Bunk beds... Is it worth the $

[Paxjourney]

Dh is taking a new job. This means we will be selling our current home and moving into a 2 bedroom apartment in our new town for 6 - 18mo while we look for a new home etc.

The girls have always had their own rooms, they sleep fine together in the same room, we have just had the space for them to have their own.

They both have twin beds, and I'm tring to decide if its worth buying bunk beds for the apartment, it would free up some floor space but the sturdy solid ones that we would buy are around $450. Also keeping in mind that we don't know what our new home we will purchase will be and if the girls will share a room or not, mostlikely not.

[mamadelbosque]

I'd do it, but I'd make sure to get the bunkbeds that can be taken apart later and made into two seperate beds. Thats my plan in another six months or so for my boys - a set of bunk beds that are solid wood and can be made into two seperate beds eventually if they ever get their own rooms.

[tinuviel_k]

I suggest shopping around on Craigslist. We found nice solid oak bunkbeds for $150. When we are done with them we'll just turn around and sell them for the same price.

Hint: when searching on someplace like Craigslist do seperate searches for bunk bed, bunkbed, bunk beds, and bunkbeds. Everyone seems to spell them differently.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Any way you guys have time to make a set before you move? The savings is considerable, I think.

http://www.knock-offwood.com/2010/01...d-to-bunk.html

You could probably build the bunks for less than $150.

[cristina47454]

Bunk beds are invaluable for freeing up floor space, and yes, most of them can be used as twin beds when you don't want bunk anymore.

We sprung for them when we moved, but I hate them. Floor space aside, the top bunk is very difficult to make/change. I feel like I don't get quality time with my older daughter who sleeps up there at bedtime - we used to have a routine of me lying down with her and going over whatever was on her mind. Bunk beds make that virtually impossible.

And although ours come apart, if I were to put the girls in separate rooms, I would have chosen different styles, and now that option has been removed.

End of rant

[EmsMom]

Originally Posted by cristina47454

Bunk beds are invaluable for freeing up floor space, and yes, most of them can be used as twin beds when you don't want bunk anymore.

We sprung for them when we moved, but I hate them. Floor space aside, the top bunk is very difficult to make/change. I feel like I don't get quality time with my older daughter who sleeps up there at bedtime - we used to have a routine of me lying down with her and going over whatever was on her mind. Bunk beds make that virtually impossible.

And although ours come apart, if I were to put the girls in separate rooms, I would have chosen different styles, and now that option has been removed.

End of rant

I found the same thing. My kids are in a tiny room, and I thought that bunks would help, but it really didn't work at all. My daughter would be up in the top and just litter everything around the whole bunk so the other one could barely get to the bed. It was very difficult to make the beds and, yes! as for the quality time with the child on the top bunk. I like being able to sit or lie on the bed with both kids. I recently ditched the bunks and put two beds up on risers which opened up lots of storage space and is helping keep things tidier. Also, I notice they are more likely to sit on the bed and play with toys than when they were bunk beds.

[bobandjess99]

IF you already have 2 twin beds, you can loft one or both of them, which would free up your floor space.

[Pippi L.]

I second craigslist. If you decide you don't like them or want them later you can resell without taking much of a loss.

That said, be careful when buying used beds. I don't know where you are but around here there's a bed bug problem. Look really hard at any bed before you buy it. I'm probably a bit overly cautious but bed bugs really give me the shivers.

[justmama]

My MIL bought my girls their bunk beds(a must with 3 kids in one room) and they are lovely. she only spent $200 and they have a bookshelf on each plus they come apart later on if you don't want them together. They have been great for the last 3 years. They are totally worth it for us since we live in a small house and all 3 girls share a bedroom.

[midstreammama]

Originally Posted by bobandjess99

IF you already have 2 twin beds, you can loft one or both of them, which would free up your floor space.

How would one go about doing this?

[bobandjess99]

Originally Posted by midstreammama

How would one go about doing this?

Well, you build a loft platform, and the bed goes on top. For younger kids, a "junior" loft height of about 3-4 feet is usual, and for big kids, a 5-6 foot loft is common, so it can be walked under. Sometimes a desk is put underneath.

Here is a link to a how-to.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2066505_build-loft-bed.html