Advertisement

Best kids beds: Single, cabin and bunk beds for children

 (Room to Grow)
(Room to Grow)

Choosing the right bed for your child is a daunting prospect. Whether they snuggle down in minutes or need a little more convincing to stay put until morning, kids need a safe, supportive and fun sleeping space to guarantee they wake up happy and well-rested - even if it’s always earlier than you would like.

By the age of three, most children have moved from their cot to their first big bed and, according to the NHS, should be sleeping from nine to twelve hours a night between the ages of six and twelve. This is essential for growth, wellbeing and every parent’s sanity so it’s crucial to find a quality bed with a strong frame that will suit your child’s ever-changing needs and tastes.

Consider the future too. Your angelic toddler may love candyfloss pink and fairies now, but she probably won’t in a few years. They may also need a desk for homework, an extra bed for sleepovers or storage space to call their own as they get older. If room is tight, it’s well worth looking at a cabin or sleeper bed that maximises floor space, although it’s not recommended for children under six to sleep on an upper bunk. Some beds can also be adapted for different uses over time which can be a great value for money option.

Give the whole family sweet dreams with our collection of some of the best kids’ beds around, from simple singles to multifunctional cabin units your child will love for years to come.

Max Combination Bed

Dimensions (as single bed): H61.5 x W99.5 x L201.5cm

Keep your options open with this ingenious bed that adapts as your child or family grows. Constructed from a mix of solid pine and MDF and available in grey and white, it starts life as a standard single adapted for toddlers with guard rails on both sides. Later, it can be changed into a simple single or a mid-sleeper bed with space underneath the frame for a play area.

Buy two and they can be used together as a bunk bed, two separate single beds or even an L-shaped bed without needing to fork out for extra parts to make the switch. It will even transform into a guest bed and sofa when the kids have left home, making it a fantastic long-term investment.

Buy now £349.99, Happy Beds

Moro Cabin Bed Midsleeper with Slide

Dimensions: H114 x W101 x L202cm

This bargain mid-sleeper cabin bed in white or grey is every kid’s dream and a godsend for any parent hoping to bribe their child into staying in their own room. It’s constructed from solid pine with an angled ladder that can be built to the left or right.

The bed comes flat-packed but with easy-to-follow instructions so it’s up in no time. Just measure carefully before buying to ensure there is 145cm of extra room for the slide to extend from the bed.

The space underneath can be used as a den or reading nook and there are several fantastic add-on tents to transform the bed’s overall look into a tractor, campervan, pirate hideaway or fairy castle. These can be whipped away when your child grows out of them to leave the plain white bed frame. Though they may be less keen to abandon the slide.

Buy now £191.20, Noa & Nani

Portland White Bed Frame With Liv & Lou Guest Underbed

Dimensions: H82 x W98 x L195cm

Sick of squeezing in inflatable beds and rearranging furniture every time you surrender to a sleepover? This pretty single comes with an extra bed hidden in the base which pulls out easily whenever someone stays over and can be tucked away immediately afterwards. A great buy for the price, this kid’s bed is made from solid rubberwood and the bright white and clean lines won’t date as your child grows.

Bear in mind that the mattress is a little higher than the average single because of the decently sized additional bed, so it might be worth adding a rail or bed guard for younger children.

Buy now £349.00, Time4Sleep

Bloc Midsleeper with Pull Out Desk & Chest

Dimensions: H113.1 x W111.5 x L207.4cm

Think ahead with this lovely-looking kid’s mid-sleeper bed that could be a life-saver in smaller rooms. Made in Denmark using sustainable pine and bright white, easy-clean MDF, the efficient unit packs in a three-drawer chest, shelves for books and games and even a pull-out desk that slides away neatly when not in use so you can at least live in hope of a tidy bedroom. Extra extension kits can be bought to change the bed into bunks or a high-sleeper, and it can easily be converted into a standard single bed if preferred later too.

