Confused about all the fancy children’s beds out there? Here’s our guide explaining the difference between a cabin bed, mid sleeper and high sleeper…

There are plenty of options when shopping around for a kid’s bed, but is that a good thing or a bad thing? Sometimes too much choice can be overwhelming.
So, if you’re looking for something with a bit more wow-factor than a traditional single bed, that’s still practical for children, then you’re bound to come across Cabin Beds, Mid Sleepers and High Sleepers. The good thing about all of these is that they offer storage space, a safe & comfy place to sleep, plus a fun design that all kids love without taking up too much room.

But what’s the difference between these beds? And which is the best choice for you and your family?

Cabin Beds

Featured: The Butterworth Cabin Bed

Cabin Beds offer the best built-in storage options. Traditionally, they feature under-bed drawers that are built into the base of the bed, making them a great solution for smaller bedrooms. This storage space is often large enough to replace a chest of drawers for storing your children’s clothes or toys.

Cabin Beds are usually a little higher than regular single beds, but are the lower than both mid-sleepers & high-sleepers. They don’t need a ladder, so it makes a great choice for younger children who aren’t quite ready for climbing.
At The Children’s Furniture Company, we offer a wide range of cabin beds. Some are complete with large built-in drawers, while others feature an empty elevated space underneath, so you can house storage furniture of your choosing – whether it be a small cupboard, chest of drawers, or a pull-out desk.

The Butterworth Cabin Bed (pictured above), also features a headboard with a built-in bookshelf and a secret storage compartment!

But if you’re after something more simple yet modern, try our Jango Cabin Bed (below)…

Pros and Cons of a Cabin Bed

Pros
– Plenty of useful built-in storage (or enough space to add your own).
– Suitable for a wider age range (younger kids, older kids & teens).
– Lower, more accessible height for children & parents.

Cons
– Less open space underneath the bed, restricting options.
– A bit less wow-factor than a mid or high sleeper.

Mid Sleepers

Featured: The Mix ‘n’ Match Mid Sleeper

Mid Sleepers are the best option for when you need something that’s in between a regular single bed and a high sleeper, meaning it’s great for lower ceilings and smaller bedrooms. Plus, if your little one has been begging for a high sleeper but isn’t quite big enough yet, this is a great compromise!
Mid sleepers are suitable for children aged 4 and over – offering all the fun and flexibility of a higher than normal bed, whilst still providing a safe place to sleep for younger ones.

The open space underneath a Mid Sleeper provides plenty of options, plus loads of practicality! It can be a space for doing homework, housing extra storage or a cosy little den.

Check out one of our most popular mid-sleeper designs – The Neutron Mid Sleeper (pictured below). This classic bed is great for any kid’s bedroom. It features stairs rather than a ladder, so it’s super-safe for younger children to climb.
And if you want to kit out the underneath area, take a look at our Universal Mid Sleeper 3-Drawer Chest, Universal Mid Sleeper Cupboard and the Universal Mid Sleeper Desk. All of these are designed to fit perfectly underneath all TCFC Mid Sleepers.

Pros and Cons of Mid Sleepers

Pros
– The chance to customise the under-bed space with free-standing furniture options!
– More accessible for parents than a high-sleeper.
– Suitable for ages 4+.

Cons
– Lower height than high-sleeper, restricting use of under-bed space.

High Sleepers

Featured: The Loft Bed – High

High Sleepers are the ultimate in space-saving children’s bed. You can maximise the use of your available bedroom space by creating extra room for larger items of furniture underneath, so they’re fantastic for small rooms. Also, they’re a winner with all kids!

A High Sleeper features a larger open space underneath which can accommodate a desk area for studying, a spare bed or sofa bed, storage cupboards, a bookshelf, or a walk-in wardrobe. Some of our high sleepers, like the Neutron, even come with stairs that double as storage drawers. So you’re spoilt for choice with High Sleepers!
These beds are suitable for ages 6+ due to the higher height.

If you’re looking for a High Sleeper, remember to measure your ceiling heights (ours are all suitable for average ceiling heights, but it’s always good to check). Also, you may want to check that the ladder can be easily & safely accessed in the available space.
Many of our beds are cleverly designed so that the ladder can be fixed on either the left or the right hand side.

Take a look at our popular Jango High Sleeper for some inspo:

Pros and Cons of High Sleepers

Pros
– Stacks of space available for storage furniture, desks, spare beds or more.
– The ability to create a super-cool den!
– High-Sleepers are also great for hanging curtains or fairy lights…

Cons
– Not suitable for younger children- ages 6+ only.
– A little more difficult for parents to make the bed (or an excuse not to make it, depending on how you look at it…)
– Bedtime stories & tuck-ins can also be trickier.

Before buying your child’s Mid Sleeper, High Sleeper or Cabin Bed…

As well as being a comfy place for your child to sleep, you should also think about these factors:

Storage
There’s no getting away from it, kids these days have a lot of stuff (tip: it gets worse!). So, when choosing a bed, consider the kind of extra storage they will need, such as under-bed/trundle drawers.

Fun
Many beds double as a magical space to play for younger kids or a private place to read, learn or relax for older kids & teens. Will their new bed offer enough space for a cool den or a chill out zone?
Also, the extra height on Mid/High Sleepers can equal extra fun & climbing for many kids!

Practicality
Think about the size of the bed and where in the room it will go – especially how it fits in with the doors, windows and other furniture. Does the bed have a ladder to factor in? Make sure your children will be able to get in and out of bed easily, as well as ensuring plenty of space to play and move around.

Safety
Most kids will always choose the highest bed or the top bunk (they can’t help it), but it has to be safe. Although not as high as a Mid/High Sleeper, even Cabin beds are a little higher than a basic single bed. So, you’ll need to consider how easy it is for your little one’s to climb in & out. Most of our mid sleepers are suitable for children age 4+, while high sleepers are suitable for age 6+.

At The Children’s Furniture Company we make our beds from strong, long-lasting materials. Rest assured, our furniture is fully bounce-proof and ‘kid tough’, allowing for maximum fun and durability.
You can view all our children’s beds here.