The thought of bunk beds brings back images of childhood, perhaps from your own bedroom or from that summer camp that you enjoyed every year. Bunk beds come in many shapes, sizes and setups. For those who do not know, and it's hard to think that those people exist, a bunk bed is a bed type which has one bed frame stacked atop another in some configuration. The reason that bunk beds were developed was to maximize the space by allowing more than just one person to comfortably occupy a room. Children are typically the sleepers found in a set of bunk beds, but as they grow in age and size a full size bunk bed may need to be found.
Summer camp and children's room are not the only places one might find a set of bunk beds, though. These beds are also popular in other places that have rooms with limited space. These places can include ships, dorm rooms, army garrisons, prison cells, residence halls and hostels. They are popular for use by children, it's true, but there are so many more uses for teens and adults. Because of this, the existence of a full size bunk bed is very important.
A set of bunk beds is typically supported by four pillars or poles, one in each corner. A ladder is used to get onto the top bunk, but sometimes a smaller child can find a more creative way to get on board. The top bunk is not recommended for children under the age of six because of the height and the ladder. There are a number of different configurations that you can find for bunk beds. Sometimes a full size bunk bed is topped in a perpendicular fashion by a smaller, twin size bed. Another variation with the full size bunk bed on the bottom is to have them stacked as normal with the smaller bed on top in a shape reminiscent of a pyramid. For the sake of safety, the top bunk is typically surrounded by a sturdy rail to hold the sleeper in.
Another very popular style of bunk bed is the futon on the bottom. This configuration has a bed on the top and a bed on the bottom that converts to a couch for very small spaces, such as studio apartments. A loft bed is one that is only comprised of a top bunk which lends space below for seating, a chest of drawers, a bookshelf or a desk. Loft beds are a type of bunk bed that is very efficient in terms of the use of space. There are also trundle beds, or stowable beds, that can be pulled out from underneath or from elsewhere. Because of the many features, including built-in storage, of a loft bed these can often be more expensive.
A full size bunk bed, though extremely important for many reasons, need not cost a fortune. The choice in materials can greatly affect the price you'll pay for one. You can have anything from softwoods to metal for the frames. The mattresses are supported by metal wires and a spring suspension in the more cost-effective models. For even more cost-efficient models, you can simply choose to build one yourself.