The Best Bunk Bed Stores

Tuesday, December 5th

2023 Bunk Bed Store Reviews

Wayfair

• Almost 6,600 bunk beds and almost 2,700 loft beds to choose from
• Prices range from $270 to $6,800 for bunk beds
• Prices range from $140 to $3,850 for loft beds
• "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB
• In business for over 20 years

Wayfair is definitely the go-to option for selection with over 9,000 options to choose from between bunk and loft beds. They have many different configurations and fun features such as storage, bookcases, and even slides to get down from the top bunk.

Fun to shop

The online shopping experience with Wayfair is fantastic. They have the largest selection of bunk and loft beds around and are known for their good quality. You'll see a number of both metal and wood frames and varying heights depending on if you are just looking for a little under-the-bed storage with your loft, a little extra head room on the bottom bunk, or even 3 and 4 bunk options. The website is easy to navigate and has quite a bit of information regarding each individual bunk bed. A lot of their bunk beds have reviews from customers, which makes it easy to read real-world experiences. There is also that trusty Q&A section where you can look for an answer - or even ask your own question.

Quick to find what you need

There are also quite a few filter options to help you find just the right bed. Our favorite one was the option to filter by availability. That way if you are in more of a hurry you won't find just the right bed, only to see it is out of stock at the moment. Another feature we really liked is that the site included "compare similar items" and "frequently bought together" sections to help you narrow your search.

Least expensive bunk bed: $270

The bunk beds and loft beds are separate when you do a search on Wayfair's site so we will separate them in our review as well. The lowest priced bunk bed we found came in at $270 for the Twin over Twin Metal Standard Bunk Bed with Trundle by Oyogaa. This option is a metal frame with ladders on either side and full guardrails on the top bunk. It also comes with a trundle to store under the bed if you are having three children share a room or even for the inevitable sleepovers.

Most expensive bunk bed: $6,800

The most expensive bunk bed is the Standard Bunk Bed and Mattress by Maximahouse. This bunk bed folds up against the wall during the day, though the company doesn't like for it to be referred to as a Murphy bed. It will set you back $6,800. This is a great option if you really need that floor space during the day. It even comes with the mattresses so you don't need to worry about that extra purchase. Since it does need to be mounted to your wall, professional assembly is recommended, which will cost you an extra $631.

Least expensive loft bed: $140

If a loft bed is more of what you are looking for, the least expensive is the Shelmerdine Twin Loft Bed by Isabelle & Max. Regularly priced at $381, this bed had a sale price of only $140 during our most recent shopping trip to the Wayfair site. While it normally comes in 4 different colors, only the silver and the white were available when we shopped. It is a metal frame but with heavy-duty slats and full-length guardrails to keep your little one safe. The product overview section even gave an estimated 90 min to assemble this bed.

Most expensive loft bed: $3,800

On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive loft bed is the Twin 9 Drawer Metal Platform Loft Bed with Shelves by Benjara, priced at $3,800. We really like the stairs to get up and down as opposed to a ladder. There is also quite a bit of storage in this option with the drawers and the shelves. In both options, all the tools required for assembly are included. There was also an option to pay for assembly for either bed but the cost varies depending on the model. However, if you don't want to be bothered by putting it together yourself, it is an option. Both beds also came with the choice of purchasing a protection plan.

Other ways to save

Be on the watch for other ways to save a little bit of cash. There was a seasonal sale going on during our latest visit and you could save quite a bit of money if you are able to wait for something like that. Off-season ways to save can also include $40 off your qualifying first order of at least $250 if you sign up for the Wayfair credit card.

Shipping and returns

Wayfair provides free shipping for all their beds and it seems to be standard to have it arrive in 2-3 weeks. When you receive your bunk bed, if you decide you don't want it for some reason, you can return it within 30 days as long as you haven't assembled it. Once you've put it together, it can't be returned. If you do return your bed, you'll have to cover the return shipping cost.

Fantastic inventory and pricing overall

With a huge selection, competitive pricing, and a very easy to use website, Wayfair is our top choice to start your search for bunk bed and loft bed needs. Their fantastic shopping experience earns them consistently high marks when it comes to buying home goods. We think most people will find everything they need in bunk beds and loft beds when shopping at Wayfair.

