When people think about bunk beds they probably remember sharing a room with their brother or sister when they were very young. However, that does not mean that this type of bed is only for children. They are a great option for anyone sharing a room that needs to create some extra space. College dorm rooms, summer cabins, and small apartments are all great places to take advantage of this style of bed.
The two main styles that can benefit teenagers and adults the most are loft and futon bunks. A loft bed is simply a regular bunk without the bottom bed. This saves space by allowing you to put storage units or desks below. The futon bunk uses the popular futon style of bed on the bottom. This gives you the functionality of having both a bed and a couch in the same area.
If you have ever been to a college dormitory you know that space is a precious commodity. In my first year of college I had to share an 18' by 14' room with two other people. Not only did we need to find room for all of our beds, but we each needed a space to do our schoolwork.
It took some careful planning to finally figure out how to make it work, but with the use of bunk beds we did just that. A futon bunk was placed against the back wall, while a loft bunk was placed against the wall perpendicular to the first. A computer desk was placed under the loft, and the other two were put up on the opposite wall. We made the most out of the space we had, and it could not have been done without creative use of bunk beds.
The loft or futon bunk is perfect for someone with their own room that wants to maximize the available space. Not all bedrooms have enough space to place both a bed, computer desk, and a couch. However, these two styles of bunk beds make that a reality, even in very small rooms. If you share an apartment with a few other people, or still live with your parents, this option allows you to make a room your own private domain.
The bunk bed is something anyone can use to open up space in a room. We need to stop thinking about it as something for children, and see all the possibilities it makes available for everyone.