Bunk beds - good idea?

[supergolden88]

My daughter who turns 6 in June has been asking for a bunk bed. She sleeps in a junior bed at the moment which she has outgrown and so we need to replace her bed soon in any case.

Her brother is only 15 months so not likely to sleep in a bed for some time. Given their age difference (4 1/2 years) I am questioning whether room sharing and therefore bunkbed is a good idea. By the time my son is old enough she will be quite grown up and may not want to share her room with a boy!

Anyway I was thinking of getting a bunk bed that can convert into single beds.

Those of you that have bunk beds I would love to hear your views and also advice where to get one. The Ikea ones seem very cheap and not very nice - am thinking an online company may have better options.

[Sanne Panne]

Or how about a high bed with a desk under it?

http://www.dekleinegeneratie.nl/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/o/hoogslaper_1.jpg

[supergolden88]

yes definitely an option

[BeccaL]

Daughter (7) has one like the one in the left-hand box on this page http://www.marksandspencer.com/Kids-Bedroom-Home-Furniture/b/121009031?ie=UTF8&ie=UTF8?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1V9AX3EJE3BQEWDVG5P1&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=121042031&pf_rd_p=467421113&pf_rd_s=global-top-10 which she loves - added benefit of having a den-like space behind the drawers for playing/hiding and the desk which pulls out is also popular. Quite nice if you don't need bunks but she wants something high up...

[Lochie]

my son (2 years 4 months) has been in a bottom bunk with guard for about 4 months now and really loves it, I think because its quite cosy. I bought it thinking even if child 2 doesn't sleep in the other bunk eventually, its great to have a spare bed for when friends stay over.

I grew up in a house big enough for me and my brother (4.5 year age gap) to have our own bedrooms but I do vividly remember there being a period of at least a few years when we chose to sleep in the same room in the bunks and it being quite fun and also quite reassuring when I was at that 'scared of the dark' age. I think that was when I was about 4 or 5 (I am youngest child) so even if your youngest is too young now a bunk bed might come into its own in the future.

We bought this one its really well made and easy to put together (apparently according to husband!)

http://www.johnlewis.com/231088114/Product.aspx