Why Are Bunk Beds So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

 

When you don’t have a lot of rooms in the house but a few children, bunk beds can save the day.

They save on space while giving your children a secure place to sleep.

Bunk beds come in all different shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.

However, you’ll also find that bunk beds can be quite expensive.

Considering they’re just two beds stacked on each other, you may wonder what makes them so expensive.

 

Why Are Bunk Beds So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

 

The average price of bunk beds is around $200 with some models costing as much as $1,000 or more.

Bunk beds are expensive because of the materials used to make them, the safety standards they’re held to, the extra features some have, and whether it’s custom-made or factory-produced.

Let’s look at these factors in more detail.

 

1. Type Of Wood

 

The type of wood that the bunk bed contains can quickly add to its price.

While bunk beds can come in a variety of different materials, one of the most popular is wood.

Wood offers a classic aesthetic and goes well with most room aesthetics.

The problem with wood is that it’s an expensive material to use.

For one, sourcing wood is quite expensive because there are usually regulations surrounding how much wood a supplier can harvest.

In an effort to limit deforestation and curb climate change, suppliers are only harvesting so much wood each year.

This means that there’s sometimes a shortage of certain types of wood.

The more valuable the wood is, the more expensive the shortage is going to make it.

As such, if you’re using rare or luxury wood for your bunk bed, you can expect to pay a lot of money for it.

Bunk beds are expensive when they use real, solid, wood.

 

2. Bunk Bed Material

 

While wood is a popular type of material used to make bunk beds, it’s not the only choice.

The type of material you use can also determine how expensive the bunk bed is.

For example, some might opt for a durable bunk bed and buy one that is made with stainless steel or iron.

This is also going to be expensive because those materials are expensive to source and produce.

Because bunk beds are quite large, you’re also using a lot of that material.

It wouldn’t be quite so expensive if it was a single bed, but a bunk bed encompasses two beds.

As such, you have to pay double the material costs.

Even if the bunk bed contains wood or metal, some also have fabric to make the bed look more lavish.

Depending on what type it is, fabric can be expensive, too.

Fabric can make a bunk bed look stylish, but since it’s adding more materials to the production, it’s going to come at a higher price.

Bunk beds are expensive based on the type of material or materials used in their production.

 

3. Double Bedding Costs

 

The fact that a bunk bed encompasses two beds means you’re basically paying for everything twice.

That includes buying bedding twice.

Bedding isn’t cheap.

To make a bed properly, there are several different types of fabric that you need to buy.

You have the fitted sheet, a flat sheet, as many blankets as the individual needs to feel warm, and then a quilt or duvet or comforter of some kind for the top layer.

Pillows are also a necessity.

That’s a lot of fabric you have to buy.

Even for a single bed, bedding can be quite expensive.

With a bunk bed, you have to buy all that twice over.

For bunk beds that come with bedding, that’s essentially double the materials and product that you’re paying for.

If the bunk bed doesn’t come with the bedding, that’s an added expense you will incur for it.

The bedding also needs replacing every few years.

As such, you’re still spending a lot of money on your bunk beds over time.

The fact that it’s double means you’re paying twice the amount that you would normally.

Bunk beds are expensive because you have to pay double for bedding.

 

4. Safety Standards

 

Some parents have misgivings about bunk beds.

The idea of one bed held aloft over the other might cause some concern.

There’s some evidence to back up their concerns.

An estimated 36,000 young people end up going to the hospital due to some incident caused by a bunk bed.

Some fall into the gap between the bed and wall and end up suffocating.

Others fall from the bunk bed and seriously injure themselves.

While few end up in the hospital because a bunk bed collapsed, it’s always a possibility.

Bunk beds aren’t the safest type of bed.

As such, manufacturers have to spend a lot of money to ensure their products are safe.

They follow a rigorous set of safety standards to ensure children can safely sleep and use their beds.

This usually means that a lot of testing goes into their bunk beds.

Some companies might not even release a new model for a year or two until they’re sure that the bed is safe.

Not only do they not want to be the cause of a child’s death, but they also don’t want to receive a lawsuit.

To avoid that situation, manufacturers spend a lot of money testing their bunk beds.

The consequence of that is that since it drives up production costs, they sell their bunk beds at higher prices.

Bunk beds are expensive because of the testing and safety standards put in place which drives up production costs.

 

5. Built-In Bookcases And Shelves

 

While some people are happy with standard bunk beds, others look for bunk beds that come with extra features.

In particular, some bunk bed models come with bookshelves or shelves.

