Bunk Bed Sizes and Dimensions

Bunk beds allow you to maximize your space and sleep multiple people. Their lofted position dramatically increases the available storage space underneath your bed too. When shopping for bunk beds, you’ll have plenty of different types and lofting options to choose from for your room.

The bunk bed frame can be made of metal or wooden. Traditional bunk beds sleep two and feature either a twin or twin XL bunk bed. However, modern bunk beds can fit almost any mattress size. Today’s bottom bunks go all the way up to king mattresses. You’ll most often find bunk beds in a kid’s room, college dorms, RVs, and guest rooms.

In this article, we’ll help you pick a bunk bed set up for your room. We’ll examine the different size bunk bed frames and lofting styles as well. To finish up, we’ll look at the three ladder styles and address a few common questions about bunk beds.

Shorty

A short bunk bed set up only goes up to 55 inches in height. The lower height of shorty bunk beds makes them an excellent option for small children. Shorter bunk bed setups significantly reduce the risk of falling or rolling out of bed for youngsters. This type of bunk bed frame is also ideal for rooms with lower ceilings.

Bear in mind that there isn’t as much space between the top and bottom bunk with this style. Therefore, most older children or adults won’t be able to sleep on the bottom bunk comfortably.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Kids

Standard

Standard bunk beds feature a sizable gap between the top and bottom bunks. The frame’s height makes it perfect for people of all ages, not just kids. Most standard bunk beds come with a twin bed. There is plenty of under-bed space available for storage with this bunk bed arrangement. A standard bunk bed is 70 inches tall on average.

Combo

When you need to sleep many people without taking up a lot of space, consider investing in a combination bunk bed. This style of bunk bed features different mattress sizes on the top and bottom.

The bottom bunk is a larger full, queen, or king size bed. The top bunk is a standard twin or twin XL mattress. Combination bunk beds are popular in hotels, condos, and vacation homes.

Triple

The triple bunk bed adds an extra bed to the standard bunk bed arrangement. This towering system can be 90 inches or taller. Before purchasing a triple bunk bed, you’ll want to make sure you have ceilings high enough to accommodate it. Often, the bottom bunk in a triple bunk bed is larger than the other two bunks.

RV

Because RVs are compact, bunk beds make perfect sense. The bunk beds that are in an RV, motorhome, camper, or semi-truck are typically built-in. In most cases, these beds are made for single sleepers. Therefore, they are most often a standard twin mattress.

SEE ALSO: RV Mattress Sizes

Futon

A futon bunk bed allows you to get the best of both worlds. You get a top bunk that is lofted or raised into the air like a normal bunk bed. Below, where the second bunk would normally be, is a futon mattress. You can sit up to watch TV, work, or read, then fold the futon out into a bed if necessary.

A futon bunk can be a great setup for people with small living spaces who want to accommodate the occasional guest.

Trundle

Trundle beds feature a drawer that is built into the side of the bed. You can slide out this drawer to reveal a thin mattress. Then, you can raise the mattress into the air to match the height of the pre-existing bed.

Trundle beds are great for guest bedrooms or hosting sleepovers for your children. Your trundle bed is likely to be a twin size mattress.

Lofting Styles

Bunk beds can be lofted or set up in several different ways. Which lofting setup you choose depends upon your space and how much storage area you want underneath the bottom bunk.

Basic

A basic lofted bunk bed places one bed directly over top of the other. This allows you to store a sizable number of personal belongings beneath the bottom bunk. If you only need your bed to sleep one person, you can have one lofted bed. One single lofted bed will give you extra storage room.

Overlapping/T-Shaped

Overlapping or T-Shaped lofting places the bottom bunk at a 90-degree angle beneath the top lofted bunk. The bottom bunk is situated back against the wall. The foot of the bed faces straight out into the room.

This arrangement creates a more open sleep environment for whoever is sleeping on the bottom bunk. However, it decreases potential storage under the bottom bunk.

L-Shaped

In an L-shaped bunk bed structure, the beds run perpendicular to one another. Both beds are essentially top bunks, and there is no bottom bunk. If you plan to sleep two larger or older individuals, this layout works well. While this bunk bed system takes up more space, it offers more open space underneath both beds.

