(NOTE: This post has been updated.) The word "bunk," meaning "sleeping berth," dates from 1758 and is probably a shortened form of the Scottish-derived word "bunker," in its sense as bench or seat, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. It was first associated with beds on ships where space is always at a premium. Today's bunkroom can be any room with at least two narrow beds stacked against a wall in order to take up as little space as possible. It's a good solution for any home for a large family or where overflow guests need to be accommodated. Here are some examples, like Plan 443-13, at the top of this post, to get you thinking about how to organize your own bunkroom.
Plan 901-121, shown here, includes a bunkroom on the second floor. As you can see, it's an 11' 1 " by 11' 9"
room that's a little smaller than the adjacent Bedroom #2Â but holds 5 beds. Now that's maximizing space!
Another way to treat bunks is to install them in alcoves, which creates a little more privacy whileÂ
still conserving square footage, as is done in Plan 901-120, shown here. Partially enclosed,Â
like berths on a train, each bunk bed alcove feels separate but still connected to the rest of the room; there's also a clever built-in reading shelf for each bed. Such an arrangement is especially appealing to children and is a great idea for people thinking of making their home more grandchild-friendly. This bunkroom doubles as a pass-through between another bedroom and the breezeway. Bunks can maximizeÂ
the space in a small bedroom, as shown here in Plan 928-4, where the beds form a niche for the built-in desk by the window.
Almost any flex space can become a bunkroom. Bunk beds come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and configurations -- from twin over twin, to twin over a full-size bed. The beds can be situated parallel or perpendicular to each other. Some set-ups include a desk under the upper berth. IKEA's "Mydal" wood frame version, with a ladder that can be installed to left or right, is a typical example.
Some bunks even include a small closet built into the bed frame. The most innovative bunk bedÂ
systems IÂ have found are by Resource Furniture --Â like their Kali Duo Board --Â which stores
flat against the wall and includes a long shelf to uses as a temporary desk or counter whenÂ
closed. There'a soft safety rail for the top bunk. Another Resource design, the Lollisoft, takes aÂ
minimalist modern approach and practically disappears when closed. When open, the streamlined bunks are very appealing -- if the room seems to sway gently and you hear the clickety-clack of wheels on rails you may already be asleep!
To browse a collection of plans with bunkrooms click here.
Plan 901-121, shown here, includes a bunkroom on the second floor. As you can see, it's an 11' 1 " by 11' 9"
room that's a little smaller than the adjacent Bedroom #2Â but holds 5 beds. Now that's maximizing space!
Another way to treat bunks is to install them in alcoves, which creates a little more privacy whileÂ
still conserving square footage, as is done in Plan 901-120, shown here. Partially enclosed,Â
like berths on a train, each bunk bed alcove feels separate but still connected to the rest of the room; there's also a clever built-in reading shelf for each bed. Such an arrangement is especially appealing to children and is a great idea for people thinking of making their home more grandchild-friendly. This bunkroom doubles as a pass-through between another bedroom and the breezeway. Bunks can maximizeÂ
the space in a small bedroom, as shown here in Plan 928-4, where the beds form a niche for the built-in desk by the window.
Almost any flex space can become a bunkroom. Bunk beds come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and configurations -- from twin over twin, to twin over a full-size bed. The beds can be situated parallel or perpendicular to each other. Some set-ups include a desk under the upper berth. IKEA's "Mydal" wood frame version, with a ladder that can be installed to left or right, is a typical example.
Some bunks even include a small closet built into the bed frame. The most innovative bunk bedÂ
systems IÂ have found are by Resource Furniture --Â like their Kali Duo Board --Â which stores
flat against the wall and includes a long shelf to uses as a temporary desk or counter whenÂ
closed. There'a soft safety rail for the top bunk. Another Resource design, the Lollisoft, takes aÂ
minimalist modern approach and practically disappears when closed. When open, the streamlined bunks are very appealing -- if the room seems to sway gently and you hear the clickety-clack of wheels on rails you may already be asleep!
To browse a collection of plans with bunkrooms click here.
