This week we’re looking at the space saving solution of bunk beds!
What are some different bunk styles you’d recommend for best use of space?
Top and bottom twin bunks are popular as well as twin tops over queen bottoms. I discourage clients from anything larger than a twin bunk on the top. Otherwise, changing the sheets on the top bunk can become a nuisance. We customize duvets and blankets for our built-in bunks to have fitted bottom corners. They keep the beds looking tidy and make bed-making a breeze.
What size room will accommodate a built-in bunk set up; is it a basement only design?
Built-in bunks work well in a variety of spaces. We have installed built-in bunk rooms in finished lower levels as well as secondary bedrooms. As long as there is a wall long enough for a bed to flank the wall, we can incorporate the design. Typically, those include four bunks, but it can be eight or just two, depending on the size of the room. Sometimes we also add a sleeper sofa to maximize sleeping capacity and give the room additional function.
This sounds like the ultimate sleepover situation, but it probably isn’t just for kids, right?
You’d be surprised at the demand for built-in bunks. The first bunk room we did was in a finished lower level, and the clients wondered if it would ever get used. It was such a hit that their children took turns “reserving” the room each weekend. Another empty nester client wanted a bunk room upstairs in lieu of a guest room for their grandchildren. They are also very popular in bonus rooms over garages, and, of course, they are probably the most popular in weekend and vacation homes.
What are some fun nooks you’ve incorporated into your built-in bunk designs?
Our designs always include lighting for each bunk that is individually switched and a niche/shelf to place a pair of glasses and charge a phone. When space allows, we add storage drawers beneath the bottom bunk. Access to the top bunks varies by design; when steps are included, we can build additional drawers into those steps. In other applications, we may use a fixed or moving ladder. Depending on the mood of the space, sometimes it’s fun to incorporate privacy curtains at each bunk, which add a layer of coziness to the experience.