Ladder Styles

Ladder style is yet another factor to look at when choosing a bunk bed structure. Some ladders take up more space than others. There are even ladders with storage compartments for drawers built into them. Regardless of what type of ladder style you choose, safety should be paramount in your decision-making process.

Straight

Straight ladders are built directly into your bunk bed. The nice thing about this style of ladder is that it does not take up additional space. A straight ladder does not offer any extra storage space or compartments. For added safety, consider adding a grip or railing to the sides of the ladder.

Angled

An angled ladder sticks out and extends from the top bunk. Due to the frame’s design, angled ladders take up considerably more space than straight ladders. When using this type of ladder, you should always have a safety railing on at least one side of it.

Staircase

Staircase ladders are a fun way to enter the top bunk of your bunk beds. These ladders offer additional storage space or drawers built into the stairs or side of the staircase. A staircase ladder takes up a lot of space and can be more expensive than the other two ladder options.

Can Adults Sleep on Bunk Beds?

Adults and taller teenagers can sleep on bunk beds. The key is finding a bunk bed set up that allows ample space between the top and bottom bunks.

In addition, choosing a high-quality and supportive mattress for a bunk bed makes a big difference. When deciding on a bunk bed arrangement, consider whether you need or want the setup to be adult-friendly.

Shorty bunk beds and some standard bunk beds may not be very accessible for taller adults. However, combination bunk beds and an L-shaped lofting position are both suitable layouts for adult sleepers. A twin bunk bed may not be big enough for adults or teens. These sleepers may require a full size bed or a queen size bed.

Check the weight limits on your bunk beds to make sure they can safely accommodate one or more adults. Also, make sure you choose a mattress that is neither too thin and uncomfortable to an adult but also isn’t too thick to be dangerous on a bunk bed. The average adult needs a 10-inch mattress or thicker to feel comfortable.

How Safe are Bunk Beds?

Bunk bed safety depends entirely on the quality of the framework and how well they are put together. Investing in a durable frame made of wood or metal is best.

Following all directions when assembling your bunk beds is also crucial. Do not overload the bunk beds weight-wise, or try to use too thick of a mattress on either bunk. A guard rail should also be on the top bunk.

FAQs

Can bunk beds collapse?

Bunk bed collapsing is highly unlikely when the beds are correctly assembled and you adhere to weight capacities. Issues do arise, however, if the beds are not properly put together. For optimal sturdiness, place your bunk beds against a wall. Always follow weight limits and do not try to exceed them.

What ceiling heights do I need for bunk beds?

Bunk beds can range in height from 55 inches to over 90 inches. How high your ceilings need to be depends on the bunk bed’s height and the height of whoever will be sleeping in the top bunk. In most cases, 8-foot ceilings are high enough to accommodate bunk beds.

What is the weight limit for a bunk bed?

The weight limit for a bunk bed depends on whether the bed is for children or 1 to 2 adults. Kids’ twin bunks typically have a weight limit of 150 to 220 pounds per bed. Adult bunk beds can have a weight limit ranging from 250 to 800 pounds Metal bunk bed frames can safely hold more weight than wooden ones.

How do you reinforce a bunk bed?

There are many ways to reinforce a bunk bed. The addition of a metal brake around the top bunk is a good place to start. Next, you need to make sure to tighten the existing screws holding the bunk bed system together. Inserting slats beneath your mattress is another option to try. You’ll also want to replace the old, worn-out support beams over time.

How thick should a top bunk mattress be?

The mattress on your top bunk should be no more than 6 inches thick. Placing too thick of a mattress on the top bunk can cause falls. Top bunk bed mattresses should not be taller than the guardrail that surrounds the bunk. The bottom bed can be 8 to 10 inches thick.

Conclusion

Bunk beds are a suitable bedding system for kids, teenagers, and adults. You can arrange your bunk beds in a way to best fit your existing space and meet your storage needs.

Bunk bed sizes can also vary, with the top and bottom bunk having different dimensions. Top bunks beds often feature twin or twin XL mattresses. Bottom bunks can hold full, queen, or king size mattresses.

Memory foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses are two types of mattresses that can be used on bunk beds. Some mattress types weigh more than others, so it’s important to consider weight limits as you shop.

Your bunk bed will range in height from 55 to 90 inches. The room your bunk beds will occupy should have at least an 8-foot-high ceiling. In most cases, safety issues only arise when bunk beds are poorly assembled or have their weight limit exceeded.