Looking For That Perfect Children's Bunk Bed?

Searching for a great bunk bed for your child can be confusing. I'm sure you have many reservations about bunk beds. Are they safe? Is your child old enough? What should you look for in a bunk bed? Hopefully you will find some answers in this article.

Question 1; Are bunk beds safe?

Bunk beds are safer now than ever. Better materials, better construction, and better design have all factored into a much safer bed than even a decade ago. Most bed bunk accidents are a result of horseplay, in fact, most injuries are from teenagers jumping around on the beds, especially college dorm lofts and bunk beds. As long as safe practices are observed, your child should be fine. Teach them to never jump on the top bunk and how to use the ladder correctly.

Guard rails on bunk beds are regulated by the government now and must conform to certain specifications. There can be no more than 5 inches between the top of the mattress and the bottom of the guardrail. This ensures your child will not slip through.

Another safety practice you should look for is the use of a Bunkie board. This will keep the mattress secured in place and not allow it to shift which might result in gaps. These gaps or unforeseen openings can cause the mattress to slip. A Bunkie board will keep the mattress securely in place.

Question 2: Is my child old enough to sleep on the top bunk?

Most experts have agreed that your child should be at least six years old before sleeping on the top bunk. But who are these experts and why are they qualified to arrive at such a conclusion? Nobody really knows who the exact people are but studies have shown that most children have achieved a certain maturity by age six. But only you can determine if your child is ready or not. No one knows their children better than the parents and if you feel your child is ready, then he or she is ready.

Question 3: What should you look for when purchasing a bunk bed?

A couple of things first decide if you want a metal bunk bed or a wooden bunk bed. Metal can be very strong and hold up to some heavy punishment, by the natural beauty of wood is the preferred choice, mostly because it provide a more comfortable and pleasant décor.

When looking at wood, you should decide if you want solid wood or manufactured wood. Solid wood is very strong and most solid wood beds are made from pine. The beauty and finish of a solid pine bed will last for years, possibly generations. Manufactured wood is usually wood particles that are pressed together. Manufactured wood is cheaper and can still be strong but will lack the natural wood appearance of solid wood.

When you're evaluating children's bunk beds, remember the above tips. You sleep better yourself knowing that you've made a better, more informative purchase. Most bunk beds sold, either in retail stores or on the Internet are perfectly fine. Manufacturers and merchants alike want nothing but the safest experience for your child.

Children's Choices in Furniture For Sleep

As children grow, their needs change and that includes their need for furniture. When they sleep, they need to have their own furniture that is the right size to suite their needs as well as the size of their rooms. A single sized sleeper is the right size for a variety of ages and a good quality piece of furniture can last throughout their childhood. When your child is ready to make the transition to sleeping in real furniture, a single size piece of furniture that is designed for children will provide you with years of use if you make the right choice.

If you have a small room where the furniture will go, a popular choice these days is an all-in-one. These are pieces of furniture that combine different pieces into one and may have one or two single sleeping areas. The benefit of an all-in-one is that it takes up part of the vertical space in the room in addition to the horizontal space, leaving more of the room free.  You will find a variety of these pieces styled in different ways to allow for desks, storage, computer display, and wardrobes. Although they work well to keep things organized for children, they may outgrow their use later on. However, for many people the convenience is worth it.

Another option for those without a lot of space are the single sized sleepers that come with drawers underneath. This is another option for providing more storage space in the same area that the furniture will take up regardless. You will also find designs for girls or boys in a variety of finishes to match other bedroom furniture.

If you are more concerned with providing a comfy sleep place for your children on a budget, there are certainly less expensive choices that will work too. Some of the least expensive options on the market are those with metal frames. These are available in a wide range of colors so that you can find a favorite color or match the décor of the room. With two children, you can also let them each choose the color that they like the best so that each has their favorite color!

If money isn't an issue, then it is a good idea to look for high quality furniture that is going to last even longer than your children will be children. Single sized sleepers are great for children but they can also be used for visits later on. You may find that your children want to take theirs with them when they have little ones of their own!

Before buying furniture for your children's sleeping needs, make a list of the features that are most important to you. Consider the space that you have since furniture tends to look much smaller in the furniture store than it will in your home. Decide if you want it to match other furniture or if you are going to purchase dressers or other furniture to match. Also, consider quality and your budget so that you know what you are willing to spend to get the right furniture for your children's sleeping needs.