Not all bunk beds use two twin mattresses. In many cases, a twin-sized mattress is exactly what is needed for a bunk bed. When it comes to a typical bunk with both mattresses the same size, most manufacturers make the bunk bed to accept a standard twin mattress. But not all bunk beds are created equally -- some feature a twin bed on top, a full on the bottom or even a futon for the bottom bunk area. Bunk Mattress Basics A typical bunk bed for a child's room features two twin mattresses. A twin mattress is 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. But a different type of twin mattress exist: a twin XL. The extra long variety has the same width, but an extra five inches of length at 80 inches long. The extra long twin has the same length as a queen or king mattress. If you are unsure which type of twin mattress is right for a narrow bunk, measure the length inside the bed area where the mattress belongs. A bunk mattress should fit snugly within the frame or enclosure for maximum safety. Bunk Bed Variations A bunk that has a narrow bed on top and a wide one on the bottom requires one twin and one full-sized mattress.
If the bottom area contains a futon that folds into a chair, a futon mattress is needed, as these types of mattresses flex to achieve the desired position. References Bedding Experts: Mattress Size ChartCymax: Bunkbed Mattresses for Dummies Photo Credits Michael Turek/Photodisc/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionBunk beds and loft beds offer distinctive style in a child’s bedroom or even a guest room. With two single beds and mattresses or a single on top and a full on the bottom, sleeping space is extended to accommodate siblings or extra friends. With a Pottery Barn Kids loft bed, floor space is expanded exponentially with elevated sleep space on the top and desk or storage space below. The beds come in a variety of colors and materials to match virtually any decor. Simply white, charcoal and cocoa colors enhance other furniture pieces in a child’s bedroom or a guest room.Once you have the bunk beds or loft bed in place, it is time to find the perfect bedding set to finish the ensemble.
Whether you have a princess who wants only the pinkest and frilliest comforter for her loft bed, or your young boy has a fascination with cars or superheroes, the perfect bedding set for bunk and loft beds await. If you have kids sharing a room, let each one create an individual space in the bunk with his or her own style of bedding set that expresses each personality.What could be more fun than decorative pillows and blankets to add a touch of color and interest to bunk beds and loft beds? Extend a theme, such as Star Wars or Batman with distinctive pillows that add personality to a bedding ensemble. A child with a space fascination would likely love a blast-off pillow or even a glow-in-the-dark moon decorative sham pillow to decorate a bunk space. Any boy who loves superheroes will be right at home with the Marvel prints.Parents and children can choose from among bunk beds with ladders and loft beds that contain their own staircase. Bunk and loft systems that contain extra storage space in the form of shelves and drawers are appreciated by parents and children alike to store all of those books and toys that may otherwise be left scattered around the room.
These loft systems are ideal for small bedrooms where space is limited since they offer everything a kid could need in one compact piece of furniture. Some include a desk space, a set of drawers and some open shelves.Provide your child with a bed that is more than a space for sleep, but for play and making memories as well. A loft bed that resembles a playful treehouse is a raised bed that is accessed by a ladder. There are options that can be decorated for both boys and girls in either a simple white or dark wood that comply with safety regulations for your peace of mind and support a twin mattress. This loft bed aids in creativity and play by providing both a place to sleep as well as a playhouse. The loft bed even includes cutouts in the house that appear to be windows that parents can cover with small curtains to really spruce up the treehouse.There are plenty of options for siblings of different ages and sizes who are sharing a room as well. Twin-over-full bunk beds are designed with siblings of different ages in mind.
A smaller twin mattress is set above a wider full mattress for an older sibling who needs a bit more space. Moreover, many of these bunks are designed so that the beds can stand alone as two separate beds when children may move into different rooms or decide they no longer want a bunk bed. Not only will bunk beds and loft beds add distinctive styling to a bedroom layout, the possibilities for decorating are virtually unlimited.I didn’t realize what a pain it is to make bunk beds until we got them for the boys’ shared bedroom. It makes me sweat. After struggling with the beds for a while, I thought “there’s got to be a better way!” When I googled “how to make bunk beds” all I came up with were a bunch of tutorials on how to build bunk beds. Not what I was looking for. I thought maybe something was wrong with me and possibly bunk beds were to be dressed just like a regular bed. When I read about how to properly dress a single level bed, I was in shock. I’m supposed to iron bed sheets?
