Save space with bunk beds
Bunk beds come in different materials and the common ones are metal or furniture. You can buy them from metal fabricators or furniture shops respectively.
What you need to know:
Bunk beds are used in small rooms and they are good for children
A bunk bed is a type of bed on which one bed frame is stacked on top of the other. Locally, they are known as double deckers and are widely used in areas where there is limited space like bedrooms, university halls and dormitories, depending on how you need to use them.
Moses Mulogo, a carpenter, highlights that triple bunk beds are no longer common and as such, they are rare on the market.
The carpenter, however, notes that nowadays, the metallic bunk beds are common and they are painted in bright colours so as to attract parents.
Uses
Margaret Byaruhanga, an interior designer with Nina Interiors, says using bunk beds is space-effective and she notes that some beds can be separated to become single beds especially the metallic bunks.
Byaruhanga also notes that these are designed in a way that can save space although they are mainly for children and not adults. This, she points out, is because they are painted in multi-colours as a way of making them look attractive to children.
Types
The common type is the twin on full bunk bed. It is among the commonly sold type in furniture shops. The upper bed is smaller compared to the lower bed, which is approximately the size of a queen bed. They are mainly metallic and are multi-coloured or even designed to suit the likes of the children using the bed.
The twin on twin, is the double decker as most people will be well versed. It can either be wooden or metallic and the bed frame is the same size.
Triple bunk bed; the bed which has three bed frames, is majorly used in secondary and primary schools, although according to Mulogo, these are no longer common since people prefer the twin on twin bunk bed.
The other type which is rather uncommon is the twin on futon bunk bed; this kind of bed acts as a chair and bed at the same time. Some come with storage and play areas for children.
Safety
Bunk beds can be a threat, especially if the person using them is below six years, although some come with bars extended in a bid to prevent the person occupying the upper bed from falling in case they are turning in the night.
Considerations
Ronald Edmund Sesanga, an interior designer at Furniture Fittings in Ntinda, says these beds come in different sizes such as three by six, four by six and six by six. Sesanga says the positioning also matters.
“When positioning a bunk bed, put it in the corners because when you position it in other places like the middle, it will make the room look crowded.”
If you buy> The cost of the bunk beds
Bunk beds are sold in different furniture shops by various metal fabricators. They come in different sizes, shapes and materials.
Since they are mainly for children, it is important that you have it painted in bright colours before you take it home or just go in for one that is already painted.
These can be bought at prices ranging from Shs400,000 to Shs1.5m depening on the material used and the size.
Furniture bunk beds are more expensive compared to the metalic ones. By Pauline Bangirana
