So you want to host a gaggle of friends but only have one “guest room”? Trust us, we've been there. And more importantly, we've vetted a variety of lodging solutions from loft beds for adults (yes, this is a thing) to more traditional spaces savers like murphy beds. But if you ask us, bunks beds are the obvious answer. The key is creating a place that is comfortable for kids and grown-ups alike. Below we break down how to turn any under-utilized area into an on-demand, pajama party hub. Let the fun begin!
Level Up an Awkward Space
Designers call them “mezzanine bedrooms”: Sleeping quarters carved out of attics, lofts, barns, and other odd spaces. If you’ve got such an area you’d like to bunk up, “make sure you have adequate structural support and subflooring,” says Williamson. Then the fun starts. “Any time you have a funky space,” he says, “textural design elements such as tongue-and-groove, beadboard, or shiplap will accentuate the change in ceiling slope or angle, adding visual interest.”
Custom Stairs Are Key
Deciding how guests get to the “penthouse” bunk is half the fun. Think about who’ll be using the beds (and who’ll be making them in between) and aim to bridge safety and style. Custom stairs allow for storage and make adults feel more comfortable. Ladders are fun for kids if they’re secure, but they should offer—not obstruct—access.
Designer Sandra Lucas of Lucas/Eilers Design Associates chose a Putnam rolling ladder for the tight space pictured above. “It can slide back and forth between the two upper bunks and be lifted off the rail at the beds, and placed on the rail above the seat cushions to access the storage cabinet above,” she explains.
How to Light Small Spaces
When zeroing in on how fixtures should live on a bunk wall, consider the cozy quarters. Amity Worrel designed these linen half-shades to protrude as little as possible.
Don't Forget Guardrails
Bunk beds should be sturdy with secure, easy-to-climb entry points. You can find guidelines for guardrails and spacing at cpsc.gov, and remember, no one under age six on a top bunk.
Create Smart Storage
When every inch matters, built-in drawers can hold linens and act as dressers. Add a niche in lieu of a nightstand for convenience.
When adding under-bed storage, check proportions to be sure sleepers have enough headroom and both bunks look balanced, Williamson advises.
Try Hidden Bunk Beds
Clever bunks are there when you need them, disguised when you don’t. Designer Margaret Donaldson snuck custom quarters for four into this media room, installing doors on a recessed track that allows them to pivot, fold, and stack flat against each of the side walls when guests are over. Designer Marea Clark suggests barn doors for a similar effect.
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Experienced writer, editor and content creator with a focus on lifestyle, design, travel and wellness, her published work includes The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, CNN Opinion, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest.
