Top Bunk Bed Decorating Ideas

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.

bunk bed ideas — **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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

9. Upholstered Headboards

These gorgeous bunk beds by Katharine Pooley feature upholstered headboards and soft details.

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.

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.

13. Built Ins

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.

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.

bunk bed design — 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.

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.