Bunk bed ideas for siblings and sleepovers

If bunk bed ideas are top of your list in your children's bedroom design, you join the ranks of parents who've been asked for them by their children. I hold my hand up as one such parent and they've proved invaluable in two different homes. Both of my sons have had them and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

But, with Pinterest filled with inspirational examples of built-in bunk bed ideas, shops offering everything from bunk beds for toddlers through to teens (and even adults), it can sometimes be tricky to narrow it down to the ideas that work for you.

With practicality, age, design and space in mind, we've rounded up 11 ideas we think are worthy of a mention. We've also asked some experts for their thoughts too and included some shopping suggestions so you can head to some of our recommended retailers.

Bunk bed ideas vs built-in bunk bed ideas: Which one should you choose?

Deciding between the two is a bit like weighing up the choice of fitted wardrobes vs freestanding. Some of the pros and cons are very similar.

Freestanding bunk beds can be moved around should you extend, switch bedrooms around or even move home. They also come in different sizes, can be passed onto other children and many of include extras such as desks and storage.

On the other hand, built-in bunk beds are bespoke. Can be designed to fit a theme, built to fit in any space and have a greater sense of solidity to them. Plan your child's bedroom layout well and you can find yourself with clear floor spaces that freestanding furniture never quite provides.

But, they can't be moved, are a permanent fixture and unless you build them to fit an adult, are one day likely to become unsuitable. That said, there's no denying they look fantastic, and if I had my children's rooms to design all over again I'd certainly be investing in them.

How to choose bunk bed ideas

“When it comes to choosing your little one's bed, the biggest factor to consider is room size especially if you are limited with space," says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village.

"If you have a smaller bedroom, a two sleeper will free up the area, allowing more room for your children to play. Before you get your sleeper, make sure to measure the room and the height of the ceiling to ensure there is enough space above the top bunk for sitting comfortably.

"It's also important to consider the placement of your beds," says Shelley, "by keeping in mind where your windows, doors and other furniture are. You want to make sure the bed will slot into place easily without overcrowding the room.”

Design tips for choosing different styles

“When it comes to choosing a bed style for your little ones, it’s essential to think about the longevity of the design as well as its practicalities," adds Shelley. "Consider opting for a bed with an integrated desk - this is particularly useful for children as they reach their teenage years.

"You can also consider bunk beds with built-in drawers, shelves or even wardrobes. This style of bed not only offers a space saving storage solution but also makes it easier to keep the room tidy and uncluttered.”

Shelley Cochrane

Shelley Cochrane is an accessories buyer at Furniture Village and has spent over a decade spent working in homewares and furniture. Her keen eye for design and trends s helps her identify products to help make every room in your home both functional and stylish.

Bunk bed ideas

1. Create a false wall for built-in bunk beds and storage

If you're embarking on a renovation project such as renovating a Georgian house that's graced with high ceilings and large square rooms, built-in bunk bed ideas are yours for the taking.

Find out how to build a partition wall, or ask your builder or carpenter to build a framework to the depth of a single bed across the width of the room. Carve out a decorative arched opening for your built-in bunks and then create storage and shelving either side.

Finish with wood panelling, skirting and framework to create a seamless finish between the old and the new and it will seem like the beds have always been there.

You could also consider a similar look if you have inherited a bedroom with built-in wardrobes that have seen better days. As long as the depth of the wardrobes is greater than the width of a single mattress (head to Dreams for a handy mattress size guide) you could potentially adapt the space that remains when you remove the storage.

2. Be creative with your DIY skills

If you've invested in freestanding bunk beds but now regret not opting for built-in beds instead, don't assume you need to start again. Instead, take inspiration from this bedroom scheme where a house facade takes pride of place within the bedroom.

Whether you use it as an idea to hide bunk beds, a cabin bed or even just a standard single bed with a play area above, it would be rare to find younger children not loving this idea. It could make bedtimes more simple, and with some clever bedroom storage ideas inside, could leave the rest of the room free for play.

3. Use a curtain to create a secret hideaway

For a built-in bunk bed idea that includes a permanent bed and a bunk that also potentially doubles up as seating area, we think this bedroom idea from Annie Sloan is a great source of inspiration.

Bold, beautifully designed but with the client clearly in mind, the addition of the curtain is the perfect way to add a sense of fun to sleep time and hopefully turn bedtime battles into a much easier negotiation.

It could also be a good idea for shared kid bedroom ideas where one sibling wants to play but the other one wants to sit and read. Close the curtain and any distraction will disappear.

Love this shade of blue? It's Napoleonic Blue from Annie Sloan and it's available on Amazon, as is the contrasting Scandinavian Pink.

4. Sleep up to four with built-in bunk bed ideas

Seeing a solution for a larger family? If so, we'd recommend that built-in bunk bed ideas should be top of your list. And while it will mean sacrificing two walls to the cause, in a large enough room, you could potentially create a space that lasts for years to come.

