Posted by Megan Thompson - Junior Buyer on 11th Jan 2024
The Magic of Mid-Sleeper Beds
When choosing a new bed there are a lot of things that you’ll need to consider. In addition to style and size, one of your top priorities is likely to be saving on space, especially if you live in a home with small rooms or challenging access. Children’s rooms can be particularly difficult to furnish. Not only are they generally very small, often box room-sized, there’s also so much you’ll need to fit in – space for working and playing as well as for sleeping.
It's little wonder then that so many parents opt for bunk beds and loft beds for their children. Convenient alternatives to everyday single beds, high sleepers and bunks can maximise space in a smaller room. And another great solution for children? Mid sleeper beds, a lower height alternative, often including built-in storage, are ideal for younger kids in particular.
What is a Mid Sleeper Bed?
A modern addition to the family home, mid-sleeper beds have only grown in popularity as designs have become smarter, offering more and more benefits to those who use them.
A mid-sleeper bed sits high off the floor, allowing room for separate or built-in storage space beneath its sleeping platform. Lower than a typical bunk bed or high-sleeper bed (sometimes known as a loft bed), these beds are most often seen in the rooms of younger children. Generally speaking, while a loft or high-sleeper bed is raised enough to create space for sitting, or even standing, underneath it, a mid-sleeper bed isn’t. Instead, a mid-sleeper bed normally takes advantage of its raised level with storage or desk space built into its base.
Do double mid sleeper beds exist?
Yes, double mid sleeper beds do exist. But, if you like the idea of a double midsleeper bed due to the plentiful storage it offers, we’d recommend taking a look at our collection of ottoman storage beds. Ottoman storage beds boast a bounty of space to store everything from seasonal clothing to spare bedding and beyond.
And for older kids and teenager in need of a bit more sleeping space than that offered by a single bed, the Domino triple sleeper bunk bed could be ideal. With a small double bed on the bottom and an extra single bed at the top, this bunk makes sleepovers with mates easier to say yes too. Plus, both the top and bottom bunk benefit from shelving which can be used to store books, knickknacks, photos and more.
Mid-sleeper beds vs high sleeper beds and cabin beds
Mid-sleeper beds are the ideal choice for young children, especially in bedrooms where space is limited. One of the chief benefits of this type of bed for primary school age kids is that they provide all the fun of raised sleeping without the risks of a long vertical ladder. Most will have only three or four steps which are easily scaled, limiting the risk of falls when getting into or out of bed. High sleeper or loft beds, which often have a more grown up design in addition to a lofty sleeping platform, may be a better option for older children with better dexterity and longer limbs.
Lower in design, a cabin bed is higher than your everyday bed but doesn’t have quite as much height as a mid-sleeper. Incorporating drawers underneath the slats, these beds are a great option for rooms where you need just a little extra easily accessible storage. Cabin beds don’t offer quite as much flexibility in design as a mid-sleeper however.
Why We Love Mid Sleeper Beds
It’s not difficult to see why children are naturally drawn to mid-sleeper beds. For starters, they add a touch of adventure to bedtime. Not just that, but they more often than not come in fun, bold designs with exciting features that are bound to appeal to little ones. But there’s more to mid-sleepers than cool colourways and funky features…
Mid-sleeper beds are great space savers
Raised off the floor as they are, mid-sleeper beds are an easy choice for kids bedrooms where space is limited. While you might not be able to limbo into the cavern underneath, your child will almost certainly be able to, providing them with extra room for playing. In fact, many mid-sleepers will provide the perfect spot for fort building – just add curtains! On a more practical note, the space beneath a mid-sleeper bed can be used for hidden storage, ideal for toys or clothes that need to be hidden away yet easily accessed.
Mid sleeper beds provide clever storage
When it comes to storage, mid-sleeper beds just get smarter and smarter. Many beds of this type will offer cubbies in which toys can be stored, while some may even feature a low-height wardrobe ideal for the smaller clothes of a child. Not only does this mean that you’re saving on floor space but that there’s less need to buy additional furniture too. In addition to storage, mid-sleeper beds may include a built-in desk that’s just the right size for doing homework. Others, meanwhile, offer built-in bookshelves designed for the large format picture books popular with young kids.
Mid sleeper beds are safe and secure
As a parent, safety is always at the forefront of your mind, especially during those moments when your little one is out of sight. Mid-sleeper beds, though raised off the floor, are not so high that a tumble could prove serious. In addition, they’re fitted with rails that not only keep your child safely in place but that make them feel securely ensconced too – something kids fresh from a cot bed might appreciate.
Mid sleeper beds are ideal for sleepovers
As children get older their desire for sleepovers will only grow – for most kids, these extended playdates are a real rite of passage. A mid-sleeper bed with a spacious cavity beneath it not only gives your child and their friends a fun den to hang out in but it also provides additional floor space for roll mats or camp beds when it’s time for lights out. Even better? Some mid-sleepers even include a soft armchair that can be folded out into a small guest bed for a plusher night’s sleep for that special sleepover friend.
