Tips for maintaining and securing a bunk bed

Categories: Children's Room

Installing a bunk bed can cause some concern for parents. And for good reason, the elevated sleeping position can indeed represent a certain risk. Moreover, it sometimes happens that the structure becomes loose over time, which can be just as worrying. So how do you maintain your bunk bed to ensure your children sleep safely?

What is a bunk bed?

A bunk bed is a piece of furniture that stacks two sleeping spaces. There's the bottom bed which is at a classic height exactly like a single bed. This is topped by a structure with a small ladder providing access to the second sleeping space above. The two beds are therefore one above the other and this is why we talk about bunk beds.

This solution is most often chosen when two children share the same room and you want to save space in the room.

Different types of bunk beds

More than the standard bunk bed, there are other formats such as:

  • The 3-bed bunk bed: It contains a third sleeping space under the bottom bed, trundle bed style. A drawer indeed reveals a pull-out bed that can be very easily used daily or more occasionally. It is therefore a three-in-one piece of furniture.
  • The separable bunk bed: With this furniture, the two sleeping spaces can be separated if desired. This is an excellent solution if you plan, eventually, to have your children sleep in two different rooms for example.
  • The bunk bed with storage: This type of bed combines both the presence of two beds with several storage elements to save even more space. This is notably the case with our Opus wooden bunk bed for example.

How to secure a bunk bed?

For parents, installing a children's bunk bed can be worrying on different levels. Fortunately, current constructions with CE marking comply with a whole set of standards and regulations. Moreover, it is entirely possible to secure a wooden bunk bed by adopting good practices.

Should the bed be attached to the wall?

Some brands recommend fixing the bunk bed to the wall. They even provide the attachment system directly with the furniture. It can therefore be interesting to fix your white bunk bed or other to the wall, insofar as it is recommended by the manufacturer of your furniture. If this is indeed the case, make sure to follow the instructions carefully so that the attachment is perfectly secure.

What are the good practices for maintenance?

Regarding maintenance, it is recommended to regularly check the condition of the furniture, whether it hasn't become too loose, if certain screws haven't loosened, boards damaged or slats broken for example. If you notice a problem, safety may no longer be fully guaranteed and it is then preferable to act accordingly.

How much weight can a bunk bed support?

Regarding the weight that a bunk bed can support, this is specified in the instructions for each piece of furniture. In the vast majority of cases, a bed of this type is designed to support significant weight, that of an adult of a certain build. Generally, there's no risk that your child will be too heavy to use their bunk bed.

What age for sleeping in a bunk bed?

The age of use is also an important question. Indeed, current standards advise against using a bunk bed before the age of 6. Before this age, using the ladder and a high sleeping space represents too great a risk of falling. If you have decided to opt for this type of sleeping arrangement, make sure your eldest is at least 6 years old, otherwise the top bed will have to wait to be used.

What mattress thickness for a bunk bed?

The thickness of a mattress should also be checked to ensure safety when using the bed. Indeed, a mattress that's too thick would result in too high a sleeping position for the top bed and the risk of going over the guardrail would then become real. Here too, it's recommended to refer to the manufacturer's instructions, everything is specified inside. If you haven't planned to change the mattresses, make sure they will be compliant with the furniture you have chosen.

However, don't worry, bunk beds are designed to accommodate a standard mattress to be compatible with the vast majority of models. Also, remember to check that your mattresses are the right dimensions.

What ceiling height for a bunk bed?

The question of ceiling height is also central. Since it's a loft bed, you must ensure that sufficient ceiling height is available, otherwise there will be a real risk of injury for your child. Most often, we recommend at least 60 cm between the top of the mattress and the ceiling.

So, you just need to measure the ceiling height in the room. Then take the height of the chosen bunk bed and add 60 cm. If the result is greater than the available ceiling height in the room, it's better to turn to another piece of furniture. If the result is equal, that's very good, if it's higher, that's even better!

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