Purchasing furniture for children is always somewhat problematic. Children's furniture items should be chosen that are environmentally friendly, practical, and multifunctional. In addition, it is desirable that the products do not take up much space, since the free space will be useful for children to engage in outdoor games. This problem is especially relevant for large families. The ideal solution to this problem is a three-tier bed, a variety of models of which are produced by modern furniture manufacturers. Companies offer a huge selection of models with different styles, many design options, and a wide range of colors. All these characteristics allow you to choose the ideal bed.
What to look for when choosing?
Tips to help parents purchase a three-story furniture option that would suit them:
Check the strength of the frame and bottom of the furniture structure. After all, little children love to run wild on the bed. Check the presence of handrails and barriers - this is the safety of your children
The height of such structures should be at least 20 centimeters from the level of the mattress. Pay attention to mattresses. Orthopedic options do not damage the spine, and high-quality filling will not allow the mattress to sag
The dimensions of the mattress must fit tightly into the opening where it is installed. Particular attention should be paid to the height of the bed. The distance between the upper tier mattress and the ceiling should be such that the baby sitting on the mattress is comfortable and does not stick his head into the ceiling.
Retractable mechanisms and fasteners must be of sufficiently high quality and their use should be easy and relaxed, especially since children will have to use them. Pay attention to the stability of the structure. The bed ladder must be durable. The distance between the crossbars should not exceed 40 centimeters
The steps should be wide so that the baby can place most of his foot on them. When buying a three-tier bed, be sure to take with you all the future inhabitants of this bed. After all, it is necessary to take into account the opinions of all children when making such a purchase.
- The bed should be multifunctional. Additional drawers for linen and toys will come in handy in a large family with small children.
- The design of the purchase is best discussed with the users of the bed. This way, children will love this furniture even more and will look forward to the day of going to the store together.
- When purchasing, be sure to study the technical data sheet of the product you are purchasing. Don't hesitate to ask the seller for a quality certificate. After all, all design elements must be environmentally friendly.
How to choose a mattress for three-tier beds for children, watch the video:
Sleeping part: structure and filling
A two-story sofa has two sleeping places, which can be the same or different. It depends on the model. To ensure a comfortable sleep on such a bed, it is important that the place to sleep is comfortable. Let's look at different examples:
- Identical berths from the back and seat. This sleeping place is as comfortable as a sofa seat. Make sure that there are no seams, bumps, or stretch marks, and that the upholstery does not have an unpleasant texture or prickly pile. What's underneath is also important. A good option for filling such a bed is dense PPU (polyurethane foam) or independent springs. Bad options are foam rubber or spring blocks.
- Various sleeping arrangements consisting of a seat/backrest and a pull-out “mattress”. Pay special attention to the quality of the hidden sleeping area. It is important that its padding is thick enough and comfortable for sleeping. The rules for choosing a good filling are the same here.
- Different places: from the bottom of the sofa and from the seat/back. Pay special attention to the sleeping area, which is part of the frame. It should not be hard, otherwise you will have to buy an additional mattress and find a place to store it.
A two-story bed, which when folded can be a sofa, is an innovation that is becoming increasingly popular, and many companies are developing developments in this direction. Therefore, we should expect that more affordable options will soon appear on the market as a result of new developments and competition from manufacturers.
Advantages and disadvantages
Three-tier sleeping places for children have a number of important advantages.
- Space saving. These beds allow you to accommodate several children without taking up too much space. In addition, such sleeping structures often provide additional play areas.
- Multifunctionality. Most models of triple beds have play podiums, storage cabinets, and compartments for toys.
- Wide variety of designs. Three-story children's beds are available in a variety of styles and colors, so they can be chosen to suit almost any room decor.
- Individuality. Each child has his own sleeping place. Moreover, children can be of completely different ages.
Despite such a considerable list of advantages, three-tier children's beds also have certain disadvantages.
Basic requirements for the security of the constitution
First of all, it is necessary that the materials from which children's beds are made are environmentally friendly. Most often, natural wood, chipboard, MDF, and metal are used to make furniture. They all have both advantages and disadvantages:
- natural wood is a high-quality environmentally friendly material, very reliable and practical. A wooden bed will decorate any interior of a children's room, regardless of style and design. The only disadvantages of natural wood include its high cost;
- Chipboard and MDF are the most popular materials for the production of children's furniture. The service life of products depends on the thickness and density of the material. When using products made from chipboard or MDF, it is necessary to monitor the level of toxic substances released;
- metal is the strongest and most durable material. It is used to decorate premises in a wide variety of styles (modern, high-tech, fusion). However, metal products should not be placed in rooms with high humidity, as corrosion of the product frame may occur.
