Thinking about buying a Bunk Bed?
The advantages of having a bunk bed really do outweigh the disadvantages. The key is to find a bunk bed that is safe and comfortable and that most suits the needs of your family.
Here is our list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
1) More space
Invariably children’s rooms are smaller than other rooms in a home. Bunk beds allow you to use the same valuable floor space twice. Opting for two single beds in a shared room would mean less space for play and storage.
2) Separate beds
Of course one has to take family needs and cultural background into consideration when deciding on sleeping arrangements. Two beds will allow each child to have their own bed to sleep in. They will be given a chance to learn to sleep independently if they are not already good sleepers plus, they will be able to develop their own identity by having a personal retreat at the end of the day.
3) Planning ahead
Some more versatile bunks have the option of converting into two full sized single beds for later use. Perfect for when your children are older or one day there might just be a chance of moving into a bigger house!
4) Sleepovers
Turn your bunk into a triple bunk with minimum fuss. If extra space is required for an overnight guest and there is enough floor space available, then choose a bunk that offers the addition of a pull out trundle on castors.
5) Attending to each child individually
If one of your children gets sick in the night or has an accident you don’t need to wake both of them up to attend to the situation. You might need to change sheets or give medication.
6) Additional storage
Some bunks come with lots of integrated storage space plus the option of adding storage drawers underneath the lowest bunk.
7) Lighting
By using clip on lamps with individual switches, children can stay up and read or snooze as they please without disturbing each other.
8) Every child’s dream
Apart from being functional, bunks can also be loads of fun for children.
Cons
1) Child Safety
This is certainly the main concern for anyone considering purchasing a bunk bed, so here we have provided some very important safety tips for children sleeping in bunk beds.
Bunk beds should only be used by children aged six or older. If one of your children is under six, plan on assigning the bottom bunk to the younger one. Lower bunks are not recommended for children under 3 years old.
There are chances that children can fall off the ladder when climbing up or down, so look for a bunk that has stairs with a wide tread which will be kinder to feet and safer to climb.
Stability of the furniture piece is key. The bunk should be sturdy and constructed of strong and durable materials.
If your home is prone to uneven floors, plan to use levelers.
Check that the ceiling height of the room is adequate. There has to be enough space left between the top bunk and the ceiling, so that the child or whoever is going to sleep in the top bed can sit up straight without bumping their head or feeling claustrophobic.
Ensure that the bunk you choose provides enough vertical clearance between the beds to enable the child in the bottom bed to sit up comfortably.
The guardrails of the top bunk should be on all four sides. Also, if the mattress used for the top bunk is too thick, then standard guardrails will not be sufficient to protect your child from falling out of bed.
Check product information for the maximum weight capacity, especially of the top bunk.
Look for bunks that have smooth, rounded edges to prevent nasty knocks and to ensure extra safety.
2) Assembly
Due to their size bunks will always come flat packed. Some bunks can be tricky to build and may take several hours to assemble. If this is the case, then we recommend that these beds are built for you in situ by a recommended handyman.
If you plan to assemble yourself then you must follow all assembly instructions, so that it complies with British and European Safety Standard Regulations. Don’t skip out steps. In situ assembly by two competent adults is recommended.
3) Making the beds
This is unfortunately not so easy when it comes to the top bunk as you have to climb the ladder plus you don’t always have direct access to both sides of the beds. Using a fitted sheet and a duvet tucked in at the foot of the bed, will help make this task more manageable. You can also keep a small step stool handy in the bedroom, so that you can reach the top bunk without having to use the ladder.
4) Navigating the ladder at night
Getting down the ladder in the middle of the night might be difficult for a child that is sleepy and tired.
5) Tucking your child into the top bunk
Giving them their goodnight hugs and kisses when they are in the top bunk can present a challenge. We recommend using a simple, sturdy step stool. It will turn out to be one of your most useful accessories for easily reaching the top bunk bed.
Article source: https://www.nestdesigns.co.za/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-bunk-bed/
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