Children's bunk beds: photos in the interior, types, materials, shapes, colors, design

A bunk bed these days is becoming a real salvation for parents living in cramped city apartments with two or more children. However, the children's room must still meet the main requirements - a feeling of comfort and ease of use for children. The design of a room with a bunk bed must be thought out very carefully so as not to spoil the room or make it even cramped.

What is preferable - two separate beds in the nursery or one two-level? The answer to this question directly depends on the room and its dimensions. If two children share an area of ​​less than 12 square meters, then it is more advisable to install a bunk bed. This choice will also have to be made if the room is not much more spacious, but part of it is allocated for a play or work area. Also, bunk beds may be needed when accommodating three or more children.

How to properly place a bunk bed in a small room, and what sleeping places to prefer - read our article today.

Recommendations for choosing beds

The following nuances need to be taken into account:

• It is not recommended to choose these models for a child under three years old.
• It is advisable not to skimp on the design, mattress and other bedding.
• The second tier must be equipped with sides.
• You should choose high-quality products made from natural and environmentally friendly materials that are not harmful to health.

How to choose a safe model for a child?

When purchasing this product, you need to pay attention to its stability, practicality, safety and build quality. There should also be a fairly strong and high fence and preferably wide steps. Various fasteners and bolts should not protrude from the structure.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages and disadvantages of two-tier models for children's rooms.

Where to place it

Such structures are placed depending on the capabilities of the room and its features. If the structure is angular, then it is better to place it in a corner. The remaining models fit well along free walls. If there is a work or play area, they are placed closer to the windows, so that during the day everything is illuminated by natural light. The sofa should be able to unfold freely.

The location of the bed must be carefully considered.

Types of bunk beds

There are several varieties.

Standard

The classic two-tier design, equipped with two parallel sleeping places located above each other, is a more simplified version that does not have shelves, cabinets, drawers and other additional elements.

Transformer

They differ not only in their rather original appearance, but also have a highly functional design, due to which it is possible to achieve maximum space savings.

The photo shows a transformable bunk bed with a horizontal lifting mechanism in a children's room.

Retractable

A roll-out model or matryoshka bed assumes the presence of an additional bed that can be pulled out if necessary. It is low, so it is perfect for rooms with low ceilings and poses less risk of injury.

Loft bed

It is a sleeping bed located at the top and a free lower area, which is often equipped with a sofa, workplace, chest of drawers, dressing room, play or sports area.

Bed house

Undoubtedly, it becomes the main furniture element of the entire room and provides an opportunity for interesting, fun pastime and games for children.

The photo shows the interior of a children's room with a bunk wooden house bed in a gray shade.

Types of children's bunk beds: photos of original models

One of the main advantages of bunk beds for children (the photos clearly confirm this) is the variety of types of designs. From among the existing models, you can choose the ideal option in accordance with the child’s ideas about personal space and the requirements of the parents.

The entire diverse range of bunk beds can be divided into separate groups: by the number of beds, by type of design, by material of manufacture, for children of different ages, for children of different sexes.

Bunk beds are popular in families with 2 or more children

Bunk beds can have from one to four sleeping places and, depending on this, are divided into 4 categories. The first includes two-tier structures intended for one child. Bed sizes vary. For small rooms you can equip a single bed. In a spacious room, it is recommended to install a one-and-a-half structure. If same-sex small children sleep on it, the bed can be a double bed.

The sleeping place is on the second tier. The first is reserved for a work or play area. There can be a comfortable desk and open shelves for toys. Part of the space or the entire area can be allocated to a storage system in the form of drawers, shelves, racks, cabinets and chests of drawers. The different models are clearly shown in the photo of bunk beds for children with a table, wardrobe and other furniture elements.

Wood remains the most popular material for making children's beds due to its environmental friendliness

Children are greatly delighted with models with a play complex, which is located under the upper tier. This option is preferred by families who pay attention to the physical education of the child.

Options for a two-level bed for two or more children

The second category is represented by classic designs with two separate beds, which can be placed parallel, perpendicular or offset relative to each other, which is clearly shown in the photo of children's rooms with bunk beds.