It is necessary that the bottom and frame of the beds are highly durable, as children will definitely want to jump on them. The design of a three-story children's bed should be very comfortable and safe. To prevent injuries when the baby falls from a height, strong handrails are built at a height of about 20 cm from the mattress. A ladder for a bed is of great importance. It must be as durable as possible. The spacing between steps is calculated individually, taking into account the age and height of the children, but the distance is usually no more than 40 cm.
An important part of the crib is the mattress. It must be of good quality, ideally match the size of the bed and fit tightly into the opening. The same requirements apply to products used in kindergartens.
The choice of a three-tier bed depends on the user’s preferences, the wishes of the children, the area of the room, the ages of the children, and the financial capabilities of the parents. Three-tier models of any type are an excellent solution for large families.
Varieties
Triple beds for children may differ in the type of construction:
- folding structures;
- three-tier stationary beds;
- pull-out beds;
- transformable beds;
- suspended sleeping structures.
In addition to three-tier beds, there are non-folding structures, comfortable sofa beds, and loft beds. Corner children's sleeping places are also considered a profitable option. There are even combined models. Three-tier stationary berths are a design with three places to sleep. They are located one above the other. Such models may have small storage drawers on the sides or bottom.
The most popular among consumers are roll-out models. They are considered multifunctional children's sleeping places. This furniture is a structure with three sleeping places. In this case, the lower surfaces extend.
Fixed children's structures are in great demand among young parents. They represent three sleeping places, which are located under each other. The last tier is located almost under the ceiling. The cost of such models is much lower compared to others.
Often, parents buy pull-out three-tier corner beds for their children. All structural elements are located at an angle relative to each other. This arrangement allows you to visually increase the space of the room. When assembled, this model looks like one sleeping place.
Combined triple beds for children are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. This structure is represented by three floors. The lower tier is retractable, and the upper two are always stationary and located above each other. A small staircase is attached to the remaining two floors. The height of such a children's bed is at least 1.5 meters. Therefore, it is absolutely safe even for small children.
Separately, it is necessary to note the transforming models. They are the most multifunctional models that can easily be converted from a bed into spacious storage cabinets. Often transformable beds are converted into podiums. Children can play freely on them during the daytime. Such designs significantly save space in the room.
Children's loft beds are also in good demand. These sleeping structures differ in that they have a place to sleep only at the top, while at the bottom there are various additional compartments for storing things. But a loft bed can also have a sleeping place on the first lower tier. Moreover, there may be several of them at the top. This option perfectly saves space in the children's room.
“Two-story” mechanisms for transforming a sofa into a bed
Conventional folding beds have several popular classes of mechanisms that everyone uses, “book”, “pull-out” and others. A folding bunk sofa bed is a different matter: here almost every manufacturer uses its own unique design (more often a combination of several independent mechanisms), and so far there is no single classification for them.
Here is the principle of transformation of several models that can be found on the open market.
- A simple and reliable design: the upper tier is formed by “turning over” the seat and armrests, and the lower tier is formed by lowering the backrest. This design requires the installation of brackets on the wall for additional support of the upper tier.
- Sofa with gas lifts: when folded, the lower shelf is located under the seat. To transform, it goes up, and the seat folds out and becomes a lower berth.
- The lower berth is “hidden” inside: when converted into a bed, the seat rises up on special folding supports, and the berth is pulled out from the drawer underneath it using the “dolphin” principle. The upper tier is fixed with an additional support with a ladder and sides.
- The backrest turns into an upper berth. This design is possible for sofas combined with a wardrobe or “wall”.
All furniture of this type requires practically no free space in front of them: they unfold vertically upward. Therefore, it can be installed even in limited space.
How to properly place it in the room?
Before assembling and installing a three-person children's bed, you need to choose a suitable place for it in the room.
In this case, you need to remember a few basic rules.
- Additional lighting for the upper floor. A child who will be on the top tier will need light. Therefore, the structure should be located where there is maximum lighting.
- Location further from window openings. After all, noise from the street can interfere with children's sleep.
- Place the ladder on the side. When installing, allow some space on the side of the bed to secure the ladder there. Otherwise, it will disturb the child who sleeps on the first lower floor.
- Organization of the play area. If there is too little space in the children's room, then use the sleeping areas as such areas. Often, such structures are used to make play labyrinths for children.
- Installing additional storage space. To significantly save space in small children's rooms, you should leave some space on the side of the bed. There are spacious drawers for storing children's things.
