Parents buy Bunk Bed Futons, standard Bunk Beds, and Loft Beds because kids love them! Here's how these three types of beds are different.
Futon Bunk Beds
Full Size Bed Rail
Futons with Bunk Beds typically include a twin bunk bed above and a full-size futon sofa below. You can use the futon bunk bed below as a sofa by day and as a bed at night. Futon bunk beds are front operating, so there is no need to pull the entire bunk bed away from the wall. Just fold out the futon sofa underneath with the sheets already tucked under the futon cover.
Futon bunk beds give kids a sense of adventure. Kids use them for sleepovers when little friends stay the night. With sleeping space to accommodate three small people (twin above, double below), it is easy to accommodate small guests.
Parents use futon bunk beds so two children can share a bedroom more easily than separate twin beds allow. The upper bunk is usually for the older child.
Make the most of limited floor space by transforming the couch into a bed when you are finished reading to your children before bed - one of the best habits you can introduce as a parent. Fold the couch back in the morning and they will have more space to spread out projects on the floor, build make-believe worlds with little figures, or enjoy books on the comfy sofa.
Safety First!
Be sure to choose any type of Bunk Bed with the top bunk completely surrounded by sturdy double rails to prevent accidents. Many Bunk Bed Futons come in unfinished pine so there is no gorgeous finished wood surface for the little play hammer to ruin. You can stain or finish it or just leave it as is for a pale wood look that will keep a room light and bright. Do yourselves a favor while your kids are little. Buy bunks that they can't ruin!
Loft Beds
Loft Beds have a twin bed above and an open space below that provides extra floor space or room for separate piece of furniture, like a love seat sofa, a desk, or a play stand. Older kids put their computer workstations here!
Provide a table surface below and younger kids now have a play space in an otherwise small room (Let's face it! They get the smallest room in the house). They can park their train set, doll house, Legos, or construct any other make-believe world without having to disassemble it each night. Better yet, parents don't have to step on all those little pieces previously on the floor!
Standard Bunk Beds
Standard bunk beds have the traditional format -- one twin size bed above and one twin size bed below. Each family has its own needs to satisfy, so there's something for everyone! Nothing folds out; both beds are fixed twin beds.
With many standard bunk beds, you have the advantage of using the bunk bed as a twin bunk (that is, using both beds) while kids are little and are sharing a room, but later as a loft bed for one child. When kids get older and move to separate rooms, the bunk bed can be converted to a loft bed for one! All you do is remove the base of the lower bunk, turn the back rail toward the wall, re-attach it to the sides, and voila! -- A loft bed!
Summary of Futon Bunk Beds, Loft Beds, and Standard Bunk Beds
So now you know that a futon bunk bed is two beds, the bottom being a futon. The standard bunk bed has two twin beds -- above and below. And the loft bed has one bed above and an open space below.
Mattress Protectors
For little ones, don't forget mattress protectors so little incidents don't become big incidents. Mattress protectors protect your mattresses from bedwetting issues by providing a moisture-proof barrier over the mattress. They also provide allergy protection with a barrier that dust mites and other bugs cannot penetrate if they're already in the mattress. Mattress protectors are easily laundered and replaced on the bed.