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Trundle beds - Not just for kids!
If you’ve been looking for a smart sleep solution to: a) maximise space, b) save your poor sofa from being rigged up as a makeshift bed-come-pillow fort, and c) avoid the postural perils of sleeping on a blow-up mattress...a trundle bed may just be the sleep saviour you’ve been looking for!
Of course, there are a number of different types of space-saving beds to consider besides the usual fall-backs. But without a doubt, trundle beds are one of the most comfortable, efficient and versatile solutions in the mix. And if you thought trundle beds were just for kids’ rooms—think again. (Sorry, kiddos!)
In this guide, we’ll be covering all your questions around trundle beds, including the different types available, all you need to know about mattresses and dimensions, along with all the pros and cons of trundle beds, so you’ll have no more doubts about whether the ‘trundle bundle’ is the right choice for you.
So, first things first…
What’s the point of a trundle bed? (And what the heck is a trundle bed, anyway?)
Everyone loves a good 2-for-1 deal, right?
A trundle bed essentially gives you two beds for the floorspace of one.
Unlike the bunk bed concept which adds a bed above, the trundle bed is concealed below a normal level bed. All you need to do is slide it out (usually on a set of rollers or casters) when you need the extra sleeping space, add your bedding and pillows, and it’s good to go.
The rest of the time, it stays neatly out of sight, out of the way. Some designs even include storage drawers for your bedding when the trundle’s not in use (less clutter! Huzzah!).
With the rising popularity of dual-purpose furniture, it’s no wonder that trundle beds have become popular for many different applications:
- Guest rooms – whether you have a single or double guest bed, an added trundle always offers space for one more when you need it.
- Guest houses & holiday cottages – perfect for an extra bed for adults or kids, without making things feel cramped.
- Kids rooms – ideal for sleepovers, and younger kids or toddlers who like to be close to an older sibling. Plus, it ensures the kids’ still have ample space to play during the day.
- Main bedrooms – for parents who are transitioning toddlers to their own bed, a trundle bed makes the perfect transitional bed, and it’s always a handy backup if your kids struggle with sleep issues as they get older.
As an added bonus, however you end up using a trundle bed, you can always take out the mattress if you no longer need it and convert the trundle section into extra storage space that’s easy to access.
Um, so what's the difference between a daybed and a trundle bed?
There tends to be a little confusion between daybeds and trundle beds, since they’re pretty similar. But there are a few key differences.
A daybed is a dual-function furniture piece that can be used as both a bed and a couch. Its design features three sides, similar to a sofa, except that the armrests are replaced by a frame acting as a headboard and footboard, while the long back end still functions as a backrest. Unlike a couch, however, the base supports a proper mattress.
A daybed can include a trundle bed underneath, but this is not an essential feature. Since it’s meant to function as a couch, a daybed will typically be no larger than a single size bed (since it’s difficult to sit comfortably on a very deep couch).
A trundle bed is obviously meant to function primarily as a bed. While a daybed is placed horizontally along a wall, a trundle bed—just like a normal bed—will usually be placed perpendicular to the wall. A trundle bed also comes in a wider range of sizes, as we’ll discuss in more detail below.
7 types of trundle beds to choose from (if you’re the picky type)
Trundle beds, like any furniture, come in a range of designs. The main differences come down to the construction and mechanics of the lower trundle section.
Trundles can also be sold separately as an add-on to existing (compatible) beds and daybeds, or incorporated into a complete trundle bed unit—or as we like to call it, a ‘trundle bundle’ (not the official terminology).
Here are 7 common types of trundle bed designs you can choose from to best suit your needs and preferences:
- Roll-out trundle: This is one of the most common and simplest types of trundle beds. Often sold separately, a roll-out trundle features a mattress that rolls on casters. It can generally be used together with any standard platform bed that offers enough clearance from the floor.
- Pull-out trundle: Very similar to the roll-out trundle, the pull-out trundle features a mattress that’s mounted on a ground-level platform (usually a metal frame) which can be pulled out (also usually on wheels or casters). This type is also often sold separately, but may require more clearance below the main bed, depending on the thickness of the mattress.
- Trundle drawer: A trundle drawer features a special compartment which is built into the main bed and can be pulled out like a large drawer on glide tracks, providing a sleek and stylish design.
- Trundle daybed: A trundle daybed simply adds a lower trundle to a daybed to double up on the extra sleeping space. You can buy daybeds with built in trundles, or purchase a separate roll-out or pull-out trundle to add to an existing daybed.
- Pop-up trundle: The pop-up trundle features fold-up legs which allow the trundle to ‘pop up’ to the same height as the parent bed. This design is ideal for accommodating couples when you’re working with limited space, since it allows a single bed to convert to a king-size. It’s also a great option if you need to accommodate elderly guests or anyone with mobility issues who would struggle with using a floor-level bed.
- Trundle bunk bed: Many modern bunk beds and multi-functional kids’ beds come with a built-in trundle under the lower bunk to offer even more functionality and extra sleep space for sleepovers or siblings sharing a room.
- Storage bed with trundle: Some storage beds (sometimes called Captain’s beds) will incorporate a trundle bed in addition to, or in place of some of its storage drawers under the main bed.
Apart from the general design, trundle beds also offer quite a range of options in terms of aesthetics. They can be made from metal, wood, or upholstered frames to match a particular bed frame, and can even be custom designed. While you may not be too concerned about looks since a trundle bed is concealed under the upper bed most of the time, it’s always nice to know you have options!
Do trundle beds use regular mattresses? How comfortable is a trundle bed, really?
Space-saving sleep solutions have gotten a bit of a bad rap when it comes to comfort. And it stands to reason that you may have to compromise at least a little on comfort when you’re trying to double up on functionality and cut down on space. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for spinal-torture-of-gran’s-old-sleeper-couch comfort levels.