Models with a sofa on the lower tier, which transforms into a wide bed, look interesting and unusual. There may be a compartment for linen underneath. A children's bunk bed with a sofa below will be preferable for sociable children who often have guests.

A bunk bed is an excellent option for children of any age category.

Helpful advice! Parents can sleep on the lower tier sofa, which is an ideal solution for families living in a one-room apartment.

Transformable bunk beds that turn into sofas will look interesting and unusual. Such designs do not require much free space and are easy to manage.

The third category includes two-level beds for children with three sleeping places. The standard model of this design looks like an L-shaped non-demountable frame with two beds on top. The lower berth is adjacent to the play or work area. This design requires quite a lot of space. For small spaces, the most rational solution is a bed with three pull-out tiers.

The corner option for placing a bunk bed allows you to maximize the space of the room

There are models with three separate levels located perpendicular to each other. This option is suitable for apartments with high ceilings where children of high school age live.

Related article:

Do-it-yourself bunk bed: stages of assembling different design options. Varieties of designs. Optimal sizes. Material of manufacture. The sequence of assembling a bed made of wood, chipboard and metal.

A successful model is a bunk pull-out bed, in which the lower floor turns into a double bed, which is convenient for same-sex children.

The fourth category includes beds intended for large families. The sleeping places are united by a durable frame. Two beds are on the first floor, two on the second. Such models do not have a functional area.

Design options for bunk beds for children

There are four types of bunk beds for children:

• classic model;
• loft bed;
• transformable bed;
• design with additional functional elements.

The classic design is represented by a solid or prefabricated frame, in which the upper and lower tiers are located strictly parallel to each other. In this case, the sleeping places are separate. To reach the second floor, a staircase with steps or rungs is provided.

Classic bed models have parallel placement, but there are other options

There are several modifications of the classic design. Sleeping places can be shifted to the left or right side relative to each other. In this case, the freed up space can be used to organize a storage system. Interesting models are presented in the photo of bunk beds for children with a wardrobe, chest of drawers and pencil case.

Sleeping areas can be located perpendicular to each other or crosswise. This option gives free rein to your imagination for organizing a bedside space, which can easily be supplemented with other furniture modules. Here you can equip a work area with a desk, organize a storage system for books, toys, clothes and other things. Interesting ideas for arranging a bedside space are shown in the photo of children's rooms with a bunk bed.

Bunk beds with table and other furniture elements

The loft bed is intended for one child. The sleeping place is located on the second tier. Under it you can organize an open area or create a multifunctional storage system for toys and things. A retractable table would be useful here, where both preschoolers and schoolchildren can study. It is important that it is equipped with a good lighting system. Different versions of this design can be seen in the photo of children's bunk beds with a table below.

A living or sports corner is often set up in an open area. The side of the bed can be used to organize a wall bars, where the child can do morning exercises.

Helpful advice! A bunk children's bed with a ladder-drawers, the upper part of which are steps, will allow you to get a spacious storage system.

If there is one child in a family and the room is small, they often equip a sleeping place on the second tier, devoting the lower space to a play area

Currently, some manufacturers produce loft beds for two children. Such designs are represented by corner models. The sleeping places are equipped with a common side at the head. Below them are separate functional areas. Different design options can be seen in the photo of corner bunk beds for children.

Products with additional functional elements are the most complex headset. One or more sleeping places can be arranged here, various cabinets, pencil cases, open shelves, drawers and baskets can be installed, which is clearly shown in the photo of children's bunk beds with a table and other furniture elements. The staircase can be located anywhere.

Types of children's transformable bunk beds

Transformable beds can be presented in several designs. Such structures are additionally equipped with a mechanism, thanks to which its individual elements are pulled out and then hidden back. There are five types of multi-tier transformers:

• retractable;
• sliding;
• folding;
• folding;
• modular.

Bed models with perpendicular placement are suitable for small bedrooms - they can be installed either in the middle of the room or in the corner

A retractable children's bunk bed when folded takes up the space required for a single bed. Thanks to the simple roller mechanism on the bottom tier, you can create a double or triple bed by sliding one tier out from under the other. If the model has a roller mechanism, then the lower part will be located close to the upper part when unfolded. If gel wheels are installed, the lower bed can be moved to any place in the room.

