What bedrooms can bunk beds be used in?

Bunk beds are no longer just for kids’ rooms. In 2025, they’re an increasingly popular space-saving option for everything from guest rooms and student housing to hotels and care settings. Whether you're furnishing a busy family home or a compact commercial property, knowing which bedroom setups suit bunk beds best can help you make a practical and stylish choice.

However, it is a common misconception that bunk beds can only be used in children’s bedrooms, and they are often disregarded for other use where they may provide a fantastic solution. In this guide, we will run down all the possible bedrooms that bunk beds can be used in, their function and the benefits associated with them. We will then also explore what type of bunk beds can be used in bedrooms.

Not sure which type suits your space or family needs? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Bunk Bed for tips on safety, space planning, and style.

Children’s bedrooms

The most common application for bunk beds is within children’s bedrooms. Families often choose bunk beds for children because while a child’s bedroom may be small, there is often not enough space for their sibling to have a room of their own, especially in large families. To maximise the space available, bunk beds can be used so that children can share rooms without losing floor space for other furniture and toys.

In other situations, there may well be enough space for two beds but children love the novelty of being able to climb into bed at night. The entertainment aspect of having a tall bunk bed can encourage some children to settle in their bedroom and stop migrating to their parent's room at night, which can offer a practical solution for bedtime problems. A stylish option like the Langham Bunk Bed combines charm with function—perfect for modern children’s rooms where comfort, safety, and visual appeal all matter.

There are children’s bunk beds for all ages, from very small ones for those aged 4 and up and bigger ones for older children.

If you're unsure when it's safe for your child to start using a bunk bed, our guide on what age bunk beds are suitable for offers practical advice to help you make the right decision.

Commercial accommodation

However, bunk beds are not merely solutions for children’s bedrooms. They are a popular choice in temporary commercial accommodations, such as hotels, hostels, holiday lets and AirBnbs, for example. In a commercial setting like this, it is important to be able to accommodate as many people as possible for maximised profits. Having bunk beds as an option can mean that more people can fit in a single room, resulting in higher fees and more efficient use of space.

These can be aimed at families and be children’s bunk beds, but adult bunk beds also exist. These are much larger and sturdier than children’s bunk beds and are perfectly suitable for people of all ages when staying away from home. This can offer more comfort and flexibility than sharing a double bed or having to use a sofa bed, for example, working as a unique selling point for hotels and hostels.

Specialist accommodation

Similarly to commercial accommodation, specialist accommodation often makes use of adult bunk beds, such as industries that see groups of people staying away from their homes for an extended period of time because of their job or living requirements. This may include student accommodation which is typically very small and can only fit one single bed - having a bunk bed suddenly opens up the possibility for shared rooms, increasing capacity.

Bunk beds are also very often used in army barracks where space to sleep many people is limited and needs to be maximised to its full potential.

Another example is specialist care homes for sick or elderly people. Bunk beds can be used to increase capacity for more people who need the accommodation, or for carers to sleep in the same room as people who need round-the-clock care.

Spare rooms

Although you are unlikely to see an adult bunk bed in a master bedroom, you may see one in a spare room. Families who often have visitors or have a large extended family can make good use of adult bunk beds to maximise the space they have available in their spare rooms. This means they can offer a bed for anyone who wants to come and visit without getting the air bed out or sacrificing the sofa and worrying about space.

What type of bunk beds can be used in bedrooms?

Single

Although a bunk bed is typically two beds, you will sometimes find single bunk beds elevated off the ground without a bed underneath. This can be found in all of the above examples and is ideal for those who need extra storage space or room for a desk underneath the bed. This can often be practical and stylish and is commonly found in student accommodation.

Double

The most common type of bunk bed is the double bunk bed, with one bed on top and one on the bottom. This is a fool proof solution for both adult and children's bedrooms.

Triple

For optimum use of space, triple bunk beds are often used. This can either feature three beds vertically on top of each other or a double bed on the bottom with a single on top. While perfect for children in large families, they are also ideal for adults in bedrooms where space needs to be saved, too. A double bed can be used for maximum comfort or to sleep more people. Some triple bunk beds have further space-saving solutions, such as the third bed stored inside a drawer underneath the bed that can be pulled out when it is needed.

Heavy duty

All bunk beds have to be able to withstand the weight of two or more people so they are constructed using the highest quality metal or wood. However, specialised heavy-duty bunk beds also exist, which are specifically constructed to withstand heavy weights.

These are made from thicker steel or solid wood and have equal weight limits on the top and bottom so there is no worrying about who sleeps where. This offers peace of mind especially if the person sleeping in the bed is likely to change, such as in specialist or commercial accommodation. They are durable against lots of use so are often a more cost-effective investment.

For heavy duty bunk beds for use in any bedroom, browse Reinforced Beds selection today.