Home Depot

• Almost 2,000 bunk beds to choose from
• Prices range from $218 to $2,459
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for almost 50 years

Home Depot isn't normally a store that you consider when shopping for a bunk bed, but we were pleasantly surprised when we did. There are quite a few options to choose from and the shopping experience was very nice. Free delivery to your home is another really great perk.

Best overall shopping experience

The overall shopping experience on the Home Depot website is very user-friendly. They have a very nice selection of both metal and wood frames, depending on what you are looking for. Each product has a place where you can read reviews for that particular bunk bed and a Q&A that you can see as well.

Impressive search filter

There are a number of different filters that you can use to sort through the almost 2,000 beds to choose from. Ways to filter include the brand, price, kind of finish, number of pieces it comes with - one option comes with 8 - type of bunk bed, special buys, gender, ladder position, total weight capacity, style, features such as a desk or trundle, color family, top or bottom bed size, which combo of sizes it has, width, height, depth, whether it's a new arrival, savings by percentage off, assembly required or not, theme, and even if it's included in a special sales event currently happening. With so many ways to filter you are sure to quickly find one that fits what you are looking for.

Least expensive: $217

The least expensive option you'll find at this retailer is the Patti Steel Quick Lock Bunk Bed which was on sale for $217 at the time of this review. This is a simple bunk bed that allows for typical space-saving. There are no bells and whistles on it, but a great feature is that the "quick lock" allows for assembly in under an hour. Compared to some options out there, that is fast.

Most expensive: $2,509

The most expensive option will have you paying $2,509. This is for the Columbia Staircase Bunk Bed Full over Full with 2 Raised Panel Bed Drawers in Walnut. This is a terrific option with larger beds if your kids prefer more space. We really liked the drawers beneath the bottom bed as well as in the stairs to the top bunk. Another fun feature was the 2 USB charging ports attached to make charging a device easy.

Free shipping

Shipping is free to your home and some beds have the option to add on a charge for assembly if you don't want to tackle that yourself. Furniture returns at Home Depot can be made within 30 days of purchase. You can either return your item to a Home Depot store, or you can print out a UPS shipping label to ship it back to them if that is more convenient. We like having options. Just be sure to confirm that there won't be any extra freight charges on shipped returns (bunk beds are typically oversized, after all).

Rock solid reputation

Home Depot has a great reputation with the Better Business Bureau, coming in with an "A+" rating as well as accreditation. In looking at reviews, normally 83% of the customers giving the lowest rating possible would be cause for concern. However, there are relatively few complaints when you take into account the number of brick-and-mortar stores there are and how many people shop there every day.

First place for buying bunk beds

A home improvement store may not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for a loft or bunk bed, but you absolutely should look at Home Depot's inventory first. Not only will you find over 2,000 beds to consider, but you'll get free shipping and an excellent return policy as well. For all these reasons, and more, Home Depot earns very high marks among retailers of bunk beds.

Walmart

• Over 1,000 options to choose from
• Prices range from $152 to $1,245
• "A+" rating and accredited by the BBB
• In business for about 20 years

Walmart truly is the one-stop-shopping location. Not only can you get your groceries, prescriptions, and clothes at Walmart, but you can also get a wide variety of furniture. Bunk and loft beds are no exception. On Walmart's site, bunk beds and loft beds are listed separately, and we've focused our evaluation only on bunk beds. If you are more in the market for a loft bed, go ahead and type that in their search bar.

Intuitive online shopping experience

The general shopping experience on Walmart's site is very intuitive. We do like that individual items have the option to leave reviews so you can get a feel for what other people have liked - or not liked - about the item. The selection is varied as well, with plenty of both metal and wood frame options. As with many other retailers, there are quite a few filters to choose from to help you narrow your search. We really liked the option to pick the speed at which you can have your new bed in hand. You can even pick the fulfillment partner in case you are wanting to just see the options that are sold and shipped by Walmart itself. The vast majority of choices fit this category with just under 250 options being sold by a third party.

Least expensive: $152

The most cost-effective option at Walmart is Mainstays Small Space Twin over Twin Jr. Bunk Bed, which comes in black, silver, or white. It is only $152. This is a bare-bones option, but could be just what you're looking for if budget is an issue.

