5 Types Of Kids’ Beds

The right bed can make all the difference when it comes to getting a good night's sleep, and that's especially true for kids. Not only do they need a comfortable place to rest their heads at night, but they also need a bed that's safe, fits their unique needs and makes bedtime a joy rather than a pain.

If you’re looking to buy your first children’s bed, or buy a new bed for a growing child, but feel overwhelmed with all the options available, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we'll break down the pros and cons of each type of kid’s bed so that you can make an informed decision that works for you and your family.

Cot beds

Cot beds look much like the cots that children tend to sleep in up until the age of two or three. The key difference is that they’re designed to convert seamlessly into toddler beds, with removable side and end panels. When these panels are taken out, the cot is essentially transformed into a small bed – short, low, and flat to suit toddlers.

They’re a great choice for parents looking for a bed that offers longevity. Unlike a normal cot, a cot bed doesn’t become redundant after a couple of years, with the removable sides meaning you can get much more use out of it. The downside is that cot beds are larger than cots – needing to be spacious enough to accommodate a toddler or young child – and might not be suitable for very small nurseries or bedrooms.

Single beds

The term single bed when used to describe kid’s beds has a broad reach. It describes all sorts of beds, including plain bed frames and divans, novelty beds, platform beds, and trundle beds, provided they’re sized as a single. For reference, a UK single is generally 90cm wide by 190cm long, while an EU single has 10cm more in length.

Single beds are arguably the most obvious choice for children who have outgrown their cot, cot bed, or toddler bed. They’re suitable for four-year-olds and upwards, and offer massive longevity. The different types of single beds mentioned above offer variety, too. If your child is really into cars, for instance, a single novelty bed in the shape of a race car can make bedtime so much more fun. If you’re in desperate need of more storage, a single-platform bed is a great choice.

Bunk beds

A staple of the shared children’s bedroom, bunk beds are still a popular choice because of the practicality they offer. They typically take the form of one single bed frame at roughly the usual height, with another stacked on top accessible with a ladder or shallow steps. They come in a range of different styles and materials, including options for wood or metal frames.

Bunk beds are a wonderful choice for situations where two children of roughly similar age share a bedroom, but there isn’t enough space for two separate bedframes. Aside from being a massive space-saver, though, they’re also more fun! Just make sure to figure out who’ll have the top bunk and who takes the bottom ahead of time to avoid any arguments.

The only real downside to bunk beds is that they’re not suitable for young children, as there’s a risk of them falling from the top, so take this into consideration when you’re making your decision.

Bed tents

While not strictly a bed, a bed tent is worth including on this list purely because of the benefits they offer to children who face any one of a variety of issues at bedtime. ‘What is a bed tent?’, you ask. Also known as bed canopies or bed pods, they’re just what they sound like – tents that sit on top of a bed frame. They’re available in diverse sizes, and suitable for use with your existing mattress.

They are designed to offer a range of benefits, including minimising ambient light and noise and helping to retain heat, but their real top benefit is that they can make bedtime much easier for children who struggle to fall asleep. Children can feel safe and protected in their bed tent and can even use it as a play den during the daytime.

To use one, you simply build the bed tent (which is a lot easier than erecting a regular tent!), take the mattress off your existing bed frame, put the bed tent on the frame, and put the mattress back on to weigh down the base of the tent. They’re suitable for singles, doubles, kings, and even bunk beds. Check out the range of Snuggy bed tents and find the size that suits your frame.

Loft beds

Finally, there’s loft beds. These look similar to bunk beds but trade the functionality of room for a second sleeper to instead offer more storage. Loft beds are designed with an elevated frame for the mattress, leaving plenty of room underneath for activities. You can use the loft bed space to store clothing, toys, or even a writing desk.

Loft beds have obvious benefits, in that they offer a space-saving solution for small bedrooms where storage is in short supply. However, they suffer from the same disadvantages as bunk beds, in that they’re not really suitable for smaller children who might be at risk of falling from the elevated frame.

Choosing the right size bed for your child

Now that you know what kinds of kids’ beds there are to choose from, the only thing left is to determine which one is right for your child. The first step in doing that is to know what size bed they need. While there’s no concrete science to finding this out, the following table shows some general recommendations for what size bed is suitable for each age:

Remember, it’s not just age range that factors into the right bed. It’s important you also make sure that whatever type of bed you choose will fit comfortably into your space, making it easy for your child to get in and out of bed.

With all of that out of the way, you’re free to choose the kids’ bed that will give your child the best chance of getting a good night’s sleep, night after night. If you’re looking for something to go with your new purchase, check out some of our sleep accessories or find the perfect hoodie blanket to make bedtime even more cosy.