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.

As most parents know, kids absolutely love bunk beds and a quality bunk bed can add tremendous flexibility to a child’s bedroom. In addition to providing bed space for more kids in a single room, bunk beds can spur imagination, easily transforming through imagination into a fortress, a space station, a pirate ship, or just about anything your children can dream up. Of course, bunk beds can easily be more expensive than simple single beds, leading many parents to wonder how they can find cheap bunk beds and enjoy the flexibility that they provide.

Of course, when parents are looking for cheap bunk beds, cheap is meant to be about the price and not the quality. Bunk beds can have safety issues, and no one wants to have a poorly constructed bunk bed made from inferior materials or craftsmanship. The good news is that cheap bunk beds can be found at very inexpensive prices without sacrificing quality or safety. You just need to know where and how to look.

One of the best sources for finding cheap bunk beds is online. Direct kids discount furniture stores can supply quality bunk beds for kids at affordable prices because they do not carry nearly the amount of overhead costs as retail stores. There is the disadvantage of not being able to inspect the bunk bed in person, but many online stores offer plenty of photographs and detailed specifications on the materials used and the relative ease or difficulty of performing the installation once the bed arrives at your home.

Another option is to purchase a used bunk bed. Again, looking online for local classifieds can be a great option. Kids outgrow their fascination with bunk beds as they grow older, and obtaining a well-built bunk bed at a low price can be possible. It’s critically important to examine a used bed for wear and tear in addition to overall construction and quality of materials. Pay close attention to how the bed joints and hardware have held up over the years. It may be necessary to replace any parts that have suffered significant wear and tear over the years. This approach requires significantly more time and patience, as well as flexibility in schedule since you’ll need to travel to seller’s homes to inspect the beds prior to purchase. But if you’re looking for cheap bunk beds without sacrificing on overall quality, this can easily be the best option available to you.

Finally, a great alternative to online and used is good old-fashioned bargain shopping. The advantage here is that by physically going to stores, you’ll be able to inspect the floor models firsthand. If you include specialty bedding stores in your shopping circuit, you may be able to speak with knowledgeable salespeople about what specifically you should be looking for in a bunk bed for your children. Keep an eye out for store sales and liquidation events, when you’re likely to find the best prices. And try to stay away from the larger department stores, which typically don’t compete very well on price, even with discount bunk beds.

Remember that finding a good deal on cheap bunk beds isn’t always just about price. It’s best to approach the effort by finding the best bargain possible–one that provides you with a lasting, quality-built bunk bed for your kids without breaking the bank.