Most expensive: $1,245

If something a little more sturdy is what you are looking for, Walmart's most expensive choice is the Bedz King Stairway Bunk Beds Twin over Full with 4 Drawers in the Steps and 2 Under Bed Drawers, Dark Cherry would be a good choice. It costs $1,245. This will take up a bit more floor space in the bedroom, but also provides some storage with the drawers to help keep things organized. If you are looking to save a little bit of money and don't care about the dark cherry color, you can get this same bed in gray for $1,073.

Variety of shipping options

All the bunk beds we looked at offered free shipping. Many beds also offer the option to ship to your local store as well. Keep in mind that you will need a vehicle with enough space to transport the boxes if you opt to pick it up at the store. Also, double check where the bed will be shipping from. Many options are from Walmart, but there are also quite a few that ship from third-party sellers.

Returns are easy-breezy

Walmart offers free returns 90 days from the date of delivery. If you choose to pick your bed up at your local store, returns must also be made in store. Walmart's return policy is more generous than some other competitors by not requiring the customer foot the bill for the return shipping. You will have to check out the policy if you go with a third-party seller though. Walmart says they have some minimum standards for their marketplace sellers, but we suggest you do your due diligence once you have picked out the bed you would like.

Straightforward option for basic bunk beds

While Walmart may not be the most high-brow retailer to purchase your bunk bed from, we feel that they deserve an honest look. The website is very user-friendly and has quite a bit of information about each bed on it. Their prices tend to be lower than other competitors as well, making this a potentially good fit.

Target

• 119 bunk beds to choose from
• Prices range from $250 to $2,100
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business more than 60 years

Target is probably a store you are already quite familiar with. With lots of physical locations all over the United States - and most having grocery stores to draw you in as well - chances are really good you already have an idea of what Target has to offer. But did you know that bunk beds are among those items? They aren't something you're likely to see in the store, but there are actually a number of options to choose from when shopping online.

Plenty of details to consider

During our most recent online shopping experience at this retailer, we noticed that each option had quite a few details about that particular bunk bed. There are a number of photos to get a really good idea of what the bunk bed looks like in a room. Not only did Target provide a very detailed description about the bed, but they also included such information as the overall dimensions, the weight, the material, whether or not a box spring would be required, and information regarding the warranty.

Convenient shopping experience

Another feature we really liked was that each bunk bed has the option to read reviews so you can hear from previous customers what their thoughts were. There is also a spot where you can ask a question about that specific model. If you check out the questions already asked, you may find valuable information you didn't even know you were wondering about. The only thing we didn't like were the filters at the top. In order to shop by price you had to choose a range rather than having a low-to-high option, for example - all in all a minor irritant and not something that couldn't easily be worked around.

Least expensive: $250

The lowest priced bunk bed from Target is the Twin over Twin Convertible Metal Bunk Bed by Room & Joy which costs $250. This is a great choice if you are looking for something simple with the option to convert to two twin beds down the road.

Most expensive: $2,100

On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive option Target has to offer is the Twin/Full Hilands Bunk Bed with Lower Bed White by Hillsdale Furniture. It will cost you $2,100. It has a twin on the top with a full on the bottom. The side has a couple of shelves as well as a 6-drawer dresser to help with storage.

Shipping included

In addition to the details tab and the Q&A tab, there is also information about the shipping and return policy for that item. For the bed we looked at we were given the shipping dimensions as well as the shipping weight. Please note that you can only have the bed shipped to an address located in the continental United States. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii you will have to look into another store.

Returns within 120 days - or more

Target has a very generous return policy. Most items are able to be returned for a full refund within 90 days of purchase. If you happen to have their RedCard, bump that time frame up to 120 days for a full refund. Even better, if you happen to choose a Target owned brand bunk bed then you even have up to a year to change your mind.

Keep an eye out for savings

As with anything else that Target offers, you can save 5% if you use your RedCard. There is also a credit option through Affirm if that is something you're interested in. A number of beds, but not all of them, also have the option to add on an Allstate protection plan. While you are looking at your options, check out different labels you see near the price. Sometimes there are sales going on that you might want to take advantage of. Target can also have some special deals when you purchase online.

