8 Bunk Beds That Your Kids Wont Want to Outgrow

Summer camps, boat cabins, and college dormsbunk beds dont usually appear in glamorous places. Even think back to the ones you had when you were a child: More likely than not, they were a purely utilitarian way to save some space. But it doesnt have to be that way! Some of the coolest kids rooms weve seen lately have bunksand between the bold colors and mini architectural feats, theyre the perfect mix of form and function.

The catch: Most of them are custom fixtures. If youre renovating, theres plenty of inspo to pull, but if not, we have you covered with some shoppable alternatives to make your own. At the very least, any of these will make bedtime a more enjoyable endeavor (for everyone involved).

The Arched One

green arched bunk beds with gold curtain
Photography by Matthew Williams | Design by Sarah Sherman Samuel

The original: This green stunner is a Sarah Sherman Samuel original. Inspired by a circus tent motif, the design pro DIY-ed it in a weekend. We love the unusual curved silhouette, which takes an already impressive display to a whole new level.

The dupe: Whats great about this Casa Kids bed (aside from the shape) is the fact that its light palette totally lends itself to a fresh paint job; take a page from Sherman Samuels book and make a statement with a wash of emerald.

The Colorful One

wood bunk beds with red ladder
Courtesy of Kip & Co.

The original: Kip & Co. founder Alex McCabe stuck to a pretty minimal style for her daughters room, with the exception of the wine-red railing and ladder. That pop of color was inspired by a lampshade she bought in Indonesia: It has this little strip of red in it, so I said to the steelmaker, Match it exactly.

The dupe: Those of us without dedicated steelmakers can still use a bunk bed to bring some playful vibrancy to a nurseryjust pick a simple steel frame and let its electric blue shade speak for itself.

The Classic One

white kids bedroom with bunk beds and pink bedding
Photography by Tessa Neustadt | Design by Amber Interiors

The original: Tonal pink cushions and bedding add some subtle contrast to this otherwise traditional nook by Amber Lewis. The bunk bed here is another opportunity to add in sweet details, like custom woven pillows and a miniature bookcase in the headboard.

The dupe: Calming and contemporary, this Scandinavian Designs Furniture find suits an array of personal styles, meaning that all you have to do is switch out the bedding as your little ones grow up to get use out of it for years to come (or at least until they start demanding a full-size bed).

The Storage-Friendly One

wooden bunk bed with bookshelf and stairs
Photography by Tessa Neustadt | Design by Amber Interiors

The original: Another Amber Lewis creation, this bunk bed is perfect for so many reasonsstarting with the dual-sized beds and ending with the handy built-in bookshelf. (And can we talk about that cool custom stairway?)

The dupe: Take advantage of the shelves in this Pottery Barn piece to get them started young on their library. You can even add your own custom-sized bed below, thanks to an open alcove: Just choose a simple frame, and youre all set.

The Pink Ombr One

pink and orange kids bedroom with bunk bed
Photography by Bicker Design

The original: Sunset hues rule in this adorable nursery, thought up by Jenna Densten. The simple arched rail is a small detail, but set against the pinks and white built-in furniture, it adds some dimension.

The dupe: This Perludi alternate features a similar curved railing, and since its a raw wood, you can paint it any shade you like. We recommend sticking with a clean white so you can style it up with the vibrant bedding of your choice.

The Rustic One

rustic grey bedroom with bunkbed and curtain
Photography and Design by Jersey Ice Cream Co.

The original:Textured linens, exposed beam, and eyelet curtain: Everything about this Jersey Ice Cream Co.designed farmhouse is vintage perfection.

The dupe: That said, not all of us are graced with charming architectural gems in our homes, so you can fake a wooden beam by way of a bunk with a dark walnut accent strip.

The Treehouse One

house-shaped bunkbed with cactus wallpaper
Photography by Sam Frost | Design by Studio LIFE/STYLE

The original: Can you imagine the sleepovers in this one? Studio Lifestyles design comes complete with a slide, which would have pretty much topped our 8-year-old selfs wish list.

The dupe: It doesnt have a slide, but Pottery Barns house silhouette is still one of the most playful bunk beds weve ever seen.

The Dramatic One

dark blue built in bunk beds
Photography and Design by Studio McGee

The original: Coated in a deep navy hue, this space by Shea McGee definitely packs a punch. We love that its painted the same shade as the background shiplap, for a cool monochrome effect.

The dupe: The same can be said for this charcoal version; if youre not afraid to go bold with your nursery, pit it against a similarly dark wall. Matte black is the new white, after all.

See more fun kids room ideas:
Who Needs Cabinet Doors When a Simple Cut of Fabric Will Do?
This One Change Will Transform Your Kids Room Into a Starry Galaxy
How to Create the Craft Space of Your Dreams