| Children's beds have never been so exciting. With | | | | low wooden bed. This would be rolled out at night |
| more space saving and design ideas now available | | | | for their personal servants to sleep on. Today's |
| than ever before, you have plenty of options for | | | | trundle is a low bed on wheels or casters that slides |
| choosing a child's bed that is both practical and fun. | | | | underneath another bed to be stored when not in |
| Children and bunk beds | | | | use. Trundles make a useful spare bed for children's |
| Bunk beds, which of course originated on ships, are a | | | | guests, and some trundle beds can be raised so they |
| great way of getting an extra child into a room that | | | | are the same height as the main bed. |
| might not offer the floor space for twin beds. And | | | | Cabin beds and loft beds |
| even in a larger room, bunks free up floor space by | | | | It can be difficult for your child to keep his or her |
| making the most of otherwise wasted vertical space. | | | | bedroom tidy when there isn't enough storage space |
| The classic configuration is two beds placed one on | | | | for toys, books, games and other clutter. But adding |
| top of the other and held apart by support posts; | | | | extra storage furniture takes up floor space and can |
| however you can also buy a double bed below a | | | | make the room feel cramped. An inventive way |
| single bed, or an L-shaped bunk that creates extra | | | | around this problem is to use the bed itself as a piece |
| storage space below the top bunk. | | | | of storage furniture. |
| Bunk beds are great fun for kids sharing a room. | | | | Cabin beds, also known as Captain's beds, are very |
| They can help a younger child feel safe at night | | | | popular, especially in the US. First used on old ships to |
| knowing they are close to an older sibling, yet still | | | | give the captain somewhere to keep his possessions, |
| have their own private space. Bunk beds also offer | | | | these consist of a wooden bed on top of four |
| an excellent focus of children's games - with a little | | | | spacious drawers. Many are designed to look like a |
| imagination the bunk bed can be transformed into a | | | | traditional log cabin bed, but you can get exciting |
| fort, a pirate ship or a castle. And even if your child | | | | modern versions, too. |
| has his or her own room, bunk beds can still provide | | | | Another option is a loft bed, which raises the bed |
| a very useful extra guest bed. | | | | from the ground, freeing up space below for the |
| There are some safety issues to bear in mind when | | | | storage of books, electrical equipment or boxes. The |
| choosing bunk beds, as children using the top bunk | | | | lower space can even be used for a work desk or |
| can injure themselves. Bunk beds usually come with a | | | | computer station, especially useful for teenagers. |
| minimum age guide for the top bunk, which is | | | | Children's beds and themes |
| sometimes four, but more usually six, but you should | | | | Bedrooms provide vital personal spaces for children, |
| always satisfy yourself that your child is safe and | | | | and the décor in their rooms should reflect |
| secure on the bunk whether playing or sleeping. You | | | | their individuality and interests. When choosing your |
| should also take care that the mattress you choose | | | | child's bed, think about how the colour, finish and |
| for the top bunk is not too high, as this will reduce | | | | style will fit in with the existing colour scheme and |
| the effectiveness of the safety rail. | | | | with your child's personality. |
| Stacker beds and trundle beds | | | | The bed itself can even become the focal point of a |
| Children love having sleepover parties and friends to | | | | theme. There are hundreds of novelty designs of |
| stay. Stacker beds, two single beds that stack away | | | | children's bed available. Pirate ships and fairy princess |
| on top of each other effectively creating one | | | | beds are popular choices, but your child's bed could |
| elevated bed, are a great idea if your child | | | | also be a fire engine, a castle, a racing car, a fairy |
| sometimes has a long-term guest, but is otherwise | | | | tale carriage or even a space rocket! |
| alone for lengthy periods. The 2 beds are both | | | | Make sure though that your child is truly enthusiastic |
| proper beds, but separating the two units could be | | | | about it before investing in a novelty bed, however. |
| tiresome on a very regular basis. | | | | And ask yourself whether he or she is likely to fall |
| Trundle beds have been used since medieval times. | | | | out of love with it before you've even finished |
| The Lord and Lady of the Manor slept in an elaborate | | | | paying for it. |
| four-poster bed, under which was stored a simple, | | | | |