Helpful advice! For families with three children, the most budget-friendly and practical option is a pull-out bed with three levels.

A sliding bed has a frame that can increase in length by 50-80 cm. A set of such a design must include a special mattress consisting of soft elements that are gradually added as the dimensions of the bed increase.

The folding design at night looks like a regular bed with parallel berths. During the daytime, the frame transforms into a vertical panel. All bed mechanisms are arranged in such a way that the structure can be folded and unfolded easily and safely for the child. An interesting modification of this type is a bed with a podium. In this case, the sleeping places are rolled out from under it. At the base of the podium you can organize a convenient storage system.

Helpful advice! A bed with a podium is suitable for rooms with high ceilings.

The folding design is similar to the previous version. The main difference of this type is the possibility of organizing a work area or storage system at its base.

It’s easy to keep a child’s bed in order if you store things in specially designed drawers

A modular bunk bed consists of independent elements that can be freely moved, combined, removed or added, thereby optimizing the interior space. Many of the components of such a constructor are interchangeable.

What materials are they made of?

For manufacturing, higher quality materials are chosen, for example:

• Wooden.
• Metal.
• Fiberboard.
• Chipboard.

In the photo there is a children's room for a girl and a boy and a bunk bed made of fiberboard.

Shapes and sizes of bunk beds

A model that is too high is more dangerous for babies, so it is better to choose low matryoshka beds to avoid injury in case of a fall. Two-tier corner structures can be either left- or right-handed, which allows you to install them in any free corner of the room. In a non-standard narrow room, a bed built into a niche would be an excellent solution.

The photo shows a wooden bunk bed with a corner arrangement in a room for teenagers.

Convenience and safety

You can choose many beautiful, visually attractive options for bunk beds that suit the interior and design of the room, but we must not forget about the most important thing - the convenience and safety of the baby.

What should you consider when purchasing?

• 190 (180) x 90 cm is the optimal bed size for children. Smaller sizes, of course, can be chosen, but in this case it is necessary to understand that in a few years such a bed will simply be too small for the child.

Children's room with standard size bunk bed

• Strength is one of the important conditions. Children are active and mobile, and on the upper tier they can not only sleep, but also play, jump, and climb several at a time. Before purchasing, make sure that the bed does not sway or wobble and will withstand daily loads.

Make sure the bed is durable before purchasing

• Beautiful and comfortable. In the store, see for yourself how comfortable the beds are: you can sit on the bed and even lie down on it. If you are comfortable and convenient, then this option deserves attention. Pay special attention to the presence of protective sides on the upper tier, which protect the child from falling down at night. The sides should not be less than 25 cm, and it is also very desirable to have handrails on the upper floor.

The sides will protect the child from falling

The most important requirement for any household items in the room is their safety for children. For bunk beds, this condition should come to the fore. What do you need to consider?

• Age restrictions. Children from 6 years old sleep on the upper tier; for younger ages, for safety reasons, it is better to consider other bed options.

• A reliable, flat, stable staircase, with non-slip steps, securely fastened and ideally with railings.

Choose bunk beds with a stable, gently sloping ladder

• Distance between beds. Both children and adults should be able to sit comfortably; no one should touch the ceiling with their head.

• The top floor should also be optimal in height, especially if the nursery has low ceilings. The child should get up and down from the top tier and make the bed without inconvenience.

The second floor should not be located too close to the ceiling

• The bed must be assembled firmly and steadily, the legs must be securely on the floor, and all elements must be secured and tightly tightened.

• Durability that can be tested in a store by an adult. To do this, you need to climb onto the top tier and swing slightly. If you have the slightest doubt, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Durable bunk bed made of natural wood

• Bed mobility. When choosing, preference is given to structures that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. This will allow you to change sleeping arrangements in the future as the children grow older.

Colors of children's 2-level beds

Decorating a girl's bedroom mainly involves lilac, pink, pale yellow or other soft pastel shades. For a boy's nursery, blue, blue, green, light green, or orange colors are often chosen. The universal white model will look equally good in the room of a child of any gender and age.

The photo shows a children's room for girls with a pink bunk bed.

When choosing a color, first of all, take into account the color scheme of the entire room. A bunk bed should have a color combination with the overall tone of the decor or with some furniture and decorative elements.

