Everyone has seen- and most likely slept on- a bunkbed before. From summer camps to military barracks to our memories sleeping on bunkbeds as children, bunkbeds are a classic bedding variant that efficiently maximizes use of available sleeping space. While the image of a bunkbed is common, few realize how different bunkbeds can be in style, aesthetic and function.

If you find yourself in the market for a bunkbed system, you're probably wondering which one is right for you. In this article, we will provide a general breakdown of typical bunbked designs and features that are commonly found at any given retail outlet.

The "Standard" Bunkbed: Also known as the "twin" bunkbed. This bunkbed type is extremely simple, positioning one twin bed over the other. It's extremely popular with families having small children when used in place of putting two kids in one larger bed. Of course, there may be the initial quarrel of who gets the top or bottom bunk, but that passes quickly. Given that the standard bunkbed is the simplest of all bunkbed designs, they are usually the most cost effective bunkbed available, making them particularly appealing to families on a tight budget. Also, they are extremely easy to assemble and don't require special tools or know-how.

The "Loft" Bunkbed: The loft bed is slightly different in function than the more commonly seen standard bunkbed, in that the loft beds main function is that of top bunk only, leaving the bottom space for whatever use is deemed best. This style is quite popular with college students living in the tight confines of a dorm room, where workspace (and floorspace) is at a premium. If space is the primary concern, a loft bunkbed is a very strong choice.

The "L Shaped" Bunkbed: The L-Shaped bunkbed vary from the conventional over/under styling of the "Standard" bunkbed by positioning the beds in a perpendicular fasion, forming an "L" shape. Some designs allow for the bottom bed to be detached and removed, effectively turning it into a loft bed. The main advantages of the L Shaped bunbked is flexibility; if your child is expecting a guest, carting out the bed attachment and hooking it up is a simple task!

The Futon Bunkbed: The futon bunkbed is effectively a hybrid between the loft bed and a futon, providing attached sleeping space on top, with a futon on the bottom that can has dual use: either as sleeping space, or when positioned correctly, as a couch. This is a very appealing piece of furniture for small spaces or studio apartments, where the couch/bed conversion is standard practice.

The Twin Over Full Bunkbed: Like the title says, this is a bunkbed with a twin bed positioned over a full size bed. These beds are particularly useful for children's rooms where there is a disparity in age and physical sizes. Keep in mind that having one large bed and one small bed can still cause strife; both will certainlly want the larger bed! The twin-over-full is also helpful when used as a dedicated bed for a single child, but with access to a secondary bed for sleepovers, etc.