The bunk bed remains one of the most popular beds around for children and in applications where space is at a premium such as on boats. There are many different types available including metallic framed examples and also wooden framed examples. Both of these are available in a multitude of colors with red, silver and white counting amongst the most popular.

The use of white bunk beds can provide a clean and elegant solution to the problem of fitting out a child’s bedroom. Whilst light woods can provide an off white color, the use of laminates can provide a brilliant white which can be painted or stenciled on to provide a unique canvas for you or your child’s artistic ability. They can also be painted to resemble a particular object such as a bus or spaceship and this provides more opportunity for the young imagination to run riot.

The basic bunk bed, and still the most popular, is the single over single arrangement where one single bed is suspended over another by a frame of supports. The modern bunk bed is used predominantly in smaller rooms and as such the preferred color is white or off white. If you intend to use a white wood finish for bunk beds then its worth taking the time to select carefully. Most laminates are not as strong as other woods and are usually joined with nails or screws. Make sure that they are well embedded and also that they are galvanized (zinc coated) or made from brass so that they do not rust or blister. Nothing ruins the effect of clean white wood more than nails which are conspicuous by their state of decay. The marks produced will be red in color and will stand out like a beacon, completely spoiling the clean effect that is intended.

Other woods which are used to produce white bunk beds include maple and pine. Although these tend to not be pure white in color the effect in bright light is one of cleanliness and they often appear to be brand new if looked after carefully and cleaned regularly. The most effective way of cleaning a white bunk bed will depend on the material from which the bed is made.

For a laminated wood, simply use washing up liquid diluted in water on a clean cloth. This will remove most marks and dirt. The most stubborn marks tend to be glue residue from pictures or transfers that have been attached to the bed and these may have to be subjected to a little nail polish remover. Only a little will be required and be sure to wipe with a clean cloth afterwards to remove the polish remover.

For a real wood such as maple or pine, remove surface dirt that may be ingrained into the surface of the wood with a dry soft-bristled brush. Then clean carefully with warm water and a proprietary wood cleaning solution. Use the soft brush to get into areas which are particularly dirty and always brush in the direction of the grain. Finally rinse the wood with warm clean water and dry.

The use of bunk beds for kids is becoming increasingly popular since the basic premise of such a bed is to allow two people to sleep in the same room whilst using the floor space of only a single bed. This principle feature means that they are popular in children’s rooms where more than 1 child will sleep since they allow the space to be optimized to best effect.

The upper bed is supported over the lower bed and access is normally gained to the upper bed via a ladder. The ladders come in many different types but common ones include wooden flat faced steps and also the well known metal cylindrical type. Since the upper bed is normally some height from the floor, they are more suitable for older children over the age of six. The top bunk also usually has a safety rail which surrounds the bed for added safety.

Bunk beds for kids come in many different types apart from the standard which comprises one single bed over another. It is also possible to buy a futon style bunk bed, which has a futon style couch underneath a single bed. Again these are used to conserve space in smaller rooms since the futon can be converted into a single bed at night. Some bunk beds are arranged as loft beds which consist of only an upper bed, underneath which sits either a work area or storage units. These types of bunk beds are more expensive than the traditional bunk beds due to their extra complexity.

When shopping for such a bed you have a number of choices from the cheapest option which is a flat pack which is assembled by the purchaser to more expensive ready built units made from metal or softwoods. The most expensive bunk beds are ready built and finished and made from expensive hard woods such as oak or mahogany.

You should consider what you need from a bunk bed before purchase. For example, think about your childs’ age and how long the bed will need to last. Although popular with children, this type of bed quickly loses its attraction as the child gets older and therefore a cheaper bunk bed might be a more appropriate purchase than a more expensive longer lasting one. Don’t be afraid to take the child with you and watch carefully how they get into the bed, looking out for any danger signs. The upper bed should have a guard rail all the way around it and not just on one side. Although it is common to place bunk beds against a wall, this is not always the case and its better therefore to have a rail that surrounds the bed.

If the upper bed will be used by a younger child, check the gap between the guard rail to ensure that they cannot slip between the gaps or become trapped in the gaps. The guardrail should be high enough to prevent a child from falling out of the bed, and you should expect that the guardrail will extend at least five inches above the height of the mattress.

Also check the ladder carefully, and in particular the way it secures to the bed. The ladder should ideally not be able to be removed easily and certainly not become dislodged when in use, resulting in serious injury of the child.

The futon bunk bed is a common variation on the normal bunk bed which contains one single bed suspended over another. In contrast, the futon style bunk bed consists of an upper bed and a lower portion which is a futon style couch which can be converted into a bed. They are frequently used where space is at a premium in smaller rooms, the futon being converted to a bed at night and then back into a couch during the day.

