Bunk Beds vs Single Beds: Which is Right for Your Child?

If you have children who share the same bedroom, the obvious choice to create some more floor space – whether for playing or storage space – is to opt for bunk beds.

However, they're not the only option, and your children may be too young to sleep in bunk beds. Single beds, then, are the next best option – but which is better?

At Bunk Beds, we stock a wide range of kids' bunk beds and single beds, so we know all about them. With that in mind, let's look at what's better for your children: a bunk bed or single bed.

Kids bunk beds vs kids' single beds

The only way to find out if you prefer bunk beds or single beds for your children is by directly comparing them in different categories.

They both offer plenty of benefits and also some drawbacks, so let's take a look at them both to determine which best suits your home.

Floor space

When it comes to more space, either for children to play or to introduce storage furniture, bunk beds are the clear winner.

For bedrooms of all sizes, having two single beds side-by-side will take up much more floor space than bunk beds. Bunk beds, due to their stacked design, take up half as much bed space as two single beds.

So, if the bedroom in question is a small room, and multiple children are sharing the space, a bunk bed is the best choice.

Safety concerns

When it comes to the safety of bunk beds vs single beds, both options have their pros.

Bunk beds have sturdy ladders or large staircases and boast a safety rail on the top bunk to prevent children from falling off. They're also made from highly durable materials to withstand two people sleeping on the bed frame every night.

However, they do have their safety issues for some children. Small children could climb the ladder and either fall off on the way up or down. Or they might not be able to get down (safely) on their own. When up on the top bunk, it can be a substantial drop to the floor, which can put some children at risk.

This is why it's recommended that only children aged six and above should use the top bunk of a bunk bed.

Side-by-side single beds, due to both being on the floor, offer a lot less safety concerns than bunk beds as there is no ladder to climb, nor is there a top bunk to potentially fall from.

Comfort

In terms of comfort, there will be no difference between bunk beds and single beds because you have the same mattress options for both.

When trying to tuck your children in at night, bunk beds can be a little tricky, especially when reaching up to the top and crouching down to the bottom bunk of most bunk beds.

Single beds, in contrast, are much easier to navigate.

Children's age

Due to a bunk bed having a high top bunk, there are age restrictions involved.

If you want to put a set of bunk beds in your children's bedroom, any child sleeping on the top must be at least six years of age. Meanwhile, the other child should be at least four years of age to comfortably fit on the bottom bunk.

In terms of single beds, children need to be four years of age to safely get on and off them without falling.

As there are no safety rails with single beds, younger children are at risk of rolling out of bed, so they should be old enough where that wouldn't become a common occurrence.

A two-year-old, for example, is at a much higher risk of rolling out of bed during the night, and they're likely to hurt themselves by doing so. A four or five-year-old, while it may give them a little bump, should be fine to sleep in a single bed without rolling out.

Fun

When comparing bunk beds and single beds, you simply have to consider the fun aspect your little ones can have.

To many people, bunk beds win this comparison. While single beds are practical and comfortable, two beds side-by-side have nothing on bunk beds when it comes to fun.

When siblings are room-sharing, bunk beds give them more room to play in their bedroom, but also open up a world of possibilities with the actual bed frame.

With clever use of a blanket, the lower bunk can be turned into a den to create a fun play space, while just playing with toys on the top bunk is incredibly fun for young children.

However, many single beds come in fantastic themed designs, like a campervan or caravan. This could provide huge amounts of fun for many children.

Room decor

Trying to match a bed frame to the decor of a small room can be tricky, but bunk beds are available in a huge range of colours, designs and materials.

This makes it very easy to match bed frames to the room decor. Single beds are available in different designs and styles, but they're harder to match to a room's decor, simply because there's much more bed frame compared to bunk beds.

Often, people will opt for a plain wooden single bed that doesn't add much to a bedroom. The right bunk bed, though, can transform the look of a bedroom.

Private space

Sharing a room with a sibling can restrict the amount of private space a child has. Unfortunately, room sharing is a necessity in many households, but bunk beds can be used to create a personal space for your children.

Unfortunately, single beds do not provide children with their own space like a bunk bed can.

If one child ever wants to play by themselves for a short period or they want to relax with a book, they can climb onto their bunk and unwind. When both children are lying on their bunks, neither can see each other, offering some privacy.

Changing bedding

This may seem like a trivial matter but it's important for anybody with mobility restrictions.

Changing the bedding of a single bed is quite a simple process, and a lot different than bunk beds.

Bunk beds require climbing up the ladder, stretching and lifting the mattress up from an awkward angle to fit a sheet. For the lower bunk, it requires bending over and crouching, which can be difficult for some people.

If mobility is an issue, consider how you will be able to change bedding.

What would the kids prefer?

Finally, the last thing to consider is what the kids would like.

Would they prefer bunk beds or side-by-side single beds? Both offer their own positives and some children may like lying in bed where they can see their siblings.

If their bedroom is a larger room, single beds are a good option, but if space is an issue, bunk beds are better to allow your little ones room to play.

If you're still on the fence after all of the above categories, speak to your children and see what they prefer. They might surprise you!

Find the perfect bunk bed or single bed at Bunk Beds

So, have you decided on which type of bed your two children can have in their bedroom?

Or, are you still undecided?

Either way, at Bunk Beds, we have a huge stock of single beds and bunk beds to choose from. We have more than that, though! Browse our high sleeper beds, toddler beds, triple sleeper bunk beds, and more.