Children's models
Three-tier beds for children over 3 years old are available in different designs, prices, and designs. The main thing is that the products are comfortable, beautiful and suitable for the child’s age category and height. The choice of appearance designs for girls and boys is very large. The option can be chosen for any children's room according to the following parameters:
- location specifics;
- models with a sofa, table,
- transformers that grow with the child;
- themed canopy beds for girls or car beds for boys.
Pull-out beds are the most popular for babies. Original four-poster cribs transform your sleeping space into a fairy-tale world for your little princess. For boys, the bed-car design is more suitable, which can be a racing car, a fire truck, a steam locomotive, an ambulance, or a bus.
The loft bed has an original design and many functions. These designs are an excellent solution for small spaces. Three-story models have three full-fledged sleeping places. The first tier performs different functions. It can be a transforming sofa for sleeping, become a table for a computer or a work desk with shelves, drawers, and have lighting. Such designer solutions make the models practical, multifunctional and interesting.
Transformers are excellent space-saving models that can become another piece of furniture. For example, a disassembled wardrobe becomes a standard bed. The podiums are used for children's games, and when assembled they are a full-fledged place to sleep. Such furniture items significantly expand the area of the room so that children have enough free space for active games.
If there are three or more children in a family, then a large play area is required, therefore, it is best to use a three-tier bed, which significantly expands the area for games.
Three-tier beds for kindergarten are an ideal solution for expanding the play area. Here, of course, the individual characteristics of each child are taken into account, and the question of who sleeps on the top tier, who will suit the second floor, and who will be accommodated below is decided.
Ideas for arranging multi-story beds
Hundreds, or even thousands, of models of multi-story beds for young parents are offered by modern furniture stores. When choosing products, you need to rely primarily on two main factors - the size of the purchase budget and taste and design preferences.
If the height of the ceilings in an apartment or private house allows it, then it is best to purchase three-tier beds. Children will be in equal conditions. In such furniture, one large staircase is installed, with the help of which you can get to any of the levels.
Be sure to pay attention to the fact that the product is equipped with reinforced limiters. They will save your kids from unwanted falls from a height
The ideal option is beds made exclusively from natural wood. The question is not even that they will fit perfectly into any interior, but that they will not cause allergic reactions in children. Natural materials always provide comfort and quality sleep for your little ones.
An important point is to install additional lighting on the last tier of the bed, especially if children like to read in bed or do homework. An interesting element could be additional shelves located on the wall near each bed, for example, for books, toys or water.
Features of using sofas that transform into a bunk bed
All sofas that transform into a bunk bed unfold differently: some require less effort, while others require more; there are models that need to be secured with a special key after transformation; There are those that need additional wall mounts. Therefore, when purchasing, make sure that all these features suit you.
In everyday life, such a sofa is almost no different from a conventional folding bed, except that it requires a little more time to unfold: you can use regular bed linen (single sets) with it, and care for the upholstery is the same as for a regular sofa. And if the mechanism is used frequently, once every year or two it requires inspection by a specialist and preventive lubrication.
What types of bunk beds are there for boys?
There are very different children's bunk beds for boys:
- ordinary;
- with a table;
- with wardrobe;
- transformable beds;
- low beds (matryoshka dolls);
- designs for three children.
Classic bunk bed for boys
The classic (standard) bed with 2 floors is the most popular model. It is designed very simply and consists of two non-moving sleeping places. It is highly stable and undemanding in operation: the child does not need to unfold or lay down the bed.
There is only one drawback of the classic bunk bed - the inability to install the structure in rooms with low ceilings.
Bed on 2 floors with work area
Models with a work area are perfect for school-age boys. In them, on the lower floor, in addition to the bed, there is an area for working in the form of a table. Children can study, draw, and read behind it.
Psychologists point out that poor performance at school is often explained by the child’s lack of normal space to work and study.
Depending on the design features, tables can be:
- stationary - the tabletop is located near the lower bed. A design of this kind will require additional space in the room;
- transformable - during the day the lower bed turns over, becoming a tabletop. This solution helps save square meters;
- retractable - the tabletop extends from the lower bed.
A bunk bed with a work area can be completed with other elements - shelves, drawers that pull out, cabinets.
Models with cabinet
A bunk bed with a wardrobe is a great option to get rid of clutter in the boys’ room and teach children to cleanliness. Structurally, it consists of two sleeping places, located at different heights, connected to a wardrobe.
There are several options for cabinet location:
- as additional support for the upper tier;
- placement in a corner;
- on both sides - in models with 2 cabinets.