Buy now £559.00, Room to Grow

Orion Single Oak Bunk Bed

Dimensions: W136 x H172 x D197cm

Children sharing a bedroom will feel like they have their own private space with this solidly built bunk bed even a DIY dud could assemble easily. Scandi-sleek in Sonoma oak, each bed has its own set of shelves for stashing books and cuddly toys. All have a sensible raised lip at the back to stop treasures falling behind the bed while the bottom bunk also has a useful pull-out drawer, perfect for tidying away pyjamas. We especially love the safe, chunky steps to the top bunk which are much easier on little feet than a narrow ladder.

Buy now £569.00, Dunelm

Isabelle & Max Cardwell Single Bed With Furniture Set

Dimensions: H83 x W120 x L217cm

Bookworms will love this storage-packed single bed which fits neatly into the corner of even the smallest bedroom. There’s plenty of shelf space built-in, plus three handy draws for tucking away treasures (or midnight snacks).

The top open shelf is great for a small lamp or picture frames and even teens won’t moan about the simple white design so this bed should easily last for years. However, you’ll need to polish off your flat-pack skills to put it all together so make sure you have plenty of time – and patience.

Buy now £309.99, Wayfair

Silentnight Maxi Store Divan Base

Dimensions: H38 x W90 x L190cm

Drowning in clutter? This single platform-top divan bed may offer the answer. The entire side is fixed in place with press studs and opens to reveal a huge secret space offering five times more storage than a traditional two drawer bed. That’s a whole mountain of Lego bricks and board games.

Our one gripe? The headboard costs extra but we still think it’s worth adding anyway. This is one of the few kids’ beds we found upholstered in soft fabric rather than the usual metal or wood and the headboard is perfect for sitting up and reading in bed. There are nine different colours including slate grey and plum to match every colour scheme too.

Buy now £259.00, Silentnight

Merlin High Sleeper with Desk in Grey Stardust

Dimensions: H174 x W98 x L209cm

A clever high sleeper bed that kids won’t grow out of in a hurry, this elegant ivory unit has a pine slatted base and a solid wood frame with MDF panels that feel reassuringly sturdy. It’s the details that really make this bed stand out though.

We loved the good size desk, the nifty clip-on bedside table to hold a book or clock and the fact the ladder can be built on either side to suit the room layout. Best of all is the cosy sofa seat for lounging, which can be transformed into a second bed for impromptu sleepovers.

Buy now £1000.00, Great Little Trading Company

E2 Single Bed Frame With Truckle

Dimensions: W103.4 x H116.8 x D205cm

If the thought of primary colours and novelty bedsheets fill you with dread, this elegant wooden single bed creates a more traditional look instead. Built in the UK, it’s available in 15 muted pastel shades with suitably soothing names including cloud, meadow and sea mist.

A matching bedside cabinet, chest of drawers, desk, bookcase and wardrobe are all available in the same colours for one-stop decorating too.

The sturdy pull-out truckle glides smoothly and is great for no-hassle sleepovers so will last your child well into their teenage years. Make sure you plan ahead though: the bed is made to order so you’ll be waiting six to eight weeks for delivery.

Buy now £1185.00, Painted Furniture Company

Småstad Loft Bed With Desk With 3 Drawers In White/Grey

Dimensions: H182 x W104 x L207cm

When cute bunk beds just won’t cut it, this minimalist loft bed is a great choice for growing children if space is tight. Get all the furniture you need in one fell swoop as a desk with drawers, bookcase and even wardrobe are included and tucked underneath the bed itself.

It’s a great option to give more than one child their own space when sharing a room and won’t date when the style-conscious teenage years beckon. Doors and drawers come in a choice of turquoise, white or birch but we think the stylish grey is a chic grown-up choice.

Buy now £397.00, Ikea

Verdict

The Max Combination Bed is a great buy for its astonishing versatility, reasonable price and classic white style that suits all ages. We loved the fact it can be changed into a bunk bed if a sibling comes along or even used as a sofa when the kids finally leave home (honestly, it will happen...). But if you’re not concerned about longevity, the fun extras and envy-inducing slide on the Moro Cabin Bed will put a big smile on any child’s face.