"Bunk beds work very well in kid’s shared bedroom ideas," says Sophie Clemson, director and co-founder at The Living House. "It means you can make the most of the floor space by using the height of the room. It will allow for more space to play and for the other furniture pieces you need in the room. Bunk beds can make the room feel fun too, but beware, there may be a fight for the top bunk!"

The solid divider in the lower section also affords some extra privacy, or is less distracting for those in the lower bunks, whereas the top layer with its openings for access off the stairs allows for a little more communication between the inhabitants.

Safety rails make the construction safe, while a slightly higher base also means extra storage drawers can be placed below the bottom bunks. The creation of stairs rather than ladders also means you can factor storage into the design if needed.

5. Pick lower bunk bed ideas for younger children

Although they won't last them for ever, floor level bunk bed ideas are a good solution if you're seeking ideas for younger siblings. For extra safety, choose a design with stairs and a handrail rather than a ladder.

What looks like a fun feature - as in the house-shaped addition to the top and lower levels – is also an extra level of cleverly designed protection. And, from a design perspective, adds a sense of height so that the room doesn't seem too bare from the waist up.

It's also ideal for adding some extra night time lighting with fairy lights draped around the frame, or rechargeable nightlights positioned around the inside of the frame.

Rechargable and battery lights for your bunk bed ideas

6. Create built-in bunks with bigger beds for a design with a longer shelf-life

"Shared bedrooms for children are increasingly common, and there are many creative ways to optimise the available space," says Holly Ambrose, Interior Designer at Roomes Furniture & Interiors.

"Bunk beds with integrated storage, such as drawers, desks, and shelving, are a practical solution and many furniture collections are designed to grow with your children. For instance, bunk beds can be adapted from a ladder to a stair unit as children get older."

However, if your children are already older, you may want to consider a design that includes space to use larger mattresses so that you don't have to replace them in the near future.

This can be particularly effective in long, narrow rooms that are wide enough for a bed and an integrated shelf but not much else. Using the end wall for beds frees up the rest of the space for a desk, wardrobes and other storage ideas.

7. Decorate the space behind bunks with a wallpaper mural

With many parents choosing to position bunk beds against a wall, both for safety and to free up the rest of the room, the wall behind bunk beds can often face being neglected from a design perspective, or be subject to wear and tear.

Although beautifully designed bunk beds such as these wooden ones can be a design statement in themselves, don't be afraid to add an even bolder statement with a wallpaper mural such as this tropical inspired Sloane mural from Bobbi Beck.

Find out how to wallpaper a feature wall for a professional finish, or choose the peel and stick version if you feel this may be easier.

8. Use a high sleeper instead to combine work, rest and play

If you don't really need two beds but are perhaps looking at small children's bedroom ideas for small but high-ceilinged rooms, instead of choosing a bunk bed, opt for a high sleeper instead.

Perfect for older children, they also have the added benefit of a desk, seat or even wardrobe space underneath providing a compact solution to several of your needs.

For younger children, consider lower cabin beds which often includes desks, play areas, storage, and in some cases, even wardrobes. For a list of suppliers, check out our section on recommended retailers.

9. Encourage bedtime reading by putting bookshelves close to hand

If you're concerned about children constantly getting in and out of bunk beds to find books or toys, make sure that your built-in bunk bed ideas include simple but effective solutions such as these handy bookshelves positioned right next to the bed.

Picture shelves such as the popular Mosslanda from Ikea are ideal for books. Deep and long enough to carry a few titles, but not so deep as to encroach upon sleeping space.

If you are worried about children getting knocks in the night you could consider adding edging such as the Vicloon Edge Protector strip from Amazon.

10. Design the bunks toe to toe and add a ladder for central access

As another solution to creating multiple sleeping spots, a custom made toe to toe built-in bunk bed is an option for wide rooms that also benefit from extra high ceilings.

Build the base level higher, add drawers and a central ladder for access to both sides then arrange the sleeping position so each child is toe to toe. But be sure to add lights that can be operated independently in each bunk bed so that there's less risk of disturbance through the night.

Wall lights that can be wired into one circuit, but switched on and off at the base such as this Azelea spotlight from Wayfair are ideal.

11. Choose a lower design to deal with a sloping ceiling 

Bedroom loft conversion ideas often make great spaces for children. Creating a sense of adventure for the room's residents due to their location at the top of the house, their smaller height can also be an advantage if you're considering a dormer loft extension for example.

The good news is, the lower ceiling doesn't exclude you from the double storey benefit of bunk beds. Simply choose a lower height bunk bed and ensure the ladder or stairs is at the full height end of the room.

Depending on the age and size of your children, it may also be advisable to have them sleep at this end. In which case, choosing a design that has separate stairs at the end of the bed as opposed to ones that are on the front facing side will be necessary or they will have an opening immediately in front of their face.

Where to buy bunk beds

Noa & Nani - for a large selection of wooden bunk beds including triple sleepers and themed beds

Ikea - for metal and wooden frames, high sleepers and built in desks

Happy Beds - for a vast selection of bunks, cabins, themed beds and more

Land of Beds - a range of bunk beds suitable for all ages

Amazon - a wide choice of every type of bunk bed for every age