If you are wedging three children into one bedroom, a full-size bunk with a trundle might be the answer to sleeping arrangements. A desk/storage area at the back of the lower bunk, side-by-side desks on one end with a storage stair at the other provides both access to the upper bunk and storage. It can be a tight fit, especially for pre-teens and teenagers, but if you are trying to fit a large family into a small apartment, careful organization might override any difficulty.

When the full-size bed is on the upper deck, and there is no bed below, one of the first considerations is stability. The second is safety – a good rail around the top prevents nightmare-driven tumbles out of bed. The third is access: how will the youngster go up or down? A small room with a high ceiling is best for this arrangement, or a small child who will not require a full five-foot clearance either below or above for comfort. Another thing to think about is the location of the room light. Climbing a ladder to a bunk bed, getting settled, and then realizing that the light switch is out of

A loft bed that is at right-angle to the lower bed creates an easy opportunity for a desk. If there is room, it is a good idea to create a side-by-side or back to back desk for two. That cuts down on bickering over what is in or on the desk, and who gets to use it. An alternative arrangement might be to have the ladder up the side of one desk, and to put another desk across the foot of the bottom bunk. This doesn’t leave room for a dresser or closet, but it does create space for studying, artwork or even a place to put a laptop.