How to choose the right bed

The choice begins with the selection of suitable material. It should be durable and look aesthetically pleasing indoors. Wooden and steel meet these requirements. It’s also worth measuring in the store whether children will be comfortable on the tiers in a sitting position.

The optimal material for a bed is wood or metal.

You should not take beds without protective sides. The staircase should also be strong and preferably monolithic, the steps should be wide. The children’s opinions must be taken into account when choosing.

There must be protective sides and a durable ladder.

Important! You can check the documents for the bed to ensure it meets all standards while still in the store.

Design examples of bunk beds

Photo of the design of two-tier structures.

Bed-bus

It provides not only a cozy place to sleep, but also for active games. A bus bed can come in a huge variety of different designs, such as a school bus or fantasy cartoon models.

Car bed

Sometimes a car bed is equipped with lighting, drawers, shelves and other elements. Such models have both open and closed versions with windows and doors.

House

This product has a truly fabulous, unusual look and radically changes the environment of the nursery, both boys and girls.

In the form of a ship

A ship bed equipped with movable anchors, ropes, a rotating helm, lowering and rising sails, a real pirate flag or other special details will make spending time in the nursery even more interesting and exciting.

Forged

They are distinguished by a strong frame and reliable sides that ensure safe sleep for the child. In addition, these iron products can have a more laconic design or be made with elements of artistic forging with amazing curls and patterns.

The photo shows a black wrought-iron bunk bed in a Scandinavian-style children's interior.

With canopy

Thanks to such a spectacular addition as a canopy, it is possible to give the nursery’s interior a special charm and create a secluded, cozy and calm atmosphere.

In the form of a castle

Most often, a castle bed is used to decorate a girls’ room. This design has special stairs, high towers and playgrounds that will create an ideal sleeping area for little princesses.

With drawings

They will become a real interior decoration and will add a certain mood and originality to the nursery environment.

Personal Area

In this project, we managed to make an office out of a bedroom with a large bed. Of course, there is not much space on the second level, but you can place a laptop and the papers necessary for work. In addition, the entire room is not devoid of free volume, only supports and a canopy are placed at the head of the bed, which creates a certain intimacy and comfort. The steps to the second level are stylishly illuminated with organically built-in lamps, and panoramic windows allow daylight to enter even into the “office”.

Examples of beds for children of different genders and ages

Interesting options for decorating various children's bedrooms.

For girls

For girls' rooms, parents often choose classic two-tier designs in pastel colors or products in the form of a magic castle and dollhouse. In the bedroom of more active young ladies, you can equip the beds using a rope ladder or rope.

For boys

Standard models with original design and execution, functional transformable beds, structures combined with a work area, closet, sports complex with a rope ladder, wall bars, horizontal bar or slide would be appropriate here. The main thing is that the products are safe, reliable and durable.

One child

A loft bed will be an indispensable option for a bedroom in which a preschooler lives. The sleeping area, located on the second tier, allows you to equip the first floor, for example, with a work area with various shelves and cabinets for storing books or toys.

The photo shows a bunk loft bed with a workplace in the nursery for one girl.

Two children

In a room for the same age or twins, these products are especially relevant. They allow you to create two full-fledged places to sleep or a play area, while maximizing the usable area.

The photo shows a children's room in the attic for two boys, decorated with a gray metal bunk bed.

Two children of different sexes

More laconic options with a neutral design that fit harmoniously into the overall concept of the room are suitable here. Most often, children's sleeping places are decorated with bed linen or bedspreads of different colors.

Two children of different ages

In the case of children of different ages, bunk beds are also a fairly optimal solution. As a rule, the upper level is given to the older child, and the lower level is equipped with a crib for the youngest or a playpen or cradle for a newborn baby.

For three or more

For three children, compact transforming beds with a pull-out additional unit or models with a folding sofa located on the first tier are used. If four or more children are expected to be accommodated, then the size of the bed should be double and have ladders on both sides, low handrails and railings.

For teenagers

In a teenager's room, the structures, in addition to useful functions, are distinguished by a more thoughtful and original design. The product may have a standard appearance, a corner arrangement, a retractable or transforming mechanism.

