Bunk beds are a smart, space-saving way to accommodate more guests in vacation rentals, cabins, guesthouses, and family homes. They’re especially popular for family getaways and group stays, where maximizing sleeping space can make a big difference.
Like any piece of furniture, bunk beds require thoughtful planning, proper installation, and regular maintenance to help keep guests safe and comfortable.
At ICON Bunks, we’ve been building premium hardwood bunk beds for more than 20 years. Our bunks are handcrafted in Montana and thoughtfully designed with safety, durability, and comfort in mind. We meet or exceed all United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and ASTM International safety standards.
Here are five important bunk bed safety considerations and some simple ways to help prevent avoidable issues.
1. Missing or Inadequate Guardrails
Falls are one of the primary safety concerns with an upper bunk. Regardless of whether a bunk room is designed primarily for children, adults, or a mix of both, the upper bunk should have properly secured guardrails.
Pay attention not only to the presence of guardrails, but also to their height and the openings between the mattress and surrounding structure. The maximum gap in a safety rail structure should not exceed 3.5”.
Your bunk bed should have safety rails on all four sides of the upper bunk for added security and peace of mind and have
Safety Tip: Mattress thickness matters, too—a mattress that is too tall can reduce the effective height of the guardrail.
Make sure the mattress and guardrail combination meets applicable bunk bed safety requirements. Always use the mattress size and maximum thickness specified by the bunk bed manufacturer.
2. Insecure or Difficult-to-Navigate Ladders
Getting into and out of the upper bunk should feel secure and safe. An unstable or poorly positioned ladder can create unnecessary risk, particularly at night in an unfamiliar room.
“When choosing a bunk bed, look for one with a solid, attached ladder that’s easy to grip with a hand hold,” says Nick Massey, CSO of Proper Insurance, which is the largest insurer of vacation rentals. “The bunk bed ladder should ideally have wide treads for stability and comfort.”
Massey also recommends avoiding ship ladders or alternating steps. For designs that use stairs rather than a ladder, he recommends a continuous, graspable handrail running the full length of the steps.
These considerations can make the bunk easier for guests to navigate and make housekeeping easier when changing bedding between stays.
Safety Tip: Consider adding a small night light near the ladder or stairs so guests can easily see where they are stepping during nighttime trips.
3. Incorrect Mattress Size or Thickness
The right mattress is an important part of bunk bed safety. It should fit properly within the bed frame while maintaining the required guardrail height above the sleeping surface.
A mattress that is too thick can reduce the effectiveness of the guardrails, while an improperly sized mattress can create unwanted gaps.
ICON Bunks are designed for mattresses up to 10 inches thick and include approximately ¾ inch of tolerance around the mattress. This allows room for making the bed and tucking in bedding while maintaining a proper fit.
Pro Tip: ICON Bunks also offers mattresses made in the USA and specifically sized to pair with our bunk beds. Choosing the mattress and bunk together takes some of the guesswork out of creating the right fit.
4. Heavy Use and Improper Use
Vacation rental furniture can experience significantly different use than furniture in a private home. One week might bring a family with young children; the next could bring a group of adults. Bunk beds in these environments need to be prepared for frequent turnover and a wide range of guests.
Look for quality materials, strong connections, durable finishes, and construction designed to withstand repeated use. ICON Bunks solid wood and precision joinery help our bunk beds maintain their strength and appearance over time.
ICON Bunks are built from solid hardwood and designed for high-use environments. Our bunks have been load tested to more than 1,500 pounds.
Safety Tip: Bunk Bed warning labels should communicate appropriate bunk bed use to guests. Children under six should not use the upper bunk, and guests should never jump, horseplay, or exceed the manufacturer's weight limits. ICON Bunks include safety warning labels with important use instructions.
5. Poor Placement Within the Room
The bunk bed itself is only one part of a safe bunk room. Its placement within the space matters, too.
Ceiling fans, hanging light fixtures, windows, sloped ceilings, and nearby furniture can all create potential hazards. This is especially important in a vacation rental, where guests are navigating an unfamiliar space, sometimes in the middle of the night.
Justin Ford, a globally recognized short-term rental safety expert who has inspected thousands of STR properties, recommends looking at the room from a guest’s perspective. Consider what someone entering the space for the first time will encounter as they climb into and out of each bunk.
Safety Tip: Pay attention to clearance above the upper bunk and its proximity to ceiling fans, light fixtures, windows, walls, and surrounding furniture.
ICON Bunks are proportioned to work in rooms with ceilings eight feet or higher. With an eight-foot ceiling, an ICON Bunk paired with a 10-inch mattress provides approximately 28.75 inches of upper-bunk headroom. An 8-inch mattress provides approximately 30.75 inches.
A Safer, Better Bunk Room
Bunk beds are a fantastic way to add sleeping capacity to vacation rentals, cabins, and guest rooms—but choosing the right bunk is only part of the equation. Proper mattresses, thoughtful room placement, secure access, appropriate use, and regular inspections all contribute to a safer experience. Make sure you choose a bunk bed that meets all consumer safety standards to protect your investment.
At ICON Bunks, we’ve spent more than 20 years building bunk beds for vacation homes and high-end residences across the country. Every ICON Bunk is handcrafted in Montana with an emphasis on quality construction, thoughtful design, durability, and safety.
Ready to create your bunk room? Explore our handcrafted bunk beds and find the model, size, and finish that fits your space.
For more information about vacation rental safety, connect with short-term rental safety expert Justin Ford.
For vacation rental insurance and additional property safety resources, visit our Montana neighbors at Proper Insurance.