The futon name is derived from the Japanese word for bedding and in that country the futon is the actual mattress on which people sleep. The basic design was adopted in the early 1970’s in America and a thicker mattress added to the basic Japanese design together with a stronger frame to support the bed. From this initial design, it was any easy step to adapt the basic futon bed into the bottom part of a bunk bed and the futon bunk bed was born.

The frames on a futon bed are normally either wooden or metal and you should examine the basic quality, irrespective of what material is used. If you go for the metal variety then check the welds on the frame – they should be smooth and without sharp edges and also continuous and not have a lumpy appearance. The wood style should ideally have joints which connect the frame pieces rather than screws since these add strength to the basic design.

Consider also the mattress. Although you might think that the thicker the better, it will also need fold easily from one form into another as the couch is converted into the bed. Most mattresses are foam covered with cotton and the covers are designed to be removed for easy cleaning. Check carefully the method of doing this and also that it does not require a degree in engineering to complete. The quality of the mattress may be sub-standard when compared with the general frame quality since some manufacturers sub-contract the manufacture of the mattress to suppliers who have lower standards of quality.

Choose the best that you can afford. Although the futon bunk bed can be bought as a flat pack which you assemble yourself, they can be time consuming and the operation of converting the futon from couch to bed and back again can be difficult to set up correctly. Another option is to buy a ready made unit which is unfinished. This means you can choose the finish and color of the unit. Although this means more work, the unfinished unit is considerably cheaper than the finished unit.

If you can afford it, choose a hardwood such as mahogany or oak since these types of wood are virtually indestructible and will withstand the continuous attack of even small children.

Finally consider the safety features of a futon bunk bed. It should have a guard rail around the entire perimeter of the upper bed together with a ladder that fastens securely and which is robust to enquiring minds of children.

The choices that children and parents have today when purchasing bedroom furniture are vast and complicated compared to only a few years ago. Childrens bedroom furniture comes in an incredible variety of styles, and there are more than enough choices to suit just about any tastes and budget. Before you pull out the credit card and go shopping, however, there are a few important things to consider.

Teamwork

Outfitting a child’s room with new furniture is a big move for both parent and child. You want to combine practicality and style in a budget that going to work, and with an outcome that everyone is going to be happy with for a while. Bear in mind that this is for the child’s room, and furniture should suit the person who has to live in the room. However, given that children are notoriously fickle with fads and tastes, it makes sense to sit down and talk about what works for everyone before you head out shopping for the furniture.

Safety and Strength

This is particularly important for younger kids, but applies pretty much to all ages. Always remember that childrens bedroom furniture takes a beating, whether it’s from jumping and playing, or just being moved around a lot. Just think of all the forts that are going to be built! With that in mind, you want to pay particular attention to the construction quality. Ask a lot of questions about the construction, safety ratings, product recalls, and more before you buy. For babies, the regulations are constantly changing, and any reputable store will stock only the safest quality furniture. However, you should be aware of current standards when you’re contemplating buying something used. Pay attention to the materials used, finishes and paint applied, and any parts of furnture that stick out, where they could snag clothing or cause injuries.

Stay Simple with Style

It can be tempting, especially with younger children, to go for highly themed designs. However, remember that today’s fascination with dinosaurs or unicorns can quickly be replaced. It’s best to address a theme with colors and accents that can easily be replaced, but to go as simple and reusable as possible with the core bedroom furniture elements like the bed, chairs and desks. Rather than buying that custom race car shaped bed, think about creating a theme with paint, pillows, and simple decorations. Also, rather than opting for complete childrens bedroom furniture sets, think instead about including standalone pieces that fit in but can survive through to the next design fad your child insists upon.

Consider Specialty Stores

Even though the cost is generally higher than large department-style childrens bedroom furniture stores, specialty stores are usually a great choice for childrens bedroom furniture. And while it can be tempting to focus on discount childrens bedroom furniture, remember that kids come in a variety of shapes and sizes and sometimes the better selection is critical to finding what works best for your child. Most specialty stores make their selection available online, and while it’s usually preferable to inspect kids furniture in person before buying, you can do a lot of your research and narrow your choices significantly by searching for childrens bedroom furniture on the Web first.

Designing and assembling your child’s bedroom furniture set can be a wonderful experience for both parent and kid. It’s a great chance to work together to produce something that helps a child truly define their living space. Armed with plenty of planning and a patient approach, you can help your child’s dream of a truly personal and fun bedroom come true.