Beloved by hostel managers and parents alike, bunk beds are the ultimate multitaskers. As well as offering a space-saving place to sleep, they can be the thoughtful storage solution a compact bedroom needs. But they can also be a good-looking — and fun — piece of décor. To find some bunk-bed options that you’ll actually want to place in your home, we heard from a bedding expert, consulted hundreds of reviews, and recruited some favorites from our own Strategist archives. Read on for bunk-bed recommendations that can turn a kid’s bedroom into a playground, and one option that’s been thoroughly vetted by dozens of teenagers.
Best overall | Best with desk | Best colorful | Best with slide | Best for teenagers
What we’re looking for
Size and features: There’s major variation in the features available from each bed, with some more suited to teenagers and others designed to delight younger kids. Since no two frames are available with the exact same size dimensions and features, we’ve flagged how many beds each frame includes (either one loft bed, or the classic two-bed bunk). We’ve then made a note of what size those beds are and what features are included in the design, such as built-in storage, a desk, or even a slide.
Material: Each bunk bed on this list is made either from metal or solid wood. Where metal is used, we’ve scanned reviews to make sure there’s no excessive clanging from the frame, and we’ve also looked out for any reviews flagging creakiness from wooden frames.
Price: To easily gauge cost, I’ve used a simple key: $500 or less ($), $500–$1,000 ($$), and $1,000 and over ($$$).
Best overall bunk bed
DHP Miles Metal Bunk Bed
$290
$290
Double over double | Metal | $
According to those who’ve slept in it, this double over double’s thoughtful design makes it far more comfortable than the average. It allows teens and adults to fully stretch and unwind, with plenty of wiggle room, on either bunk. Despite this roominess, the frame still has a streamlined, compact design with an integrated ladder, packing a great deal into a small space.
Both mattresses rest on a layer of secure metal slats, while the bed frame is also made of sturdy metal. One reviewer who bought the bed for his lake cabin — where he hosts over 20 people for the Fourth of July — says he and his wife slept on the top bunk “and it was very stable. Our combined weight is between 340 to 350 pounds, and these worked great.”
$290 at Amazon
Buy
$290 at Amazon
Buy
Best bunk bed with desk
Ikea Smastad Loft Bed
$678
$678
Twin bed with desk, wardrobe, and shelving | Wooden | $$
This was the bunk bed that everybody coveted in middle school, and I was lucky enough to have one. It’s a storage-heavy option, as it includes both a built-in wardrobe and a row of deep cube-shaped shelving. Made of resilient wood, the bed doesn’t wobble or creak and can comfortably support two kids side by side or a tween (although there isn’t much wiggle room when more than one person climbs inside).
But the main attraction of this bed is the built-in desk. It can be used as a dressing table or a place to study, with three roomy drawers providing storage space for makeup or school supplies — depending on what the space is being used for. The desk is also of a nice height, neatly slotting a standard computer chair (with arms) underneath. Projector users will also be glad to hear that when a sheet is draped from over the top bunk, it makes for an ideal movie-night setup. The bed comes in plenty of colors, including baby pink and slate gray, but the green looks particularly vibrant when adorned with some potted plants and succulents.
$678 at Ikea
Buy
Best colorful bunk bed
Room and Board Fort Bunk Bed
From $1,999
Twin over twin | Metal | $$$
If a pop of color is what you’re after, this range of eye-catching beds was brought to our attention by Anki Spets, the founder of AREA Home. Spets says that the “sturdy” frame will “last for a long time” and is particularly fond of the bolder colorways, like orange or onyx gloss. The frame is available as both a platform bunk bed (measuring at a height of 64 inches) or, for rooms with lower ceilings, there is an option that rests directly on the floor (with a height of 54 inches). Due to its streamlined shape, reviewers say that even though the bed is tall, it still feels compact and not at all overpowering.
From $1,999 at Room & Board
Buy
Best bunk bed with slide
Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin Bunk Bed With Slide
$500
Twin over twin with slide | Wood | $$
While whimsical, this bed still manages to look sophisticated thanks to the handsome pine oak that makes up its frame. As a twin-over-twin bed, each bunk has ample space for one sleeper to get a comfortable night’s rest. And while parents are grateful for how sturdy and easy to erect the bed is, most people have raved about the slide in their reviews, including one reviewer who thanks the slide for tiring out their kids before bedtime. One reviewer did warn that the slide can be a tad slick, but says placing a pillow at the bottom is all it takes to make sure there’s no bruised butts or backs.
$500 at Amazon
Buy
$669 at Max and Lilly
Buy
Best bunk bed for teenagers
Walker Edison Industrial Bunk Bed
$244
$449 now 46% off
$244
Twin over twin | Metal | $
For slightly older sleepers, this bed was highlighted as a great option for teenagers due to its durability. “Ours are used by a 12- and 13-year-old,” says one parent. “There’s lots of exhausted (and at times, exasperated) ‘flopping’ down on the bed that happens and they’ve held up so far.” With an industrial design, it can suit a variety of bedroom aesthetics, and with a compact design and integrated ladder, it won’t take up a great deal of much-needed space. The bed also has a ten-inch raised platform, meaning small items such as storage boxes and pairs of shoes can be tucked away underneath. The frame starts at $250 for a twin-over-twin option, but lots of other sizes (including one with a futon and one with shelving) are all reasonably priced between $200 and $500.
$244 at Amazon
Buy
$760 at Zulily
Buy
Some other bunk beds we’ve written about
A solid-wood and convertible option
$381
Buy at Amazon
Recommended if you're looking for storage shelves and a desk
From $333
$391 now 15% off
From $333 at Amazon
From $353 at Walmart
An easy-to-climb bunk bed
From $760
From $760 at Amazon
From $899 at Max and Lilly
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