for that one.)

No way. Let’s set a scene: You live in a really cool city that your friends and family love to visit. A traditional guest room may have a single full-sized bed, which is perfect for a single visitor, a couple, or family members. But gather multiple loved ones and you’ll be deciding who gets the free extra room and who’s booking a hotel room. Avoid the drama and set up some bunk beds. It’s a bit summer camp chic and a whole lot of efficiency packed into one room. Plus, it’s just really fun. If you are going to be housing bunk beds for adults, make sure you check out the weight capacity and measurements of each design as you do your research.