Bunk Beds, Trundles or Futons: The Best Choice for Kids

If you are getting ready to pick new bedroom furniture for your kids, you may be wondering what type of bed to get. To help out, let's look at some of the most popular bed models for children, and rank them based on their unique features.

1. Bunks

When in doubt, get a bunk bed. It's easy to think of bunk beds as furniture strictly for multiple children or tight living spaces, but bunk beds provide a surprising number of benefits for any family. First – and obviously – kids love their bunk bed: In addition to maximizing space, they are simply fun, and that's not an easy currency to earn. Chances are good that your kids will be more thrilled with a bunk bed than any other options, especially if they get to sleep on the top.

Bunk beds are also pleasantly versatile. If you don't really need a bunk bed but still like the idea of extra space, consider buying a loft bed for your kids. This puts the bed up top but leaves the bottom space open for storage, a desk, a play area, or whatever else you want (a tip for older parents, this is also handy for an unfurnished dorm or apartment).

If you want even more versatile, choose a bunk bed designed to separate easily and divide into two full beds for different room layouts or space needs. Bunk beds come a variety of prices (rich hardwoods tend to be particularly expensive), so there's a good chance you can find something in your price range. Just make sure that you have enough help to move and install the bunks when you are ready, because this may take some maneuvering!

2. Trundles

A trundle bend is a traditional type of bed with a thick base built with drawers, cupboards, and other compartments. Everyone tends to store stuff under their beds, but a trundle makes it official with real clothes space and safe, practical storage.

Trundles have their advantages. They usually come as a single bed, but some are designed to be bunk beds as well. They are a great way teach your kids to clean up their toys or organize their own clothes if you assign trundle drawer space to them. If you want to use the trundle yourself, it's a handy spot for extra sheets, winter clothes, and so on.

So, why doesn't the trundle and its extra space make our top spot? Two reasons. First, with a couple easy-to-buy plastic containers, you can turn any bed with enough space into a makeshift trundle if you really need to store something. Second, trundle beds are difficult to put together and ever harder to move, which doesn't make them very flexible. The style-conscious may want to add a third reason – trundles can look odd when they don't match other drawers in the room.

3. Futons

In many ways the futon is the opposite of a trundle. This lightweight piece of furniture is design to quickly switch between a bed and a sofa at any time. Of course, a futon will probably never be as comfortable as a traditional bed, but it is good at maximizing the space that you are dealing with.

A couple of other thoughts about a futon: Because they tend to be lightweight, you can easily move them around. The convertibility is a great feature if you don't plan on living in your current home for very long, or need to combine rooms with multiple purposes. Also keep in mind that while trundles and bunk beds may have limitations, there's always room for a futon somewhere – and lots of demand for resale.

Stop in today at Martin Fine Furniture to browse our selection of mattresses, beds, and more!

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