17 Seriously Cool Bunk Bed Ideas
These modern bunk bed ideas are perfect for small bedrooms – they also make a fun design feature for any sized room

We've found 17 of the most striking bunk bed ideas, from custom made, built-in wonders to modern furniture pieces.
Bunk beds are a wonderful thing. Aside from being space-saving, they are fun and can look pretty chic too – when done well. Not convinced? We've sifted through our Livingetc.com archives and pulled out some of the best bunk bed ideas we've come across so far. While most are intended for kids rooms, some of these are grown up enough to feature in guest rooms or holiday homes too.
Built-in beds are also great for holiday homes, to accommodate extra sleepers – and they're far more chic and comfortable than a pull-out sofa in the living room. Get inspired by ABD Studio's bunk bed design and give each bunk bed its own curtain for privacy.
Bunk bed design is all about combining a fun, playful vibe with space-saving solutions that help maximise a room's potential. With space at a premium for urban, city homes, it pays to think vertically.
Some of the below built-in bunk beds were designed with adults in mind – there is enough space so you don’t bang your head when getting into bed.
To really make the most of every square inch in a room, going bespoke is your best bet as it means that a bed can stretch wall to wall (without leaving award pockets of wasted space), and can be personalised with USB sockets, wall lights, and even built-in trundle drawers or book shelves. To soften the look, make like Katharine Pooley and give each bed an upholstered headboard.
The best bunk bed ideas feature playful and creative designs, from mezzanine balconies and look-out towers to clever concealed storage and a fun slide to get down. In this East London house, a bunk bed room was given a mezzanine floor that's only accessible via a climbing wall – with a fireman's pole to come down.
If a room is tall enough for a triple bunk bed, you could consider switching up the top bunk for a cool mezzanine play balcony – thus keeping floor space clutter-free.
Get inspired by these gorgeous bunk bed ideas...
1. Arch Appeal
We love the arched surround of this built-in bunk.
Get the look: Bunk bed in Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan in Napoleonic Blue and Scandinavian Pink from £5.95 for 120ml, finished with Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax from £5.95. Curtain in Ticking in Graphite £34.95 per metre and Linen Union in English Yellow + Antibes Green £39.95 per metre. Floor in Chalk Paint™ in Old White. All from www.anniesloan.com
2. Curtain Call
ABD Studio created this chic and elegant bunk bed room for two young girls. Curtains give each bed privacy.
3. Mezzanine Play Space
If a room is tall enough for a triple bunk bed, you could consider switching up the top bunk for a cool mezzanine play balcony – thus keeping floor space clutter-free. Here a loft play space has been created above the built-in bunks, leaving plenty of floor space to play and creating a calm and un-cluttered vibe.
Get the look: The lights are oval brass bulkhead fittings, from £174 each, Davey Lighting at Lighting Matters.
4. Extra Tall
These built-in bunk beds have been designed with adults in mind – there is enough space so you don’t bang your head when getting into bed.
Get the look: Bespoke bunk beds and painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Lichen’. Gareth Handles in Cast Iron, from the home store at marklewisnteriordesign.com Wallpaper, ‘Gilly Flower Blue’, Robert Kime. Linen throw on bed, The Conran Shop. Small bedside shelf from the home store at marklewisnteriordesign.com
5. Plugged In
These bunk beds are custom made and each has a docking station for Macs or iPads with their own light and headphones.
Get the look: The beds were designed by the owner and custom made by Sutherland Furniture. The bedlinen is from The White Company.
6. Stair Storage
A house-inspired bunk-bed design was created to make use of the full height of this room. An actual staircase leads to the top bunk, which also doubles as fun storage.
Get the look: This design is by German brand Jäll & Tofta, which could work with a uk-based carpenter – find one at ratedpeople.com – to realise this design.
7. Lookout Tower
This bunk space isn't actual a bed, but it makes a super fun play area complete with desk, balcony, slide, and even a separate ladder going up to a lookout tower. A mattress could easily be added to the mezzanine level, transforming this into an epic bunk bed. We also love the blackboard wall which transforms this upper story into a creative zone.
Get the look: This bedrooms designed by US-based Raad Studio. Add magnets to the mix with Rust-oleum magnetic chalkboard paint, £13 for 750ml at B&Q.
8. Symmetrical
Here a ladder is placed in the middle of the mezzanine, freeing up enough space at either end for single beds. The mezzanine level acts as a cool daybed – a space to read, lounge and relax, rather than to sleep. Timber wall cladding covers the ceiling in this charming beach house kid's room.
