If the children's room of two small family members has a small area, then it is recommended to purchase not two separate beds, but one bunk bed. It will significantly save space in the room, which can be occupied by a desk, a gaming corner or anything else. The range of children's bunk beds is huge. Our tips will help you choose an inexpensive, practical and convenient model.
Bunk bed material
First of all, you should pay attention to what materials the bed for children is made of. As a rule, such pieces of furniture are made from:
- Chipboard
- tree
- metal
Affordable price segment - these are models made from chipboard. Strong material, but quickly deteriorates as a result of contact with water. More expensive bunk beds are made from alder, oak or birch. They are stronger and look very aesthetically pleasing. As for metal bunk beds, you shouldn't consider them. These products are heavy, unpresentable in appearance and, in addition, increase the chance of injury to a child. Regardless of the material you choose, make sure there are no sharp protrusions or edges.
Recommendations for choosing convertible bunk beds
If you consider what kind of transformable bunk beds there are, then there will be no difficulties in arranging a small-sized apartment where you need to place several beds. You need to choose a design carefully, taking into account its parameters and main purpose.
- Dimensions of the bed. For children over 3 years old, the optimal size is considered to be a sleeping area of 0.7 x 1.6 m. After 14 years, it is better to choose those types of transformable bunk beds whose sleeping surface reaches 0.9 x 2 m.
- Structure height. Models are selected taking into account the age of the children. For children under 6 years old, it is advisable to choose bedroom furniture where the height of the second floor does not exceed 120 cm from the floor. For older children, you can opt for models reaching 190 cm in height.
- Materials. Since the structure will be subjected to heavy loads every day, the furniture frame must be made of durable materials. The optimal combination of metal elements with solid wood made of oak or beech.
- Ladder. The lifting structure must be safe, so it is better to choose models with flat steps to prevent your feet from slipping.
- Fastenings. When purchasing a transformer, be sure to check the strength of all connecting parts. One defective or loosely fastened element can lead to further injury to sleepers or failure of the entire structure.
Frame coating
The wooden frame of a bunk bed is mainly covered with a layer of varnish. It is easy to make sure that the paint coating is harmless - there should be no unpleasant or pungent odor. If this is the case, then purchasing the model is no longer worth considering. The child will inhale varnish vapors, and this will lead to health problems. When purchasing in a regular store, ask the seller to provide a certificate of quality. The chipboard bed has no covering. Its role is played by a composite plate. It can be matte or glossy, plain or the color of any material.
According to the material of execution
Bunk beds can be made from different materials. According to the specified criterion, they are divided into three main types:
- Metal beds. They are the most reliable, durable, and durable. They look “light”, often unencumbered by additional elements. Despite the fact that the metal bunk bed has a fairly simple design, it is practical, functional and ergonomic. If we talk about the downsides, such products have a fairly limited selection of designs and are not always the most affordable price. However, this does not apply to the Seville 2 bed model. Having a minimalist design and excellent performance characteristics, it is relatively inexpensive.
- Beds made of natural wood. They are also quite durable, look elegant and homely. But, it should be borne in mind that this material does not like high humidity and strong temperature changes. Therefore, a wooden bunk bed is not the best solution for unheated rooms. If you are looking for a model for a cozy home environment at a low price, you should consider the option of an Economy wooden bunk bed. It is made from natural Karelian pine, therefore it is safe for children and adults, environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic.
- Beds made of MDF and chipboard. They are the most affordable and relatively durable. When choosing a bed made of chipboard, pay attention to its density. If you choose a “loose” material, such a product will not last long and will not be safe to use.
If you need a good-quality, most durable and reliable bed, then it is better to choose from the first two options. Especially if the furniture is intended for a child. Please note that in most cases they are very active and will subject the bed to significant stress.
If the mattress is included
On sale there are beds with two tiers already with mattresses. Focusing mainly on the frame, many simply forget about the mattress. This cannot be done, since the mattress has a direct impact on such a parameter as comfort. The ideal option is an orthopedic spring mattress for a bunk bed. It will not have a negative effect on the baby's developing skeletal system. It is possible that this option will not be affordable for parents. Mattresses with natural filling are cheaper.
