Thoughts bunk beds?

[lbonga1]

We're moving this weekend, and we're stuck in a two-bedroom while we save up a down payment for a house since rent prices here have gotten insane ($2200 for a 2-bedroom wtf?). So to save space for when our new baby is born in December, I was considering getting a bunk bed for DD1 and DD2. I'm concerned about falls, but I found one at IKEA that is lower than other ones that I've seen. The dimensions say the height is 51". Do you guys think that'd be safe enough for an almost 4 year old to sleep on the top bunk?

[beenandgone]

I would, but I'd use bedrails to close whatever gap there was around the top bunk. Have you checked out the kids loft/tent bunk? I like this one:



m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/80253814/

It's lower than most, like I could stand at the side and kids the top bunk kid, and I'm only 5'2". Plus it's got the tent, and now they make side curtains for the bottom, too, so it's really cute.

[brachysira]

We have a Kura for DD and it's in the lower (regular twin) position and is in a room with my son's crib. The Kura isn't very high and you can get the toy shelves at IKEA as stairs if your child isn't super great at the ladder when sleepy. A tentative plan is to get a platform bed for the little one and move the Kura to the tall position and then make bunk beds out of these at some point. See "Kura hack." I would not put my DD in an elevated bed now because she's extremely clumsy but some 3 year-olds may be able to handle it.

[summer]

I know it's a little old-school, but what about a trundle?

[lbonga1]

The Kura hacks looks pretty cool...I guess it depends how crafty I want to get. Though, I'm not sure I'd want to put in much effort to only save 5-ish inches height-wise, and it looks like it could end up costing twice as much as the one I was looking at. Here's the one I'm considering for reference: www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70299285/ It must be newer because I hadn't seen it before. I like the concept of having the ladder in the middle.

summer A trundle daybed was the other option we're considering. The reason I'm hesitant on it is because we'd put DD1 on the higher part, but she usually wakes up before DD2. So I wouldn't want her stepping onto the trundle part of the bed (or on DD2) and waking her up. And we'd have to not be lazy and push the trundle back underneath everyday, otherwise the space-saving purpose is defeated.

[pinkie]

We have talked about getting bunks for our little guys room when it's time to get him a real bed. But I'm super paranoid and I can't see myself letting a kid up top until age 5-6. I'm judging that off my friends older kids.

[creepyeyeball]

My boys were 4-5 when we put them in bunks. 5yo on top obviously.

[sagen]

Didn't read comments... what summer said

[hereweare]

I would like to get a bunk bed in the future, but I am not sure when I would be comfortable with it. I think it depends on the kids.

[pinkie]

do you think you would like bunk beds for the long term? If so, could you get something that can be unbunked and if they seem ok up top then you are set but if it doesn't seem like it will work right now at worst you could put the beds next to each other or in a L?

[crimsonandclover]

I agree - I would keep the option open to unbunk them if it doesn't work out. Yes, that'll take up a lot of space now, but remember that on top of the beds is also a play area and under them is room for storage.

[dc2london]

My kids have slept in bunk beds when they visit their grandparents' house since they were 2. I think a 4 year old would be fine in a top bunk.

[holly321]

I wouldn't. But that is becuade my DD fell out of her twin bed last year. When she was four and broke her wrist.

[fignewt]

My 3 yo goes on DS1's top bunk when we have company. The rail goes all the way around tho, and the ladder sits on top of the rail. In the link you attached, I am not a fan of the way there is a gap in the railing for the ladder.