You’ve got to be kidding me. Me, the girl who doesn’t even break out the iron unless there’s a wedding or a photo shoot. And all those layers of bedding – sheets, blankets, duvets, coverlets, throw blankets, pillows?? Um, that’s so not happening in my kids’ room. So, I set out to find little tricks for making bunk beds easy – or at least easier – on my own and I’m happy to share those with you today. Tip #1 Use a stool. Unless you’re 7′ tall or have go-go gadget arms, you’re gonna need a step stool. At the beginning of my bunk bed-making journey, I would get up on the top bunk and try to make it. Do you know how hard it is to make a bed that you are in? Now I keep a small stool in the boys’ bedroom just for making the bed. Tip #2 Use sheet clips. From what I can tell, plastic surgery is glorified bed-making. You’re not going to get good topical results unless everything underneath is smooth. Some kids are the busiest sleepers, aren’t they? When my oldest wakes up in the morning, it looks like he’s been practicing swimming from sharks all night.
I use these bed bands to hold his fitted sheet in place. He’s on the top bunk so I can fasten them from the bottom bunk. Basically, you put one clip in each corner, grip the perpendicular sides, clip shut then adjust the tension to hold the sheet snugly. Even if you don’t have a busy sleeper on the top bunk, I’d still suggest using sheet clips to keep the sheet in place.Kids + flat sheets = balled up flat sheets at the foot of the bed. After trying unsuccessfully to teach my kids the “right” way to sleep – with the flat sheet OVER their bodies – I gave up the fight. We parents must pick our battles. I did away with flat sheets on the kids’ beds all together and instead use a thicker, heavier cotton blanket right on top of the fitted sheet. I’m a happier mom because of it. Sometimes the boys sleep on top of the blanket {who am I to judge?} but when they do use it as a cover they don’t kick it off.Choose a fluffy down comforter + duvet cover. It’s nearly impossible to get the outermost bedding on bunk beds perfectly smooth because you don’t have direct access to both sides of the beds.
I’ve found it’s easiest to go with bedding that looks good kind of rumpled and that’s thick enough to disguise wrinkly imperfections. A down comforter inside a duvet cover fits the bill. In the winter I use a down comforter with a higher warmth rating and in the summer I use one with a lower warmth rating. On the top bunk, I tuck the foot of the duvet first. Then I pull the duvet all the way up to the head of the bed. I tuck the wall side then the wall-free side. On the bottom bunk, I do the same but fold the duvet back a bit just for something different.A duvet cover is essentially a really big pillowcase. There’s a lot of room for the comforter to shift. I use these padded clips to hold the comforter to the duvet cover. It makes for less duvet adjustments in the morning.Go easy on the pillows. One standard pillow for sleeping and one or two throw pillows are plenty. Kids don’t care about pillows. Keep it simple for your sanity. More than likely they’re going to end up on the floor anyhow.
Six tips for making bunk beds. None of which require an iron. Of course, you can apply these tips to regular beds as well.I don’t make the boys’ beds everyday. Some days I ask them to make their beds themselves because it’s a chore I think they should be responsible for. But seeing as how I have a hard time making the bunk beds, you can only imagine what the beds look like after an eight-year-old and four-year-old work their magic on them. When company’s coming, I make the beds. Or I just close the hideout curtains. The step stool {nearly five years old}, bedding and curtains are all from IKEA. I didn’t plan it that way. IKEA has really great inexpensive bedding which is perfect for children. I know what you’re thinking. Sorry, that’s another post. Do you have any tips or tricks for making kids’ beds? Do your kids make their own beds? Do you make your kids’ beds? A little of both? A little of neither? Yeah, we have those days too. images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking