Types, advantages and disadvantages of folding children's beds

You can increase the space in a small apartment with the help of properly selected furniture. The children's room especially needs space. It should contain only the necessary furniture, equipment and nothing unnecessary. An ordinary sleeping place takes up a large area, but if it is replaced by a folding children's bed, then space will be freed up for the child's toys, study, and outdoor games. A practical, modern product for kids has many advantages.

Features and advantages of corner structures

The difference from a regular bed lies in the design. Special sides can be located above the headboard and on the side, which frees up space in the room. They contain shelves for books, notebooks, notepads, which are often located in bedside tables, which is not always convenient. Regardless of the location, corner children's sleeping furniture without a backrest does not interfere with free movement and watching your favorite programs on TV.

Benefits of beds:

• space saving: even in the smallest room there is space for a closet or desk;
• the room takes on a neat appearance;
• used as sofas, which is practical for use in a studio apartment;
• there are two walls at the edges, providing comfort and security;
• made from environmentally friendly, strong, durable materials;
• provide a comfortable sleep for the child.

Some models are presented in small sets with shelves, shelves, and hidden niches.

Facades and design of a two-tier folding wardrobe bed

bunk bed wardrobe transformer

The bed can be hidden in a closet. Moreover, for children, folding beds can also be located on two levels. Only if a regular bed is at least a meter wide, then a folding bed when folded does not take up even 40 cm in depth.

Such beds are made as independent pieces of furniture or as part of a furniture array with cabinets, shelves, chests of drawers, and a desk. The front of the bed can be decorated with MDF or photo printing, which makes it indistinguishable from a wardrobe.

bunk bed wardrobe transformable unfolded

The cost of folding transformers is much higher than that of conventional bunk beds, but their high functionality and reliable design make them increasingly popular among buyers.

Some parents express concerns that the upper folding children's bed may fall onto the lower one during sleep or active play in children. However, these fears are unfounded. The only thing that can happen to transforming furniture during operation is the loosening of the structure with the appearance of a characteristic creaking sound. And even then this is more typical for low-quality products.

The only disadvantage of folding children's beds is the limitation on the installation location. The base of the transformer must be attached to the load-bearing (main) wall.

Varieties

With a non-standard apartment layout, it is not always possible to equip the wall connection as desired. Using a corner bed will help solve this problem by playing up the space and creating coziness. The geometry of the structures is varied, which allows you to choose the appropriate option. By installing a bed, you can complement the style chosen in the room or create contrast.

Bunk

A suitable sleeping place for a small children's room is a two-tier design. It serves as an additional play area, turning into a magical castle or ship if desired. At night it will become your favorite sleeping place. There are a number of models that have both functional and aesthetic properties:

• with a work area that allows you to do your homework in a comfortable environment;
• with a built-in wardrobe where clothes, shoes and other things are stored;
• corner bed with one berth, the first tier of which serves as a place to rest or is a desk;
• models for babies of different genders, differing in colors. There is a place at the bottom for the older child, at the top for the younger one.

Each corner children's bed for two children can be supplemented with folding tables, drawers or shelves. For convenient use, two-tier structures are made in both right- and left-handed versions. They can be installed in any corner.

Transformer

This ergonomic solution features an unusual design that combines several pieces of furniture. Thanks to special mechanisms, the bed can be transformed into an armchair, a small table or a dining table. Equipped with a convenient bedside table where toys or other accessories are stored.

Main advantages:

• fits into any interior, eliminating the inconvenience of being located in a small room;
• as the child grows, the product can increase in length, providing comfortable rest;
• the presence of large-capacity drawers;
• There is a changing surface and a rocking function that allows the baby to quickly fall asleep;
• material of manufacture – wood, which is durable, environmentally safe, and hypoallergenic;
• orthopedic mattress that ensures correct body position during sleep;
• There are handrails and a ladder to prevent the baby from falling.

Classic bed with drawer

Classic models contain one or more rows of drawers located directly under the sleeping area. They store bed linen, towels or other accessories. They differ in design and can be retractable, moving using guides, or independent. They are equipped with wheels, making access to the contents quick, without damaging the floor surface. They are equipped with easy-to-use handles or special protrusions.

