A Quick & Easy Guide to Bunk Bed Sizes
Bunk bed sizes, explained.
Bunk beds are a great way to save space in small bedrooms where every inch of floor space is valuable. Since there are a few different bunk bed sizes to choose from, this guide explores the different dimensions to help you select the right one based on the size of your room and desired sleeping capacity.
Bunk Bed Sizes & Sleeping Capacities
Twin Over Twin: Twin and single bunk beds are designed to fit twin mattresses that are 75" long by 38" wide. These bunk beds are a great space-saving option if you are trying to fit two twin beds in one small room, using vertical space to make the most of limited square footage. This is ideal for families with multiple kids or those who regularly have friends stay the night.
Twin Over Full: Twin-over-full bunk beds offer the best of both worlds. The top twin bed measures 75" x 38", while the lower full bed measures 75" x 54". The footprint will equal the dimensions of the bottom full-size bed since this is what will be on the floor. You will need one twin and one full mattress for this bunk bed. This bed combination can be a great choice for big families or siblings with a large age gap.
Full Over Full: Full bunk beds typically measure 75" long by 54" wide, offering more space than a twin. They utilize two full mattresses and are often favored by older children and young adults. Additionally, they can be a great choice for guest rooms where multiple people regularly stay over.
Twin XL Over Queen: If you’re looking for a bunk bed with more length to accommodate tall sleepers, consider a twin XL-over-queen bed. The top bunk is designed to hold a 38" by 80" extra-long twin mattress and the bottom bunk is fit for a 60" by 80" queen mattress. These bunk beds provide 5" of extra length that is most comfortable for adult guests.
Queen Over Queen: Queen over queen bunk beds offer additional length and width, with both the top and bottom bunks designed to hold a 60" by 80" queen mattress. These bunk beds take up the most floor and vertical space and while they can be bulky, they are comfortable for adults and are a great fit for large guest rooms.
Tip!
While bunk beds are labeled based on mattress sizes, remember that the actual frame can add 2" – 5" to mattress measurements. Be sure to read the product specifications for exact dimensions of the frame itself to ensure the bunk beds will fit in your space.
Bunk Bed Height Considerations
Height is an important factor to take into consideration when choosing the correct bunk bed size for your space. An average bunk bed is between 65" – 72" tall and is designed to fit in rooms with standard 8' ceilings, but it’s important to compare your ceiling height to the product dimensions before purchasing bunk beds.
Safe clearance in bunk beds reduces the risk of head injury, allows for safe repositioning while sleeping, improves ventilation, and simplifies the bed-making process. As a general rule of thumb, you want the person on the top bunk to be able to sit upright without bumping their head on the ceiling. The same goes for the clearance between the bottom bunk and top bunk. This typically requires 30" – 36" of space between each bunk and the ceiling.
Tip!
If you need to save some vertical space in a room with low ceilings, opt for a bunk bed with low clearance. Low-clearance bunk beds have an underbed clearance of less than 8" and sometimes sit flush to the floor. This is also a great option for young children so they can climb in and out of bed with ease.
Depending on the configuration or additional features of your bunk bed, they can vary significantly in size. It’s important to look at the specific dimensions of each product before purchase, but here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
Ladder: Vertical ladders that are built into your bunk bed frame still require clearance to be usable. Aim for at least 24" – 36" of space in front of the ladder for safe and easy access. Some ladders may be angled and can extend 12" – 18" beyond the bunk bed frame so they require more floor space. In this case, aim for 36" – 48" of clearance in front of the angled ladder.
Stairs: Bunk beds with built-in stairs have naturally larger frames to accommodate the stairs. While they take up significantly more floor space, they don’t require as much approach clearance as ladders. If you’re considering bunk beds with built-in stairs, plan for an additional 18" – 30" added to the length of your bunk beds.
Trundle: If your bunk bed includes a pull-out trundle bed to accommodate an additional sleeper, you’ll need to ensure the room has enough space for the trundle bed to extend fully. Most trundles are fit for a 38" x 75" twin bed so you’ll need at least 40" – 42" next to the bunk bed for the trundle to fit when open.