Strength of a loft bed
It is difficult to check this parameter when looking at a product in an online store. Judging by appearance in such a situation is wrong. If you choose a bed with two tiers in an ordinary furniture store, then you should look at its legs and try to set it in motion. Quality construction will remain stable. A piece of children's furniture must support not only the weight of two children, but also the parent or parents who want to read the child a bedtime story. The legs of the bed must be equipped with rubber or plastic inserts. They will protect the floor covering from scratches.
Bunk bed in a children's room - pros and cons
When the baby has grown up and the time has come to change the usual cradle to a full-fledged children's bed, many parents begin to panic. It can be very difficult to choose the right option from the whole variety of crib models. Recently, bunk beds for children have become very popular, even if there is only one child in the family. We will tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of such beds.
A bunk bed is a two-level design that guarantees two full sleeping places. Beds of this type are especially popular when a family has two children living in one room and there is not enough space in the room. Bunk beds have a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of bunk beds
- Beds of this type allow you to free up space in the room. Of course, two beds are always better than one, but when living space is limited, bunk beds are a lifesaver for many families.
- Bunk beds are good for children's games, entertainment, and kids play freely and joyfully on both tiers. Often children even cast lots to see who will sleep or play on the second floor, as it is always in great demand.
- Nowadays, beds with two tiers are distinguished by their functionality and you can develop entire furniture compositions, complementing the beds with tables, cabinets, shelves and other elements of furniture or decor.
- Most bunk beds are equipped with drawers where you can put not only bedding, but also toys and temporarily unnecessary items.
- Bunk beds are ideal for children of almost the same age, as it brings the little ones together and gives them more space and reasons to spend time together.
Cons of bunk beds
- Children can fall from the second tier-floor; babies often turn around in their sleep and will not have time to notice how they fall down. Falls are also common when playing on the second floor.
- Many experts are sure that a bunk bed deprives children of “their” corner and only provides a place to sleep, but not comfort or a separate area.
- Some psychologists believe that such tiers put children at an unequal position. The main place is the one at the top, and the child at the bottom is automatically in the category of weak and subordinate.
- In summer and spring, as well as during the heating season, it is stuffy on the second floor.
- If the second tier is high, then parents may have problems when changing bed linen.
- It is extremely undesirable to buy bunk beds if the children have a large age difference, since they have practically no common topics for conversation and points of contact, in which case each child needs an individual territory and a personal separate bed.
- All children are different, but pediatricians still do not advise putting children under 5 years old on the second floor.
Tips for choosing a bunk bed
If you are still in doubt about whether to buy a bunk bed or not, then you can always consider options such as: a transformable bunk bed - in this case, the children will have two full-fledged single beds, and then they will be assembled into one bunk bed. Or you can buy a “step bed”; it is still not bunk in the classical sense of the word, when the beds are located one above the other.
Pay attention to the materials: children's beds should be made from natural and environmentally friendly materials, because this is the key to your child's health.
An important point in choosing a bunk bed is the strength of the structure. Here, special attention should be paid to the fastenings, legs and the ability of the bed to support your own weight. Elegant designs look good only in photographs; in real life it is still better to give preference to more reliable models.
The safety of the bed and especially the upper tier should not be in doubt - check the height of the sides, they should be at least 30 cm.
The distance between the tiers should be optimal and allow an adult to sit comfortably on the first floor without bending. At the same time, a child, sitting on the second floor, should not rest his head on the ceiling. If some parameters do not match, you are better off buying a bed with modular tiers - where you can adjust the height of the floors.
Don’t neglect the ladder either - it should be reliable, durable and, if possible, inclined - this will make it easier for the child to climb up and down from the second floor, avoiding injury and discomfort.
Many beds are equipped with built-in drawers - choose beds with drawers on wheels, so you won't scratch the floor and your child will be able to use the drawers without assistance.
Children's beds should be well polished, free of sharp corners and other potential hazards.
Bunk bed alternative
It is no secret that bunk beds are mainly purchased by families with two children and small apartments, however, if you do not want to purchase such a bed, but still need to save space, then you can choose a reasonable alternative - buy chair-beds or folding beds.
When choosing a suitable bed for your child, you need to carefully weigh all the pros and cons, and, having decided to buy, do not forget to find the best option and take advantage of the discounts that the PromKod.ru website guarantees you.