Space-Saving Bunk Beds for Small Bedrooms and Apartments

By Shane Stone, CEO

When the bedroom is small or you are working with an apartment, the bed is usually the problem. Space-saving bunk beds fix it by stacking two sleeping spaces into one footprint, which hands the rest of the room back to you. Here is how to choose one that fits a tight space and still leaves the room feeling open.

What makes a bunk bed good for a small bedroom?

A small-room bunk bed wins on footprint and feel. It takes up the floor area of a single bed while sleeping two, and the best ones do it without making the room feel boxed in. Low-profile frames and open metal designs are the standouts, because they save vertical space and keep sight lines clear.

How do you measure for a bunk bed in a tight space?

Measure three things before you buy: the floor footprint where the bed will sit, the ceiling height, and the clearance around the bed for the ladder and for walking. In a small room, ceiling height decides whether you want a standard or a low-profile bunk. A low-profile model like our low-profile twin over twin metal bunk bed keeps the top bunk lower, which suits rooms with standard or shorter ceilings.

Which bunk bed style saves the most space?

• Low-profile twin over twin. The simplest footprint saver, ideal for shared kids rooms in apartments.
• Open metal frames. The see-through design keeps a small room from feeling crowded.
• Loft beds. If only one person sleeps in the room, a loft frees the entire floor below for a desk or storage.

How do you keep a small shared room from feeling crowded?

Light and lines do the heavy lifting. A light-colored frame and walls bounce more light and make the room read larger. Open frame designs keep the space airy. Push the bed to a corner, then go vertical with wall shelves and hooks so the floor stays clear. The less furniture touching the floor, the bigger the room feels.

Is a bunk bed safe in a small room?

The small-room rules are the same as anywhere, with one extra: clearance. Make sure the top bunk has room below any ceiling fan or light fixture, and that there is space to climb in and out safely. Keep the standard guardrail rules in place: rails on both sides of the upper bunk, tops at least 5 inches above the mattress, and no child under 6 on top. Tight on space does not mean tight on safety.