Bunk Beds vs. Loft Beds: A Complete Guide


Are you planning to buy a bunk bed or a loft bed for your kids’ room?  Ah, they will love climbing their way up to their little private world while you can save space and money, and enhance the room décor.  Sounds like a deal, doesn’t it?  Having said that, choosing between a bunk bed and a loft bed can be a confusing affair since these two terms are often used interchangeably.  However, they are two distinct types of beds, each having its features, advantages, and disadvantages.


Let’s look at bunk beds and loft beds in detail so that you can make an informed choice when you buy kids’ beds online or from a store.


What is a Bunk Bed?


A bunk bed is a single unit containing at least two beds stacked one above the other.  With a bunk bed, you get to accommodate two beds for the floor space of one.  So, if you have two (or more) kids but don’t have the luxury of space to accommodate multiple beds in your kids’ room, this type of beds is a great option.


Features of Bunk Beds


While bunk beds are available in various designs, their basic features remain the same.  Here are some of them:


To begin with, they come with a strong bed frame with poles/posts at four corners since it has to support two or more bunks.  This frame can be made of wood or metal.

The frame is attached to a ladder or staircase that allows kids to access the upper bunks.  The ladder can be a permanent fixture or is detachable in some models.

The upper bunk comes with a railing to make sure that kids sleeping on the top don’t fall while they roll over in their sleep.

Typically, bunk beds for kids are twin over twin beds that accommodate a single person each on the top and bottom.  They are the perfect pick for your children’s bedroom as each child gets a bed of her/his own.  However, designs with twin beds on the top and queen beds or full beds on the bottom are also available at Magical Nest.

Types of bunk beds


Despite these common basic features, bunk beds vary in design, style, number of bed units, additional features, etc.  Here are some of the popular types you will come across when you buy bunk beds for kids online in India.



Standard Bunk Bed

Also known as twin over twin bunk beds, it comprises of two twin beds (also called single beds) placed one atop the other.  This type of bed is often attached to a built-in ladder but in some cases, the beds can be detached and used separately, if needed.


Twin over Queen, Twin over Full, and Other Varieties

As already mentioned, some designs come with twin beds on the top bunk and either full or queen beds on the bottom.  This setup allows two kids to sleep on the lower bed while the third kid can sleep on the upper bunk.  These are called twin over full and twin over queen, respectively.  Though full over full and queen over queen varieties are also available in the market, they are not a popular choice for kids.



Futon Bunk Bed

As the name indicates, it comprises of a futon on the bottom and a bed on the top.  The major advantage of such designs is that the futon can be used as a couch during the day and expanded into a sleeping surface at night.



L-Shaped Bunk Bed

This version has the upper bunk placed at a right angle to the bottom one.  In terms of bed space, it is like the standard variety and is made up of two beds of the same size.  However, as far as floor space is concerned, L-shaped bunk beds need more space than standard bunk beds.



Triple Bunk Bed

If you are looking for kids’ bedroom ideas to make the most of available bed space, triple bunk beds are an ideal choice.  True to its name, it has three beds attached to a single frame and is ideal for families with three kids.



Trundle Bunk Bed

It is another type of bunk bed with a built-in trundle bed or a third mattress placed on casters and kept beneath the lower bunk.  This third bed can be tucked away when not in use, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for space-saving and multi functional kids’ furniture.


Pros and Cons of Bunk Beds


There is no denying that bunk beds pack in a lot of advantages, but they are not without drawbacks. Here are the major pros and cons to consider when you buy bunk beds online for your kids:


Pros


Bunk beds allow maximum utilization of floor space.

They are perfect for small bedrooms.

Kids get their own private space in a shared bedroom.

Some bunk beds can be separated into two full-sized single beds, if needed.

Some models come with storage space below the bottom bunk. 

It can be less expensive as compared to buying two individual beds.

Cons


There can be safety concerns if the quality of the bed is not great. 

