The bunk beds that suit cabins and lodges on a modest budget are simple, solid frames in pine or powder coated metal, with a full length guard rail, a fixed ladder and a slatted base that lets the mattress breathe. Skip extras such as storage steps and integrated desks, and put the budget into a stable frame and good mattresses instead. Those choices cope best with the cooler, more variable conditions of a lodge and with frequent use by different guests.
A cabin or lodge, whether it is a holiday let, a family retreat or a garden building used for overflow guests, asks something slightly different of its furniture. Our modern bunk beds UK sale range includes straightforward, well made frames that fit these spaces well. Here is how to choose with confidence.
Bedrooms in lodges are usually compact. They are designed to sleep as many people as possible without taking floor area from the living space, which is why bunk beds are so common in them. Ceilings may slope, walls are often timber, and the building may stand empty for days or weeks between visits.
That last point is important. A building that is heated only when occupied goes through more changes in temperature and humidity than a main home. Furniture that is fine in a centrally heated house can struggle in a lodge if it is made from materials that swell, warp or harbour damp.
When the budget is limited, prioritise the elements that affect safety and comfort. Spend on a stable frame with solid joints, a full set of slats and a guard rail that runs the whole length of the top bunk. Spend on mattresses, because guests will judge the stay by how well they slept.
Save on features. Storage steps, integrated shelving and decorative detailing all add cost and complexity. In a lodge, a simple frame with a straight ladder takes up less space and has fewer parts to wear or loosen. Storage can come from a separate chest or box, which is easier to replace later.
The same principle applies to the rest of the room. Simple pieces from our modern bedroom furniture UK collections, chosen in finishes that match the frame, help a small lodge bedroom feel considered rather than assembled from odds and ends.
Solid pine is a natural fit for timber cabins and lodges. It suits the look of the building, it is light enough to carry in sections and it is easy to repair: a scuff can be sanded and touched up. Pine does respond to humidity, so look for a lacquered or sealed finish that helps protect it, and leave a small gap between the frame and the wall for air to circulate.
Powder coated metal frames are slim, strong and unaffected by moderate changes in humidity. They suit modern lodges, glamping pods and garden rooms with a more contemporary interior. Check that the finish is intact at the joints, since bare metal can corrode if the building is damp for long periods.
Engineered board with a thin foil or paper finish is generally the least suitable option for a building that is not heated continuously, as exposed edges can absorb moisture and swell.
Lodge bedrooms often have a pitched or sloping ceiling. Measure the height at the point where the top bunk will sit, not at the highest point of the room, and remember that the sleeper needs to sit up without touching the ceiling. Exposed beams or roof purlins can reduce headroom further, so measure beneath the lowest one.
Check the floor too. Timber floors in cabins can be slightly uneven, so a frame with adjustable feet or a little packing beneath the legs keeps the bed level and stops it from rocking. Measure the doorway and any internal corridor before ordering, as lodge doors can be narrower than those in a standard house.
Most bunk beds come with wall fixings, and using them makes the frame more stable. Solid timber walls take screws well. Thinner internal partitions, common in lodges and log cabins, may not offer a solid fixing point, so locate a stud or batten before fixing. In a building that expands and contracts with the seasons, check fixings at the start of each season and tighten them if needed.
Mattresses in a lodge are used intermittently and can sit unused in cool, damp conditions. Choose mattresses with breathable covers and keep them on slatted bases rather than solid platforms. A waterproof but breathable protector on each mattress guards against spills and keeps the core dry.
Check the maximum mattress depth for the top bunk and stay within it, so the guard rail remains high enough above the sleeping surface. Mattresses sold in the UK must meet fire safety regulations, and if the lodge is let to paying guests, it is worth checking your wider obligations as well.
Between visits, leaving the bedding off and the mattresses uncovered for a few hours helps them air. A dehumidifier in the building over winter makes a noticeable difference to how fresh the bedrooms feel when guests arrive.
Bunk beds in lodges are used by guests who do not know the bed. Clear, simple safety features help. Choose a frame designed to BS EN 747, the standard for bunk beds, with a guard rail on every side of the top bunk. A small notice in the welcome information reminding guests that children under six should use the lower bunk is a sensible precaution.
Keep the area at the foot of the ladder clear, and make sure there is a low level light or nightlight so that guests climbing down at night can see where they are stepping.
In a compact room, two bunk beds placed along opposite walls can sleep four in the space of a small double room, provided there is a clear walkway between them. In a room with a sloping ceiling, place the bunk where the ceiling is highest and use the lower area beneath the eaves for storage.
Lodges benefit from the same thinking as guest bedrooms in a main house. Guests need somewhere to hang clothes for a few days rather than permanent storage, so a slim rail or a compact wardrobe is usually enough.
A lodge needs somewhere to keep spare duvets, pillows and blankets between visits. A wooden box at the foot of the bunk bed is a practical answer: it holds linen, doubles as a seat and keeps the floor clear. Our blanket box UK sale range includes designs that suit both traditional and modern lodges. Adding a few cedar blocks or lavender bags inside helps keep fabrics fresh.
Wall hooks beside each bunk give guests somewhere to hang a towel or a jacket without needing a wardrobe in a very small room.
Not every lodge is a holiday property. Many families now use a garden cabin as a guest room, a teenager's den or an overflow bedroom for visiting grandchildren. Before furnishing one as a bedroom, make sure it is insulated, ventilated and safe to sleep in, with a working smoke alarm and a safe way out. If you are still planning the building itself, our garden cabins and summer houses UK range is a good starting point.
A simple bunk bed suits these spaces well, because it maximises sleeping capacity in a small footprint and leaves room for a chair or small table.
The same thinking applies to storage. Our guide to pine wardrobes and where to spend or save in UK homes follows a similar approach, and our ideas for wardrobes in a UK guest bedroom translate well to lodges.
A bunk bed in a lodge may be used by dozens of different people each year. Simple, robust frames tend to outlast complex ones in these conditions, and they are easier to maintain. A quick check of fixings at the start of each season, and a look over the slats and guard rails, keeps the bed in good order.
When you are ready to furnish, explore the full collection at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
A simple, sturdy frame in solid pine or powder coated metal, with a slatted base, a full guard rail and a fixed ladder. These cope well with variable conditions and frequent use.
Sealed pine copes well with moderate changes in humidity. Leave a small gap between the frame and the wall for air to circulate, and use a dehumidifier if the building stands empty for long periods.
Yes, if the headroom above the top mattress is enough to sit up comfortably. Measure at the exact position of the top bunk, including beneath any beams.
A blanket box at the foot of the bed keeps linen clean and dry and doubles as a seat. Add cedar blocks or lavender bags to keep fabrics fresh between visits.
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