The best option for young men would be a model with 2 very different closets - this way each child will be able to do the organizing themselves and learn to store their things separately.
In the next article we will talk about the topic - a bed with two tiers for children from 5 years old. Let's try to describe this topic in more detail.
If there is only one closet, you need to check that it has two similar storage compartments. In case the furniture is used by children of different ages, it is better to purchase models with lower and upper sections.
Transformable bunk bed models
A bed on 2 floors, where the lower bed can be transformed into another type of furniture, is called transformers.
Depending on the device, the semi-basement floor can take the form:
- work table;
- cabinet;
- sofa
Young men like this type of furniture; as a rule, it is made in the “High-Tech” style using strict lines and non-aggressive colors, which are popular with boys.
In addition to the fact that a transformable bunk bed allows you to save space and fits perfectly into a youthful interior, it allows you to teach boys discipline - the lower sleeping bed will need to be cleaned every morning and laid out before going to bed.
Roll-out bunk bed-matryoshka for boys
A matryoshka bunk bed is necessary for use in rooms with low ceilings - it is a high sleeping bed, under which an additional pull-out bed is placed.
Due to its not very high height, the matryoshka bed is less dangerous than high two-tier structures.
This is a great option for toddlers and children who are afraid of heights.
Bed on 2 floors for three children
If three children at once have to share space in one living area, then a bunk bed for three boys is the ideal way out.
In a similar model, the lower sleeping bed is made like a “matryoshka” - an additional bed can be pulled out of it. This allows you to comfortably accommodate three children in one area.
Features of accommodation
In rooms with high ceilings or on a limited budget, there is no need to rack your brains - a simple three-tier shelving unit with mattresses and protective fences can be moved to a free wall. For safety reasons, the ladder in such models is fixed on the wide side, at the edge of the bed, or made retractable. In rooms with relatively low ceilings, this option should be abandoned in favor of pull-out or roll-out three-tier beds, corner and conventional transformers, or original designs with a staircase in the middle (a striking example in recent years is the “Legend” model).
Such products, as a rule, are not used for zoning rooms or installing in niches. For safety reasons, they try to move the beds towards the walls or corner with the wide side. Additional options include drawers (in addition to the mattress, other things can be located inside), folding tables, systems of shelves and cabinets, small niches for small items or books. To enhance the decorative effect and improve comfort, this furniture can be covered with a canopy or original hanging railings (loft bed or house).
Instructions for making a bed with your own hands from different materials
Special attention is paid to lighting. It is not recommended to install bunk beds in close proximity to the window in children's rooms due to street noise and blocking of light by furniture.
The best placement conditions are achieved by organizing built-in lighting or installing additional lamps next to the bed.
Safety requirements
Before purchasing a suitable three-story bed, you need to carefully check all models. They must fully comply with all safety standards. So, all metal and wooden elements of beds must be carefully sanded. After all, small children often pull out parts. Poorly processed parts can cause serious injury to children.
All load-bearing components of the structure and racks must be made only of strong wood or a metal base. Only in this case the bed will not bend under the weight of the child and will last a long time.
Check the mattress base. It can be of different types.
- Orthopedic view. This base is considered the best option for a child. It is a structure made of broken lamellas.
- Blind base. It is a flat surface made of plywood. This option is not the best, because it cannot provide normal ventilation of the bed, as a result of which excess moisture appears there and harmful microorganisms develop. There will also be no orthopedic effect from such a foundation.
- Slatted base. It consists of wooden slats. During manufacturing, a small distance is left between them, this ensures ventilation of the mattress. But there will be no orthopedic effect.
Check that the bed is made only from natural wood species. After all, a lower quality tree can emit various substances harmful to the human body that were used in its manufacture (formaldehyde). This is especially true for those who have these sleeping structures located under the sun's rays. The cost of natural material is much higher than artificial.
All parts in three-tier beds must be fastened together with special durable hardware. Check the entire sleeping structure for strength. To do this, lightly press on its edge. If it tilts, then for reliability it should be additionally secured to the wall using anchors.
Separately review the bottom and main frame of triple-decker beds. They must be the most reliable and durable. After all, most small children love to play and jump on their beds
Pay attention to the stairs too. Its handrails must be firmly fixed
Otherwise, the baby, while climbing it, may not be able to hold on and fall from a height.
How to choose a two-tier transformable sofa?
In online stores and furniture stores you will probably find several models of a transformable sofa into a bunk bed. Which one to choose depends on who will use this furniture and how often.