Great reputation

Target has both accreditation and, more importantly, an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. Much like other very large businesses, we noticed quite a few reviews from unhappy customers. Most tend to be unrelated to the actual products though and we don't feel that should deter you from shopping there for your bunk bed.

You can't go wrong with Target

With an overall nice shopping experience and plenty of options to choose from, Target is a great option for choosing your next bunk bed.

Lowe's

• 560 bunk beds to choose from
• Prices range from $224 to $2,470
• Choose between free store pickup and free delivery on most beds
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for almost 80 years

Lowe's is definitely known for their home improvement side, but they do have over 500 options when it comes to bunk beds that are available for delivery to your home or for in-store pickup, if you prefer.

Shopping experience is just okay

Lowe's isn't our most- or least-favorite when it comes to the online shopping experience. We really liked the "compare" section toward the bottom when you are looking at a particular bed. It gives you the chance to see that item along with two other beds that may fit what you are looking for a little better. However, there wasn't a lot of information about each individual bed, unlike some of our higher-ranked retailers. Each bunk bed has the option to leave a review, but one customer rating that we looked at left a 5-star but also clicked the option for "wouldn't recommend" ...which we found rather odd. Other options didn't have any reviews - which isn't the company's fault - but also doesn't let you know what other customers have experienced with the bed.

Financing and in-stock notifications

As with most other retailers there is the option to finance if that's something that helps you out financially. If you have any questions through the process there is an online chat feature that could be helpful. One thing to notice as you're browsing the available bunk beds at Lowe's is the button that either says "Add to Cart" or "Notify Me" . If it's the latter, it's not currently in stock and you can be added to a wait list, to get an email when it is ready for ordering.

Least expensive: $224

The most reasonably priced option at Lowe's is the DHP Fulton Twin Over Twin Bunk Bed, which will run you $224 and comes in a few colors. This is a shorter than average bunk bed, which is great for those shorter ceilings. The top bunk is one that's going to need a 6-inch mattress, but that isn't unusual for a loft or a top bunk. The guardrails run the entire length to the space for the ladder, which is terrific for safety. It does ship in one box, which is also a plus.

Most expensive: $2,470

For the other end of the spectrum, you will be looking at spending $2,470 to get the Atlantic Furniture Columbia Staircase Bunk Bed Full over Full with Twin Size Raised Panel Trundle Bed in Walnut. This model can have the staircase set up on either end of the bed, giving you options depending on the room you are looking to put it in. They claim it is very sturdy and it definitely looks like it is. The information provided indicates that it can accommodate either under-bed storage drawers or a twin size trundle. Another feature that is always a park is that it can convert into two full size beds, should that ever be something you might want down the road.

Shipping is included

Lowe's only requires a minimum of $45 to get free standard shipping, which isn't going to be a problem for a bunk bed. You should allow 7-10 business days for your item to arrive though, so keep that in mind. You have the option to do free store pickup as well if you have a vehicle that can handle the packaging. Expedited shipping is offered on some products so if that's something you're wanting, check to see if it's available for your bed.

Returns for up to 30 days

If you need to return your bed, you can do so up to 30 days - unless you bought it on a Lowe's card where you would have 365 days instead. As with any retailer though, we highly recommend you take advantage of that chat feature and make sure a return on a large item such as a bunk or loft bed is, in fact, an option for you.

Good options for bunk beds

Lowe's can be a viable option for your bunk bed purchase if you are looking for a place that has a brick-and-mortar store. They don't have the selection that some other competitors have, but we still feel that 560 choices is quite a few to choose from.

Cymax

• Over 1,300 bunk beds and loft beds to choose from
• Prices range from $185 to $3,048
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for over 15 years

Cymax is a little confusing when you first visit the site since it does say "Cymax Business" at the top. However, despite their primary focus on business needs, they do have a good selection of more than 1,300 bunk beds to choose from.

"Meh" website but impressive selection

Cymax's website isn't nearly as nice of a shopping experience as some of the other choices out there. It is a little less flashy than others. However, looks aren't everything and they do offer a good selection of bunk beds and loft beds to choose from. The lower end were what you would expect - made of metal and more flimsy - and the higher end were made of wood and much more sturdy.

