If you have twins who will be moving into their own beds soon, or if you need to put two of your children into the same bedroom in the future, it’s essential to make smart decisions regarding space, setup, and, in particular, beds.
Many people like to use bunk beds in these situations, but like anything, these products have pros and cons. Here’s what you should know.
Pros to Consider
As you can imagine, one of the biggest benefits of using bunk beds is that it enables you to save space. If you have a small bedroom that you need to fit two beds into or a larger one that requires multiple uses or to fit desks, cupboards, and other items into, bunk beds can be a great help. You’ll use up vertical space that otherwise would likely not get used for anything.
Another reason to use Bunk beds in your home is that they’re great for sleepovers. Even if you only have one child who will be sleeping in a bedroom, you can purchase a bunk bed setup and be prepared for the times when your youngster wants to have a friend or cousin, etc., sleepover.
Bunk beds are very versatile and come in numerous sizes and shapes. Many of the bunk beds on the market can be separated as needed, too, so you don’t have to keep the one-above-the-other setup forever if you don’t want to. Plus, you can even buy some that have a double or queen-size bed on the bottom and a single bunk on top, which can cater to a teenager plus a younger child.
Also, as you start shopping for bunk bed options, you’ll see that there are products that feature built-in storage space, drawers, cupboards, and the like. This can make a big difference to not only fitting everything into a space but also keeping the room tidy (and making it easier for your children to tidy up).
Other pros to be enjoyed when considering bunk beds are that kids typically find them fun and will be excited to use them; plus, they provide an excellent base to create a fort in the bedroom, allowing for hours of creative playtime for your young ones. In addition, there are plenty of mattress options, which you’ll notice when you start to shop for a bunk bed mattress. This means you can find a product to suit different sleeping styles and firmness preferences. Another pro is that you can buy sustainable bunk beds made from more natural or local materials.
Cons to Understand
Of course, it is important to have an idea of the potential downsides that could crop up over time if you purchase a bunk bed for your home. For example, some children end up falling from the top bunk and can hurt themselves or just give themselves a scare, making it harder for them to want to use the bed in the future. Also, some kids with claustrophobia or similar feelings report that they’re not a fan of the enclosed look and feel that bunk beds come with and prefer more open beds instead.
With the need for one person to climb up to the top bunk, there are accessibility issues to consider, which may rule out a bunk bed set up for some families. There is a slight chance of bunk beds collapsing, too, although this more comes if the products aren’t adequately assembled or if you purchase an inferior product that hasn’t been safety tested. Of course, you need to spend time putting the furniture together, which may take longer than single beds, especially if the instructions from the manufacturer aren’t clear.
Another con to keep in mind is that your children could fight about who gets to sleep where, and it can be much harder to continue a tradition of tucking a child in or snuggling up with them to read, etc., when they’re up higher on a top bunk. Furthermore, many parents and children find it more challenging to make the bed when there’s a bunk setup, although it’s true that the trickier top bed won’t be so visible, so this may not become too much of an issue.
All in all, bunk beds can provide excellent advantages while the downsides aren’t too severe, and the risks can be mitigated. It’s worth researching options for your family’s home today.