The number of drawers in different models differs and ranges from 1 to 3. If you have one unit, the item can serve as an additional sleeping place, the main thing is to choose the right size mattress. Two or more drawers are used for things. The storage system is approached from the side of the bed and from the foot of the bed. Drawers allow you to save space in your closet by keeping things in perfect order.

Sleeping area with loft

This model combines several functions, combining a wardrobe, a desk, and a bed. The design with an attic resembles a classic one with high legs. On the second floor there is a place to sleep, on the first floor there is a built-in wardrobe, a place to do homework or a relaxation area. You need to climb up using a ladder - this is the most attractive for children. Product safety is determined by:

• reliability of fastenings;
• convenience of the lifting element;
• stability of the model.

Beds are made for different age categories. They are complemented by retractable compact elements: cabinets, easily retractable drawers, tables. They occupy only one of the walls and can become an individual house for a child.

A loft bed has a positive effect on a child’s health – it improves the vestibular apparatus and develops coordination of movements.

Round corner bed

Oversized designs are popular because they have enough advantages and suit any style. For greater comfort and creating a cozy space, a canopy is additionally used to protect the child from direct rays of the sun. Main advantages:

• no sharp corners, no injuries;
• movement using wheels (the function allows you to easily change places of furniture);
• You can place it on it in any way;
• there is an opportunity to approach from different sides;
• large compartment for bed linen.

Dimensions are determined depending on the area of ​​the room and the age of the child. This design requires the purchase of a special mattress and bed linen. You also need to choose suitable pillows and bumpers.

Ottoman bed

A feature of this type of model is the absence of a removable mattress - it is considered part of the structure itself. The bed is oversized but functional. During production, additional decorative elements are used to increase the size of the product both in height and width. The ottoman bed is made in several versions: single, double, and corner.

Distinctive positive points:

• lack of armrests;
• quickly transforms into a sleeping place;
• use of various lifting mechanisms that are safe for children;
• no seams or joints;
• possibility of selecting a model according to the child’s age.

Additional items

Additional elements can increase the functionality of a bed for two children. Most often, such furniture is equipped with spacious internal drawers designed for storing linen or other things. These niches are located under the base of the bed. Access to them is provided by a sliding mechanism or raising the berth. Volume compartments are sometimes hidden directly in the steps that are equipped with retractable or two-tier models.

On the ground floor of the loft bed there can be a sofa, which turns into a comfortable sleeping place at night. During the day, the owners of the room themselves or their friends relax downstairs. The two-story structure is often equipped with cabinets, bedside tables, shelving, folding tables, and chests of drawers. All these elements form one whole, representing a furniture complex, or each item can be independent, then it can be easily moved at your discretion.

An interesting option is a two-level design, complemented by a slide or sports corner. Appropriate equipment (ropes, ladders, swings) is attached to one side of the bed. Children really love such outbuildings, where they can throw out their energy with health benefits.

How to choose

The first step is to decide on the location in the room and the color of the product. The main selection criteria are size and environmental friendliness of materials. It is important that the upholstery fabric does not cause allergies and does not absorb a lot of dust. It is also recommended to clarify what mattress hardness is suitable for the baby’s spine.

Headboard

In the design of a corner children's bed, the main emphasis is on the headboard. The functionality and appearance of the furniture depend on it. When choosing an unusual headboard with complex shapes, it is important to remember the harmony in the room. The main types of headboards include:

• tall, up to 1 m long;
• low – from 15 cm;
• soft, plush upholstery;
• solid, without gaps;
• with carved sides;
• removable or stationary.

Frame and dimensions

Bed sizes are selected depending on the age of the children. When purchasing, it is recommended to consider the following standards:

The material used to make the frame is wood. List of common types:

• array;
• MDF;
• lumber;
• chipboard;
• furniture board.

Base

How comfortable it is to sleep on a bed depends on the base, which is the key to healthy sleep. There are two options - solid and lattice. The first type is made from wooden sheets or plywood. Disadvantage: poor ventilation of the lower part of the mattress. The second type consists of lamellas that provide excellent air circulation. They distribute the load evenly, allowing the body to relax during rest.

