Parents make a decision of the type of beds they get for they’re children depending on how many teen boys or girls, room sharing and size of bedroom. Teenagers can use a bunk bed if it’s a suitable size, as 2 children sharing a small bedroom generally means getting suitable teenage beds for small rooms such as bunks to save space.
Bunks are used by people of all ages to sleep 2 or more in on bed area to save space in a smaller bedroom. Teenagers can use a bunk bed to sleep comfortably & safely at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 as long as its the appropriate length x width x height and strength. Teen bunks are designed and made to look mature and grown-up to appeal to young adults with neutral colours and non themed.
What is a bunk bed?
A bed style and design in a frame that has one bed above the other with a gap in between is called a bunk bed, normally 2 beds or can be 3 as a triple bunk. They’re made in different sizes according to age, height & weight for young children, teenagers and adult sizes with a bed mattress length of up to 202 cm. Bunks have a top and bottom bunk and are utilised to occupy the same floor area to save space in a bedroom.
Use of bunk beds is to accommodate more people sleeping per bedroom in one room area as space saving. You’ll find they used by parents in children’s bedrooms with 2 or more kids sharing a room, boarding schools, military barracks, ships, dorms and summer camps.
Bunks are made of heavy fabric, or more commonly sturdy metal or wood for durability, wear & tear and safety.
Can a 15, 16, 17, year old sleep on a bunk bed?
Children in their teens also use bunks to sleep on, although they are no as common as a stand alone single bed. Teenagers from 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 years old can sleep on and use a bunk bed for a good nights sleep if the size of the bed is appropriate to they’re height x width.
The bed frame & structure should also be sturdy enough to easily hold 2 larger teen boys or girl’s weight while sleeping or moving around.
Boys or girls sharing a bedroom for sleeping appropriate age is not just numerical, it’s also about being responsible enough to act appropriately and considerate to the other person sleeping in the other bunk. You’re teen son or daughter requires being grown-up enough mentally to use a top bunk that stands 5 feet tall to step up & down and sleep for safety reasons.
A bunk bed for older children in modern times is stylish and mature looking, not a childish kids version of a bed. Some teens think bunk sleeping arrangements is juvenile and don’t want to sleep in one let alone they’re friends knowing and seeing the kids style bed.
They want to look and feel a young adult, so maybe after a while parents can separate the bunks into two single beds for they’re sons & daughters.
Bunk bed size measurements
| Bunk Bed Style Type | Mattress Length | Mattress Width | Mattress Thickness | Overall Bed Height |
| Standard Size Bunk | Top bunk Bottom bunk | 90cm width 135cm width | 16cm | 75cm height between bunks 5 feet tall overall bed height |
| Trundle & Triple Bunk Bed | Top bunk 190cm bed length Bottom bunk 2000cm bed length Trundle 160cm bed length | 90cm width 90cm width Trundle 80cm width | 10+ cm | Overall 154 cm height Bottom of top bunk to floor 104cm Head height distance top and bottom bunk 75cm |
| L-Shaped Bunk | 196.6cm length | 113.4cm width | 16cm | Floor to underside of bed 32 cm Bottom of top bunk to Floor 107 cm Space between bottom & top bunk 75cm Overall bed 145.5cm height |
| Queen Size Bed Bunk | 6.63 feet (152 x 202 cm) | 4.99 feet wide | 16cm | 5 feet tall. 2000 pounds load weight |
| King Size Bed Bunk | 6 feet 6 inches length (150 x 200 cm) | 5 feet wide | 16cm | 5 feet tall. 2000 pounds load weight |
| Futon Style Bunk | Top bunk: 190cm | Top bunk 90cm | Top bunk 16cm |
7 bunk bed variations for teenage children
There are a number of style variations of bunk bed on the market for teenage children to sleep on comfortably that will also accommodate additional growing from 13-19 years olds. They come in different sizes of bed space from twin, full, queen & king, and good for teen height and body size for parents looking for an option for they’re daughter or sons sharing a small bedroom.
Bed bunks can be separated into 2 single beds for some teenager design models if children later wish separate sleeping spaces. They’re generally more expensive to purchase as they have additional design functionality.
Standard size bunk
- Standard sized bunk beds come with one bed above another with around 75 cm between the bottom and top bunk attached to a frame. They can be the same twin size bed space length x width, although the bottom bed can be larger with a double full sized (135cm x 190cm) mattress where the top bunk has a twin size mattress (90 cm x 190 cm) dimension.
Trundle & triple bunk bed
- Bunk Trundle bed is a teenager standard sized sleeping space for 2 bunk beds, one directly above the other. The trundle is a pull out bed that is underneath the bottom bunk that can be used for your daughter or sons sleepovers or occasional family guests. This type of bed spaces can sleep 3 people in one area saving limited bedroom space, with the bottom of top bunk to floor 104cm height.
- 80 x 160cm bed surface trundle pull out
- 90cm x 190cm bed surface top bunk
- 90cm x 200cm bed surface bottom bunk
- The bed can also be used as a triple sleeper for 3 teen boys & girls sharing one bedroom, not ideal, but larger families have this option if without adequate separate bedrooms or room space.
L-Shaped bunk
- A different style of bed is an L shaped bunk bed that has 2 separate beds one above the other, although the bottom bunk vertical and top is horizontal. There is a height space of around 75cm for a teenager size bunk for head room in the lower sleeping area. They take up more bedroom floor space, although can provide storage or additional features. Overall bed size 145.5cm height x 113.4cm width x 196.6cm length and 16cm mattress recommended.
Queen & king size bed bunk
- For tall and larger teenagers over 6 feet 1 inches queen and king size bed are most appropriate for sharing a bedroom. They take up to 2000 pounds load weight with 2 or more people on the bunk at the same time. Queen size measures 6.63 feet length x 4.99 feet wide (152 x 202 cm).
Futon style bunk
- With a traditional top bunk the bottom bunk also doubles up as a seating area that can also be a futon style bed. A standard UK mattress on the top bunk is around 16cm thick with the bottom futon mattress slightly thinner. Size is (3ft/90 x 190cm) on the top bunk and a double futon cushion (4ft6/135 x 190cm) on the bottom.
Teenage bunk beds with storage
As a parent you can choose to purchase a plain bed without additional functionality or bunk bed with storage. You’re teen boys or girls could have a bed area with attached shelves and drawers to store clothing, electrical gadgets, collectable or toys.
An L shaped bunk design takes up more floor space, but provides more room for an attached desk feature, drawers and open stacked shelving than standard bunks. Indeed, a few designs on the market have a gaming or study desk attached, although bunk beds for teenagers are designed to provide maximum sleeping space and not storage.
Are bunk beds safe for teen children?
Bunk sleeping is safe for the vast majority of teenage girls and boys, although for a few their not. Why, first are teen children with disabilities or mobility issues would struggle to get on and off the top or bottom bunk and should not use a bunk bed.
Immature teenage children that think jumping 5 feet from the top bunk to the floor is cool are liable to injure themselves. 13-14 year old boys for example will want to try some stupid alone in the bedroom or in front of they’re friends, maybe parents should reserve the bottom bunk for them.