Beds and bedrooms for growing children

[momofmine]

Hello all,

I need to buy new beds and mattresses for my children, and I want to get something that is comfortable and without toxic chemicals.  They are 7 and 11, and they currently have a bunk bed set that we just use separated, not stacked.  They both have a regular twin size mattress and box spring, but they are pretty old and really just not comfortable.  My oldest has a hard time falling asleep at night and says his bed is so uncomfortable.  And it really is!  If I lay down with him in his bed, it is not a comfortable bed.  I tried one of those egg crate toppers but it didn't help much.  If I sleep in either of their beds I wake up just stiff and sore.

We are moving things around though, and I want to take this opportunity to just get new beds and mattresses for them.  They currently share a room and have a nice size bedroom.  We have three bedrooms and all are the same size, and are a nice size.  I think all three of the bedrooms are about 16x16 feet.  It is a very old house, so it used to not have closets, but they added closets later on.

So, I think it is reasonable for them to comfortably share a room and I like the fact that they are growing up sharing a room as brothers, learning roommate skills, how to get along, etc.  But at the same time, I wonder if maybe my older son will need his own space soon as he gets into the teen years.

Then I also want to get them each a new bed, whether they share a room or not.  Any ideas for a growing boy?  Should I go ahead and get my oldest a nice double bed?  He is growing so fast.  I love the idea of loft beds where he could have a desk space underneath, but they seem so high.  The main thing my oldest wants is a desk of his own in his room to do his own thing, have his computer, etc.

Any ideas?  Thanks for sharing!

[*LoveBugMama*]

If you feel a bunk is too high, how about something like this?

http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/80123993  My son (10 YO) has this bed, and loves it. It`s high enough that the room underneath can be used as a readingarea/snugglingroom/whatever, but a lot lower than a regular bunk. 

[momofmine]

I love that bed!  I am actually thinking we will get that bed for my 7 year old for sure.  He wants a bunk bed, but I like that it's a bit lower but could still be a hideout/fort/whatever underneath!

I have only looked at this online.  Do you think this bed will work for your 10 yr old as he grows?  I guess it looked a bit more like a little kid's bed to me.  My older son is already 5' 3" and growing rapidly, so I was thinking maybe I needed to get him something bigger.  He's actually almost 12, so I'm trying to think ahead to the upcoming teen years.  Maybe I shouldn't overthink it though, and just get something that workd for him now, and not worry about when he's 15.  But that is only three years away!

[*LoveBugMama*]

Sorry, I didn`t see this. 

The bed is full size when it comes to lenght, so just as long as a regular "adult" bed. So my sons father can no problem sleep in it, if he wanted. (He is almost 6`.) 

But it looks like a childs bed, I agree with you on that. My son loves the bed, and I can`t see that change in the near future. But maybe your son will feel different? Sorry I am not of more help. 

Originally Posted by momofmine 

I love that bed!  I am actually thinking we will get that bed for my 7 year old for sure.  He wants a bunk bed, but I like that it's a bit lower but could still be a hideout/fort/whatever underneath!

I have only looked at this online.  Do you think this bed will work for your 10 yr old as he grows?  I guess it looked a bit more like a little kid's bed to me.  My older son is already 5' 3" and growing rapidly, so I was thinking maybe I needed to get him something bigger.  He's actually almost 12, so I'm trying to think ahead to the upcoming teen years.  Maybe I shouldn't overthink it though, and just get something that workd for him now, and not worry about when he's 15.  But that is only three years away!

[1love4ever]

Get an organic mattress that contains at least some wool.  I would get them both full size beds so you wont have to buy any more beds for them:)   Just invest in one!  Look at organicgrace.com and use code MOTHERING to get 10% your order.