What Age Is Appropriate for Bunk Beds? A Parent’s Guide to Safe Sleeping

Age Is Appropriate for Bunk Beds are a brilliant solution for growing families and space-conscious homes across the UK. But as much fun as they are, they also raise an important question for parents: What age is safe for my child to start using a bunk bed? Whether you’re prepping a shared room or looking to upgrade your child’s sleep setup, safety should always come first.

Let’s break down the bunk bed age guidelines, highlight essential safety features, and give you the lowdown on how to make bedtime both safe and fun.

🎓 The Recommended Age for Bunk Beds

According to UK safety regulations, children under six years old should not sleep on the top bunk. This is based on clear evidence of injury risk from falls. At age six, children usually have the coordination and awareness to safely use the ladder and understand bedtime rules.

As for the bottom bunk, it’s generally safe for children of any age, though babies and toddlers should sleep in their own cot or toddler bed. Think of the bottom bunk as a stepping stone before your little one graduates to the coveted top bunk throne!

⚖️ Safety Standards to Look Out For

When it comes to bunk beds, safety isn’t just about age—it’s also about the design. All our bunk beds are made from heavy-duty solid pine and meet the strict BS EN747:2019 Part 1 & 2 Standards for bunk bed safety.

• Guard rails on all sides of the top bunk, at least 16cm taller than the mattress
• Sturdy ladders with wide, secure treads
• Slats spaced no more than 7.5cm apart
• Properly fitted mattresses (we design ours to take up to 20cm thickness safely)

For more guidance, visit our bunk bed safety page.

🧳 Safe Bunk Bed Behaviour: Tips for Parents

To keep things smooth and secure at bedtime, set clear house rules:

• Only one child on the top bunk at any time
• No jumping or climbing on the frame or guard rails
• Always use the ladder, never the side rails
• Consider a nightlight or clip-on lamp for better nighttime visibility

Remind your young ones that the top bunk is a sleeping zone, not a jungle gym. (A fun trick: call the top bunk “the royal tower” and make your child the King or Queen of safe sleeping!)

💪 Built to Last: Bunk Beds That Grow With Your Family

Our UK bunk beds aren’t just for little ones. With reinforced frames and solid pine construction, they’re designed to hold adults too. Ideal for growing teens, sleepovers, or guest rooms!

Even better, we only use timber from sustained forests, so your choice is environmentally friendly too. Because building a better future starts at home—literally.

🌟 Why Choose Strictly Beds and Bunks?

At Strictly Beds and Bunks, we know what matters to parents: quality, safety, sustainability, and value. That’s why we:

• Design and build all our wooden bunk beds right here in the UK
• Follow all UK safety regulations, including BS EN747:2019
• Offer dedicated aftersales support
• Use sustainable, eco-conscious materials

Check out our full bunk beds range and create a safer, smarter sleep space your whole family can rely on.

Sleep tight, and stay safe!