It’s a wonderful thing to see children grow up. Unfortunately, the place where they sleep doesn’t grow as they do, which can be a dilemma for parents like you who are searching for ways to provide quality sleep for kids who are getting bigger. Our philosophy? When you can’t build out, build up with a twin bunk bed.
Of course, that’s only part of the equation. For a night full of deep snores, finding the right twin mattress for bunk bed layouts is essential. Follow this bunk bed mattress twin-size guide for tips and details on how to choose the best sleep solution for every phase of your children’s lives.
Before You Read: Explore Our Mattress Buying Guide
At a Glance:
What Bunk Bed Configuration is Right for Me?
Twin Mattress Dimensions (& More)
The Best Mattress for Your Child
How Long Will a Twin Mattress Last?
Deciding on the Right Bunk Bed Type
Step one to finding the right bunk bed mattresses for your children’s sleep space is determining which bunk bed setup is right for your kids’ needs and the square footage you have available. Let’s decode the different types of kid’s bunk beds there are to choose from.
Twin bunk beds – This style of bunk bed for kids is considered the original configuration, comprised of two equally sized beds on a slim frame, usually with a ladder or stairs to reach the upper sleep space.
Variations on the design include:
- A queen bunk bed/ full bunk bed that provides a little more wiggle room for growing youth while using a space-friendly floor design
- Storage bunk beds that use the bottom portion underneath the lower bed for bedroom storage and organization
- Trundle bunk beds provide the flexibility to include an additional third mattress or to use the roll-out drawer to store bedroom essentials.
Triple bunk bed – Many shoppers are surprised to discover triple-decker bunk beds exist. This bed configuration allows three sleepers to enjoy bedtime on a single, compact silhouette.
Decoding Bunk Bed Terminology
To avoid any confusion, keep in mind that bunk beds are often named according to the type of mattress configuration they use.
For instance:
Twin-over-twin bunk bed → A bunk bed with a twin mattress over another twin mattress.
Twin-over-queen/Twin-over-full → A bunk bed with a twin mattress over a full or queen mattress.
…and so on, and so on, depending on the combination of mattresses used.
What are Twin Mattress Dimensions?
Typically, a twin mattress size will measure 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. In most cases, this will be more than enough sleeping room for children starting at the recommended bunk bed minimum age of six years old and well into adolescence.
By comparison:
- A twin XL mattress measures 38 inches wide and 80 inches long.
- Full-size bunk beds require mattresses that are 53 inches wide by 75 inches long.
- A queen bunk bed will fit a mattress that is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.
With this in mind, it’s important to choose the right bunk bed mattress for your children’s statures. If your little ones are at a stage where growth spurts are common, it’s best to select a larger bunk bed to avoid replacement if they suddenly outgrow their beds.
What is the Best Mattress for Kids?
Because they are smaller in size, children can sleep on virtually any kind of bed. Instead of searching for the best twin mattress for kids, consider their sleep positions instead.
Children who sleep on their sides…
The fetal position is one of the healthiest sleep types. Encourage healthy spine and hip alignment by giving your children a memory foam or hybrid mattress that allows the natural curve of their backs to line up with their hips and shoulders against a soft, pillow-like surface.
Children who sleep on their backs…
Parents who are familiar with the starfish sleep position can treat their little ones to deep comfort on an innerspring, hybrid, or even a memory foam mattress as long as it has a high support rate. The body will be evenly suspended, preventing dips and sagging that could lead to back pain.
Children who sleep on their stomachs…
As surprising as it may seem, soft bellies need rigid support when sleeping in the prone position. The sturdy sleep surface of an innerspring or hybrid mattress with high-level support will keep the chest and abdomen from bending in a “horseshoe” shape.
Children who sleep in multiple positions…
Combination sleepers can be tricky to satisfy, but it’s not impossible. Play it safe with a medium-firm mattress with support in the middle of the spectrum. Depending on the brand, that can be 2.5 on a scale of 0.5–3.5 or 5–6 on a scale of 1–10. If they like a soft bed, explore memory foam and hybrid models. For heavy-duty sleepers, innerspring mattresses can provide the right touch of comfort and support to keep them asleep throughout the night.
How Long Will a Twin Bunk Bed Mattress Last?
Sleep experts agree: An old, damaged, or outdated mattress and healthy sleep wellness simply cannot exist, and that matters even more with a kid’s twin mattress. Children grow, accidents happen, and because your precious ones require more hours of sleep a night than adults, the mattresses they sleep on will experience more use than the one you sleep on.
Overall, mattresses for youth are expected to last between five and seven years. But to repeat our previous point, it’s important to factor in all the phases of natural growth before investing in a pricey mattress that will only need to be replaced in a year.
✓ Keep in Mind
A thinner mattress works best for the upper portion of a bunk bed. This allows the guard rails to provide full protection from falling during the night. On the other hand, any mattress thickness can be used on the bottom half of a bunk bed. Of course, this means you’re more likely to replace one mattress before the other.
Learn More: Which Mattress is Best for Me?
FAQs
Good parents ask all the questions, which is why we’ve decided to answer the common ones, from cost to size.
What ages are bunk beds good for?
A twin bunk bed with a mattress is recommended for children ages 6–16. However, it’s important to consider each individual sleeper. Generally, bunk beds are best for children who weigh 250 pounds and lower.
How thick should a mattress be for a bunk bed?
The right kid’s mattress sizes vary depending on which part of the bunk bed a mattress will be used. For the upper portion, a maximum of six inches is recommended to keep children safely guarded by the rails. The lower bed can be a mattress of any thickness.
Is a twin mattress the same size as a bunk bed mattress?
Bunk beds come in sizes ranging from twin, twin XL, full, queen, or a combination of two mattress sizes. A twin bunk bed mattress will measure 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. Read our section above to learn more about mattress dimensions.
How much does a twin mattress cost?
The cost of a mattress relates directly to the materials used. Low-quality twin mattresses range in the $100s, while twin mattresses with higher qualities start around $400 and go up from there depending on the brand, materials, and features.
Why Trust Us?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Twin Mattress at Spencer’s TV & Appliance
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop for twin mattresses today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the best twin mattress for bunk bed buddies. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: Top-Rated Beautyrest Black Mattress Picks