Bunk Beds - Missoula,MT

Not exactly a "trick" but a suggestion - do not buy the really nice mattresses for the top bunk, as they are heavier and taller. Buy a cheap bunk bed mattress - lighter and easier to change the sheets. Also if you buy the taller mattresses, then the railing doesn't protect as well. We pull the mattress off the top bunk and put sheets and comforter on at the same time, then put it all back on. Good luck!

I keep my girls bunk bed in the middle of the room, with one dresser on each side. I also have a stopper on both sides so they cant fall off while sleeping. It is easier to make the bed with it not against the wall and I don't have to pull it out. I just have them help me, it still is a chore no matter how you look at it:)
Good luck
E.

- bend the mattress towards you and put it on

- teach your child how to do it and let them climb up and put the far side on

we make up the beds with sheets and comforter , then use a sleeping bad to sleep in, then on laundry day the kids just throw down the sleeping bag and pillow cases, its really easy.

We got my son a bunk bed from IKEA about 2 years ago. The mattresses aren't the standard heavy/thick ones. Think more like a futon mattress. Its still very comfortable to sleep on (I've slept on the bottom bunk mattress with my son when he was sick and slept pretty well considering its not a very thick mattress). The greatest benefit of this mattress is that its light enough to remove from the top bunk, bring down to floor level, put on new sheets and then put it back up on the top bunk. I'm short (only 5'1) and I can do this myself without any effort. I've tried the climb up to the top bunk (to retrieve toys from up there) and didn't feel very safe, given I'm an adult and weight and heights are much different for grown ups going up on the top bunk than a child.

On another note, depending on how large the childs room is, keep in mind any light fixture/ceiling fan placement in the room. Because my son's room is on the smaller side, no matter where we put the bunk bed, the top bunk was TOO CLOSE to the ceiling fan for my peace of mind, so we ended up removng the ceiling fan blades. Just something I wish we would have thought of BEFORE buying the bed for him.

I just have to tell the story of how dangerous bunk beds are, please be cautious. My best friend from 7th grade on lost her son to a bunk bed death. He fell off the top bunk and hit his head and died, he was in elementary school. I will never allow my kids to sleep on bunk beds or at anyone's home that has them. Even if there is no horse play, he was just getting into bed, not roughhousing or anything. Please be careful.

maybe you should only consider using the skirt of the bed so you can easily sli[p it of and tuck it in...

we always kept the bunk beds about a foot out from the wall. just enough room to squeeze back there for changing of the sheets. (until the boys were old enough to do it themselves) I also like another poster used a step stool. we only used a bottom sheet and the comforter. never a top sheet

I am interested in finding out the tricks too. My son had bunk beds for a couple of years before I gave up. Changing the sheets and making the bed each morning is the worse thing EVER! I do not recommend bunk beds.

Hi P.,
I chuckled to myself when I read this because my husband and I have been discussing said issue. We don't need bunks but because we often have a lot of company we were considering them in our sons room for the additional sleeping space. I inquired of my sister who is mom of 12 and my mentor. She said she would advise waiting till our son is at least 6 (he just turned 4). That way he will be old enough to make them (well) himself:) She also suggested if/or when we did do bunks that our son should sleep on the bottom regularly so when we do have to change the top it's not as frequent. On a side note you might consider the trundel bed instead of the bunks if you are in need right away for more sleeping space. Hope this helps. Blessings, L..

www.cloudsandstars.com sells sheets that zip on and off. We had bunk beds and I hated them. Also, my younger son was way too dangerous with them. I saw someone else mentioned the ceiling fan -- that was one of our big problems other than jumping off. When we had to by new beds, we decided to go with captain's beds with the 6 drawer set up. We are much happier with it. We have one on each side of the room, and no dresser is needed. Right now I even have enough room that the out of season clothes stay, although that's quickly coming to an end as they grow. They are much easier to make, and much safer if you have a little monkey. You didn't mention how old your kids are, but usually manufacturers recommend no one younger than 6 yo on the top. (Our 2yo wouldn't stay down.) I like the captain's beds, too, because there is a lot of under the bed storage room that doesn't then look messy. Just some thoughts. Have fun shopping!

Change the sheets only when absolutely necessary. Have child climb up next to wall and pull sheet on that corner. Try to lift the mattress and tuck sheets at the same time.

I don't know that their are any easy ways to change the sheets. I also don't stress about making it every day either. Nobody sees it with the rail there anyway.

My son's bunk bed has a metal ladder that I find uncomfortable to stand on, so I keep a fold-up step ladder in his room and stand on that to get the front of the sheets on. Then, I have my son climb up and tuck in the back side (against the wall) where I can't reach.

As another mom posted, I also have my son strip his bed by himself, so he's used to the way the sheets work (we started that when he was 5) but he has trouble getting the fitted sheet on by himself so we work together to make the bed.

I have an IKEA bunk bed for my sons (5 and 2) and I'm only 5'3". These beds feel much shorter and really don't have a problem putting sheets on and off. Sometimes I stand on the side rail, but I don't have to crawl on the top bunk put the sheet on.
I also use the side bed rails as extra protection for both bottom and top. I worry about a lot. My youngest son slipped head first through the ladder (postioned on the side of the bed) so that's when I put the bed rail on the lower bunk too.
Good Luck

take the mattress off the bed, prop it up against the bed (push from the bottom through the bars), put on the sheets, then slide it back up into place. it sounds harder than it is. my sister in law gave me the idea. she's taller than me but was able to do it while pregnant. i'm 5'5" and have no problem doing it. (just make sure the kids are totally off the bed before you put the mattress back to avoid pinching fingers.)

If moving the bed away from the wall is not an option, you have to make the far half by climbing up there and then finish from below.

I always have my daughter strip her own sheets off- she throws all stuffed animals, pillows, blankets, etc over board then pulls them off. I then climb the ladder (or stand on the side of the bottom bunk) and put on the new sheets pretty much the same way as you do any other bed- only thing is you may have to lift the mattress more then a regular bed (if you don't want to climb up there). I am only 5'4" so not tall but am able to change top bunk sheets without much effort from the side ladder.
My son has a bunk that the ladder is at the end of his bed- that one I have to climb up and start at one end tucking under corners then crawling backward straightening out sheet and back down ladder to tuck other corners.
Just something to consider.

you pay a teenager to do it