Good search filters, but lack of detailed information

Cymax offers plenty of filters to sort through your bunk bed choices, including if you want a bunk, loft, low loft, futon bunk, L-shaped, or a triple bed. Each individual item has the option to leave a review for that particular bed, but none of the choices we saw had any to read so it wasn't very helpful. There also wasn't as much information on each bunk bed as a lot of other retailers have. The pictures were nice though, giving you a view of the made-up bed either on a white background or in a fully furnished room.

Least expensive: $185

The most affordable bunk bed you will find at Cymax is the DHP Metal Twin Loft Bed in Silver. At the time of this review it was on sale for $185 which the site says is 36% off the retail price of $291.18. They do mention this bed has a clearance of 57.5" under the loft, which is a nice feature, allowing most children and even some teens the ability to stand up straight under it. This bed also allows for a normal twin-size mattress, where some beds require you to have a mattress no deeper than 6 inches.

Most expensive: $3,048

On the high end is the Pemberly Row Full Over Full Staircase Trundle Bunk Bed. This will cost you $3,048. It is a really well-made bed with extra space in the full size, giving your more active sleepers a chance to stretch out. We really like these staircase options that give little feet more of a place to climb than a ladder does. It is also nice to have the option to have a trundle in case you are wanting sleeping space for three, or even for sleepovers.

Shipping is a bit limited

Cymax does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Canada. They also don't allow you to see how your package is being shipped until after it is on its way. Cymax lists a number of policies you should follow when accepting a delivery. It's a good rule of thumb to do anyway, but they do have in writing that you are responsible to thoroughly check the packages upon arrival. If there is major damage, you have to note that on the carrier's paperwork and refuse to accept the delivery. If there is minor damage they recommend you open the boxes if the carrier will allow it, and contact Cymax within 48 hours if there is damage to the furniture. At the very least, make sure you are aware of what they expect you to do in case something is amiss in delivery.

Returns with restocking fees

If you decide you need to return your bed for any reason, you have 30 days to do so, which is pretty standard. However, be aware that a restocking fee of up to 25% and the return shipping will be your responsibility and will come off your return. Make sure you contact Cymax before you order to clarify exactly what the requirements will be for your specific item.

Decent reputation

Cymax has a great reputation with the Better Business Bureau. They are accredited as well as have the "A+" rating. Even their reviews on the BBB listing are pretty good, for the most part, unlike quite a few companies.

Unlikely but worth checking out

At first glance, Cymax isn't likely to get your attention as a place to buy bunk beds. But, their selection is actually quite good, the store's reputation is not a problem, and you could get a good price on the right bunk bed for your child's bedroom. Cymax might be worth your time to look around a little.

Pottery Barn Kids

• 50 bunk beds and loft beds to choose from
• Prices range from $1,200 to $4,195
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• In business for over 65 years

If a company that gives back to the environment is something that is important to you, then Pottery Barn Kids might be what you're looking for. You'll see many products here that include a "This purchase plants a tree" banner. In addition to having a tree planted for your purchase, many options come with their "greenguard" certification to contribute to healthier indoor air. This means that the product emits lower levels of formaldehyde than most typical pressed board furniture will do - always a good thing.

Decent shopping experience

The Pottery Barn Kids site is quite nice and fairly user friendly. Take a second and hover your mouse over the pictures to see a version done up in the classic Pottery Barn style. They don't give as many filter choices as some of their competitors, but they also don't have the selection to weed through. We really liked that they give a minimum recommended ceiling height so that you don't get the bed delivered only to find that it doesn't fit the room. As with other retailers there is the option to finance your bed if that is something that interests you.

Lacking customer interaction

Something we found disappointing though was that we didn't see anywhere that we could leave a rating for a particular bed. There was a place to ask a question, but it was small and potential questions either don't get posted to the page where the item is, or no one is actually asking questions.

