The Pros and Cons of Bunk Beds: Will They Work for You?

Whether you're looking to create more space for a new family member's arrival or for your children to play, there are a number of benefits to bunk beds!

However, it's important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of bunk beds and determine if this piece of furniture is really for you before making a purchase. These aren't just limited to the price or styling of a bunk bed either!

So, if you lie awake at night pondering, "should I get a bunk bed?" don't fret - we're here to the rescue. Here at Happy Beds, we've put together the pros and cons of bunk beds for you to look over!

What Are The Pros of Bunk Beds?

1. They Can Be Separated

Kids bunk beds can be great value for money because as your children grow and change so can these beds. Our Max Combination Bed is perfect for a growing child and there are loads of fantastic variations with this bed to suit your child as they grow!

Whilst most kids bunk beds are not designed to be separated, there are some, such as our Max bed, which can be! This means that as your children get older and want their own space, you can separate it into two single beds. Even better, when your children eventually move out, you have two beds that could be turned into a daybed!

So not only will your children love their bunk bed, but your future guests can enjoy a comfortable place to sleep as well.

2. They're Brilliant for Sleepovers

Ghost stories, making dens and choreographing dance routines - sleepovers are an integral part of childhood for many. Whereas many would cuddle up in a sleeping bag on the hard floor, you can ensure your guests sleep in comfort with bunk beds.

Our triple sleeper bunk beds, such as the beautiful Trio Triple Sleeper, have a single bunk up top, with a double bed underneath, meaning they'll sleep three. If you want to really go all out then we also have quadruple sleeper bunk beds, so the next time you fall asleep reading your children a bedtime story, you don't have to worry about cramping their space!

3. They Provide Private Space in a Shared Room

Sometimes, sharing a room is inevitable due to space limitations. However, just because you're sharing a bedroom doesn't mean you won't have your own private time. With some clever use of curtains, your children can make some brilliant dens to play in or simply to shut out the world.

You could also use some clip-on lamps to help provide illumination in their personal space, giving them a way to read their favourite books at night. This is also perfect in case one child likes to sleep with a night on as it means that they won't be disturbing their sibling!

4. They're Handy for Creating More Play Space

Let's face it, space is at a premium for any growing family. You may find that much of your floor space ends up occupied by much-needed storage options such as wardrobes and toy boxes. This means that room to play is often limited for children!

Bunk beds can free up a few much-needed square metres by making the most of your unused vertical space. By opting for bunk beds, instead of two single beds, you can free up more floor area giving your children more space to play, grow and develop.

5. They Teach Life-Lessons

Sharing a room teaches children great life lessons, like sharing and being courteous to others. It can help siblings to bond as they will be spending time together which they may otherwise not. Sharing a room can also be a handy way of implementing a shared bedtime routine, useful for twins!

6. They're Not Just for Kids!

Wait, bunk beds for adults?! Well, kind of! Although they're more commonly used for children's bedrooms, most bunk beds will quite comfortably fit a full-grown adult. Perfect for guest rooms, rentals or flatshares, there's nothing childish about our stylish alternative beds such as the American White Bunk Bed which is also suitable for adult sleepers!

Just make sure to check on the product page to see if the bunk bed you want is capable of accommodating an adult as well.

7. They're Practical for Storage

So, we've mentioned how bunks provide more bed space and free up the floor, but if you'd prefer bunk beds with storage, there are plenty of wonderful options available.

Whether you'd like individual shelves alongside each bed, like with our Orion White Bunk Bed, or a desk, drawers, and cupboard underneath one of the great advantages of our bunk beds is additional storage.

What Are The Cons of Bunk Beds?

1. Sleeping at Height

As parents, we all worry about our children - it's part of the job role. Are they getting enough sleep? Will the bed grow with them? And what if they roll out and hurt themselves? These are all questions we're sure you've asked yourself.

But let us put your mind to rest. All of our kids' bunk beds have solid constructions and have fixed guard rails, so there is no chance of them rolling off the top bunk. And with small gaps between the horizontal rails, there's no way they can slip and get caught. Read our blog post What You Need to Know About Bunk Bed Safety to find out more!

2. Feeling Claustrophobic

Some people feel strange the first time they sleep in a bunk bed, as they're not used to having a bed or ceiling so close above them. This is understandable, especially in a triple sleeper bunk bed in which the bed above you is much closer than it normally would be.

Here at Happy Beds, we do our best to fight this feeling by providing open and airy bunk beds that are safe and secure. For even more openness, why not play around with the room layout so that the bed is only up against one wall, not two, to provide more light into the bedroom?

3. Accessing the Top Bunk

Of course, they will have to climb the ladder to get into bed. That's why we recommend that any child who will be sleeping on the top bunk is 4 or more years old. Many of our kids' bunk beds are also fitted with handles to make climbing quick and easy.

This will also mean making the bed each morning will be a little tricky for you. But with a fitted bottom sheet, all you'll have to worry about is placing the pillow and laying out the duvet.

Decided On Whether You Want a Bunk Bed?

So, are bunk beds a good idea? It depends on you and your home! If you have decided that bunk beds are ideal for your home, then check out our range of stylish and strong bunk beds. You just have to decide who sleeps in each bunk now!