Low Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are a popular choice for a child’s bedroom, perfect for shared sibling rooms and sleepovers. But low bunk beds can be useful when your kids are still growing. Relatively low to the floor (typically under 60” high) and with features that protect your children from falling out of bed, low bunk beds are perfect for toddlers and elementary school-age children. They provide an exciting sleeping arrangement and a space-saving play area. Explore our top picks for the best low bunk beds for kids.
Twin Solid Wood Low Loft Bunk Bed with Guardrails
$509.99 $639.99
Twin Solid Wood Low Loft Bunk Bed with Guardrails
Isabelle & Max™
$509.99 $639.99
What we like: Top and bottom guardrails for safety
What we don’t like: Assembly process requires knowledge of power tools
Not so great for: Kids who can’t climb easily yet
Perfect for: Growing boys and girls, as the guardrail is removable
Available in white, gray, or natural hues, this low bunk bed is solid wood and features a ladder and two removable guardrails for security — one for the top bunk and another for the bottom.
If you have two children with a large age gap who share a room, a low bunk bed with guardrails surrounding the bottom bunk can provide you with peace of mind. It ensures that toddlers stay put in the lower bunk while your older child can sleep on the top. When your child is older, you can remove the guardrail, increasing their freedom of movement.
Contemporary Double Twin Low Bunk Beds for Kids
$264.99 $449.99
Contemporary Double Twin Low Bunk Beds for Kids
Harriet Bee
$264.99 $449.99
What we like: Minimalistic contemporary flair
Not so great for: Two mattresses
Some low bunk beds have an upper bed frame, like this twin-size with guardrails and an open frame bottom. You can add a second mattress for extra sleeping or use the area for a playspace, work area, or storage.
Designer Advice:
Low bunk beds allow two sleeping spaces in a small room without risking your child’s head hitting a low ceiling. And an open base on the bottom allows for multiple uses. For example, a roll-up futon mattress or air bed is a great temporary sleeping space. Then the area can be used for other purposes the rest of the time.
What Users Say:
Love it, great bed for my two kids. Easy to put together and love that it’s low to the ground. Feels much safer.
Low Height Bunk Bed with Slide
$359.99 $799
Low Height Bunk Bed with Slide
Harriet Bee
$359.99 $799
What we like: slim ladder and built-in slide
Not so great for: thick mattresses
Slim wood frame bunk beds with a low height are perfect for small rooms with low ceilings and children of different ages. Built-in ladders that slant outward add a minimalistic look, and a built-in slide makes bedtime fun.
Designer Advice:
Bunk beds with a low height are a great choice for kids of different ages. The top bed can make older kids feel more grown up, while the bottom bunk bed can make younger kids feel bigger without risking their safety if they fall off. A slide is a great negotiation tool for kids reluctant to share a space with a younger sibling.
What Users Say:
My kids are 4 and 6 so it’s good for the younger ones because it’s not too high and the lower bunk is low profile. Also a plus, they love sliding down the slide that’s attached.
Bunk Bed with Trundle
$399.99 $609.99
Bunk Bed with Trundle
Harriet Bee
$399.99 $609.99
What We Like: The trundle under the bottom bunk
What We Don’t Like: Painted finish prone to chipping
Not so great for: Toddlers or small children due to the bottom bunk’s height
Perfect for: Sleepovers and guest rooms
Made from solid pine wood and composites, this low twin-over-full bunk bed is available in either a gray or white finish. The top bunk has a guardrail, and there’s a ladder at the foot for climbing up and down. The bottom bunk is wide enough for two children or one older child.
In its standard configuration, the bunk bed can provide enough sleeping space for two or three children, depending on their ages. If you need space for a third bed, this bunk bed includes a trundle on four wheels. Both top and bottom bunks have wooden headboards and footrests, ensuring your children remain secure.
Solid Wood Bunk Bed House
Solid Wood Bunk Bed House
Harper Orchard
What we like: Bunkhouse bed with a slatted roof; high weight capacity
What we don’t like: No guardrail options for the bottom bunk
Not so great for: Bedrooms with low hanging lights
Perfect for: Children who want a cozy top bunk for sleeping or reading
This low bunk bed is made from solid pine and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and is designed to resemble a playhouse. The top bunk is protected by guardrails on the left, front, and rear, while a wall with windows on the right fully encloses the bed.
If your kids enjoy imaginative games, this bunk bed can be a playful addition to your children’s bedroom. The bottom bunk is open and close to the floor for the safety of younger children. But it could also make a cozy reading nook with the addition of several wall-mounted floating shelves for books.
Twin Low Bunk Bed with Slide and Ladder
Twin Low Bunk Bed with Slide and Ladder
What we like: Slide as an alternative to the ladder
What we don’t like: No instructions regarding maximum mattress size
Not so great for: Older children
Perfect for: Kids who have difficulty climbing down from the top bunk
Featuring a wide ladder for safe and easy climbing, this bunk bed also has a slide and can fit into rooms where space is limited.
While a ladder can be a simple way of climbing into the top bunk, a slide is a fun and safe way to climb down. Available in your choice of gray or white, this minimalist-style low bunk bed is easy to accessorize or paint to complement a variety of décor choices.
Twin Solid Pine Low Bunk Bed
Twin Solid Pine Low Bunk Bed
What we like: Two ladders for easy climbing; clear assembly instructions
What we don’t like: Soft wood can show scratches
Not so great for: Adults who need to climb to the top bunk
Perfect for: Small bedrooms
This twin low bunk bed for kids is available in four neutral finishes, so it is easy to accessorize with bedding and throw pillows to suit your home décor. Made from solid pine, the bed provides two short ladders for ease of climbing — on either end — and each bunk has support slats for a twin mattress. The top bunk also has guardrails for protection. As the bottom bunk is low to the floor, it’s also safe and convenient to access.
