So. Bunk beds. Is our summer OFF THE HOOK or what?

It's been a while since we did a Big Project around the house, and when that happens, I tend to get a little antsy, which is why I've suddenly decided the kids need bunk beds.

Oh, sure, there are actual CONCRETE reasons why introducing bunk beds to our home would be a good and perfectly safe and satisfying idea. For starters, Lucy is growing (as children seem to do) and since her 30-odd stuffed animals take up an entire foot of real estate at the head of her bed, she's running out of leg room in her toddler bed. This kind of thing happens and it really shouldn't surprise me given that her next birthday – although still five months away – will raise her age to a seemingly impossible FOUR ENTIRE YEARS OLD. We'd also love the extra floor space it would open up in our small house. And the kids sleep in a bunk bed at my parents' house, so I feel completely fine about bunk beds when it comes to safety; of course, there's also the very important thing about how my children are three and five and still (STILL!) do not get out of their beds EVER EVER EVER unless it is very obviously morning and the clock says that it is past 7am, and even then it's just Asher. Lucy just lays in her bed awake until we go in after her. I KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE.

The kids think it's awesome to sleep in the same room; they think it's THE MOST AWESOMEST THING EVER to go to Dave's parents' house and sleep in the same BED together – they would love sharing a room. And apparently I conditioned them during their infancy/toddlerhood to ONLY SLEEP IN BEDS, so even if they're exhausted and cranky and miserable, they will NOT drop off to sleep in a car or on a couch or in front of a movie. And even though that's PRETTY ANNOYING at times, it does mean that once they're in their beds, they're pretty much ready to go to sleep and they don't mess around. So I think they'd transition without issue.

But even though Lucy will need a bigger bed at some point and even though opening up more floor space would be nice and even though the transition to two kids sleeping in one room would be a pretty simple affair, I kind of wonder if I'm just bored and want to get bunk beds so I have some kind of project to keep me busy. I'M SO BORED LATELY, YOU GUYS. I'm the kind of bored where you'd THINK I'd be blogging all the time and Twittering away and instead I'm the kind of bored where I'm doing nothing so I have nothing to really inspire me to blog. We're having a great summer, and the kids and I are really enjoying each other most days and I'm reading a lot of books (A LOT OF BOOKS), but... I don't know. I'm in this place where I'm not stimulated intellectually (in other words, ain't no freelance work in this joint, like, AT ALL), and not that we're destitute or anything, but I realize that if I was able to generate SOME income, it would be incredibly helpful.

It's this weird place to be – I will have some free time on my hands in the fall, but I can't find a job that fits into that tiny mold. I could probably find something I like to do OUTSIDE the home, but I'm not sure finding childcare would make it worth it. I feel compelled to contribute SOMETHING to our household, and yet I also know that we are technically fine WITHOUT me contributing, as has been the case for the last seven-ish months, though at times it gets a little tight. I also know that sometimes the fact that I feel compelled to contribute makes Dave feel a little icky (he is the kind of man who identifies strongly as a Provider, and I am fine with that) and sometimes I wonder if I feel compelled because I want to see that money go into our savings account (as much of it could) or if I just want the freedom to shop more. I don't NEED to shop more, let's be clear.

So it remains to be seen whether The Great Bunk Bed Project of 2012 has been born out of necessity or boredom, though it appears to be a bit of both. I just need to find SOMETHING to keep me busy before I start thinking that I might as well have a third child or something. You know, just delay the inevitable Going Back to Work Full-Time thing as long as possible. NOT THAT I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. (HA HA HA YES I HAVE.)

Anyway, if you have bunk bed recommendations or tips or tricks, send them my way. I know about changing the top sheet of doom (and that I will probably rarely do it), but do you have any other ideas about bedding or where you got yours or what I should look for when it comes time to buy some? Hopefully Craigslist will pull through for us, but you'll kindly remember that I had to RETURN SOMETHING I bought on Craigslist, so if I could find something new for the approximate price I might pay for something on Craigslist and avoid the horror that is making another poor decision, that would be preferable. Also note that these don't have to be SUPER NICE beds – we plan on moving in another couple of years, and I don't want to buy really nice stuff that might not go in our next home. I'll be happy if they last, yes, but chances are that when we move, we'll split the kids up into their own rooms again and we already have a full-sized bed in storage for Asher and hope to give Lucy our queen-sized one so that Dave and I can get one of those fancy king-sized beds where you can roll over for days and make snow angels and almost never touch anyone. SHUT UP, WE ARE STILL IN LOVE. We are just kind of tired of each other's hot breath on our necks.

