There are two ways to pair bunk beds with curtains, and most rooms benefit from both. Bunk curtains hang from a rail fixed to the frame or ceiling around the lower bunk, turning it into a private, cosy den. Window curtains frame the room and control light, which matters when two children sleep on different schedules. Choose breathable, washable fabrics, coordinate colours rather than matching them exactly, and fix everything securely with no loose cords.
Curtains are one of the simplest ways to change how a bunk bed room feels, and they work with almost any frame. Whether you have a painted timber design or a metal frame from our bunk beds UK sale range, the right fabric softens the structure and gives each child a little more privacy. For the rest of the room, our modern bedroom furniture UK collection covers wardrobes, chests and bedside storage.
A bunk bed is a strong vertical shape. It brings structure to a room, but it can also look a little hard, especially in a small space. Fabric does the opposite. It softens edges, absorbs sound and adds colour and pattern without taking up floor space.
For children, bunk curtains have another appeal: they create a hideaway. A curtained lower bunk becomes a reading nook, a play tent and a quiet retreat all at once. For siblings sharing a room, a curtain also offers a simple way to have a bit of personal space when the lights are still on for one child and not the other.
The most common arrangement is a curtain running along the open side of the lower bunk. There are a few ways to hang it.
A tension rod or rail fixed to the frame. Many bunk beds have a flat rail or slats beneath the upper bunk where a slim rod can be fixed. This is the neatest option and moves with the bed if you rearrange the room.
A ceiling track. A slim curtain track fixed to the ceiling in a U shape around the bunk gives a softer, more tailored finish. It suits beds positioned in an alcove or corner.
A clip rail. For renters or for a temporary arrangement, clip rails that attach to the frame without drilling are a sensible choice, provided they hold firmly.
Whichever method you use, the curtain should hang just above the floor or the mattress, not trail on the ground where it can be trodden on and pulled. Aim for curtains that can be tied back easily during the day so the bunk stays aired.
Window curtains are just as important. In a shared room, one child may need darkness earlier than the other, and summer evenings in the UK can be light well past a young child’s bedtime. Lined or blackout curtains help considerably.
Blackout lining can be added to almost any curtain, so you do not need to compromise on fabric choice. Hang the curtain pole wider than the window frame and a little higher, so the curtains can be drawn fully clear of the glass in the day and overlap the edges at night. This lets in more daylight and blocks more light at bedtime.
Where the bunk sits close to the window, check that curtains will not catch on the frame or the ladder when drawn, and that the top bunk cannot reach the curtain pole.
Bunk curtains and window curtains do not need to match, but they should relate to one another. Three approaches tend to work well.
Same colour, different texture. Use a plain linen for the window and a cotton in the same shade for the bunk. The room feels unified but not flat.
Pattern and plain. Choose a gentle pattern, such as a stripe, check or small print, for the bunk curtain and a plain colour drawn from that pattern for the window. The bunk becomes the focal point.
Tonal layers. Pick two or three shades of the same colour family, such as dusty blue, slate and pale grey, and spread them across curtains, bedding and cushions.
Very bold, busy patterns can feel overwhelming when they cover large areas of fabric in a small bedroom. If a child loves a particular print, use it on cushions or a single bunk curtain and keep the window simpler.
Children’s curtains get handled constantly, so practicality matters as much as appearance.
For bunk curtains, choose a fabric that lets air move through. A heavy, tightly woven fabric around a sleeping area can make the space stuffy. Check washing instructions too. Curtains that can go in the washing machine are much easier to live with in a child’s room.
Curtains work best as part of a wider layer of textiles. A rug beneath the bunk adds warmth and helps define the sleeping area, while echoing the curtain colours ties the scheme together. Our range of modern rugs UK includes flat weaves and soft piles that sit comfortably in children’s rooms.
Bedding should complement rather than repeat the curtains. If the curtain is patterned, keep the duvet cover plain or lightly textured. Add a throw and one or two cushions to each bunk in coordinating shades.
Once a lower bunk is curtained, it can become quite dark, which is part of its charm but also means children will want a light inside. A small, cool running lamp or a battery operated light is the safest choice within a fabric enclosure. Keep any light well away from the curtain itself.
Outside the den, a lamp on a bedside table or chest gives a soft glow for bedtime stories. Our children’s table lamps UK include designs with stable bases and shades scaled for smaller surfaces.
High sleepers and mid sleepers offer a slightly different opportunity. Because the space beneath the bed is open on several sides, a curtain can enclose it completely to form a play den, a reading corner or a dressing area. This works particularly well for younger children, who often love having a secret space of their own.
Fix the rail to the underside of the bed frame and choose a fabric light enough to let some daylight through, so the den does not feel gloomy. A canvas or heavier cotton holds its shape better than a sheer fabric and stands up to being pushed aside many times a day. As children get older, the same curtain can screen a desk area, giving a clear visual break between study and sleep.
Curtains near beds need careful thought, particularly for younger children.
A curtain can also hide storage. If the space beneath a high sleeper is used for shelving or toy boxes, a curtain across the front keeps it looking tidy and turns a cluttered corner into a calm surface of fabric. The same idea works for open shelving units elsewhere in the room.
For more ideas on keeping a family bedroom organised, our guide to children’s bedroom storage for UK family homes covers the options in detail.
One of the advantages of curtains is how easily they change. A young child’s den with a playful print can become a more grown up space for a teenager simply by swapping to a plain, darker fabric. Window curtains in a neutral shade will see the room through several stages, while bunk curtains, cushions and throws can be updated more often.
Keeping the curtain hardware simple and well fixed means swapping fabrics is quick and easy. Choose a rail or track that takes standard hooks or rings, so you are not limited to one type of curtain later on. If you are rethinking the palette at the same time, our article on UK bedroom colour trends may help you settle on shades that will last.
When you are planning the wider bedroom, you will find bunk beds, storage and finishing touches at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
The simplest method is a slim rod or rail fixed to the underside of the upper bunk frame. A ceiling track around the bed or a clip rail that attaches without drilling are also options.
They do not need to match exactly. Coordinating colours, or pairing a patterned bunk curtain with a plain window curtain, usually looks more considered.
They can be, provided they have no loose cords, are firmly fixed, are kept away from heat sources and are not hung from the top bunk guard rail.
Breathable, washable fabrics such as cotton, linen blends or brushed cotton work well. Avoid heavy, tightly woven fabrics that could make the sleeping space stuffy.
Barn conversions bring vaulted ceilings, exposed trusses, stone or concrete floors and open layouts, all…
Solid pine and steel are two of the most common materials for children's bunk beds,…
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…
This website uses cookies.