What to look for in midsleeper beds
If you’re convinced by a mid-sleeper (and why wouldn’t you be?!), you might be unsure where to start your search. After all, these clever beds come in such a wide variety of designs it can be difficult to know what your priorities are. To help you on your way here are just a few things to consider:
Choosing a mid sleeper bed to suit your child’s personality
Is your son or daughter a bookworm or an artist? Are they more likely to sit and play quietly or crash around like a whirling dervish? Whatever their personality type there’s a mid sleeper bed to suit them. A child who likes to draw and paint, for example, will appreciate a mid sleeper bed with desk add-on. One who plays make-believe, likes hide and seek or prefers to pull out all their toys and play on the floor might prefer a bed that maximises floor space with an underbed hidey hole.
The right mid sleeper bed for your bedroom space
Many people choose a mid-sleeper bed because their child’s bedroom is too small for all the furniture and play space they’ll need. Choosing a mid sleeper bed with storage built into it is a good plan if you can’t find a spot for a wardrobe or drawers. Most of these beds will incorporate cubby holes or shelves at the very least. More advanced designs may also supply hanging space and drawers. For maximised drawer space you may like to consider a mid sleeper cabin bed as an alternative.
Midsleeper beds to suit your child’s age
Mid sleeper beds are usually recommended for children aged six years and up. With that in mind, the designs are often aimed at that younger age group, incorporating the bold colours and chunky shapes that will capture developing imaginations. Older children may prefer simpler designs and when they reach secondary school age will probably be better suited to a high sleeper or a simple single bed.
When a mid-sleeper bed isn’t the right choice
Most children will get along swimmingly with a mid sleeper bed but for some it’s simply not the right choice. For example, if your child requires quick and easy access to the bathroom because of a busy bladder or tendency to throw upwhen ill, those steps can be an added inconvenience that slows them down when speed is of the essence. For some children those steps, even three low steps with wide treads, can be simply too daunting. In these scenarios it may be advisable to steer your child towards a lower cabin bed that they’ll find it easier to hop in and out of.
Our favourite mid sleeper beds
Here at Bensons for Beds we have a great range of children’s mid sleeper beds to choose from. These are just some of our favourites:
The best mid sleeper bed for kids who make believe
Is it a house or a knight’s fort? A princess castle or a tent under the stars? The Skye Playhouse midsleeper bed frame (also available without a mattress) is a design dream, built to look like a house, complete with window and roof. Great fun as-is, painted in a simple off-white that makes a perfect canvas for your kid’s imagination, this bed can also be given a fun facelift with the addition of curtains, by adding twinkly lights to its struts or even attaching a window box or slapping on some removable stickers. A pull-out drawer and three cubbies provide a handy spot for toys while space underneath the bed is great for adaptable low-level storage.
The best mid sleeper bed for multi-functional use
Available in two colour options to suit the preferences of most children , the Jupiter wooden midsleeper set blends practicality and style for kids of almost any age. So whether you’re looking for a white mid sleeper bed or a wooden mid sleeper bed, this could be ideal. Bedside shelving gives children a spot for a bedside lamp, a glass of water and the book they’re reading at the moment while down the Jupiter’s three steps (complete with glow in the dark strips for safe night time manoeuvres) you’ve got plenty of drawer and cubby storage for clothes, toys and collections. Keeping mums and dads happy is a good-sized desk for homework and craft projects. Set on castors, this practical desk can be moved to make space for playing and sleepovers as needed.
The best mid sleeper bed for older children
The simple design of the Stompa Auburn midsleeper bed, available in understated white or grey, means that it can grow with your child’s ever-changing tastes. An exclusive Bensons for Beds design, the Auburn brings together a smart looking mid-level bed, three spacious drawers large enough for undies, socks and PJs, even as their clothes get bigger and bulkier, and a desk with plenty of elbow room. This desk, complete with shelves for books or art supplies, can be pushed into the bedframe when homework is done, hiding away conveniently to provide extra floor space for games, dance practice or lounging with friends. And to give parents peace of mind, this bed is designed to be ultra-sturdy, staying in place without wobbling or shifting, even as your child gets bigger.
Mid sleeper beds, cabin beds, bunk beds and more at Bensons for Beds
Offering a wide range of beds for all ages, from trundle beds and midsleeper beds for kids to Disney beds and beyond, we at Bensons for Beds know how to make bedtime its best.
When it comes to choosing a bed for your child, we know you’re looking for reliability, comfort, safety and practicality. That’s why our beds are not only designed with care but come with a free minimum five year guarantee (available on all beds, mattresses and bedroom furniture). This guarantee gives you peace of mind that any manufacturing faults or defects that could potentially develop further down the line are covered.
To order your kid’s new bed or to talk options, drop into your nearest Bensons for Beds store or give us a ring on 0808 144 6160.
