If the family is large enough and there is not enough space in the apartment, then it is worth considering how to save it. Typically, the problem is solved by buying a bunk bed. Reviews about these products, models and selection criteria will be considered in this article.
Benefits of Bunk Beds
The most significant advantage of bunk beds is the significant saving in space.
Many people believe that such a product is bought by families with two or more children. But this is an erroneous opinion. According to reviews, a bunk bed is suitable even for families that have one child, but very small living space. In this case, such a bed on the first floor will contain the workplace of the child, and on the second - the bedroom. It is noteworthy that many children like to sleep upstairs, and they get real pleasure from it.
Before buying such a bed, you need to know that the product is suitable for those families whose children have reached the age of four: younger children should not sleep on the second tier, as this is traumatic.
Another advantage of bunk beds, reviews confirm this, is that they have excellent functionality. This is not only a comfortable two-story berth, but also a well-equipped play area and space for storing things and children's toys.
In addition, with the purchase of such a bed, you can significantly save the family budget, since the cost of one integrated product will be much less than the total investment in the purchase of individual furnishings.
Variations of execution and model
Modern industry offers several options for the implementation of a bunk bed.
The main ones are:
- combination with a working or game zone;
- the simplest solution is two berths, which are located one above the other;
- options for three children, when the first tier is made in the form of a double bed, and the place on the second floor is intended for another child (this bed is also suitable for a one-room apartment, when parents sleep on the first floor);
- options with the opposite version, when a double bed is located at the top and a single child’s bed is at the bottom;
- another model is a bunk bed with a sofa, reviews say that it is a convenient design;
- models in which berths are arranged crosswise, in this case a desktop or a cabinet is usually arranged in the formed niche;
- the first tier is slightly shifted to the right or left relative to the second;
- A modification in which the lower bed extends from under the upper.
Ladders also have different options - they can be stationary, retractable or formed from boxes in which things or toys are stored. It all depends on how much space in the room parents can devote to this design.
Safety and quality
Since sleep time occupies almost a third of our lives, every parent wants to create the most comfortable conditions for their child.
These conditions include:
- Security. There are very strict requirements for bunk beds. These products must have maximum stability and strength, meet the requirements of the state standard, be supplied with a mandatory certificate of quality for furniture products and have hygiene certificates.
- Build quality. The main requirement for components and fixtures for bunk beds is their reliability. When buying, it is necessary to carefully consider the bed in the store, try to swing it to check stability and make sure that the geometry of the structure is not violated. It is also important that the product coating does not have roughness and protruding parts in the form of metal bolts and sharp corners.
- Beads. It is necessary to pay attention to the sides of the upper tier. They must be strong and high enough - at least thirty centimeters. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the mattress, which hides the height and increases the risk of falling.
- Stairs. This element should be well fixed, starting from the floor itself and made of non-slip material. If you make a choice between different modifications of the stairs, the best one will be the drawers for things, in the second place - the inclined version, and in the last - a strictly vertical design. Ideally, when the staircase has wide steps and railings in the form of railings. The standard lifting width is 40 cm, the optimal gap between the crossbars is 21-25 cm.
Materials for the bed
The technical regulation provides that materials that do not emit chemicals that could have a negative effect on human health should be used for the manufacture of furniture.
Ideal are natural materials such as wood. From above they are covered with hypoallergenic protective compounds.
Today, manufacturers offer bunk beds made of the following materials:
- metal;
- tree;
- plywood;
- Chipboard;
- painted MDF.
The last three points are the budget segment. When buying products from these materials, it is necessary to check quality certificates from the seller.
The most popular tree species from which beds are made are ash, beech, oak, and pine. Products from them have an affordable price, have high strength, long life and environmentally friendly.
A metal bunk bed, the reviews of parents say this, also has high strength, but is traumatic and less aesthetic.
