Bunk Beds for Kids: Benefits and Safety Tips
Discover how these functional, space-saving pieces of furniture can be perfect for your family.
So the baby of the family is a big kid now. They've outgrown their crib or toddler bed and are ready to upsize their sleeping arrangements, but do you have the space for it? If you have multiple children and a shortage of rooms in your home, a bunk bed is a great solution. Here's everything you should know about them before you buy.
Why bunk beds just make sense
The benefits of bunk beds are stacked, just like their build. First and foremost, the space-saving these vertical two-sleepers offer is unmatched. Rather than having two beds take up space in separate rooms or completely crowd a shared room, you can have your kiddos sleep in the exact same place—all while still having their personal space.
Bunk beds can also be very versatile. Some can separate into two beds or transform into sofas when not in use. You can also find bunk bed with storage. Accessible below-bunk storage might even encourage kids to put away their toys (we can wish, right?).
Bunk beds can also be a lot of fun. They allow every night to be a sibling sleepover, which provides the perfect opportunity for bonding before bedtime. To top it all off, the top bunker also gets to have one final adventure before they sleep by climbing the ladder or staircase up to bed.
If this all sounds fine and dandy but you aren't sure if your kids are quite ready to be bunk buddies, consider these factors for each potential bunker:
- Do they sleep on their own?
- Do they have a similar sleep schedule to their sibling(s)?
If you answered 'yes', bunk beds might be the right choice. Two more things to consider:
- Do they need a parent next to them while they fall asleep?
- Do they tend to climb on furniture?
If you answered 'no', it's time to start shopping.
Bunk bed safety 101
Program Director of Safe Kids PBC Kathryn Wall highlights how bunk bed safety stretches far beyond the stability of the actual structure.
"The bunk bed is not meant to be a playground," she says. It's not something that you play on or something that you practice climbing on." For children in a developmental stage where they tend to climb on furniture, Wall recommends removing the ladder anytime it's not in use or a child isn't in bed.
To ensure that the child up top stays safe and secure during their slumber, you should highly consider purchasing guard rails. "You want to be sure that the guardrail is at least five inches over the top of the mattress," says Wall. In addition, any gaps in the guardrail should be 3.5 inches or less to prevent strangulation.
Nationwide Children's Hospital advises parents to teach kids how to climb the ladder (or staircase) properly and carefully to avoid falls. They also highlight the importance of keeping your bunk bed away from ceiling fans or potentially sharp and dangerous objects in the kids' room. Install a nightlight near the ladder for your top bunker who may need to use the washroom or grab a drink of water in the middle of the night.
Do routine maintenance checks on your children's bunk bed to ensure that all pieces remain intact and nothing becomes loose.
Setting guidelines and standards for bunk bed use
While sleeping high in the sky on the top bunk will likely appeal to even the littlest of big kids, sleeping up there should be age-gated. According to the Government of Canada, children must be at least six before they can use the top bunk. It is also advised that only one child is up there at a time.
"Half of the bunk bed-related injuries involve kids under six years of age," says Wall, "so we recommend children under six stay on the bottom bunk."
Wall emphasizes the importance of preventing children from tying scarves, bandanas, or ropes to the ladder or upper part of the bunk bed. "Anything that could lead to strangulation should not be hanging from the bed," she says.
Before purchasing, you'll want to make sure that your bunk bed of choice meets the latest ASTM International F1427 standard. Here are a couple of ways you can do so:
- Visit the manufacturer's website
- Ask your retailer
- Check the product label
You should also check that your bunk bed has no recent recalls with whatever company you're thinking of purchasing from.
What to look for when buying bunk beds
Reaping all the benefits of bunk beds requires more than simply purchasing one, it's about investing in durability. You'll want to ensure that the bed is crafted with long-lasting, safe and reliable material, such as solid wood, high-quality metal or sturdy medium-density fibreboard.
If no one in the parental unit considers themselves a master of the toolbox, you may want to consider buying one that isn't too complicated to assemble–or at least has very detailed instructions.
To avoid building a bunk bed parents may be tempted to buy one second-hand. However, Wall advises against doing so. "We don't really recommend secondhand bunk beds because you don't know the history of it or if all the pieces are there," she says, "if they took it apart, they may have kept some screws and/or the springs."
Another reason to buy your bunk bed new is so that if it ends up not being everything you had hoped it'd be, you can return it as long as there is a return and refund policy.
How to choose the right size
You don't want your top-bunker kiddo to be bonking their head when they sit upright, so the proper bunk bed for your home depends on your ceiling height.
Casa Kids says that the general rule of thumb is that the top bunk must have 33 to 36 inches of space between the ceiling and your mattress. Standard ceilings are generally eight or nine feet high, so you'll want to measure that before deciding what size of bunk bed to buy.
When figuring out where in a room you want to place your bunk bed, you'll want to consider both the other furniture in the room and any you may want to add in the future.
How to find eco-friendly bunk beds
Did you know that buying a bunk bed can also be an environmentally conscious choice? If you opt for a formaldehyde-free bunk bed, you're not only benefiting the outdoor environment but also creating a safer environment for your children to sleep and play.
The Canadian Cancer Society reveals that formaldehyde exposure can increase the risk of various cancers, such as nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. A growing child tends to be more vulnerable to environmental toxins, making it imperative to limit their exposure as much as possible in their living—and especially sleeping—spaces.
Eco-friendly furniture helps reduce your carbon footprint, fosters eco-conscious practices and is also more durable— making them long-lasting.
How to create a cozy yet functional bunk bedroom for your kids
Bunk beds are a great way to maximize space in your home, but it's important to make sure that your children's room reflects their personal styles–creating a space they can truly call their own.
Although the bed frames are stacked, each bunker has its own bed—which does not need to look the exact same. Allowing your children to choose their own individual bedding, along with both regular and decorative pillows can help them retain their sense of individuality while sharing their sleeping space. It's crucial to make sure that comfort, along with each of your children's individual characters, are equally prioritized in these purchases.
Different types of lighting can enhance the ambiance and cozy aspect of your children's room. For example, gentle lighting can help make the space feel warm and safe. Or, if you want to give their room a pop of colour, you can use lighting to tie in colour schemes, such as multi-coloured light-up bulbs or fairy lights.
Experts
- Kathryn Wall, Director of Safe Kids PBC
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Grace is a master of journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University. She specializes in writing on information and communication technologies but is passionate about exploring topics related to nutrition, holistic health and global social issues. Born and raised in the GTA, Grace loves spending time outdoors, in the gym, reading or with friends.