As your children make the transition from adolescent to teenager, there are a lot of changes that will suddenly become very important. For some kids, the bed that they sleep in is like an avatar for their adulthood and the that they once loved are now unacceptable. What can we do to remedy this situation?
As with most situations, a good defense is the best offense. Prepare for this inevitable outcome well in advance and you’ll have an easier time of it once you get to this point. If you buy a set of bunk beds that can be un-stacked and converted into two regular beds, you are ahead of the game. You can either store the top bunk or use it as a second bed in the guest room.
I you did not buy bunk beds or have already bought a solid framed set, you are just going to have to start from scratch. First, think about the size of the bed. I grew up quickly and was over 6 feet tall by the age of 14, so my parents needed to get me a full sized bed quite early. They didn’t and I spent a few years with my feet dangling off the end of the mattress. It’s better to buy a bed that is too big earlier than buying a new frame and mattress two or three more times.
The style of the bed matters more in this phase of their lives than it ever has or ever will again. You are going to want to buy a bed frame that is simple and adult. I have found that platform beds are usually the best solution as they are cost efficient, space efficient, simple and they come in a variety of sizes and style to match you needs and the demands of your child. If they want something more ornate or fancy then you should consider getting a cheap metal frame and a nice headboard at the least. This will cost you less than a full frame and the basic metal frame does the job just as well. At this point you just buy a bed skirt and cover the cheap frame. The bed will look classy and fancy for less money than buying a whole set will be.
The best advice I can give is simple. Do the shopping with your children and let them have the final say on a bed frame. With the infinite power of the internet, you can browse hundreds of style of bed and bed frame without trying to organize a day with your teenagers. There is very little that a teenager enjoys less than spending a day shopping with their parents. Don’t get offended. Set up an Amazon wish list to which your kids can add items they are interested in. You can look at the list and cross references prices online to find the best deals. This way, you can make sure they get something that they will actually like and you won’t have to take out a second mortgage on the house when refurnishing your kid’s rooms.
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