HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA: BUNK BED

Bunk bed is essentially a two-in-one bed, with one bunk placed above the other and held apart by support struts. The top bed is surrounded by a railing to prevent the sleeper from falling out and accessed by a ladder or steps.

Bunk beds are popular choices in homes with children as they are space-saver beds.

MAIN COMPONENTS OF A BUNK BED:

Support frame: Bunk beds are normally supported by four poles or pillars, one at each corner of the bed. Because of the need for support, the upper bunk is almost always single-person, whereas the lower bunk can either be a single-person or a larger two-person bed. While buying a bunk bed, always check its sturdiness by shaking the upper bed to detect any kind of movement.

Ladder: The top bunk is accessed by a ladder. The ladder should be locked into the bed frame. It is advisable to have a nightlight near the ladder, so that sleepy children can find their way down safely.

Guard rails: The top bunks are equipped with safety rails. In case the guardrails are railings or slats, the gap between should not allow the child’s head or upper body to slip through.

Drawers: Some bunk beds have built-in drawers and shelves.

Curtains: Some models also have a privacy curtain for the lower bunk.

Detachable: Nowadays, bunk beds are designed in such a way that the upper bunk bed is like a separate bed placed on top of the lower bed. This allows it to be detached from the lower bunk when required, for example when the kids grow up.

TYPES OF BUNK BEDS:

Bunk beds are available in many styles and variations from traditional and rustic to contemporary and modern. The economy models are made with metal or softwood frames while the expensive models are made from hardwood and fitted with drawers, shelves, and other accessories. Some of the popular types are:

Standard bunk bed: The most common type is the standard bunk bed which has two same-size bunk beds placed one directly over the other.

Double bunk bed: In this type the lower bunk is a double bed size that can accomodate 2 people.

Futon/couch bunk bed: In a futon bunk, the lower bunk is a Western-style futon bed which converts into a couch during the daytime. This type of bunk bed is used to save space in small apartments or rooms.

L-shaped bunk bed: In an L-shape bunk bed, the bottom bed is oriented at a right angle to the top bed such that when viewed from above, the beds form an ‘L’. This creates a small alcove where a desk or bookshelf can be placed.

Loft bunk beds: A loft bunk bed is one that has only the top bunk, creating an open space underneath that can be occupied by a chest, drawers or even a work area. This way the entire vertical space is utilised efficiently. Some loft beds even have stowable/trundle beds while retaining workstations and drawers.

Triple Bunk bed: A triple bunk bed has 3 tiers instead of the regular 2 bunks. A triple L-shaped loft bed is an arrangement involving three beds, where a loft bed is perpendicularly attached to a bunk bed to form an L-shape. Since the top bed is likely to be even higher in this arrangement and a long way to the ground, safety becomes even more important.

ADVANTAGES OF A BUNK BED:

Bunk beds are great space-savers and quite popular because of the advantages mentioned here:

Durability: The bunk bed is durable and can be used by your child from age three through college.

Sharing a bedroom: A bunk bed allows two kids to share a small room without having to sleep in the same bed.

Space-saver: It frees up valuable floor space for a desk and play area for your child.

Resale: A good quality bunk bed can be sold later and you can get a good resale value for it.

Flexibility: Metal bunk beds are more flexible, which makes it easier to change the format of the bedroom.

USAGE OF A BUNK BED:

By using vertical space, a bunk bed allows two people to sleep in the floor space of one. Therefore, it is popular in places where multiple people must sleep in a small space like children's bedrooms, dorms, hostels, prisons and summer holiday accommodation. The following points should be taken into consideration while buying a bunk bed:

Safety: Safety is vital when using bunk beds, whether it’s adults or children sleeping in them. As well as the possibility of falling, entrapment is a serious potential risk for kids in bunk beds. For these reasons, the top bunk of a bunk bed is not recommended for children under six years of age.

Positioning: The best place for a bunk bed should be in a corner of a room, where the bed will have support from two walls. The top bunk placement of the bed should be done in such a way that an adult should be able to enter and exit the top bunk without hitting the ceiling, ceiling fans, or light fittings.

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