The Best Bunk Bed Ideas to Dress Up Your Kids' Beds

If your child is ready to move from cribs to big kids beds, choose a style that will make them feel confident. A DIY cactus wall art from A Beautiful Mess will do the trick.

Ideas for adult bunk bedrooms can be equally cool. Multifunctional elements like desks built into the structure or trundle beds under the bunks allow you to maximize space while still maintaining a clean, modern look.

Loft Beds

Bunk beds are a great sleeping solution for children's rooms as well as guest bedrooms and primary spaces. They combine two or more beds in a single unit, allowing floor space for study, play or storage. There are a myriad of ways to design bunk beds. Whether you opt for traditional full-over-full or a twin-over-twin arrangement, or a loft bed with desk, these chic bunk bed ideas can help you create an exclusive sleeping area.

The basic bunk bed is a great choice for most families. It has an upper bed that is twin and a large mattress below. The lower part is free to be used for other furniture such as storage or a desk. There are also bunk beds with stairs or ladders for easy access to the top bed. Some bunk beds have slides or towers to make it more fun.

If you're looking for a modern bunk bed, consider a clean-lined wooden platform frame that has neutral colors that are easily updated with patterns or pops of color. You can pair it with matching bedding and furniture for an aesthetically pleasing design. This simple bunk bed from @thejamielynnshow can be decorated for Christmas with a wreath and garland to make it look festive and fresh. This colorful treehouse loft by @pocketfulofpaint is cheerful and bright in her daughter's bedroom with a rainbow-ombre rug.

If you're looking for a fun and unique bunk bed, turn to your favorite retailer for unique playhouse or castle styles that can be customized with curtains, murals and other accessories. There's also a study loft with a desk or work space underneath. This is great for teens and adults who wish to turn their bedroom into a useful workspace.

If you have a lot of floor space, a bunk room built to your specifications can provide enough sleeping and playing space for many children. This mezzanine play area is situated above the built-in bunks in this East London home designed by Hunting for George, allowing the kids to be elevated and making the floor space for play and dining.

Platform Beds

For a contemporary, minimalist design that's ideal for contemporary homes and industrial-style apartments, consider bunk beds best buy beds with a platform. These bed frames do not require a box spring, but instead offer a sturdy base composed of solid wood or wooden slats. Depending on the design, this may make them more affordable. However, they might not be ideal for people who sleep heavier and require more firm mattress bases.

Platform beds are easy to design in a variety of ways. Some feature simple headboards and footboards that give an elegant, minimalist look that is suitable for any room. Some come with storage drawers built in for extra functionality, which is particularly beneficial in small rooms and bedrooms. Some bunk beds have reading lights integrated into each bunk and are a great idea in rooms with little natural light.

If you choose to buy an solid-wood platform bed it could be a fantastic investment that will last for years to be. Wood is also a durable material that can resist scratches and scratches and. If you opt for a wooden slat mattress, a mattress cover can help keep it tidy and free of mildew or mold.

Since the platform bed doesn't come with a box spring, it's also an ideal space-saving choice for smaller rooms such as lofts and studios. It allows the full mattress to be used up in less space on the floor, which makes it easier to move around the room. It can even make a room seem larger by creating a more open and spacious visual space.

Another benefit of platforms is that it works with almost any type of mattress, including memory foam, innerspring and hybrid. You'll need to ensure that the slats don't come too close to each other to avoid the mattress from sagging.

You can easily make the platform bed frame at home if your on a budget. All you require is a basic metal or wood bed frame and plywood sheets cut to the size of the mattress. Then simply join the slats to the frame using wood glue, a nail gun or screws. If you're worried about the slats' strength not being enough, add an additional layer of reinforcing slats to improve stability and support.

Ladder Bunks

Bunk beds can be a great solution for adding additional sleeping space to an area that isn't big enough to sacrifice the floor space. If you want a bunk bed as stylish as it is practical, choose one that has a ladder instead of an escalator. Ladders are an excellent way to save space and also provide a safe climbing space for children of all different ages. Choose an angled ladder that includes hand holes to help children grab onto and pull themselves into bed.

Ladders are available in a variety of lengths, widths and heights that can be adapted to the space you have in mind. Ladders come in different lengths, widths and heights based on the size of the room.

Some kids may feel uncomfortable at first because they are not used to having a bed that is so close to their ceiling. It can be helpful for them to have an incredibly low bunk in their room, so they can become accustomed to the height and avoid any problems.

The layout of the bunk bed could also impact the experience of climbing. Stairs add more steps and often require more standing space than ladders. Stairs can be more difficult to reposition and move around, making them less suitable for families that move frequently between homes.

To help ease these concerns bunk beds with ladders can offer the convenience of climbing. They can also be ideal for children who are ready to ditch their toddler-style steps for something more streamlined. This mezzanine style bunk bed made by Katharine poole is a great choice with a lively beach theme and features an escalator to let children easily reach the top level while also creating a cozy space for playing, reading or studying.

Storage Bunks

There are several kinds of bunk beds that go one step above just securing floor space. Beds that have built-in storage can be an extra practical element to kids' rooms, as well as giving children a place to store items like books, toys and other linens. Beds with desks are the possibility of having two purposes, letting children play and work in one room. Storage on the stairs is another smart choice, combining safety with innovative design to make it easier for children to climb up the bunk while minimizing the risk of falling.

A simple wood bunk bed works well in an uncluttered bedroom or you could opt to decorate it with a fun shade, like this green shade that makes the space feel fresh and cozy. A bed cover that is striped and wall art that matches can add even more color to the room and makes this set fit for a boy or girl. If you're creating a bunk bed for a shared room, choose a dark finish to withstand frequent washing and use.

If you have an area that is larger enough to accommodate a queen-sized mattress, consider adding a mezzanine above the bunks to create an epic play area. A lofted bedroom comes with a built in desk, a cool balcony and a mezzanine reading spot. If your room is big enough, you can also try out the triple bunk arrangement that is suitable for both kids and adults.

Bunks that have stairs can serve as a great storage solution for small bedrooms particularly if you design each stair with drawers that are the ideal size to store bedding and other items. Here's a unique, farmhouse-style bunk bed that has natural wood trim and ladder that combine an elegant design with plenty of storage to aid children in keeping their rooms neat and tidy.

No matter what style the room is, a bunk bed with storage drawers is a great feature for any bedroom for a child. This minimalist design from an DIY blogger shows how a bunk can be a focal point while still maintaining its style.