Room zoning

Zoning a bedroom into two halves is a complex and difficult process, especially when you don’t know all the nuances.

As a rule, in addition to sleeping places, the occupants of the room need a wardrobe, a bedside table and often a workplace. In order for everything to fit in one room, it is necessary to properly zone the space. If the size of the room allows, then the best separation option would be a stationary partition. This solution is especially relevant when two children of different sexes or different ages live in the room.

In this case, you can allocate a separate personal area for each person with their own wardrobe, sleeping place and bedside table.

If the first option is difficult to implement, then you can choose a mobile partition. Its role can be a rack, cabinet, curtain or screen, which can be removed if necessary.

If the size of the room is far from ideal, then some piece of furniture can be combined, for example, the things of both residents can be stored in one large closet, but in different compartments. Both a chest of drawers and an enlarged workplace can be common (for example, a long window sill may well act as a common tabletop for studying).

To properly zone a room, different finishing materials, different textures, colors and multi-level structures are used.

How to arrange two beds in a room can be roughly shown on the plan:

Although for many residents of our country this may be problematic due to small rooms, for example, in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings, if possible, it is also possible to allocate a play area and a relaxation area.

Photo of combined bunk beds in a children's room

Several original photo examples.

With a slide

Thanks to the gentle slope, which is a kind of attraction, it is possible not only to add variety to the gameplay, but also to endow the environment with a special personality for children.

With a table

The design, combined with a desk, allows you to save useful space and create a truly cozy and functional corner.

With stairs

For a more comfortable and safe climb, children's bunk beds are equipped with a side, front ladder or steps.

With drawers

Due to the drawers, it is possible to complement the design of a two-story product and organize an additional system for storing clothes, toys, bed linen, etc.

The photo shows a white bunk bed equipped with drawers in a girls’ nursery.

With a sofa

With this design, you can achieve a more rational layout of the children's room, save square meters and place other furniture items in it.

With wardrobe

It combines two pieces of furniture at once, which is a very convenient and ergonomic solution, especially for small spaces.

The photo shows a children's room for boys and a blue bunk bed combined with a built-in wardrobe.

Children's bunk bed: the main advantages of the design

A children's room should simultaneously combine comfort, functionality and safety. These requirements are especially relevant when several children live in it. An important point in organizing a children's space is maintaining enough space for active games.

You should choose a bunk bed taking into account the age of the children with an expectation of 5-7 years of use

Traditional single beds and sleeper sofas struggle to cope with this task. The way out is to install a children's two-story bed, the size of which must be selected taking into account the child's maturation over the next 5-7 years.

This furniture has a number of advantages. Since it takes up vertical space, more space is freed up in the room. This is especially important for small rooms. This design allows you to visually increase the size of the room, since it is not overloaded with unnecessary furniture.

A bunk children's bed is a multifunctional element. It can be used not only as a sleeping place. A well-crafted design makes it possible to organize a storage system for things and equip play and study areas. Drawers, shelves, and mobile modules can be placed here. The model can be supplemented with adjustable lighting, wall bars and gaming attributes.

Bright decor makes the design of a bunk bed truly cozy

A bunk bed does not necessarily contain two sleeping places. There are many models in which the space under the upper tier is occupied by play, sports or work areas. A bunk double bed is an ideal solution for large families.

Such designs are made of non-toxic materials, have rounded corners, high sides on the upper tier, a stable ladder and soft edges, which makes the bed safe for children.

Little owners will simply be delighted with such an unusual piece of furniture, where everyone will have their own separate place, which can be decorated according to their own wishes. For boys, a bunk bed can turn into a ship or a fortress, while girls will love a cozy house or a fairy-tale tower.

Bunk beds are used not only in small bedrooms, they are often installed in fairly spacious rooms

Design ideas in various styles

The appearance and design of the structure must correspond to the overall style of the nursery. For example, for classics and Provence, products made from environmentally friendly natural solids are suitable, and metal structures will perfectly complement loft, hi-tech or modern style.

The photo shows a bunk bed made of natural wood in a children's room in Provence style.

Models made of MDF or chipboard will decorate almost any interior, as they can differ in a variety of shapes and colors. For example, a ship-like bed or a boat will fit perfectly into a nautical-style nursery.