Get the look: Fabric (on wall), Equateur by Hermès. Seletti Monkey wall lights, Made in Design.
9. Upholstered Headboards
These gorgeous bunk beds by Katharine Pooley feature upholstered headboards and soft details.
Get the look: The Ladder Rail is from Tillys Interiors. The Carpet and Rug are from Colbourns. The Pendant shade is from Cowshed interiors.
10. A good fit
This was an awkward space, so it was difficult to fit in normal-sized bunk beds. The owners had them made slightly smaller with cupboards either side, allowing more room for train tracks and tea parties.
Get the look: The bespoke bunk bed and storage unit are by Evoke. The rug is from Heal’s. The Flying Stork artwork is by Tamar Mogendorff at Bobo Kids. The Eames Elephant is from The Conran Shop.
11. Nautical Vibes
This bunk bed has a distinct nautical feel to it, thanks to the white painted finish, the shiplap wall, blue and white bedding and the brass wall lights. The effect is very summery – perfect for a themed bedroom or for a coastal holiday home.
12. Minimalist
A set of wood bunk beds with a minimalist black ladder makes a cosy modern kids room.
Get the look: The children’s bunk beds are custom made. Bedding and black Radar Sconces are from Schoolhouse.
13. Built Ins
To really make the most of every square inch in a room, going bespoke is your best bet as it means that a bed can stretch wall to wall (without leaving award pockets of wasted space), and can be personalised with USB sockets, wall lights, and even built-in trundle drawers or book shelves.
Get the look: Bunk beds painted in Dulux Denim Drift
14. Alcove bed
The child’s bedroom sits above the living room, on a mezzanine level that overlooks the dining space below. A raised, built-in bed plays on the multi-level theme.
15. Rounded Edges
The white bunkbed with its soft, rounded edges create a Scandi look.
Get the look: Oliver Furniture Bunkbed and armoire
16. Keep it simple with a natural wood frame structure
The below kids bedroom features a modern and simple wooden bunk bed frame that can used to either keep a mattress or divan bed underneath, or swap out the under bed for a kids desk or cosy reading den. It's the kind of structure that's easy to personalise – for example by attaching a curtain underneath, by painting it in different colours, or by creating a kids desk space underneath.
Image from Let's Play House: Stylish Living With Kids (Lannoo Publishers) by Joni Vandewalle
17. Choose a rounded design for a retro edge
The below bunk bed idea features rounded edges, giving it a distinctly retro vibe.
Image from Let's Play House: Stylish Living With Kids (Lannoo Publishers) by Joni Vandewalle
-
-
Hallway ideas: 37 clever design tricks and schemes for a fresh and modern look
First impressions count so time to give your entrance hall the wow factor with these 37 stunning hallway ideas
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Explore a light, bright and welcoming Edwardian family home in San Francisco
This Edwardian house in San Fransisco's Presidio Heights may date back to 1900, but the interiors are bright, modern, welcoming and perfect for family life.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Rustic bedroom ideas: 18 ideas for a rustic, country-inspired bedroom scheme
We've pulled together 18 of our favourite rustic bedroom ideas... Because a peaceful bedroom doesn't have to mean plain.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Small bedroom storage ideas - 14 space-saving ideas to clear that bedroom clutter
Clever, considered and creative... these stylish small bedroom storage ideas are small on space, but big on impact
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Built in wardrobe ideas: 25 stylish ideas for fitted storage
The below built in wardrobe ideas maximise space and utilise every square inch – but they're striking design features too...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Small bedroom ideas: 15 design ideas that max out on style
These small bedroom ideas prove that petite spaces can still be big on style...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Modern bedroom ideas – 18 of the best modern bedroom looks and how to style them
Get inspired by these chic modern bedroom ideas below. From statement bedroom lighting, statement beds and dramatic murals to timeless colour schemes, there's an idea here for everyone.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Fabulous Four Poster Bed Ideas for modern bedrooms
These are the best four poster bed ideas from our Livingetc archives . Make your bedroom pack a punch with a statement four poster bed design
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Master Bedroom Ideas: 31 stunning bedroom schemes
The below strikingly stylish master bedroom ideas are jam-packed with inspiration, from statement beds and lighting to unusual features and colour schemes that work.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Bedroom colour ideas: 24 paint colours with impact
Here are 24 bedroom colour ideas with impact, from warm neutrals and serene shades to vibrant hues and bright bursts of block colour
By Lotte Brouwer •