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What is a Trundle Bed?
A Guide to Choosing Yours
Whether you’re shopping for your kids’ shared bedroom or are trying to figure out how to get the most out of your guest room, a trundle bed is a great solution. A practical use of space, this classic bedroom design can be your go-to for space-saving design and useful storage. To help you pick out a trundle bed, we’ve put together this guide to help you better shop for bedroom furniture.
What Is a Trundle Bed?
A trundle bed is the ultimate space saver for your kids’ bedroom or guest room. Typically a twin size, a trundle bed is a low bed that can slide perfectly underneath another bed frame when not in use. Some beds are built with trundles, while others have the ability to add a trundle later if you decide you need more sleep space. Just keep in mind that trundle beds require a special size mattress that may need to be purchased separately.
Trundles come on tracks, wheels or rolling casters to make bringing out the extra bed a breeze. The mattress sits on slats, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing an additional box spring or foundation. Most classically seen with twin bed frames, almost any bed can become a trundle bed frame: bunk beds, daybeds, twin beds, wherever the trundle will fit.
Daybed vs. Trundle Bed
While similar, daybeds and trundle beds are technically different. A daybed is a twin frame with raised sides on the ends and one long side, so it can easily become a seating area when not used for sleep. Daybed frames can be wood, metal or upholstered; some can have storage space underneath, while others are flush with the ground.
Picking a daybed or trundle bed depends completely on your needs and your space. If you have ample storage and bed space, you can get away with a daybed that doesn’t offer any additional storage. If you’re unsure of what you’ll need in the future but you’re set on the daybed style, some daybeds come with additional trundles to convert them at any time.
Trundle Bed Styles
When it comes to picking a trundle bed, there are a few important things to consider for your needs, particularly the style. Let’s go over the main trundle bed styles to help you better understand what you need.
Built-in Trundle
This type of bed frame comes with a trundle bed from day one, perfect if you already know you’ll need additional bed space. We recommend including this option in a shared bedroom or guest room so there’s always extra space for guests.
Trundle Addition
If your family grows or you move to a new home that needs more bed space, opt for a bed that you can add a trundle to if necessary, such as a bunk bed or daybed with a trundle. Whatever you buy, though, keep in mind that you’ll need the right type of mattress — trundle mattresses aren’t as deep as normal mattresses so they can fit perfectly inside the trundle drawer.
Bunk Bed
Twin-sized bunk beds can easily have a trundle added for optimal sleep space. This is the perfect solution for a shared room — there’s plenty of space whenever they have a sleepover, and the extra bed can be tucked away for ample play space.
Trundle + Storage
The best of both worlds, a captain's bed gives your little one’s room plenty of extra sleeping space and lots of drawer storage. When they no longer need the extra bed space, you can remove the mattress to use the trundle as additional room for storage.
Trundle Bed Buying Tips
Before buying, think of the room you’re trying to accommodate. If it’s large, you can likely get away with two trundle beds to get the most out of your sleeping space. Perfect for a large guestroom or a children’s room that hosts plenty of sleepovers, you’ll be perfectly set with all the sleeping space you’ll need. For a smaller floor plan, opting for a single trundle bed should be plenty; if you’re still lacking in sleep space, think about adding a trundle to a bunk bed.
Even better, if your children grow out of needing the trundle or you end up not needing the extra bed space after all, the mattress can be removed and the trundle can be used for storage. It’s the perfect place to keep extra bedding, toys or seasonal clothing.
When you’re planning out your child’s bedroom or guest room, a trundle bed is a great option to consider to keep the space flexible and space-savvy. Now that you know the basics of a trundle bed, you’re ready to shop, whether you’re just looking to update a room or redecorating your child’s bedroom.