Consider Safety

• The first factor to consider when shopping for bunk beds is safety. Because the top mattress is elevated, there is a serious risk of injury if the beds are not stable. Ensure that the top bed features a guardrail to keep the occupant from rolling or falling off the mattress. Inspect the side rails as well to ensure that there is less than a 3 1/2-inch gap between them and the guard rail. Look beneath the top bunk to verify that there are some types of slats or wires attached at both ends to help support the mattress. And before allowing children to sleep in the beds, examine the mattresses to make sure that they fit tightly in the frame so there is no gap that your child may fall into and become trapped.
  
  

Choose the Right Style

• While the image of bunk beds that most readily comes to mind may be of two beds stacked on top of one another, there are actually many designs and features that you may choose from when shopping. The standard model features two twin mattress that are positioned parallel to one another, but you may also opt for a setup that contains a twin bed on top and a full mattress on the bottom or a horizontally positioned top bunk and vertically positioned bottom. Some bunk beds feature storage options as well, such as drawers or shelves, or may have an attached desk. For added fun, you may even purchase bunk beds that have a slide connected so the occupant of the top bunk can easily slide down in the morning. In addition, while most bunks feature a ladder that provides access to the top bunk, some models have a staircase-like structure that can make getting up and down from the top bunk much easier.
  
  

Install Built-Ins

• If you are looking to maximize space and need to provide beds for more than two children, built-in bunk beds may be an ideal option. This style of beds are built into the wall so you can design the layout to feature two beds on top of one another like a traditional bunk style bed or two sets of side-by side beds that are positioned on top of one another to accommodate four people. Built-in bunk beds are a good fit for a long, narrow room that might not accommodate more than one bed or for grandparents' homes where multiple grandchildren often come to spend the night.
  
  

Add a Light

• Because children are most likely sleeping in the bunk beds in your home, make them as comfortable as possible. Adding a cordless nightlight to the beds' ladder ensures that the occupant of the top bunk can easily make her way down in the middle of the night when she needs to use the bathroom. It can also be comforting to a smaller child sleeping in the bottom bunk since the room is not immersed in total darkness.