And now here's a picture of Lucy. If Survivor is still on in 2030, she'll be an excellent candidate to win the whole thing.

Comments

[HereWeGoAJen]

A king sized bed is awesome. I have never been more happy in our marriage than when we stopped touching each other by accident.

My sister had bunk beds while we were growing up. We used to tuck a sheet around the top one and then you have a tent. So bunk beds are great. We have a set in our guest room (currently unbunked, but they could be) that we got from Sams Club.

[A'Dell]

Chris and I often remark to each other how we find it IMPOSSIBLE that there are married people out there that apparently do not sleep in king beds. In fact, we know a couple that sleeps in a FULL.

Insanity.

So what will you do with the extra bedroom if you do pull off these bunks beds? (You're making it a Mom Cave, right?) (Haaaa, now the phrase MOM CAVE is on your website.)

[Jesabes]

I think I'd be a whole lot more in love if we had a king bed. Although, frankly, frequently having a baby sleeping between us as a buffer has made me significantly less likely to dream up ways to murder my husband if his leg touches mine one more time. Co-sleeping saves marriages!

[tina]

My older two boys have bunks. They actually end up spending most nights sleeping together in the top bunk. And I think they sleep better because they have each other--at least they don't come in our room as much now. And I like the space it saves. My one tip is to get something that has drawers or something on the bottom so you're not having to deal with all the crap they start to shove under so they don't have to clean up as much in their room. If that is possible. :)

[april]

We have ikea bunk beds in the boys' room and they are really great. Little still sleeps in a crib (in the same room, yes, it's cramped) but eventually he'll head to the bunk beds too. We have these, and I actually don't have much trouble changing the sheets (probably because we also have those ikea mattress pads rather than full mattresses) but it's hard to get up that little tiny ladder. :)

And king bed rocks too.

[april]

okay, my hmtl didn't come out. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20102451/ that's the bunk bed we have.

[Catherine]

We have the same IKEA bed as the commenter above, and love it! You of course have to assemble it yourself, but it is very inexpensive and simple. Prior to assembly, I would recommend sanding it slightly and applying some kind of finish (a stain, oil rub, or slight polyurethane coating) to help keep dust out of the wood grain.

[MargieK]

At first I was thinking "Bunk beds? That's not a project, that's a purchase, something that takes less than a day, then you're done." Meaning if you thrive on the chaos of a major transformation like a kitchen or bathroom redo, getting bunk beds is not going to quench your thirst for a big change. But yeah, if you have to build them, sand them, stain them, etc., that makes it a slightly bigger event.

My boys had bunk beds and it was pretty sweet (we got them used, and already had kid-graffiti on them, so no worries about them ruining new furniture). At first they both wanted the top and had to take turns. I'd mark the calendar a month at a time so there was bickering about whose turn it was.

Their bunk beds were against the wall, which made making them difficult; thank goodness they were able to make their own beds, so that I didn't have to do that. If you have enough space to allow a foot or two between the bunk and the wall, that will make tucking in MUCH easier, especially since I suspect kids aged 3 and 5 wouldn't be all that great at bed-making (some might, though; it just depends on the kid).

Son #1 has moved out (and gotten married and made us grandparents), but son #2 is still at home, at least for a few more weeks (he recently graduated from college and starts his job on Monday). The top bunk is still there, but the bottom one has been removed and leaves just enough space for a loveseat, which works well when he has friends over.

"Bunkie" mattresses (the kind that are mattress on one side, box spring on the other) don't provide great support for teenaged boys. But that's a long ways from now.

[Devil's Heaven]

Get thy to IKEA. The kids stuff is ADORABLE and AFFORDABLE.

[Laura Diniwilk]

Now you have me researching both king AND bunk beds for our house. Damn you! I clearly have no advice to offer, but will be eagerly awaiting your decision so I can benefit from the fruits of your labor.

[Courtney]

you're so funny. :-)

ok. a tip. i did this on my girls beds and LOVE it! just put the fitted sheet on. then use 2 flat sheets to make a duvet cover (or buy a duvet cover) and don't have a flat sheet at all. EASY for them to make their beds (just pull up the duvet - bought the down for inside the duvet at ikea - CHEAP!) the only part of the bedding that REALLY needs to be washed is the fitted sheet, right? i do wash the duvet. like. once every 6 months or something. or something...

[Erica]

I think we're planning on bunk beds in a few years, so I'll just see how that goes for you. Also adding "king sized bed" to my list of things the internet is making me purchase because UUUUUGH MOVE YOUR ELBOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU.

