If you intend to buy a bunk bed online or from a catalog as you are getting a better price it is still a good idea to go to a store and physically check out the bed you are considering. Whilst attractive, metal bunk beds don't suit some people and you will want to give the bunk bed a good shake to ensure it will be strong enough for your children.

How large are the children who will be sleeping in the bunk beds? Manufacturers set specific weight limits for their beds, so make sure the bed you are considering meets your requirements. Especially consider the age of the child who will be sleeping in the top bunk. There are safety concerns regarding younger children, so check with either the seller or the manufacturer of the bed for suggested guidelines. As a general rule, bunk beds are not recommended for children under age six.

When deciding which bunk bed set to buy you may want to think a few years down the road and therefore come to the decision to get a bunk bed that can be taken apart and put together again as two single beds. This gives you more flexibility as the children get older and can also help out with your guests

Before starting to look for your bunk bed its a good idea to decide on the maximum price you are willing to pay. This will save you time in your search and ensure you don't get carried away and spend more that you can afford.

There are now so many different styles and types of bunks some made from metal some from wood it is sometimes difficult to make a decision. So before buying have a good look at the decor in the room the bed will be going and this will help you choose the bed that will fit in best.

You will want to consider the size of the room and maybe take some measurements to ensure the bunk bed you buy will fit the space ok. Some bunk beds have a double on the bottom and you don't appreciate the space they take until you get it in the room !

There have been many accidents involving bunk beds and children so safety should be a major consideration when making your purchase. The mattress should be an exact fit and should be properly supported underneath. There should be guardrails all the way around the bed and to ensure the child does not fall off they should extend at least 5 inches above the mattress. Also make sure the bed is not placed near any ceiling fan you may have.

Depending on how handy you are may decide if you put together the bed yourself. Whilst it may look easy you will want to ensure the bed is correctly assembled and if you are not very good at diy you may want to consider getting some help before you start.

Talk to the seller of the bunk bed about the warranty that accompanies your bunk bed. Make sure to get all of the details in writing at the time of the sale.

If the supplier is going to erect your bed you should not have any problems but if you are putting together the bed yourself the first thing you want to check is that all the parts are as they should be and nothing is missing. If there is something wrong you should speak to the supplier as quickly as possible and ask they rectify the fault or deliver a new bed if it is a major problem.