The Best Bunk Bed Ideas to Dress Up Your Kids' Beds
When your little one is ready to move from cribs to big kid beds, choose a style that allows them to feel confident. A DIY cactus wall mural from A Beautiful Mess is just the right choice.
Bunk bedroom ideas for adults can be just as cool. Multifunctional elements like a desk built into the structure or trundle beds underneath the bunks let you maximize space while keeping an elegant, modern design.
Loft Beds
Bunk beds are the perfect sleeping solution for kids rooms as well as guest bedrooms and primary spaces. They can combine two or three beds into one unit, allowing floor space for storage, play or even study. There are a myriad of ways to dress up bunk beds in a stylish way. These stylish bunk bed ideas can help you create a unique sleeping space, regardless of whether you select a full-overfull layout, a twin over twin arrangement or a loft that has desk.
The basic bunk bed design is a fantastic option for most families. It includes the standard twin bed on top and a large mattress below with the lower floor free for other furniture like a desk or storage. You can find bunk beds that come with an escalator or ladder that make it easy to get to the top bed. Some bunk beds include a slide or a tower to add extra excitement.
If you're looking for a modern bunk bed, consider a sleek wooden platform frame that has neutral finishes which can be easily refreshed with the addition of patterns or colors. You can pair it with matching bedding and furniture for an overall look. This simple bunk bed, from @thejamielynnshow, is decorated with a wreath that makes it fresh and festive. The bright treehouse loft designed by @pocketfulofpaint is bright and cheerful in her daughter's bedroom, with a rainbow-colored rug.
Visit your local store to find a castle or playhouse style bunk bed that can be customized with curtains, murals and other accessories. You can also find an office loft that includes an office or desk underneath. This is ideal for adults and teens who want to turn their bedroom into a functional workspace.
If you have a lot of floor space and a custom-built bunk space will provide plenty of sleeping and play space for several children. This mezzanine play area has been added to these built-in bunks in this East London home designed by Hunting for George which allows the children to be elevated and leaving the floor space to play and eat.
Platform Beds
Think about bunk beds that have platforms for an elegant minimalist design that is ideal for industrial and modern homes. These kinds of bed frames do away with the requirement for box springs, instead offering a sturdy base that consists of either solid wood or wooden slats. Depending on the design, this may also make these beds more affordable. However, they might not be suitable for those who are heavier and require a firmer mattress base.
Platform beds can be styled in many different ways. Some feature simple headboards and footboards to create a sleek, minimal look that can be incorporated into any room. Some are equipped with storage drawers into them for added utility, which is useful in small apartments and bedrooms. Some bunk beds come with reading lights built into each bunk and are ideal for rooms with a limited amount of natural light.
If you opt for a solid-wood platform bed, it can be a great investment that will last for many years to be. Wood is a sturdy and abrasive material. If you choose a wooden slat mattress, a mattress cover will help keep it clean and free of mildew or mold.
Platform beds are a great option for saving space in smaller spaces, such as lofts and studio apartments. It allows the full size mattress to take up less area on the floor, making it easier to maneuver around the space. It can also make a room seem bigger by allowing for a more open visual space.
A platform bed can be used with any type of mattress. This includes hybrid, innerspring, and memory foam. However, best modern bunk beds 'll want to ensure that the slats don't sit too close together to stop the mattress from sliding over time.
If you're on a tight budget you can build your own bed frame for your platform at home. You will need an inexpensive metal or wood frame for your bed, and plywood sheets cut according to the size of your mattress. Then simply connect the slats onto the frame using wood glue and nail guns or screws. If you're worried about the slats not being sturdy enough, you can add an additional layer of reinforcing slats on top to increase support and stability.
Ladder Bunks
Bunk beds are a great way to provide additional sleeping space for children without sacrificing the floor space in smaller rooms. If you want a bunk bed that is stylish as well as functional, opt for one that has a ladder instead of a staircase. Ladders are an excellent option to make space and also provide a safe climbing space for children of all different ages. Choose an angled ladder that has hand holes that have been cut out for children to grasp and pull themselves into the bed.
A bunk with a ladder is ideal if you plan on changing the layout of your room in the future, since the option to move the ladder up to or away from the footboard or the end of the bed provides the greatest flexibility. Ladders are available in a variety of lengths, widths, and heights, based on the size of your room.
Some children may be uncomfortable at first, because they are not used to having an area of their bed that is sits close to their ceiling. For those kids, it might be beneficial to create a room with an incredibly low bunk, so that they can get used to the height of their new bed and avoid any issues.

The design of the bunk bed may influence the experience of climbing. Stairs add more steps and often require more space to stand on than ladders. Stairs can be more difficult to relocate, which can make them less suited to families who move between homes frequently.
To address these concerns With a ladder, bunk beds will provide a more relaxing climb and are an excellent option for older children who are ready to get rid of their toddler-style stairs and opt for something more sleek. This mezzanine style bunk bed made by Katharine poole features a fun beach theme and uses an escalator to let children easily reach the top level while also creating a comfortable space to read, play or studying.
Storage Bunks
There are several kinds of bunk beds that go one step beyond just securing space on the floor. Beds that have built-in storage can be a practical touch for kids rooms, and also give children a place to store things like books, toys, and other linens. Beds with desks are an ideal solution for children who want to work and play in the same space. Stair storage is an excellent choice that combines safety and innovative design in order to make it easier for kids to climb up the bunk.
The simple wood bunk bed looks great in an uncluttered space but you can dress it up by adding an exciting color, such as this green shade that makes the bedroom feel cozy and fresh. This bunk set is suitable for both boys and girls. It features an upholstered mattress cover with stripes, matching wall art, and a headboard with stripes. If you're creating a bunk set for a shared kid's room choose dark-colored finishes that can be able to withstand frequent washing and usage.
If you have an area that is larger enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed, consider adding a mezzanine above the bunks to create a fantastic play space. This lofted space features a built-in desk, mezzanine reading area. If your space is large enough, you can consider the triple bunk bed arrangement for children and adults.
Bunks with stairs are excellent storage solutions for small spaces, particularly when they have drawers that are that are big enough to store bedding and other items. This unique farmhouse bunk with a natural wood ladder and trim combines an elegant design with plenty of storage space for kids to keep their space tidy and neat.
Making an upholstered bunk bed with drawers is an excellent option to create a modern and sleek bunk bed in any child's bedroom, regardless of the style of the bedroom. This minimalist design by an DIY blogger is the perfect example of how bunk beds can function as an accent piece while keeping its design in check.