Design
Stylists say that, like all furniture, a bunk bed should fit into the overall interior of the room. If the apartment is one-room, then you can opt for a neutral design so that the bed does not stand out from the general situation with a bright spot.
If the children's bed is located in a separate room, then it makes sense to make it more colorful, since the children's room itself is a colorful room.
Usually boys like cool gray and blue tones, girls like warm pink or red. In any case, before buying a bunk bed for children, parental reviews warn about this, you need to know about the preferences of the children.
Ease of use
The natural criterion for choosing any bed is comfort.
As for the two-tier models, then they are subject to the following requirements:
- the gap between the lower and upper tiers should correspond to the height of a seated adult, as a rule, this distance should be from 80 cm, then no one will have to touch the upper berth with his head;
- to pay attention to how convenient it is to cover the place of the upper tier - if at the same time you have to step on the lower bed, then this is inconvenient, since it interferes with the person sleeping at the bottom;
- the design of the bed should have an orthopedic base - this will make it possible to maintain the correct position of the child's body during sleep, such a base is a frame on which bent slats are fixed.
Reviews of children's bunk beds indicate that the built-in drawers for toys or clothes also create usability.
The size of the berth must correspond to the age of the child
- for babies from 3 to 6 years, beds are selected with a size of 70 by 140 cm or 60 by 120 cm, and the gap from the floor to the lower base should exceed 30 cm;
- for children from 7 to 14 years, the gap between the floor and the lower berth should be 40 cm, and for a teenager - 50 cm, the size of a children's bed for children from seven years old is 60-85 cm in width and 140-200 cm in length.
The optimal height of the bunk bed is from 165 to 175 cm.
Rules for choosing a bed
Before using the children, you must be instructed on how to safely use the bunk bed.
Reviews say that when buying you need to follow simple rules.
The bed should:
- have a solid massive structure and stable, strong legs;
- withstand not only the weight of bedding (blankets, pillows and mattresses), but also the weight of the child and adult;
- have an upper tier, always equipped with protective sides to prevent the child from falling from a height.
A berth must necessarily correspond to the age of the child, since excessive space can cause a feeling of insecurity and anxiety in young children, and a narrow bed will not allow you to fully relax and rest.
Manufacturers and price
The cost of a bunk bed depends on what material it is made of, using what technologies, and on the fame of the manufacturer. Original design, design complexity or special decor also increase the price.
In general, a classic budget bed has a cost of about 10,000 rubles. Such products are offered by the manufacturer “Anton mebel” (for example, the “Baby” bed is made in the budget version from chipboard, it is not recommended for use if the child is less than 6 years old).
The next step is the manufacturer "Ormatek". His bed "Sonata Kids" has a stylish, interesting design, and the cost is already about 20,000 rubles.
Known to many, the Russian company Legenda from St. Petersburg pleases customers with practical and original children's furniture, the Legend bunk bed is especially popular. Reviews of this product say that it has many modifications for every taste. The price of modular beds from this company starts at 10,000 rubles.
The famous furniture giant IKEA offers bunk beds in the mid-price range, which is about 15,000 rubles. They are made of durable wood, have a sleek design and convenient functionality.
Of the well-known manufacturers, it is worth noting the Scandinavian company EllipseFurniture. Her products are made from solid wood and are of high quality. The models are concise and stylish in design, the minimum price for a bed from this company is about 65,000 rubles, and the Caramelbaby Raggio luxury bed costs already 140,000 rubles.
Customer reviews
Most consumers are happy with the purchase. Parents note the convenience and comfort of these products, as well as the strength of the pine bunk bed.
Reviews say that the safest beds are with ladders, formed by built-in drawers for things.
Also, most parents note that the purchase achieves another goal - children are happy with the acquisition.
The main requirement for a bunk bed is that it should not only be a fashionable and stylish element in the house, but also a functional, pleasant and comfortable place to relax. Such a product will help not only save budget and space in a small apartment, but also give your child a healthy sleep and pleasure during games.