Metal Full over full Bunk Bed
Metal Full over full Bunk Bed
What We Like: Steel construction and high weight capacity
What We Don’t Like: The metal parts can be noisy when they flex
Not so great for: Children who need more rail support
Perfect for: Children who need more space; teenagers and adults
This compact metal-framed full-on-full bunk bed comes in a silver finish and provides both a built-in ladder and full-length guardrails. The top and bottom bunks have metal slats to support the mattress and promote airflow. The full-size beds and high per-bunk weight capacity are suitable for children, teenagers, and adults alike. A full bed is perfect for growing children and kids who want to keep stuffed animals and extra pillows nearby.
The industrial design of this compact bunk bed is ideal for modern and contemporary homes and apartments.
Open Frame Low Profile Bunk Bed
Open Frame Low Profile Bunk Bed
Harriet Bee
What we like: Low, neutral profile
Not so great for: Larger children
The clean lines of this low-profile bunk bed make the neutral wood frame a versatile style for most spaces. A built-in ladder and full guardrail create a safe upper sleeping space. And the open space underneath can serve multiple purposes.
Designer Advice:
Open-frame, low-profile bunk beds with built-in ladders save space and prevent injuries from bumping into ladders that stick out. When picking a bunk bed for your room, pay attention to the height of the guardrails so you get a mattress with the proper thickness. The rails won’t prevent accidental roll-offs if a mattress is too high.
What Users Say:
The dark gray is a great color and the bunk bed will be a treat for my grandkids. Love the fact that the top bunk is low and the bottom is on the floor for the little one.
Steel Twin Over Full Low Bunk Bed
Steel Twin Over Full Low Bunk Bed
Isabelle & Max™
What We Like: Durable steel construction; inclined ladder
What We Don’t Like: No bottom guardrails
Not so great for: Compact bedrooms
Perfect for: Guest rooms or vacation homes that need sleeping arrangements for adults and kids in the same room
This low-profile bunk bed features a steel frame and a modern design. The bunk bed has an inclined ladder for more comfortable climbing.
The twin-over-full bunk-bed frame uses metal slats to support mattresses, preventing them from sliding, and the top bunk has guardrails.
The inclined design also allows an older child in the top bunk to quickly check on a younger child sleeping in the bottom bunk. It's also an excellent option for kids and parents who need to share a room.
Buying Guide
Eliza is a creative interior designer who swears by the power of sleek interiors and quality furniture to transform daily personal and professional life. With a B.Sc. in interior design from Philadelphia University and a well trained eye for craftsmanship, she offers unparalleled advice on how to arrange your space to make it sophisticated, comfortable, and functional, whether it’s the office or bedroom.
Bunk beds are synonymous with childhood. They are often the first independent bed for warring siblings. They are cozy, comfortable and a whole lot of fun. More importantly, they are a practical choice for a multi-child household living in a small apartment or home. There’s one problem though.
Despite all the safety regulations, almost 36000 bunk bed-related injuries occur each year in the United States alone. That’s enough to cause nightmares to any parent. What if the child slips or falls from the height of a conventional bunk bed? How high should the upper bunk be? There can be a lot of niggling doubts with unclear answers.
Low bunk beds are the solution to the bunk bed safety problem. These beds club the space-saving design with low-height bunks that make it perfectly safe for kids of all ages. Why there are low bunk beds for toddlers too. If this is the first time that you are venturing into this neck of the woods, then here’s some help to get you going.
Undoubtedly, the height of the top bunk is the most concerning aspect of a regular bunk bed. So select a low bunk bed with a maximum upper bunk height of 48” or less, if you have kids aged 6-10.
That’s a reasonably safe height and most children above the age of 6 should be able to easily make their way in and out of the bunk without a potential misstep. Low bunk beds for older kids, on the other hand, can be up to 65” tall.
Low bunk beds are normally designed with the safety of the child in mind. So, you might find the designs a little limited in terms of additional features, like an integrated work desk or a dedicated play area, which are options that you can choose in a normal-sized one.
Having said that, you can still pick bunks with integrated storage for the bed linen or for your child’s bedtime story books. Some low bunk beds can be separated and used as two standalone beds when your children are old enough to have their own bed.
Low bunk beds might be considered safer than normal-sized ones. But the basic safety rules still apply during selection.
- A staircase attached to the footboard is always a safer option as compared to a ladder attached directly to the bed. Besides staircases can have integrated storage drawers. However, bunks with a staircase usually have a larger footprint.
- If there’s not enough space for one, then look for bunks with an angled ladder. It must include a safety rail. Or even better, two safety rails.
- A bunk with a ladder attached flush is the most compact one of the lot. But there’s always the risk of the child slipping.
- A nightlight illuminating the stairs at night is a good safety feature that allows kids to easily ascend and descend the bed if need be.
- The upper bunk must have guardrails irrespective of how high or low it is above the ground. The rails must be at least 6 inches above the surface of the mattress and the gaps in the rails must be less than 3.5 inches.
Most bunk beds will need to be assembled at home. The difficulty in assembly will vary greatly depending on the design that you choose. A bunk bed with storage, for example, will have a more cumbersome and time-consuming assembly process than a bunk bed without storage. Read the instructions carefully, gather all the parts and tools needed and have a friend or your partner help you with the assembly.
