Budget bunk bed shopping

[Crystal0608]

My kids share a room and have both requested bunkbeds for more space. They have really nice beds with drawers underneath I'm going to store at my moms. I'm not a bunk bed fan though I've found ones with side ladders & drawers I love for too much $$$. The two most affordable one's I've seen online is the $199 Mainstay from Walmart and the 2 from Ikea (wood & metal). I prefer one that takes standard length twin mattresses b/c thats what I have. My dd is almost 5ft tall & 125 lbs. DS is 67lbs but is a little monkey and jumps around on everything, so I need them to be sturdy. Has anyone bought any of these? Any other suggestions?

 

[dawson5]

We bought our boys bunk beds a long time ago. I want to say they are barn door but I think they have gone out of business now. Ours are still going, but just wanted to say make sure you can take them apart. After a while the novelty of bunkbeds wore off and they all wanted to be in a regular bed. We were able to take them apart and use as twin beds. Ours used three beds and made an "L" shape. The top bunk was usually flush against the wall and the second bed came out, it was not attached and could be freely moved. Also we had to buy a "bunky board." Basically a support for under the mattress because you could not use a regular box spring. It would raise the mattress above the side rails.

 

[dizneechic]

We have 3 sets of bunkbeds, one in each kids room. We purchased the Rio from Bobs. They were $299 each bed and are very sturdy. You don't have to get the other pieces, or the underbed storage, we just opted for the beds.
http://www.mybobs.com/Rio.aspx
I like that it has the rails that go all the way around on both sides of the top, no gaps for the ladder, you have to climb over. For me it gives me a little extra piece of mind that one of mine wont wriggle through a little hole somewhere and fall from he top bunk. They can also be separated into 2 beds very easily.

My suggestion to you before you buy bunks though, is to have your older one go try them out, especially if she'll be on the bottom. My ds occasionally hits his head on the top bunk getting in and out and now it's starting to frustrate him.

 

[Kellydelly]

We just bought bunk beds from IKEA this month, the silver metal twin/twin and the twin/full. The beds are sturdy (Of course the bed will only be sturdy if it is assembled well!) and I like that they are not bulky wood that takes up a lot of space.

 

[DebMcDonald]

We bought our first set from the unfinished furniture store, all wood, refinished them ourselves and I think we paid around $299, our second set came from Jordan's Funiture in their overstock section and we got dressers too and I think the entire set came to around $1400. I'm not a huge fan of the Walmart type or the Idea type, but that's JMO.

I also wanted to add that I HATE changing the sheets on their beds.

 

[EKW]

Crystal, I don't know where you live, but Nebraska Furniture Warehouse (In Nebraska and Kansas) has great deals. Three years ago I got a twin/full tubular metal...white...bunkbed for my boys for $98. That doesn't include the mattresses, but since you have mattresses, that wouldn't be an issue!

 

[gillenkl]

We bought ours at IKEA - they are twin bunk on top/desk underneath.

 

[Crystal0608]

Thanks ya'll. I'm in NC if that helps.

 

[Bren's Mom]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dorel-Twin-Wood-Bunk-Bed/10928474

I think this is the set you were referring to at Walmart. We have that set in ds's room. It's very nice, feels sturdy. I'm not small at all and when I lay with ds on the bottom bunk I feel perfectly secure.

 

[Corjack]

After looking at lots of shotty made overpriced bunk beds, my DH found free plans online and made my Daughters bed for about $130. It is SUPER sturdy and set to the specifications we wanted. Actually it is a loft bed right now, the other few boards will be added for bunk beds when her sister is big enough for a twin bed.

It is WAY nicer than anything we saw in the stores!

Jackie

 

[loveysbydesign]

Not sure where you are located but Just Cabinets has solid wood ones for $300. They're great! We got a set 8 years ago and they have held up fantastically.
They are actually on sale for $219!!! They are the same ones we have!
http://www.justcabinets.com/jc/Furniture/Details.aspx?SKU=JCBUNKBEDF&Category=ForKids

They have these kind too for $249 http://www.justcabinets.com/jc/Furniture/Details.aspx?SKU=JCBUNK2&Category=ForKids

 

[delmar411]

if you are looking at loft beds you really need to make sure they are super sturdy. Also make sure to check the weigh limits on them. Both of the loft beds we have are 150lb weight limits. One is really shaky though while the other is very solid. Has to do with the supports on the bottom. DD12 is ready to ditch hers after only 2yrs in it because she says it's no longer comfortable and she's 'too long' for it, it takes a regular twin and she's only 5ft so I call bull on that part. LOL But she's been sleeping on the floor off and on for a while now so I'm getting rid of the loft bed. It was a PITA to put together and weighs a ton so no way am I storing it for either of the boys.

 

[PHXscuba]

I was selling our old bunk beds (our DDs each have a loft bed now in their shared room) and went on Craigslist to figure out how to price them. There are soooo many bunk beds on our local Craigslist. Definitely check that out before buying something new.

PHXscuba

 

[DisneyCrazyKaty]

My suggestion was going to be look at the IKEA ones! We were just there this weekend and were looking at them as we are going to be in the market in the next year or so for at least one set. I am anything but small, and I was sitting on the beds with my kids and felt no issues.....and these are the ones on the floor so you know they get kids playing on them all the time.

The other suggestion was what a PP said. My FIL made my nephews bunk bed just how they wanted it.