A good guest room bunk bed within a mid range budget should be sturdy enough for adults, simple to make up between visits and attractive enough that the room still feels like a proper bedroom. In this bracket, you can expect solid pine or hardwood frames, robust metal designs, beds that split into two singles and, in some cases, a pull out trundle for an extra sleeper. Focus on weight limits, mattress comfort and a calm, neutral finish.
Browse our modern bunk beds UK sale range for frames that suit spare rooms, and see our wider bedroom furniture UK collection for pieces to complete the space. Here is how to choose a bunk bed that makes visitors feel welcome rather than squeezed in.
Many UK homes have a single spare room that has to accommodate everyone from grandparents to a visiting family with children. A double bed handles a couple well but leaves nowhere for children. Two singles take up most of the floor. A bunk bed gives two sleeping spaces in the footprint of one single bed, leaving room for a chair, a small desk or somewhere to unpack.
When the room is not hosting guests, the extra floor makes it far easier to use as a home office, hobby room or quiet reading space.
Moving beyond entry level frames brings noticeable improvements. Timber tends to be thicker, joints are more robust and finishes are more durable. You also start to see adult weight ratings on both levels, which is essential when guests may be grown ups.
Many solid wood bunk beds in this range separate into two single beds. For a guest room, this is especially useful: stack them when children visit, separate them when two adults stay, or use one single on its own when the room doubles as an office.
A trundle is a third bed on castors that slides beneath the lower bunk. It turns a two person room into a three person room without taking up floor when stored. Check that there is enough clear space to pull it out fully.
Some frames swap the trundle for deep drawers, which suit spare bedding and towels. In a guest room, that storage is always useful.
Guests remember a bad night’s sleep. Check the stated weight limit for each level and make sure it suits adult visitors. The ladder should be easy to climb, with flat, wide rungs, and the top bunk should have guard rails along both long sides.
Ceiling height matters more for adults than for children. Measure the space above the top bunk and make sure an adult can sit up without bending their head. In a loft guest room with sloping ceilings, place the bed along the tallest wall.
Mattresses make the biggest difference to comfort. A thin foam mattress might be fine for a child’s sleepover, but adult guests need proper support. Choose a quality mattress for each level, keeping the top one within the depth the frame allows. Our mattresses UK sale range includes single options suited to bunk frames.
The bed should meet BS EN 747, the UK standard for bunk beds and high beds. If young children visit, remind parents that children under six should not sleep on the top bunk. A brief note in the room is a thoughtful touch.
Check fixings before each visit, especially if the room is used infrequently. Timber can settle and bolts can loosen when furniture is not used regularly.
A guest room should feel calm and welcoming. Painted frames in soft white, warm grey or muted green feel restful and suit most decorating schemes. Natural oak or a pale wood stain adds warmth. Matt black metal frames look smart in contemporary homes and pair well with crisp white bedding.
Avoid finishes that look too much like children’s furniture if the room will mainly host adults. Simple lines, solid construction and a neutral palette help the bed feel like part of the house rather than a temporary solution.
Small touches make a guest room feel cared for. A reading light for each bunk, a hook for a dressing gown and a shelf within reach of the top sleeper go a long way.
Somewhere to store spare bedding is useful too. A blanket box UK at the foot of the lower bunk holds extra duvets and pillows, and it doubles as a bench for opening a suitcase or putting on shoes.
Think about where guests will hang clothes. For ideas that suit a room used only part of the time, our guide to wardrobe ideas for a UK guest bedroom covers compact and flexible options.
Changing bedding on a top bunk is the least enjoyable part of hosting. A few habits help. Use fitted sheets with deep elastic so they stay in place. Choose duvet covers with side openings or simple closures. A lightweight duvet is easier to manoeuvre at height than a heavy one.
Keep a full set of bedding for each bunk stored in the room, ideally in a blanket box or drawer, so you can prepare the room quickly before guests arrive.
Place the bunk bed along the longest wall, away from windows and radiators. Keep the ladder clear of the door swing. Leave enough floor in front of the bed for a trundle or drawers to open, and enough space for guests to stand and unpack.
If the room has a chimney breast, the alcove can sometimes take a single bunk bed neatly. Measure carefully, including skirting boards.
Think about who actually stays with you. If most visitors are grandchildren, prioritise a trundle and easy access to the top bunk. If adult friends visit more often, prioritise headroom, mattress quality and the ability to split the bed into two singles. If the room hosts both, an adult rated frame with a trundle and a neutral finish covers the widest range of guests.
Older visitors may find a ladder difficult. If grandparents stay regularly, make sure the lower bunk is comfortable enough to be the main bed, and consider whether a frame that splits into two singles would serve them better on longer stays.
Many guest rooms sit empty for weeks at a time, and the space a bunk bed saves can be put to good use. A compact desk and chair turn the room into a quiet place to work. A comfortable armchair and a lamp create a reading corner. Shelving for books or hobby supplies makes the room feel lived in rather than closed off.
Keep the bunk bed made up with a light throw so the room always looks ready, and store guest bedding nearby so visits can be prepared at short notice.
Guest rooms are often lit by a single ceiling fitting, which can feel harsh and leaves the lower bunk in shadow. Layered lighting changes the mood entirely. A warm table lamp on a low surface gives a gentle glow in the evening, while individual reading lights let each guest read without disturbing the other.
For the top bunk, a small wall light or a clip on lamp with a tidy cable is safer than a lamp balanced on a shelf. A soft night light near the door helps visitors find their way in an unfamiliar room after dark, which is particularly reassuring for children.
Curtains or blinds that block early morning light are worth the investment too. Guests on holiday or visiting family often want a slower start, and a dim, quiet room makes the stay feel restful.
A few minutes of preparation makes a real difference. Check that bolts are tight and the ladder is secure. Make up both bunks with fresh bedding, and leave a spare blanket within easy reach. Test the reading lights. Clear a surface for phones and glasses on each level, and leave space in the wardrobe or on hooks for hanging clothes. Open the window for an hour to air the room, particularly if it has been closed for a while.
If children are visiting, place any portable bed guard on the lower bunk and remind parents of the top bunk age guidance. If adults are staying, check that the top bunk has enough headroom with the mattress you are using.
We choose bunk beds that balance sturdiness, comfort and good design, so they work as well for adult guests as for visiting children. Explore everything at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.
Yes, if the frame is rated for adult weight on both levels and the top bunk has enough headroom. A good mattress on each level is essential for comfort.
A trundle adds a third sleeping space, which suits families who visit. Drawers suit rooms that mostly host one or two guests and need extra storage for bedding.
Many wooden frames can be separated into two single beds, which adds flexibility. Check the product description to confirm.
Choose a neutral frame, simple bedding in calm colours and adult touches such as reading lights, a hook for clothes and a blanket box for storage.
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