Choosing Between Stairs or Ladders

How to get to the Top Bunk

Finding the right bed for your child requires a little planning to get the right outcome. When looking at bunk beds for your child, you will notice that you have a choice between stairs or ladders as the method to reach the top bunk. While this may not seem like that big of a deal, there are a few things to consider when choosing between stairs or ladders.

Age

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when choosing between stairs or ladders is the age of your child. Let's start with the recommended safety guidelines of bunk beds. No child under the age of 6 years old should sleep on the top bunk. While a child can feasibly navigate either stairs or a ladder by that age, you may feel more comfortable with them climbing stairs over the ladder. The ladder requires them to climb without seeing their feet whereas climbing steps is a little easier in this aspect for children still working out their coordination. Stairs are more popular with younger bunk bed users, but they can also be popular with children of all ages which means they will age well as your child ages. Of course, the key to safety in regard to age is to teach your child the right way to use the bed whether it has stairs or a ladder.

Floor Space

Another condition when looking at stairs or ladder is the available floor space. A ladder hangs on the frame of the bed and takes up minimal space while providing access to the top bunk. A set of stairs takes up more floor space and you will need to consider whether or not you have the space for stairs. There is nothing worse than a room that is jam-packed and leaves no floor space, so you definitely want to consider this. If you are looking to save on a little bit of space, the ladder is the better choice.

Child's Preference

If the age and floor space aren't factors in the decision, you can leave it up to your child's preference. Kids have their own unique tastes and preferences on all sorts of things and their bed isn't any different. Since they are the ones sleeping in it every night, they should get some say in which option they prefer as long as they are old enough for the top bunk and the floor space isn't an issue.

Appearance

The matter of appearance also plays a role in choosing between the two options. For instance, the stairs offer a more modern look while the ladder is a classic option. It is important to consider the look and vibe of the room before choosing the right bed.