See more: Alex & Debra's Modernized 1850's Greek Revival (Image credit: Tara Belucci) Reversible and versatile, the IKEA Kura bed is shaping up to be a firm favorite of Scandi-style and budget-loving parents the world over. Its low profile means its perfect for small spaces and younger kids. But...is it possible you could make the Kura sleep two? Here are examples of some families who have done exactly that. First, a health note about mattresses on the floor: most mattresses benefit from "breathing" and some mattresses, especially foam ones, can develop mold from being on the floor. Ideally, even floor beds will rest on slats or a box spring. You can find more information at Nest Bedding. See more: Nanette Wong (Image credit: Nanette Wong) The affordable Kura holds its own in this stylish kids bedroom. Here, it is kept simple and white with nice modern bedding. See more: Fawn & Forest blog (Image credit: Fawn And Forest) Tiny tot in the house?
The lower "bunk" on this Kura bed is the size of a toddler bed, surrounded by pillows. And check out the Expedit tucked neatly into the end there, for added storage! → 10 Ways to Customize the Kura Loft Bed → 20 Ways to Customize the IKEA KURA Loft Bed & Make It Your Own → 8 Creative Ways to to Decorate & Customize the Kura Low Bed (Image credit: Kinder Im Gluck) This Kura bed finds its happy home in a vintage-eclectic room, with mismatched bedding and a cute DIY privacy curtain. See more: Cocoon Home (Image credit: Cocoon Home) The Kura bed goes retro! The kids sharing this room each have their own monogrammed pillow, which they rotate depending on which bed they're sleeping on that night. This way, everyone gets their his share of the top bunk! See more: Apartment Therapy (Image credit: Nessa Does) This Kura for two was gussied up with textured wall flats from Inhabitat Living. See more: IKEA Hackers (Image credit: IKEA Hackers)
Since the child using the bottom bed here was younger than two her parents wanted to create more of an enclosure which they accomplished by adding a board of MDF to the side. Bunk beds are frequently used as a child's first regular bed after he/she outgrows a crib - either at about age 2 or 35 inches (890 mm) in height. Some bunk beds also are used separately as twin beds for older children and even adults. Each year, thousands of children under age 15 receive hospital emergency room treatment for injuries associated with bunk beds. Most of these injuries are fairly minor and occur when children fall from the beds. Horseplay frequently contributes to these accidents. There are other less obvious yet potentially very serious hazards associated with bunk bed structures that have entrapped children and resulted in suffocation orstrangulation deaths. On some beds, the space between the guardrail and mattress or the bedframe and mattress is large enough to allow a young child to slip through.
Deaths have occurred when children became suspended by the head in these spaces and strangled. Guardrails which are attached to the bed by hooks and remain in place by their own weight can dislodge, allowing a child to become entrapped under the guardrail or fall. Attach additional boards to the bunk bed to close up any gap more than 31/2 inches (89 mm) between the lower edge of the guardrails and the upper edge of the bed frame to prevent possible entrapment and strangulation. Use of the Bed Without Rails on Both Sides Most bunk beds are used with one side located against a wall and are sold with only one guardrail for the upper bunk to prevent falls from the side away from the wall. Deaths have occurred when very young children ratted off the bed and became entrapped between the wall and the side of the bed not having a guardrail. This hazard is not unique to bunk beds. Regular beds can present the same hazard. Dislodgement of Mattress Foundation The mattress foundation an some bunk beds merely rests on small ledges attached to the bedframe.
They can dislodge, particularly if a child, underneath the bunk, pushes or kicks upwards on the mattress. Suffocation deaths have occurred when mattress foundations fell on children playing on the floor or occupying the lowerbunk. Fasten additional cross ties underneath the mattress foundation of both beds. Bunk bed structures and mattresses come in two lengths - regular and extra long. Extra long is 5 inches (127 mm) longer than regular. Therefore, if a regular length mattress is purchased for an extra long bed, there can be a 5-inch (127 mm) opening between the mattress and headboard or footboard. Strangulation deaths have occurred when children fell through openings created between the mattress and headboard or footboard when a regular length mattress was used in an extra long bed frame. Here Are Safety Tips for Selecting, Using, and Maintaining Bunk Beds Choose bunk beds that have: Guardrails on all sides which are screwed, bolted or otherwise firmly attached to the bed structure.
Spacing between bed frame and bottom of guard rails that is no greater than 3-1/2 inches (89 mm). Guardrails that extend at least 5 inches (127 mm) above the mattress surface to prevent a child from rolling off. Cross ties under the mattress foundation which can be securely attached. A ladder that is secured to the bed frame and will not slip when a child climbs on it. A feature which permits the beds to be separated to form two single beds if you have children too young to sleep safety on the upper bunk. And finally, choose a mattress that correctly fits your bed, whether regular or extra long. Always use two side guardrails on the upper bunk. Keep guardrails securely in place at all times no matter what the age of the child. Children move about during sleep and may roll out of bed. Do not permit children under 6 years of age to sleep in the upper bunk. Be sure crossties are under the mattress foundation of each bed and that they are secured in place even if bunks are used as twin beds.