For a shared flat, the most space saving bunk beds are those with a compact footprint, a slim frame, an integrated or vertical ladder and an overall height that suits the ceiling. Twin single bunks are the most efficient for two sharers, while designs with built in drawers, a desk underneath or a small double on the lower level solve specific problems. Choose a frame rated for adult use, check the ceiling clearance at the top, and plan the rest of the room around storage that rises vertically rather than spreading across the floor.
In a flat where floor area is at a premium, our space saving bunk beds UK range offers several approaches, and the right one depends on who is sharing and what else the room has to do. Here is how to think it through.
Shared flats come in many forms. Siblings sharing a bedroom in a two bedroom flat have different needs from adult flatmates, a parent and child, or a couple who host friends regularly. Before looking at frames, be clear about who will sleep in each bed, how often, and whether the room also needs to work as a study, dressing area or occasional living space.
For adult sharers, the frame needs to be strong enough for adult weight on both levels, with a ladder that is comfortable for adult feet. For children, the emphasis shifts towards guard rails, rounded edges and a lower overall height. For a family with one child who has an occasional sleepover guest, a bunk with a trundle or a futon below may make more sense than a standard twin bunk. Across our modern bedroom furniture UK collection, you can coordinate the bunk, wardrobe and drawers in the same finish so the room feels designed rather than crammed.
The classic twin single bunk is still the most efficient way to sleep two people in a small room. The footprint is roughly that of one single bed, and the frame can sit tight against a wall. Slim metal frames take up the least visual space, while wooden frames feel more substantial. If the room is narrow, look for a design where the ladder sits within the footprint of the bed rather than projecting out to the side.
Some bunks include drawers beneath the bottom bed or a staircase with storage built into each step. A staircase takes more floor space than a ladder, but it replaces the need for a separate chest of drawers, which can be a net saving in a small room. Under bed drawers add storage with no extra footprint at all.
High sleeper style bunks with a desk underneath suit a single occupant who needs a workspace. For two sharers, a bunk with a desk to the side or a separate fold down desk on the wall may be more practical. Think carefully about headroom if anyone will sit at a desk beneath a bed frame.
A bunk with a small double on the lower level and a single on top can sleep three people, or give a couple more comfort while a child uses the upper bunk. These frames are wider than a standard bunk, so measure carefully, but they can replace a double bed and a separate single in a room that would otherwise struggle to fit both.
Flats often have quirks that houses do not: low ceilings in conversions, boxed in pipework, radiators beneath windows, sloping walls in top floor flats and doors that open inwards across a corner. Measure all of these before you choose a bed.
For the top bunk, you want enough distance between the mattress and the ceiling for the sleeper to sit up comfortably. Subtract the total height of the bunk and the depth of the top mattress from the ceiling height and compare the result with the sitting height of the person using the top bed.
If adults will use the bunk, frame quality becomes the most important factor. Look for a stated maximum user weight on each level, thick posts, bolted joints and cross bracing along the back. A bunk that wobbles or creaks when one person moves will disturb the other, which quickly becomes a source of tension between flatmates.
Metal frames should have solid welds and a powder coated finish. Wooden frames should be made from solid timber or high quality engineered wood with proper joints. Fit the bunk tight to a wall where possible, as this helps it feel steady, and check the bolts again a couple of weeks after assembly.
Once two people share a small bedroom, storage becomes the next challenge. Wardrobes with hinged doors need clearance in front of them, which eats into floor space. Sliding doors avoid this and allow a wardrobe to sit closer to the bed. Our sliding wardrobes UK sale are worth considering for a shared flat, particularly where the bunk and wardrobe have to face each other across a narrow room.
Tall chests of drawers use height rather than width, and a single tall chest can often give each sharer their own set of drawers. Wall shelves above a desk or chest add display and storage space without taking any floor at all. Under bunk storage boxes on castors keep shoes and spare bedding out of sight.
Whatever mix you choose, keep finishes consistent. A bunk, wardrobe and chest in the same timber or colour read as one scheme, which makes a small room feel calmer and more spacious.
The lower bunk sleeper can use a small bedside cabinet, but the person on top has no surface within reach. A shelf that clips onto the bunk frame, or a small wall mounted shelf at mattress height, solves this neatly. For the lower bed, a slim bedside cabinet with a drawer keeps a phone, glasses and a book close without taking much room. Our bedside cabinets UK include compact designs, and our article on fitting a bedside cabinet in a small UK room covers sizing in more detail.
Sharing a room is easier when each person has a little privacy. Curtains hung from the top bunk frame around the lower bed create a cosy, private space and block light from the other person’s reading lamp. Individual clip on lights with their own switches mean nobody has to agree on when the main light goes off.
Sound is another consideration. A solid frame that does not creak, a mattress that does not squeak and a rug on hard floors all reduce noise. If one sharer works shifts, these details make a real difference.
Light colours on the walls and furniture help a small room feel more open. A mirror on a wardrobe door or opposite the window reflects light back into the space. Keep the floor as clear as possible, with storage tucked under the bunk or on the walls. Choose a bunk frame that lets light through, such as one with slatted or open metal ends, rather than solid panels that block the view across the room.
Keep the decoration simple. Bedding in coordinated colours for both bunks, one rug, and one or two pictures on the walls are enough. Too many accessories make a shared room feel smaller.
You can find bunk beds, wardrobes and bedroom storage designed for smaller homes across our range at Furniture in Fashion.
Yes, provided the frame is designed for adult use. Check the maximum user weight for each level and the ceiling clearance above the top bunk. A sturdy frame with bolted joints and cross bracing will feel steady for both sleepers.
A standard twin single bunk with a ladder that sits within the frame has the smallest footprint. Adding under bed drawers increases storage without increasing the footprint, which makes it the most efficient option for most shared rooms.
Measure the ceiling at the spot where the bunk will go, then subtract the height of the bunk frame and the top mattress. The remaining space should allow the top sleeper to sit up comfortably. Lower ceilings in conversions may call for a low bunk design.
It is better to avoid placing a top bunk next to an opening window, particularly for children. Where the layout leaves no choice, fit window restrictors and make sure the guard rail runs along the full length of the window side.
The box room is one of the most familiar features of British homes, and one…
Scandinavian interiors are built around light, comfort and practicality, which makes the style well suited…
Children sharing a bedroom still need a place to do homework, draw and read, and…
A bunk bed or high bed with a desk underneath can give a small bedroom…
The white bunk beds that work best in holiday lets are sturdy, simple and easy…
A high sleeper raises a single bed far enough off the floor for the space…
This website uses cookies.