A good bunk bed is the classic way to save space in the kids’ bedroom.
Safety is paramount here, so you may want to check whether the product has been tested to the British Standard for children’s furniture, or comes with a guarantee. Be especially careful if you plan to assemble the bed yourself, many retailers offer an assembly service if you don’t feel confident.
Some beds can be separated into two – handy for adapting to your needs as the kids grow. Check also whether the ladder is fixed to one side, as this could limit a bed’s suitability for your
space. Mattresses aren’t often included and may take a bespoke or non-standard size.
The best bunk beds are strong, safe and functional for your family. Now all you have to worry about is deciding who gets the top bunk.
1. Happy Beds American Wood Bunk Bed: £199.99, Happy Beds
For a sturdy feeling, you can’t beat traditional pine. This simple bed is made of solid wood given either a white or antique finish. The fixed ladder has wide treads that are easy to climb, and the top bunk has four guard rails for safety. The bed can be separated into two, and the neutral style makes it suitable for kids and adults. It comes with a 5-year guarantee.
2. Feather & Black Oliver Bunk Bed: £349, Feather & Black
Feather and Black’s dormitory-style bed has old-fashioned detailing and comes in white, red or blue. The powder-coated metal frame includes a ladder and rail for the top bunk, and comes at a reasonable price. While traditional, metal beds can lack warmth and comfort; layer this one up with lots of covers and cushions. A shallow foam mattress is recommended for the top bunk.
3. GLTC Paddington Bunk Bed: £505.75, GLTC
The central ladder on the Paddington bed gives the MDF frame some extra stability. It’s a good feature to stop the bed wobbling, but makes access to the lower bunk difficult for all but the littlest of bodies. The bed is finished in neutral white, and has solid pine slatted bases. Self-assembly is possible but laborious; consider using the assembly service option to save time and effort.
4. George Home Tic-Tac-Toe Bunk Bed: £350, Asda
Solid Scandinavian pine gives this bed a sturdy feel. The white finish and concealed fixings make this a fresh and clean option for kids’ bedrooms too. The bunkbed can be split into two full-size single beds – ideal for adapting as your family grows. Note that the bed is designed for a continental mattress (90cm x 200cm x 16cm), and requires self-assembly.
5. Oeuf NYC Perch Bunk Bed: £1,208, Nubie
This deluxe bunk bed comes in two parts, and makes a good option for irregular spaces or unconventional use. The white-framed bottom is a regular bed, and the birch-plywood top can be used as a stand-alone loft bed to combine with a desk or to free up the floor space for play. An angled ladder with wide treads makes for easier climbing. The finishes are non-toxic.
6. Ikea SVÄRTA Bunk Bed: £95, Ikea
Ikea’s compact metal bed is a decent, affordable option, although the grey metal frame may be a tad austere for some. The ladder can be mounted either side of the bed, and the top bunk has high guard rails designed with safety in mind. For guests and sleepovers, the SVÄRTA bunk bed can even accommodate a third sleeper; a wheeled under bed is an extra £50.
7. Parisot Tam Tam Bunk Bed: £384, Bed Kingdom
The top and bottom bunk of this bed each has its own storage shelf: a thoughtful feature that allows kids a place for keepsakes, bedtime stories or that toy they just can’t sleep without. For the white version, the reversible shelf backs come in pink or blue, or there’s a neutral version with grey backs. For even more storage, there’s the option to add an under bed drawer (£79).
8. Maisons Du Monde Newport Bunk Bed: £499.90, Maisons Du Monde
In white, grey or vibrant red, the Newport bed has an understated style that can match various bedroom décors. It’s a good balance of robustness with economy: the main structure is pine, with MDF for the head and footboards. The beds take standard UK mattress sizes, but these aren’t included. The optional storage drawer (£145.50) converts to an occasional bed too.
9. Next Metal Bunk Bed: £250, Next
Next’s basic metal bed is a clean and contemporary take on the dormitory style. Its simple frame is powder coated in white, and the top bunk rail has rounded edges to avoid leaving kids with scrapes. The exposed fixings and quality of finish on this bed aren’t top notch, but what you’d expect for the cost. The bunk bed can be split into two single beds and requires self-assembly.
10. Oliver Furniture Wood Bunk Bed: £1,592, Mini Objects of Desire
Little ones will love sleeping in this designer bunk bed by Oliver Furniture. It’s fun and elegant with an unusual rounded design and slim sturdy posts in birch. Details like the vertical guard rails make a good mix of traditional and modern design. You can order rounded mattresses to fit, ladder access can be at the side or end, and there’s the option of adding an under bed drawer.
The Verdict: Bunk beds
Although there are many stylish options out there to tempt you, safety should always be top priority when it comes to kids’ beds. The American Wood bunk bed from Happy Beds is a robust, affordable and neutral design in solid pine that serves teenagers and adults just as well. It separates into two for further flexibility as your needs change. For bigger budgets, the Newport bed from Maisons du Monde is equally robust, but with a better finish.
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