- Bed dimensions. If the bed is for children, you can take a more compact option; if you’re an adult, choose the one with the bigger “beds.” Comfortable stock length – human height + 20-30 cm.
- Easy to unfold. To turn a sofa into a bed with a few easy movements, you need a complex mechanism with gas lifts and springs. Such a bed will cost more. But with daily use, you will appreciate its benefits.
- Upholstery material. How practical should it be? For a nursery, it is better to choose easy-to-clean eco-leather or microfiber with an anti-dirt coating, but for the living room, the fabric can be any. If the bed will be slept on every night, choose a fabric that is abrasion-resistant (jacquard or any smooth, lint-free fabric).
The rest of the tips concern the internal organization of the space in your home.
- Design and style. It is unlikely that a two-story transformer will fit into a classic living room, so such furniture is produced only in a modern style. And the choice of colors is quite large.
- Dimensions. When folded, many two-story transformers are large-sized furniture with massive armrests and a thick back. This is a non-removable monolithic structure. Therefore, before purchasing, make sure that you can carry it into the room and that it will not look bulky. A large-scale furniture arrangement plan will help you with this: you can draw it by hand or in a special interior design program (PRO100, Kitchen Draw). The exact width and length of the selected model can always be clarified with the salon managers.
Advantages and disadvantages
A children's room should be cozy, functional and safe at the same time.
And when the room is shared by several children at once, it is important to save as much space as possible for active games
Ordinary single beds cannot solve such a complex interior task. Folding sofas also do not satisfy all requirements. The way out is to arrange a bunk bed for the children.
Advantages of bunk beds.
- More usable space in the room. A two-level children's bed occupies vertical space. This is a functional area that continues upward, not outwards. Thanks to this configuration, even the smallest room can be made more spacious.
- Visually the room looks larger.
- One piece of furniture performs several functions. Children love to use the bed for other purposes. This is their personal space, a play area, a place to store things, and even, despite the objections of mothers, a dining area. The design of modern bunk beds takes this feature into account. It often has drawers for toys, bedding, and clothes. An addition can be a table, shelves, mobile modules, adjustable lighting, game attributes, elements of a wall bars.
- A two-story bed does not necessarily mean two sleeping places. There are models that have only one sleeping place - on the second tier, and the space under it is occupied by a working, play or sports area.
- Children like the furniture. It looks unusual, everyone has their own place. For boys, the bed turns into a fortress or a ship, for girls into a cozy house or Rapunzel's tower. Children's imagination is unlimited.
- It is safe. A high-quality bunk bed has soft edges, rounded corners, a stable ladder, and high sides on the second tier. It cannot be dropped. It is assembled from non-toxic materials and is supported by durable fasteners.
Cons of bunk beds.
- Children under 4 years old should not sleep on the second tier. Pediatricians generally recommend age from 6 years. There is a great risk that a child will fall while playing. During sleep, it is reliably protected by the sides, but parents will have to monitor the activity of the kids during the day.
- It is necessary to regularly and efficiently ventilate the room. If you don’t do this, it will be stuffy and uncomfortable to sleep on the second tier.
- The bed on the top floor is difficult to make. A child, unless he is a teenager, does not have the opportunity to walk along the side and straighten the blanket and bed linen. He has to make his bed while staying upstairs. Doing this carefully in this position is more difficult and longer than standing.
- The treasured second tier becomes the subject of a dispute between the children. To avoid conflicts, you need to come up with a fair system for distributing seats.
- It will become more difficult to rearrange the room. First of all, the structure weighs a lot. Secondly, according to parameters and style, furniture is selected for a specific location in the room. It can be difficult to fit it organically into the opposite corner.
- High-quality furniture with an interesting design is an expensive purchase.
- A good-quality bed can last for decades, but children will get tired of it faster.
Specifics and advantages of a two-tier transformable sofa
The main feature of a sofa that converts into a bunk bed is the presence of a complex composite transformation mechanism. The principle may be different (in different models the back, the seat, and the lower part are transformed into the second tier), but the transformation always requires a certain sequence of actions. At the same time, it does not require much physical strength: all mechanisms compensate for the force using gas lifts and springs. All models are designed so that even a child or a fragile woman can unfold them.
The main advantage of such a sofa is its versatility: at night it turns into comfortable separate beds for two people, and during the day it becomes a large sofa. This is a practical solution for a children's room, but it can also be used for the living room. There are models that also have a “third form” - a regular single-tier bed. This solution would be ideal for a guest room and will allow you to comfortably accommodate one or two friends staying overnight.