Have a young child or growing teenager in your family and not sure how to spruce up their room? It’s a common conundrum. A comfy room that is simultaneously a space for growth and security, a kid’s bedroom is one of the most important spaces in a family home. Homeowners dealing with compact spaces often struggle to find the right-sized furniture– a bunk bed or a trundle bed are ideal choices.
What is a bunk bed?
A bunk bed is a structure with beds on two levels– the higher level being connected to the floor by a ladder or stairs, depending on how simple or intricate the design is. The simplest of bunk beds have high safety railings and ergonomic designs suited for rooms without much square footage to offer. More customised or built-to-order routes could see bunk beds being integrated with other furniture or task-oriented spaces like desks, bookshelves or vanity units.
What is a trundle bed?
The typical trundle bed or truckle bed is a low, wheeled addition to an existing bed. It’s usually stored under a normal bed to be pulled out when another bed is required. The drawcard of kids’ truckle beds is that, when not in use, it can be neatly tucked away under an existing bed. This creates more space for play. Many pop-up beds can be pulled up to the height of an existing bed. Therefore, easily increasing the area available to sleep on.
How Are They Useful?
Bunk bed vs Trundle bed #1: Ceiling Heights
A bunk bed is ideal for rooms that have higher ceiling heights but aren’t well-endowed with floor space. They make use of vertical space and draw the eye upwards, making them a great design element as well. A trundle bed is good for low-ceilinged rooms. It uses a negligible amount of space and stretches out horizontally instead of vertically as a bunk does. When tucked into the main frame, it gives the illusion of being a single bed with a heavier frame.
Bunk bed vs Trundle bed #2: Floor Space
For kids’ rooms, floor space is vital because it turns into a playground for fun and learning. Bunk beds make use of vertical space instead of horizontal, which means the floor is left empty for play and studies. A trundle bed, on the other hand, does consume floor space, but that’s only when it’s open or in use. When closed and tucked into the main frame, it gives the illusion of being a single bed with a heavier frame.
Bunk bed vs Trundle bed #3: Use Over Time
The bunk bed system is ideal for rooms that cater to two children because it gives each child their individual space to return to after sharing common areas. Just ensure the bunk bed you choose can accommodate growing children! A trundle bed is best suited for a kid’s room if you can’t accommodate a guest bed somewhere else in the house.
Whether you go for a bunk bed or a trundle bed, it’s key to ensure that they’re ergonomical. They should be built keeping safety in mind!
If you enjoyed reading this article, take a look at: Safety Checklist for Your Kids’ Room.
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