Least expensive: $1,200

The least expensive option at Pottery Barn Kids is the Catalina Twin-over-Twin Bunk bed, with a sale price between $1,200 and $1,600 at the time of this review. This is a bunk bed that can be used as either two separate twin beds or as bunk beds. We like having the option for down the road when the kids might prefer to have their own rooms. When they are used as bunk beds the ladder can be positioned on either the right or the left side of the bed, giving you more choices depending on the room you are putting it in.

Most expensive: $4,195

On the high end, you will be looking at the Fillmore Stair Loft Bed and Lower Bed Set, which ranges from $3,195-$4,195 on sale at the time of this review. During our online shopping trip, this bunk bed was available for preordering only, so shipping for this item was still out there a couple of months. You can pick between twin and full for both the loft and the lower bed. As with the less expensive option, this bed comes with a tree planted for your purchase as well as the "greenguard" certification. This bed has a staircase that cannot be moved to another side. It has beautiful spindles and molding for the loft bed guardrail. It also comes with a built-in desk that has two drawers.

Shipping discount

Take a look around the site when you begin to shop to see if there are any deals with shipping going on at the moment. At the time of our latest shopping trip Pottery Barn Kids had free shipping on orders over $99 using a code they provided. You can always click on their shipping information page to get an idea of what delivery will normally cost you.

Watch out on returns

While the website does say that eligible items can be exchanged for a refund of the merchandise value within 30 days, we advise you to be cautious. We found review after review - 94% in fact - of very unhappy customers who either had trouble actually getting an item that was ordered or weren't able to return an item that had been damaged or otherwise needed returning. One customer had a delivery of a bunk bed scheduled, only to have Pottery Barn reschedule for an entire month later because of a missing part. When it did finally come - and her husband had taken the day off to take down the old bed - there were parts missing, leaving her with a crying 4 year old that still didn't get his new bed, and a husband that then had to put the old bed back up again.

Not the worst, but not the best either

Pottery Barn Kids definitely has things going for it - super cute designs, the ability to style your child's room to the nines, their commitment to improving the environment - but if you don't care as much about the name brand, you'd like a wider selection, or you are concerned about the poor reviews describing shipping and return issues you might want to check out some of our higher-ranked bunk bed picks.

Kids Furniture Warehouse

• Almost 80 bunk beds to choose from
• Prices range from $366 to $3,200
• In business for over 10 years

Kids Furniture Warehouse is based in Florida and they have showrooms located in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida. Because of their limited reach, shipping is a little more complicated if you don't live within the range of their normal delivery area.

Not the most shopper-friendly website

The overall shopping experience on KFW's site isn't nearly as user-friendly as their competitors. You have to hunt a bit more to find what you are looking for. You start off by needing to decide the style you want - such as twin over twin, twin over twin with stairs, twin over full, twin over futon, and so on - and then you can see the choices in that category. There were hardly any filters to choose from but the most options in a category we found was 12 so it wasn't burdensome to browse. This is the retailer with the fewest number of options, but what they have is solid wood: no metal frames available here. Some customers have complained about the quality of the furniture though, so keep that in mind.

Least expensive: $366

The most economical choice that you have will be the Manhattan Mission Bunk Bed, which was on sale for $366 at the time of this review. This wood bed has the option to have storage drawers, a trundle, or nothing under the bottom bunk. If you choose either the drawers or the trundle, it will obviously cost you more. They can also be taken apart to have two identical free-standing twin beds. It comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. The site says it usually ships in 1-2 weeks so keep that in mind if you are looking for faster delivery.

Most expensive: $3,200

On the more expensive end is the Matrix Dapper Low Bunk Bed with Stairs - Full Size, which will run you $3,200 on sale. You can get it in either chestnut, white, or natural. This bed also gives you the choice of storage drawers or a trundle underneath, either of which will make it more expensive. You also have the choice of the bed end style - slat, panel, or the curved which will cost you extra - and whether or not you want to have a slat safety panel added on for $60. There are pictures to give you an idea of the different options you can pick from. This bed usually ships in 3-4 weeks. It seems to be very solidly built and also has a number of coordinating bedroom furniture that goes with it.

You could save

Keep an eye out when you first visit Kids Furniture Warehouse's site. We were prompted to put an email address in to subscribe to their newsletter. While we aren't always thrilled with the thought of more "junk" mail, sometimes signing up for a newsletter will get you a bonus perk.

