Bunk Beds

Choosing the Right Bunk Bed

Bunk beds solve one of the great challenges of family life: two children, one bedroom, not enough floor space. But there's more to choosing one than simply picking a style you like. At GLTC, we've been designing children's bunk beds since the early days of the brand, and the questions parents ask us most come down to three things: safety, room size, and how the space will actually be used.

Standard bunk beds are the classic option, with two single beds stacked vertically and a ladder for the top bunk. Ideal for siblings sharing a room, or any bedroom that needs to sleep two without sacrificing play space. Ours include high safety rails and chunky ladder treads as standard.

Bunk beds with storage combine sleeping space with built-in drawers or shelves, a practical choice for bedrooms where toy and clothes storage is tight. Worth considering if floor space is at a premium.

Bunk beds with curtains let you add den-style curtains to the lower bunk, turning it into a cosy, private sleeping space your child will love. A small addition that makes a big difference to how much they actually want to go to bed.

Bunk beds with a trundle include a pull-out third bed underneath, perfect for sleepovers without needing a permanent extra bed in the room.

If you need more information on bunk bed safety, read our blog on how safe bunk beds are here

What Age is a Bunk Bed Suitable For?

We recommend bunk beds for children aged 4 and over, but with one important distinction: children under 6 should sleep in the bottom bunk only. The top bunk is suitable from age 6, when most children have the coordination and confidence to use the ladder safely, both going up at bedtime and coming down in the middle of the night.

Every GLTC bunk bed is tested to BS EN 747, the UK safety standard for bunk and high-rise beds. This covers ladder strength, guard rail height and security, structural integrity, and the gap sizes between rails, all designed to keep confident climbers safe.

We know all too well how one minute a bunk bed is an absolute must-have for anyone who's anyone... then the next moment bunking is so last year. (Trust us, we design from our own experiences, thanks kids.) If you want to go deeper on safety, read our guide to bunk bed safety for everything you need to know.

How Much Ceiling Height Do You Need?

As a general guide, you need at least 90cm of clearance between the top of the upper mattress and the ceiling, so a child can sit up comfortably without bumping their head. Most standard UK ceilings (around 240cm high) can accommodate a bunk bed comfortably, but always measure before you buy, particularly in rooms with sloped ceilings, loft conversions, or rooms with ceiling fans or pendant lights directly above.

One thing many parents miss: your mattress thickness affects your headroom. A thicker mattress on the top bunk reduces the clearance to the ceiling, and also reduces the effective height of the safety rails above your child. This is why top bunk mattresses need to be the right depth. Always check the total assembled height of the bed on the individual product page, then subtract your mattress depth to confirm your remaining clearance.

What You Need to Know About Bunk Bed Mattresses

Top bunk mattresses must be a reduced depth to comply with UK safety regulations. The reason: a mattress that is too deep raises the sleeping surface closer to the top of the safety rails, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of a child rolling out.

For the top bunk, we recommend a mattress no deeper than 15cm. This ensures the safety rails sit at least 16cm above the sleeping surface, as required by BS EN 747.

For the bottom bunk, you can use either a reduced-depth bunk bed mattress or a standard single mattress (typically up to 25cm), as there are no safety rails to consider.

Always check the individual product listing for the recommended mattress depth for each bed, as this varies by model and is listed in the product specifications.

FAQ

What age can children use the top bunk?
Children should be at least 6 years old to sleep on the top bunk, when they are confident and coordinated enough to use the ladder safely. Children aged 4 to 5 can use the bottom bunk. All GLTC bunk beds are tested to BS EN 747 safety standards.

How much ceiling height do I need for a bunk bed?
We recommend at least 90cm of clearance between the top of the upper mattress and your ceiling. Always check the total assembled height listed on the product page, and remember that mattress depth will reduce your available headroom.

What thickness mattress do I need for the top bunk?
For the top bunk, use a mattress no deeper than 15cm. This ensures the safety rails remain at the correct height above your child as required by BS EN 747. The bottom bunk can take a standard depth mattress.

What is the weight limit for a bunk bed?
Weight limits vary by model and are listed on individual product pages. As a general guide, most bunk bed top bunks are rated to 70 to 80kg. Check the product specifications before purchasing.

Can one child sleep in both the top and bottom bunk?
No, only one child should sleep in each bunk at a time. Bunk beds are designed and tested for single occupancy per sleeping level.

Do I need to fix the bunk bed to the wall?
We recommend checking the individual product instructions. Some of our bunk bed models include wall-fixing brackets for additional stability, particularly in rooms where children are likely to climb and play around the frame.

Do GLTC bunk beds come with a warranty?
Yes, most GLTC bunk beds are covered by our 5-year workmanship warranty, which covers structural and manufacturing faults. Look for the 5 Year Warranty badge on individual product pages. Read the full warranty terms here.

Can the bunk beds be separated into two single beds?
This varies by model. Some of our bunk beds can be separated into two freestanding singles. Check the individual product listing or contact our team at info@greatlittletrading.co.uk if you are unsure.