How far from the ceiling should a bunk bed be options

How far from the ceiling should a bunk bed be should in the range of the 30 top selling models with an average of 29” from the ceiling and the most with 36” and least 16”. The best is 36″ for older children and 29″-33″ for younger and smaller sleepers.

Table 1. Summary of Average Space Between Top of Bunk Bed and Ceiling


8′ Ceiling9′ Ceiling10′ Ceiling
Average294153
Max space56.468.470.4
Min space162832

Update Jan 2, 2023: DIY build your own bunk beds book here at Amazon.

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Child’s Height Today and Tomorrow

If you are buying or building a bunk bed it is important to consider the height of the child that is going to be sleeping on the top bunk and until about what age. Things to consider:

  • Is there an older sibling with his or her own bedroom? How much older than the sibling who is going to be sleeping in the top bunk? Is the older sibling many years older and likely to move onto college in five years?
  • Height of parents and older siblings. If the parents and most relatives are 5’6” the space between the top of the bunk bed and the ceiling can be less than if the parents and relatives are all over 6′ tall.
  • If you are buying or building triple bunk beds it is likely that you will want to stay in the 16” to 24” space to the ceiling.

Ceiling Height

Most homes in the US and Canada have a standard ceiling height of 96”. If your house has nine or ten-foot ceilings there is much more room to space the bunks and those numbers are also included in the tables below.

I spent a lot of time researching and compiling a list of heights of top-selling bunks in a table that you can see here, how much they cost and weigh here, and how to build one DIY.

Scott Boyd

Child’s Comfort in Small Spaces

Some children prefer as much space as possible. Others are comfortable in small areas and are fine with only 16” of room to the ceiling. Others may not be comfortable with only 16” but fine with 30”.

Table 2. Space Between Top of Bunk Bed and Ceiling

ManufacturerModelRetailerHeight”Space to
Ceiling 8′
Space to
Ceiling 9′
Space to
Ceiling 10′
SenecaBunk BedCostco67.828.240.252.2
DakotaTwin/Full
Trundle
Costco65.530.542.554.5
CaramiaMaddox
Staircase
Costco66.529.541.553.5
BeckhamNACostco75213345
TannerNACostco78183042
AstoriaNACostco69273951
DinsmoreNAAshley
Furniture
59.636.448.460.4
HalantonNAAshley
Furniture
61.134.946.958.9
LeoNAAshley
Furniture
69.326.738.750.7
LuluNAAshley
Furniture
69273951
LettnerNAAshley
Furniture
65314355
KaslynNAAshley
Furniture
62344658
Better Homes
& Gardens
LeightonWalmart64.631.443.455.4
MeraxNAWalmart65314355
MainstaysPremiumWalmart63334557
DhpNAWalmart72243648
Angel LineFreemontWalmart65314355
Dorel
Living
BradyWalmart64.531.543.555.5
CostwayNAWalmart66.529.541.553.5
PowellLeviWalmart67.528.540.552.5
PremiumNAWalmart68284052
K & B
Furniture
ArchedWalmart64324456
ZinusLunaWalmart60364860
Walker
Edison

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Average

67294153
Highest

80”36.458.470.4
Lowest

59.6”162842

* Standard 96” ceiling height.

Scott building bunk bed
Scott building bunk bed

Source: How Tall Are Bunk Beds: Height of 30 Models and Averages by Scott Boyd at BedFramesPlus.com.

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