Kids have to climb the ladder or staircase to reach top bunk, which could be difficult. 

What is a Loft Bed?


Loft beds are like bunk beds since they both make use of vertical space. However, unlike a bunk bed, a loft bed has just one top bunk and the space beneath can be used for multiple purposes, such as a desk space, extra storage space or even a play area. If you want to give your child the feeling of “sleeping high” and save space by adding an extra unit of furniture to the bed, loft beds can be incorporated in kids’ bedroom designs. 


Features of Loft Beds


While loft beds share some of the features of bunk beds, they have a set of unique attributes as listed below: 


Like bunk beds, loft bed designs have elevated wooden or metal frame that is sturdy enough to support the upper bunk and a ladder attached to the frame. 

The space beneath the bunk is either free or it can come equipped with other utilities or additional furniture attached to the bed frame. 

Loft beds score high when it comes to customization. You can convert the free space into a desk, study nook, play area, library, etc. based on your child’s interests. 

Though twin beds are the most popular size in loft beds, they also come in full size and queen size. 

They are available in different heights. The higher the upper bunk, the more the free space beneath it will be. 


Types of Loft Beds


Loft beds offer your kids the best of both worlds by combining fun and functionality. You just need to pick the right bed design from the wide range of options available. These include: 



Basic Loft Bed

The basic version of a loft bed has a full size or twin bed on the top with an open space below it. You can either use it to place another piece of furniture, convert it into storage or just keep the space empty.  



Study Loft Bed

A study loft bed has a desk or a workstation beneath the top bunk. It is an ideal choice when you want to fit a bed and a desk within the same floor area while leaving the rest of the room free for other activities.  



Low Loft, Mid Loft, and High Loft Beds 

These are classifications based on the height of the upper bunk. Low loft beds, which are ideal for pre-schoolers and elementary students, are not too elevated from the floor and have less free space compared to the other two types. Mid and high loft beds leave plenty of space and are ideal for teens, tweens, and even college-goers.  



Novelty Loft Bed

If you want to design your child’s room around a theme, a novelty loft bed is your best bet. They can be designed as per your requirement. For instance, such kids’ beds can come with playful features like a tent, treehouse or slide. Typically, these are low loft beds meant for small kids. Many online kids’ furniture stores in India offer loft beds with pre-decided themes.


Pros and Cons of Loft Beds


Before you buy loft beds for kids online, make sure that you have a good idea about their advantages and disadvantages. 


Pros


Loft beds are great for saving space in small bedrooms. They are multi-functional but don’t demand extra floor space. 

Several loft beds have desks, or a storage unit built into them, so you need not spend extra for storage or study. 

You can opt for loft beds with low, medium or high elevation, depending on the age of your kid.

They leave plenty of room for customization. 

Cons


Loft beds are designed to accommodate a single child. If you have two kids, you will need to buy two loft beds. 

In the case of high loft varieties, making beds can be a tedious task.

How to Choose between Bunk Beds and Loft Beds


Still not sure how to choose between a bunk bed and a loft bed? The best way is to take a call based on your requirements, availability of space, and the size of your family. Bunk beds are ideal for large families (with two or more kids) living in small apartments. However, if you need just one bed in your child’s bedroom but want to free up the floor space for other purposes, loft beds fit the bill. While bunk beds save space by combining two or more beds in a single unit, loft beds free up space with its multi-functionality. Either way, you get to save both space and money. 


Now that you know the difference between bunk beds and loft beds, why not make your choice and buy kids’ beds online? It’s time to create a cool space for your little ones and who thought sleeping could be this fun!  


Magical Nest Advantage 


At Magical Nest, we ensure that all our beds go through rigorous quality checks to ensure the strength and longevity of the bed. Our beds are 1000 jumps tested. Not only that, our beds can take up to 250 kilograms of weight. We use only E1 certified colours for our beds. You can be rest assured that our beds are safe for your kids and are full of fun and functional.