The important thing is the quality of the mattress, since that’s the biggest factor in sleep comfort. Many trundle beds come with both mattresses included, while some setups will give you the freedom to choose your own. The mattress on the upper bed doesn’t have any special requirements, so can be any kind you prefer.
With the lower trundle mattress, there are two main limitations on your choices:
- Since it needs to fit into a restricted space, the mattress will need to be thinner than some traditional mattresses. Generally, you’ll be looking at a mattress depth of 15-25 cm, but be sure to carefully check the required dimensions if you’re buying a mattress separately.
- Since a trundle doesn’t afford the use of a box spring or other robust mattress base, you’ll be depending solely on the mattress for support. This generally means you’ll need a firmer mattress for better support and durability.
For these reasons, foam mattresses are generally the go-to for trundle beds. Today, there are plenty of highly supportive and comfortable memory foam, latex and pure foam mattresses available.
While you ideally won’t want to be sleeping on a trundle bed every night, there’s no reason it can’t offer a comfortable sleep solution when you need it, as long as you’ve chosen a quality product.
Aren’t trundle beds just made for kids? What about my giant uncle?
Just like bunk beds, there are some strong practical reasons for why trundle beds make a lot of sense for kids’ rooms—and that’s probably why there’s such a strong association there.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t offer a workable solution for most adult-sized guests too.
There are certainly some limitations with trundle beds, such as weight capacity and mattress dimensions (we’ll look at these in more detail below)—so you may need to look at other options for your giant uncle Ned.
Aside from the space issues, a bed that’s less supportive than a traditional mattress and right on the ground may not be suited to an elderly guest or someone with mobility issues. However, a pop-up trundle can still offer a practical and comfortable space-saving option if you’re having the grandparents over.
Awkward question...How much weight can a trundle bed hold?
Since they don’t have a robust box spring or platform foundation, trundle beds can’t support quite as much weight as standard beds. Typically, you’re looking at a weight limit of around 110kg for a trundle bed. This obviously puts a limit on who can use the trundle, how many people can sleep on it—or how many kids can use it as a trampoline—at once.
And on that note – how many people does a trundle bed sleep?
Since a trundle bed has to stow away underneath the top bed, the mattress is usually smaller than the top one. In general, aside from having your trundle bed custom made, the largest mattress used for a trundle is three-quarter size. This could potentially sleep an adult plus a child, but would be a bit cramped for two adults. The majority of trundle beds feature a single or twin size mattress, sleeping one adult or child.
Help! I have a really small guestroom… How much space do I need for a trundle bed?
The great thing about trundle beds from a space-saving perspective is that you only need floor space for the trundle when it’s actually in use, meaning you can use the extra space during the day. If you have a really small guest room, you can probably get away with sacrificing on walking space when the trundle is extended—granted your guests can still get to the loo!
Of course, you’ll need to ensure you have the minimum necessary floor space available, by adding the dimensions of the upper bed, plus the lower trundle when extended. Here is a rough guide on how much floor space you’ll need for a trundle bed:
Dimensions may vary by brand
Full disclosure: the complete pros and cons of trundle beds
Any piece of multipurpose furniture comes with its unique list of p’s and c’s. The important thing is having a clear picture of what they are so you can decide if any of the cons are really a dealbreaker, or figure out ahead of time if there’s a workaround you can live with. Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide if a trundle bed is the right solution for your particular situation.
With that, here’s our complete list of the pros and cons of trundle beds.
Pros:
- Provides extra sleeping space without permanently taking up extra floor space.
- Easy and convenient to set up (no folding out awkward sleeper couches or hauling out and blowing up an air mattress!)
- More comfortable than space-saving alternatives like sleeper couches, air beds, futons and camp beds.
- Safer alternative to bunk beds that’s suitable for younger kids and toddlers.
- Versatile sleeping solution you can use in any bedroom, guestroom, kids’ room or holiday home.
- Available in a wide range of styles to suit different rooms and décor preferences.
- Trundle section can be converted into hidden storage space.
Cons: - Ground-level trundle beds may not be suitable for the elderly or individuals with mobility issues.
- Can’t support as much weight as regular beds (but still pretty close).
- May not be comfortable and supportive enough for adults to use on a regular basis.
- The trundle displaces the storage space you would otherwise have under the bed (though you can usually convert it to storage space again if you no longer need the trundle.)
Trundles away! Where can I buy good quality trundle beds in South Africa?
Now that we’ve answered all the important questions, and covered all the pros and cons, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to find a quality trundle bed that’s right up your alley in quality, style and price.
Whether you’re shopping online or in-person, be sure to check on a few important details before you swipe:
- Does the trundle bed come as a full package with mattress included, or will you need to buy a mattress separately?
- What size and type of mattress will you be able to use with the trundle? (If the trundle requires a non-standard mattress size, be sure to check with the retailer whether they supply these, or where you can buy one.)
- Carefully check the dimensions of the upper bed and trundle bed to make sure you’ll have sufficient space when the trundle is extended.
- Check the cost of delivery, and whether the product comes pre-assembled or requires assembly you’ll need to do yourself.
- Read the fine print so you know exactly what’s covered and what you’ll be liable for if you need to return, replace or repair the item.
Whether you’re looking for a quality trundle bed for a kid’s bedroom, guest room, holiday home, or anything in between, Cielo offers a beautiful range of dual function beds and daybeds designed to maximise on space and style.
Available in Single, Three-Quarter, Double and Queen size, you can choose from base only options if you want to choose your own mattress and bed frame, or add a complete space-saving solution to any room with our fully kitted contemporary dual bed designs. The choice is yours—visit our online store or pop into your nearest Cielo showroom today.