They might sit under the ladder, beneath the second bed, or even at the foot of the bed.

Whatever the design might be, some bunk beds come with storage.

These beds are expensive because they come with more production costs.

The manufacturer has to spend more time and money on the bed.

Instead of making a solid base for the bed, for example, they have to create a base that is also hollow, so they can fit shelves into it.

In making the base hollow, they then need to ensure that the rest of the bed is still safe to use.

Shelves also add some convenience to the bed.

It takes care of storage problems.

Children can put their clothes or toys on the shelves which means parents don’t have to buy a chest or a wardrobe to house those items.

It saves them money in the long run, but they still need to pay an expensive price for the bunk bed.

Bunk beds are expensive when they include bookshelves or drawers.

 

6. Design Costs

 

Some manufacturers go the extra mile when it comes to the design of certain bunk beds.

They know that some parents don’t just want a functional bunk bed.

They also want a bunk bed that looks attractive.

If the parents spent a lot of money on making the nursery look a certain way, they might not want to ruin that aesthetic by having an ugly or standard bunk bed fill the room.

As such, some parents might be willing to spend more money on a bunk bed that matches their aesthetic goals.

There’s no shortage of bunk beds that aim for a luxury appearance.

Some will use fabric to make the bunk bed look like it has upholstery on it.

Others will use a rare or expensive type of wood.

Some might design the bunk bed with curves instead of standard box shapes.

Whatever the design is, it tends to be more expensive.

That’s because designs that don’t fit an easy and efficient model to produce are more expensive to make.

Since they’re more expensive to make, the manufacturer sells them at higher prices.

The fact that they look like they’re luxury bunk beds might also inflate the price.

Bunk beds are expensive when they use intricate or custom designs in their production.

 

7. Ability To Separate

 

Another big feature that can make a bunk bed expensive is when they’re able to separate.

Some bunk beds don’t separate.

They’re connected permanently.

Other bunk beds can separate which allows parents to use them individually.

These bunk beds are convenient because they essentially grow with the children.

When the kids are old enough to have their own rooms or sleeping spaces, their parents can simply separate the bunk beds.

It removes the need to buy another bed in the future.

This makes bunk beds expensive because the production costs tend to be a bit higher.

The manufacturer needs to ensure that the bunk beds are still sturdy and safe despite being able to separate.

Since the manufacturer likely also makes other types of beds, they also realize that they’re potentially losing business by selling bunk beds that can separate.

A family won’t need to purchase a twin bed, for example, because they can just separate the bunk bed.

To make up for that loss, the manufacturer will increase the price of the bunk bed.

Bunk beds are expensive when they’re able to separate.

 

8. Shipping Costs

 

Bunk beds aren’t light.

As such, a large part of your bunk bed price might be the shipping.

Some manufacturers might offer free shipping, but if they don’t, your bunk bed is going to be quite expensive.

Most shipping companies charge by weight or size.

Bunk beds are both big and weigh a lot.

As such, you can expect a pretty heavy shipping fee added to your order.

When your bunk bed is already expensive, shipping costs only make it that much more expensive.

Buying a bunk bed online can become very expensive when you need to pay for shipping, too.

Bunk beds are expensive because shipping costs can be very high.

 

9. Trundle Bunk Beds

 

Some bunk beds are also trundle beds.

A trundle bed is essentially a bed that can roll under something or comes out of a concealed compartment.

They’re convenient because you can store them away when they’re not needed.

Some bunk beds come with a trundle bed.

Instead of having two beds, you actually have three beds.

That makes bunk beds quite expensive.

You’re essentially paying for three beds instead of two.

Trundle beds are great for those with three children or sleepovers.

When the trundle is not in use, you can simply tuck it away.

Since a trundle bunk bed requires more materials, it’s going to be more costly to make.

To offset the costs, manufacturers sell them at higher prices.

Bunk beds are expensive when they include a trundle bed.

 

10. Custom Or Handmade Bunk Beds

 

Finally, bunk beds are expensive when you buy one that’s custom-made or handmade.

Some furniture makers handmake their products.

They’ll carve the wood and put it all together to create a solid, long-lasting product.

Others will take custom orders from their clients to make a personal bunk bed that meets their needs.

These are some of the most expensive types of bunk beds because labor and material costs are high.

The craftsman is working specifically for you.

Since they’re spending all their time on you, you have to pay for that time.

You’ll end up with an incredible bunk bed, but it will come at a high price.

Bunk beds are expensive when you order a custom one or have it handmade.