When choosing furniture, you need to pay attention to the number of lamellas and the distance between them - it should not be greater than the width of the lamella itself.

Storage systems

To save space, most models use storage systems that exclude additional furniture in the room: chests of drawers, cabinets or bedside tables. These can be drawers, boxes, various niches under the base of the bed. The main advantages of products with modules: lack of dust under the sleeping area, saving usable space. Multifunctional furniture has several types of storage systems:

1. Drawers with guides that form a single unit with the bed.
2. Swing systems. They are used more often in single beds and are equipped with single or double doors.
3. On wheels. The system is characterized by its mobility, since the boxes are not connected to the sleeping base, they are swapped, and used as a separate item.
4. Lifting mechanisms. Suitable for storing large items, the space under the bed is divided into sections with partitions.

Material of manufacture

To create children's bedroom furniture, choose high-quality, safe, durable materials.

1. Solid wood. The best, but most expensive option. The product is strong, reliable, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically attractive. As a rule, beds for children are made of pine, oak, beech or birch.
2. Iron. The material goes well with wood, has the longest service life, and can be painted in any color. The forged openwork finish looks very unusual and adds lightness to massive structures.
3. MDF. Usually the material is combined with a block or plank base. The edges of MDF elements are covered with a special tape that hides nicks, roughness, and chips. The product is similar to wood, is of high quality, but is more affordable.
4. Chipboard. The material is cheap, but wears out quickly. In addition, it may contain unsafe substances. When choosing furniture, you should always look at the quality certificate.

Assortment of children's beds for girls over 5 years old, tips for choosing

A child's bed must meet certain requirements. It is important that the raw materials are environmentally friendly. Children are always active and mobile, so the materials used must be durable and able to withstand heavy loads. It is better to prefer natural, hypoallergenic upholstery fabric.

All fasteners must be well fixed to ensure the stability and safety of the structure.

Wooden

Metal

laminated chipboard

MDF

How to position it correctly

It is not recommended to place a child's bed opposite the door, but it is important that the baby can see those who enter the room. There should be plenty of room to move around. The space should be clearly demarcated to create a relaxation area and a work area. When placing a bed, it is important to consider the basic rules:

1. There should be enough natural daylight entering the room.
2. The bed should be installed as far as possible from heating radiators and windows. In the summer, this will protect the child from drafts, and in the winter, from too dry air.
3. Do not place glass, mirror, or slippery objects nearby.
4. Do not overload the room with bedside tables, shelves, think through the furnishings so as to leave only the necessary elements for activities, games and a restful sleep.
5. There should be no sockets nearby.

Internal filling of the cabinet

To make the furniture convenient to use, you need to choose the right way to design the storage system. In addition to standard wardrobes, these can be chests of drawers with drawers of different sizes, options with closed or open shelves. There are several ways to place elements in relation to the bed:

1. A model with a cabinet and drawers occupying the entire space of the lower tier. Such structures provide additional support for the bed on the second floor.
2. If there is a bed below, the closet will be on the side, on one or both sides. It can be higher than the bed or the same size. Another option is to place it under the upper berth if the lower one is displaced or at an angle. There may be rods for clothes, shelves, and drawers inside. If the closet is at the end of the bed, this model cannot be placed in a corner.
3. The corner one is convenient because approximately half of the space on the lower tier remains free. There are shelving and a seating area. But most often they make a table next to the corner cabinet for study and work. The disadvantage of this arrangement of the storage area is that the shelves are too deep.
4. If the bed is only on the upper tier, a wardrobe can be located below. This option is convenient for teenagers or adults. The sliding wardrobe is compact and roomy, and can be equipped with shelves, baskets, drawers, and a hanging rod.

How to choose a transformable bunk bed for children and adults

The most convenient system is one that has shelves of different widths and drawers. You can store bedding and clothes on them. The elements are placed one above the other or at the bottom of the wardrobe. They are intended for small items and linen.

