How to Choose Bunk Beds for an Ex-Council Flat

To choose a bunk bed for an ex council flat, measure the bedroom and ceiling first, then check the route in: communal stairs, lifts, the front door and your internal hallway. Look for a sturdy frame that is stable on its own, since many ex council blocks have solid masonry or concrete walls that make fixing harder. A quieter frame, built in storage and a design that leaves the radiator and window clear will make the most of a typical flat bedroom.

Ex council flats come in many forms, from low rise blocks with deck access to taller towers and maisonettes. Many have well proportioned rooms, but each has its own quirks. Our modern bunk beds UK sale collection includes frames that suit compact family flats, and the wider bedroom furniture UK range covers the wardrobes and drawers that complete the room. Here is how to choose well.

Measure the Room, Then Measure Again

Start with the basics. Measure the length and width of the bedroom, noting the position of the door, window, radiator and any built in cupboards. Many ex council flats have a cupboard in one or more bedrooms, sometimes housing a boiler or hot water tank, and the bunk bed should not block access to it.

Then measure the ceiling height at the spot where the bed will go. Ceilings in many flats are a standard height rather than generous, so the overall height of the bunk bed matters. The child on the top bunk should be able to sit up without touching the ceiling, and you should allow for the thickness of the mattress when working this out. A lower profile frame can be a sensible choice if your ceiling is on the lower side.

Check for anything fixed to the ceiling, such as a pendant light or smoke alarm, and keep the top bunk clear of both.

Plan the Route Into the Flat

A bunk bed is only useful if it can get into the bedroom. In a flat, the journey can be the trickiest part.

• Communal stairwells: measure the width of the stairs and the turns between landings. Tight turns can be harder to navigate than narrow straight flights.
• Lifts: if your block has one, measure the internal height, width and depth, along with the door opening.
• Front door and hallway: internal hallways in flats are often narrow, with doors opening off them at right angles.
• Bedroom door: the final pinch point, especially if it opens off a corridor.

Most bunk beds arrive flat packed, which helps, but the longest components such as side rails and posts still need to fit. Check the product details for the length of the largest box, then compare it with the tightest point on your route. If assembly will happen in the bedroom, clear the floor beforehand so there is space to lay out the parts.

Solid Walls and Wall Fixings

Many ex council blocks were built with concrete or dense masonry walls. These are strong and help with sound insulation, but they can be harder to drill into than plasterboard. Some walls may also contain hidden services, so care is needed before fixing anything.

For this reason, a bunk bed that is stable without wall fixing has real advantages. Look for a sturdy frame with a wide base, solid joints and good bracing. If the manufacturer recommends fixing to the wall, use the correct masonry fixings and a suitable drill bit, and check for cables and pipes first. If you rent, check your tenancy agreement before drilling. If you own a leasehold flat, it is worth checking whether your lease has any relevant conditions.

Keeping Noise Down for Neighbours

Living with neighbours above, below and beside you makes noise a real consideration. Bunk beds see a lot of climbing, bouncing and moving about, so choose a frame that stays quiet.

• Solid wood and well engineered frames tend to stay quieter than lightweight designs.
• Tighten all bolts after the first few weeks of use, then every few months, to stop creaks developing.
• Felt pads or rubber feet under the legs reduce sound travelling through the floor.
• A thick rug beneath the bed absorbs footfall noise, especially on hard floors.

A rug also gives children a warmer, softer place to play. Our modern rugs UK range includes hard wearing designs that suit family flats.

Working Around Windows and Radiators

In many flats, the radiator sits directly beneath the window, often on the only wall without a door or cupboard. That limits where the bunk bed can go.

Avoid placing the bed in front of the radiator, which reduces its heat output and can make the bottom bunk uncomfortably warm. Keep the top bunk away from the window so that children cannot reach it from the bed. If the window has a low sill, this is especially important.

The best position is usually along a solid internal wall, ideally in the corner furthest from the window. This leaves the radiator free and the window accessible for opening and cleaning.

Storage for a Flat With Limited Cupboards

Flats rarely have lofts or garages, so storage space in the bedroom works hard. A bunk bed with built in storage is particularly useful.

• Under bed drawers on the bottom bunk hold clothes, shoes or spare bedding.
• Storage staircases replace a ladder with steps that double as drawers.
• Shelves on the frame give each child a spot for books and a night light.

Alongside the bed, choose storage that makes use of height rather than floor. Tall, narrow units free up space for play. Our children’s storage furniture UK collection includes compact pieces that suit smaller rooms.

Choosing a Style That Suits a Flat

Ex council flats often have simple, practical interiors, which makes them a blank canvas. Clean lined bunk beds in white, light wood or soft grey tend to look fresh and help a modest room feel bigger. Slim metal frames can also work well, though check that they feel sturdy and quiet.

If your flat has large windows, which many blocks from the post war decades do, make the most of the daylight by keeping the bunk bed and surrounding furniture light in colour. Darker frames can still work in brighter rooms, especially with pale walls and bedding.

Safety in a Shared Family Flat

Every bunk bed should have guard rails on all sides of the top bunk and a secure ladder. Most guidance advises that the upper bunk is not used by children under six. Check the maximum mattress depth so the guard rails remain effective.

In a flat, fire safety deserves particular attention. Keep the bedroom door clear so it can close fully, and do not let furniture or boxes spill into the hallway, which is often the only route out. Our guide to hallway furniture and fire escape routes in UK flats explains how to keep that space safe while still making it useful, and our article on average UK hallway sizes by property type gives context on how much room flats typically have to work with.

Making a Shared Flat Bedroom Feel Calm

In a flat, the children’s bedroom often has to do a lot: sleeping, playing, homework and sometimes storage for the wider household. Keeping it calm takes a little planning.

Start with a restrained colour scheme. Light walls, a bunk bed in a pale finish and one or two accent colours in bedding and accessories stop the room from feeling busy, even when toys are out. Give each child a defined area of their own, perhaps a shelf by their bunk and a set of drawers, so belongings have somewhere to go.

Make tidying easy. Open baskets on low shelves are quicker for children to use than lidded boxes, and a simple routine of clearing the floor before bed keeps the room usable for the next day.

Finally, think about sound and light at bedtime. Blackout blinds help on bright summer evenings, while a soft night light on the bottom bunk reassures younger children without disturbing an older sibling above.

Thinking Ahead

Family needs change, and a bunk bed that can split into two single beds offers flexibility if you move or if the children eventually have separate rooms. A frame that dismantles cleanly is also easier to take with you, which matters if you expect to move to a larger home in future.

When you are ready to choose, you can explore bunk beds, storage and rugs together at Furniture in Fashion. We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Common Questions

Will a bunk bed fit up the stairs of a block of flats?

Most bunk beds arrive flat packed, so they usually fit. Measure the stair width, landing turns and any lift before ordering, focusing on the longest components.

Do I need to fix a bunk bed to a concrete wall?

Follow the manufacturer’s guidance. Where fixing is recommended, use proper masonry fixings and check for hidden cables and pipes. Choosing a stable freestanding frame can reduce the need.

How do I stop a bunk bed creaking in a flat?

Tighten bolts regularly, add felt or rubber pads under the legs and place a thick rug beneath the frame to absorb sound.

Can I put a bunk bed under a window?

It is best avoided. Keep the top bunk away from windows so children cannot reach them, and leave radiators beneath windows uncovered.