[Lissa]

LOL Courtney! I HATE sheets and have never ever slept on them. To this day I have a flannel fitted sheet on the bed with a light blanket and then a blanket/comforter cover. Right this minute I am sitting in the living room in 80 degree weather with a throw over me. I change bedding maybe every 4 months. Cuz I'm lazy!

I've never commented before (despite lurking since before Asher was born) but I just had to throw it out there....the pic of Lucy looks just like she's drawing a bow with a flaming arrow a la Hunger Games!

[jennibell]

We are that crazy couple that *like* a full bed. We slept on a futon, voluntarily, for 8 months when our perfectly good queen stayed empty. Lucky we were matched up, huh?
We bought bunk beds first thing -- at the time my oldest two (boy & girl) shared a room and they loved it, we loved it. . .you get the idea. Then babies 3 & 4 came along and now we had two of each so, well, the boys got the bunk beds and the girls had a hand-me-down day bed and a mattress on the floor for, well, a long time. They wanted bunk beds too but one set in the house is enough. The boys have enough room in their room (they are 13 & 8) that they bunk and then un-bunk them all the time, depending on their mood. Very versatile, and like someone else said, I only use a fitted sheet and cover-up. . .well, not on my bed but that's what the kids prefer. Makes them easy to make! I think Martha Stewart once gave that as an idea?
And I *totally* "get" what you mean about wanting to work, being bored, but being a mom is everything. . .get it, get it, get it!!! Something will come along. . .until then. . .start on the bunk bed project :)

[Blanche]

My reaction to the part about the king bed totally made my husband ask if I was okay.

Thanks for the totally needed laugh after this day, heck, the way things have gone since Wednesday!

[Michele D]

Kmart.com. bunk beds for $179. Home Essential brand. My child is thrilled.

[Susan]

My kids shared a room until just recently and they loved it. They're 7(boy) and 5(girl) now and we split them up in large part because there was just not enough space in there for all their stuff.

My daughter's room is really small, so we went with a low-loft bed for her. It's not as high as a bunk, but just high enough to get the dresser and a bookcase underneath the bed. She loves it and it's great for maximizing the space.

For my son's room we got a twin over full bunk bed. We looked all over for the right price/quality combo. (I live in earthquake country and anything Ikea or Ikea-like was out of the question. Those things feel like they'd crumble to pieces at the first little 3.0 shaker.) We finally found ours at a small local business which had a great catalog selection. It's a beautiful, solid-wood set that looks like it came from pottery barn, but for a fraction of the price. So take your time and look at those smaller places too -- there are great deals to be had.

Also -- Our wedding present to each other was a california king bed. BEST decision we've ever made!

[Kel P.]

We got my daughter bunk beds a few years back. I ordered it online from Wal-Mart. They've held up really well and they were easy to put together. I wanted something reasonably priced that would last several years. It was a good purchase.
We also hang a sheet from the top bunk to create a tent. It's very cozy.
The grown-ups in our house need new bedroom furniture and I would do awful things for a california king sized bed. We just don't have the room.
Ack, now I'm fixated on how awful our bedroom is.

[elz]

If you have room, I strongly suggest a twin over a full. Our girls have twin over full bunk beds and 9 nights out of 10, they are snuggled in the bottom full together. It's so incredibly sweet. Plus, it means momma never has to change the top sheet! (Our sheets are matching sheets from Pottery Barn Kids) It's also great for sleep-overs.

I searched EVERYWHERE for a reasonably priced twin over full. I also wanted the beds to be fully detachable and not be noticeably bunk beds when/if detached. Anyhow, we finally went with a local boutique furniture place's clearance center-extreme savings. Good luck. There are a few internet places that have really competitive pricing.

[Val]

I second the comment about getting a bunk bed with drawers or something underneath it. We thought, hey, great, we can use this for storage! HAH. That has not happened. What HAS happened is a crap ton of stuffed animals, bits of paper, parts of toys, dirty clothes and mystery items have been shoved, recovered, and re-shoved back under there. Bleh.

As for bunks, my 7 year old daughter and my 4 year old son share a room and the bunks. They love it. We make tents, like suggested above, and they play "ice cream man" though the ladder up the side. My son does have a room he could have, but he does not want it right now. I say, do it!

[furniture los angeles]

I like bunk beds. They are a nice memory of my childhood. They also are a space saver for rooms.

[Jason]

When my husband and I moved in toehetgr, he let me know he was not interested in having a top sheet. I, of course, was shocked and went about trying to convert him (back from where his mother had taken him, no doubt, as she had three boys!) Well, after 5 years of marriage, he has finally won me over with the idea of no top sheet and I love it.