Requirements for children's furniture

In order for a child to sleep soundly, a children's corner bed must be chosen correctly. The main requirements for the product include:

• environmental safety of manufacturing materials and components;
• availability of a quality certificate;
• rounded edges, non-traumatic handles, no glass elements;
• compliance with the child’s age category and physical fitness;
• calm color of the bed, shades should not negatively affect the emotional and psychological state of the baby, gentle, light colors are recommended;
• the presence of an orthopedic mattress for a comfortable and healthy sleep;
• aesthetics and functionality, the product must fully satisfy the user's requirements.

When choosing a corner children's bed, you should pay attention to reliability, practicality, strength and safety. The existing variety of shapes and sizes of this type of furniture allows it to be placed in any room of any size. Transformation mechanisms play an important role: lightweight, easy to use.

Types of lifting mechanisms

The system for transforming built-in beds can be varied. You should definitely pay attention to this factor when choosing a suitable model. Any mechanism consists of several parts, the force of which depends on the size of the bed and its material. The designs include swivel legs, shock absorbers, and fastening elements on both sides of the mattress. All fittings wear out and become loose over time, so they must be inspected periodically. Several types of mechanisms can be used in the configuration of folding beds.

Spring

The design is driven by separate springs and built-in blocks. The tension of the mechanism can be adjusted based on the weight of the bed. The structure will be durable if the load is calculated correctly.

The work of the springs is to smoothly unfold the transformer and slow down the removal of the mattress from the body. The universal lift operates using a system of coiled springs. Metal elements bear the main load. Average service life is up to 5 years.

Gas

The most comfortable and easiest to use lift. Powered by gas shock absorbers that completely absorb the load. Power units have metal plates, a gas lift, and steel axles. When giving preference to this type of mechanism, it is necessary to study its design and safety rules, since the gas shock absorber runs on nitrogen.

Iron plates are attached to the cabinet and bed and are located around the axis of rotation. During descent and ascent, the plates move along the axis. The load is distributed evenly thanks to gas elevators. Human participation in this process is minimal; children can easily use the structure. The advantages of such a mechanism include the following factors:

• Quiet operation;
• Durability of metal parts and rubber gaskets;
• Lightness, ease of movement;
• Minimal risk of injury;
• Huge range of models.

The disadvantages include the unaesthetic appearance - part of the mechanism is visible at the headboard. If parts fail, repair difficulties may arise due to the lack of ability to replace elements or the high cost of work.

Hinged mechanism

The bed is unfolded with the application of certain efforts by a person, which is why the mechanism on hinges is also called manual. The simple option is not suitable for everyone, since it involves manually moving a heavy structure. Due to its features, it is the least popular.

The absence of auxiliary parts complicates the process of lifting and adjustment, but significantly increases the strength of the mechanism. Simple hinges are mounted at the head of the bed; when tilted into the closet, the mattress is secured with latches.

Photo

Design and placement

A bunk bed with a wardrobe must be harmoniously combined with all other furnishings. It should correspond to the general style of the room. The product may have different designs. Bright models are often made for children's rooms; neutral colors are suitable for teenagers or adults.

Children's bunk beds are decorated in different ways. They can be made in the form of a bus, fire truck, ship or rocket. Girls will love the design in the shape of a castle, tower or dollhouse.

When choosing and installing furniture, you need to pay attention to its safety. It must be made of high-quality, reliable materials. The upper berth must have sides 20 cm higher than the mattress. They are needed even if the bed is intended for an adult. And for small children, you can additionally install limiters. The staircase should be comfortable. It would be good if it was made in the form of a chest of drawers with a stepped arrangement of drawers. Such designs take up a lot of space, but are safer.

When placing a bunk bed, you need to take into account the features of the room. This design is bulky; most often it is placed along the wall in the corner. It is necessary to ensure that the furnishings do not cover the radiator. In some cases, you can use the product as a partition, placing it with its end facing the wall. Then it will divide the room into zones.

Oversized two-level structures are suitable only for placement in rooms with ceilings of at least 250 cm.

Two-level bed models are an excellent solution for small spaces. A wide range of furniture will allow you to choose the appropriate option for almost any room decor style. The main thing is to pay attention to the quality of materials and workmanship before purchasing, then the product will serve its owners for many years.