Gone are the days when triple bunk beds were literally three beds arranged vertically above one another. Not only were these huge monstrosities unattractive, they did not allow the users very much breathing space. Their overall height eliminated their use in most homes (especially after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended a 2 foot gap between the top bunk and the ceiling).
Bunk bed manufacturers had to come up with a new angle on triple bunk beds to make them both attractive and appealing, thereby satisfying the needs of a larger market. Today these beds are designed to optimize space without compromising on safety or style. They certainly are a far cry from their tall counterparts. Bunk beds offering three bunks are usually L-shaped featuring two upper bunks and one bunk on the ground. This allows the floor area under the second bunk to be fully utilized. If you choose to buy one of the L-shaped triple bunk beds remember to ascertain whether the manufacturer allows you the option of either left or right facing orientation. This is particularly important if your room layout only allows the placing of the bed in one specific position. The problem these days is that this is only one of the many more factors to consider when making your selection. The options available for people looking to buy triple bunks beds can be overwhelming.
Firstly you need to determine exactly what your requirements are with regards to the size of the bunks. Triple bunk beds are available in various combinations of three twin bunks, two twins and one full bed, two full size and one twin, two extra long twins and a full and then there are some that offer the option of adding a trundle bed to provide a fourth sleeping area.
Depending on whether you require all three bunks to provide permanent sleeping facilities or not, you may want to consider one of the many double bunks that offer trundle bed options to provide a third sleeping area. The large majority of people looking to purchase triple bunk beds require beds for two children and the third bunk is used occasionally as sleeping options for the odd sleep-over. The double bunk beds with a trundle provide ample sleeping space for people with these requirements.
There are triple bunk beds that provide the option of separating the beds and using them as stand-alone units. This is a useful option if you have the required space to use the beds separately. This means that you can provide young children with a safe sleeping area with the option of optimizing room space as your children grow and require a larger play or study area. It is not recommended that children under six years of age sleep on the top bunk. If your oldest child has not quite reached that age then this is an ideal solution. If this appeals to you remember to check whether separating the beds will require that bunkie boards be used to provide sufficient support for the bunks while used as stand-alone units.
If you need the bottom bunk for a very young child you may want to look for children's bunk beds that provide the option of adding guard rails to the bottom bunk. This makes these bottom beds ideal when transitioning from a crib to a bed.
There are many other factors that need to be considered when purchasing triple bunk beds - too many to cover in a single article. Other aspects will be covered in future posts. In the meantime you can start measuring the available floor area in your room and decide which size bed would best meet your requirements. The option of a double bunk with a trundle bed should also be given some consideration as this will broaden the selection that will meet your requirements.