Reputation is mediocre

We're never thrilled to see that a company has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and unfortunately, Kids Furniture Warehouse does. But, the BBB gave them that rating for a total of just five complaints filed there, three of which went without a response from the retailer. That's not fantastic, but it's also not a gigantic red flag either. However, other reviews mention quite a few problems with shipping, horrible customer service, and less-than-quality furniture.

Shipping and returns may be a challenge

Shipping is best if you live within 30-40 miles of one of their showrooms. "Local Delivery" will get you your item delivered in the room you want it in. "Delivery and Assembly" will get your item assembled as well. You will be notified of your shipping charge before purchase so you have the choice of picking it up in store (only in Florida) or canceling your order. For "out of area delivery" they ship most anywhere in the US. Put your address in to make sure your area can be delivered to; if your area is available, this will be a "curbside delivery" which means you need to get the item into your home and into the room you want it in. You also need to make sure to inspect your items for any shipping damage upon arrival and report anything found or you will be out-of-luck. We weren't able to find any return information so we highly recommend you contact the retailer to clarify what your return options are before you purchase.

Give it a "maybe" if you're local

If you happen to live in either Central or South Florida, you might want to give Kids Furniture Warehouse a try - especially if you can run into a store to see the quality for yourself. If you don't live in the area, you might want to check out some of our higher ranked retailers.

Rooms To Go

• About 170 bunk beds to choose from
• Prices range from $520 to $3,000
• Free shipping
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for over 30 years
• Delivery only available to 19 states and D.C.

If you live in the South or on the East Coast, you may have seen one of Rooms To Go's showrooms near you. Their online store has a decent selection of furnishings for every room in your home, and their collection of bunk beds gives you just under 200 styles to consider.

Decent online store

Rooms To Go has a decent online shopping experience. There are plenty of filters for you to use to narrow down your search. For example, you can filter by price, their recommendations, or availability. You can also sort by the kind of finish you're looking for, the style - are you looking for a bunk with a desk? A loft with a dresser? - the size mattress it fits, or even if you are looking for a boy or a girl. There isn't as much information about each individual bunk bed as some other retailers, though. They do have a good selection of both metal and wood frames, depending on your needs.

Prices from $520 to $3,000

The most affordable bed offered by Rooms To Go is the Camp Hideaway Gray Twin Jr. Loft Bed, priced at $519.99. It's got a cute play area underneath the platform with a tent that comes in your choice of pink or white. On the opposite end of the cost spectrum is the Ivy League (that should be your first clue) 2.0 Walnut Full-over-Full Step Loft. It comes with a built-in bookcase and chest, and there's a unique desk to the side of the bed - perfect for studying or for use as a nightstand. You'll pay just under $3,000 for Rooms To Go's most expensive bunk bed. But, fortunately for you, all of the beds offered here come with free shipping.

Very limited delivery area

However, this retailer doesn't deliver nationwide. In some states, you can get both delivery and setup included with your purchase: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and Louisiana. You're out of luck with respect to setup but you can still get delivery if you live in Oklahoma, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington DC. Anywhere else? Sorry, Rooms To Go isn't going to be your go-to for a bunk bed.

How about a sweepstakes?

Want a chance to win a Rooms To Go gift card? Watch out for pop-ups when you visit the site. On our most recent shopping trip to this retailer, we were offered an entry in their contest if we provided our email address and zip code. Be aware, though, that it was limited to residents of just a handful of states.

Return policy fails to impress

Rooms To Go has a less-than-generous return policy. From the moment your bunk bed is delivered, you'll only have 48 hours to decide if you want to send it back - and, by the way, you may be charged a restocking fee, and the original shipping fees that they paid could also be deducted from your refund. It hardly seems worth it to even try.

Reputation

Just like the last time we evaluated Rooms To Go, the retailer had an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Ordinarily that's a good sign that it's a store you can count on. But, over 1,000 complaints in the last 12 months and at least a thousand negative reviews on top of that tells a different story. Time and again, customers say that items come damaged or are broken during delivery, customer service refuses to cover items that are under warranty, and sometimes these issues go unresolved for years. That "A+" from the BBB reflects the fact that Rooms To Go is responding to each and every complaint - even though that's hardly scratching the surface of leaving their customers actually satisfied with the answer.

Customers are happy - at first

On the other hand, we found almost 8,000 five-star reviews from very happy shoppers. But, we noticed something about those comments: they were almost always related to the sales and ordering process, and rarely about the quality or delivery of the furniture they received. It made us wonder if those reviews would be painting a different picture a few weeks or months down the road.

Can't compete with other bunk bed stores

Compared with other higher-ranked retailers of bunk beds, Rooms To Go doesn't have much going for itself. Stingy return policy? Limited delivery area? Poor quality furniture? We don't know too many people who would think that sounds like a great deal. We encourage you to check out the retailers in our reviews with better ratings, to make it more likely you'll get a bunk bed you'll love - and no hassles along the way.

Hayneedle

• About 170 bunk beds and almost 90 loft beds to choose from
• Prices range from $195 to $2,324
• Free shipping
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• Over 20 years in business

Hayneedle is a company that seems to be good when you first look around their site, but their many poor reviews tell a different story. There were very few reviews where someone had something positive to say. Despite that, they do have a few positive things going for them.

Good online shopping platform

Hayneedle's website is nice and streamlined. There are pictures to show you both the bunk bed by itself as well as all done up in a decorated room. Below each thumbnail it shows how many finishes/colors the item comes in, which is a nice touch when you're glancing at a number of bunk beds at once. There are plenty of filters on the left hand side, including such options as customer reviews, items on sale, and ones that will ship quickly. Each option has customer reviews to help you as well. There is also a section that tells you a little about the company that manufactures the bunk bed. In addition, there is the typical financing available, but they also have a 5 or 10 year option to purchase added protection with a link that says what's covered in that, if you choose to buy it.

Look for extra savings

When you first visit the Hayneedle site, keep an eye out for pop-ups. We got an offer with a 10% discount if we signed up for their mailing list - that could save you a decent chunk of change on your bunk bed. At the time of this review there was an extra 10% off available with a seasonal code you could apply, so watch out for sales like that as well.

Least expensive: $195

Hayneedle's lowest priced item is the DHP Twin Loft Bed for $195. This is very similar to two other retailers' lowest priced items. It is a bare-bones, although very contemporary, loft bed. In the product overview it says that it is available in your choice of finish, but when you click on the drop-down menu the only option is "gray."

Most expensive: $2,324

The highest priced bunk bed at Hayneedle is the Montana Woodworks Glacier Country Twin Over Futon Bed. It will cost you $2,324. This bed has a very log-cabin look to it and is part of a collection of similar furniture. There is a note in the delivery column that says they will bring it to your door, garage, or porch. That means you have to figure out how to get it into the room you want it in. A scheduled delivery and a signature is required for any of their "larger items." The manufacturer warranty is really nice on this particular bunk bed though - 20 years.

Reputation is a mixed bag

Hayneedle has a solid reputation with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB gives this retailer an "A+" rating, and there were only 20 complaints filed in the year leading up to this review. On the other hand, their track record with customers beyond the BBB listing is really disappointing. We found comment after comment describing poor item quality - to the point of being fraudulent, in some shoppers' opinions - and products that were missing hardware and other parts essential to assembly. Can you imagine getting a bunk bed that you couldn't even put together - and then the store refusing to issue a refund (or even send the missing parts)? When 81% of your customers give you the lowest possible one-star rating, it's not a good look.

Shipping and returns are confusing

There is free shipping through Hayneedle, which is a great perk, and each individual bunk bed will show when the expected arrival date is. The options we looked at showed FedEx Ground as the shipping provider. There was also a product guarantee as well as a statement that "you may return most new, unused, and resalable items in their original packaging within 30 days of the delivery date" . We aren't sure what all that means though. If you've set up the bed and it was too tall for the ceiling in the room, then you can't return it? This lack of clarity could be where a lot of those 81% one-star ratings come from.

Shop elsewhere

While Hayneedle looks promising at first glance, with a decent website and selection of bedroom furniture, that's where the good times stop. Seeing reviews from so many unhappy customers leads us to suggest that you shop elsewhere for your bunk or loft bed.