Is kid/family focused room setup with bunk bed more important than space?

Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes

Hi everyone,

We are buying a 2bd/2ba villa in Pawleys Island. We have another 1bd/ba in that same area and have seen that this is an area favorited by families.

The current setup in the new house is a Queen in each bedroom plus a Queen pull-out couch. We are considering putting a Twin bunk bed in the second room to help with the kid situation. The concern I have is that it will be a tight from a space perspective. While I know most of the guest's time will not be in that bedroom, I want it to be a good experience for families with many kids and those without.

We were also kicking around the idea of a trundle under the Queen in that room. It is one less bed, but it would give more space.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Cam

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Michael BaumPro Member

Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes

We have a room dedicated to kids here at our lake house. Never had an issue with the bunkbeds in that room. I did make sure they were adult rated as we often have adults who use them.

Here is a pic -

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Frank Barletta
Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2023 · 163 posts · 95 votes
3y
I would ask myself the question: If I were a parent with kids, would they love a bunk bed and would it be safe for them.

Space is relevant if you expect people to stay in the bedroom. My kids LOVE bunk beds so hopefully that gives you a useful perspective.
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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Frank Barletta:

I would ask myself the question: If I were a parent with kids, would they love a bunk bed and would it be safe for them.

Space is relevant if you expect people to stay in the bedroom. My kids LOVE bunk beds so hopefully that gives you a useful perspective.

I think kids would love it, but safety is always an issue I feel like. I have been thinking about my sister's family when considering this. The parents could sleep in the master and her 4 kids could share the Queen and bunk beds. This also allows the adults to stay up later in the main living area since they would not have to use the couch for sleeping.

A trundle could server the same purpose, and might be safer.
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Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
If you're marketing to families, you could put a twin bunk in the room with a pull-out couch. Or if there's enough room even two sets of twin bunks. Lots of STR have bunk rooms and there are many options available that would be safe. Although I would change the light fixture if it's a ceiling fan. Think about who you want to stay in your property and tailor the entire place for that market. It makes deciding what to have at the property easier and draws in the niche you're looking for.
[email protected]330-557-3021
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Kerry BairdPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Melbourne, FL · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
I use bunk beds for our big family sized STR. It is a twin over a double, and has a twin trundle. On the other side of the room is a loft bed, which is a twin.
My smaller house has two side by side doubles. The ceilings are lower and it feels tight in that space, so we opted not to use bunks.
I also am aiming to not have too many people per bathroom in my properties. The big house has 5 bathrooms so can handle the extra people, while the smaller house is a 4/2 and having so many people sharing a bathroom would be onerous for guests.
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Josh Kristoff
Investor · Neptune Beach, FL · Member since 2023 · 6 posts · 2 votes
3y
@Cam Lawler - kids will sleep anywhere (+4 here), just make sure it's safe. But if you're asking an ROI question, that is all about a little bit of market research - who visits and why do they? When they are making a selection of where to stay, is there an abundance of supply that will meet their needs, or are you differentiating your product by offering this special space. Ie, if there are 300 units but only 50 cater to families with kids, consider the income potential of competing in that smaller segment of the market by being more purposeful in your offering. Families tend to travel more seasonally (school) so bear that in mind you may not be attractive year round. Critically thinking about your spaces is a crucial step to beating your competition and earning quality bookings - Good luck!

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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Kerry Baird:

I use bunk beds for our big family sized STR. It is a twin over a double, and has a twin trundle. On the other side of the room is a loft bed, which is a twin.
My smaller house has two side by side doubles. The ceilings are lower and it feels tight in that space, so we opted not to use bunks.
I also am aiming to not have too many people per bathroom in my properties. The big house has 5 bathrooms so can handle the extra people, while the smaller house is a 4/2 and having so many people sharing a bathroom would be onerous for guests.

Thank you @Kerry Baird. I need to check the ceiling size, but I think we are good there. This is just a 2/2 so should be good on bathroom space. Good thinking there.
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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Josh Kristoff:

@Cam Lawler - kids will sleep anywhere (+4 here), just make sure it's safe. But if you're asking an ROI question, that is all about a little bit of market research - who visits and why do they? When they are making a selection of where to stay, is there an abundance of supply that will meet their needs, or are you differentiating your product by offering this special space. Ie, if there are 300 units but only 50 cater to families with kids, consider the income potential of competing in that smaller segment of the market by being more purposeful in your offering. Families tend to travel more seasonally (school) so bear that in mind you may not be attractive year round. Critically thinking about your spaces is a crucial step to beating your competition and earning quality bookings - Good luck!

@Josh Kristoff We know we get a lot of families in our 1/1, and in some cases 6 people (we make sure to explicitly let them know in a pre-registration follow-up communication that one of the beds is a sofa and almost everyone is good with this).

We are also checking with other owners in the area on what they are seeing since this is our first 2/2 at the beach.
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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

If you're marketing to families, you could put a twin bunk in the room with a pull-out couch. Or if there's enough room even two sets of twin bunks. Lots of STR have bunk rooms and there are many options available that would be safe. Although I would change the light fixture if it's a ceiling fan. Think about who you want to stay in your property and tailor the entire place for that market. It makes deciding what to have at the property easier and draws in the niche you're looking for.

@Sarah Kensinger We definitely want families as this location is perfect for them. We won't be budget priced, so don't want the place to feel that way.

Will need to check on the ceiling fan for sure! Don't remember in the walkthrough.
1 Reply
John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y
Why not do a twin over Queen or Queen over Queen bunk beds to not limit that room so much to just kids?
1 Reply
Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
3y
We have a room dedicated to kids here at our lake house. Never had an issue with the bunkbeds in that room. I did make sure they were adult rated as we often have adults who use them.
Here is a pic -
1 Reply
John Mausteller
Real Estate Agent · Outer Banks, NC · Member since 2019 · 168 posts · 116 votes
3y
I would consider doing a built in bunk maybe - if the ceilings are high enough you could do a comfortable one - even queen over queen or a twin over queen. You could also do a trundle under each queen bed - so that adds two extra beds, even tho in separate rooms. If you do a twin over twin with the queen room, I’d make sure it was very sturdy - or built in. If the space is super tight, I’d consider a different approach.
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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @John Underwood:

Why not do a twin over Queen or Queen over Queen bunk beds to not limit that room so much to just kids?

@John Underwood could probably do a bunk over the queen. That might workout for sure.
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Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Michael Baum:

We have a room dedicated to kids here at our lake house. Never had an issue with the bunkbeds in that room. I did make sure they were adult rated as we often have adults who use them.
Here is a pic -

@Michael Baum that room looks awesome for kids! If we had a third room, I think we would do a bunk room like that.
1 Reply
Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @John Mausteller:

I would consider doing a built in bunk maybe - if the ceilings are high enough you could do a comfortable one - even queen over queen or a twin over queen. You could also do a trundle under each queen bed - so that adds two extra beds, even tho in separate rooms. If you do a twin over twin with the queen room, I’d make sure it was very sturdy - or built in. If the space is super tight, I’d consider a different approach.

@John Mausteller was doing some space measurements and looks like the best spacing I could do with separate beds would be 36” between but shoved up against the wall on one side. Is this an issue for guests if they can only enter the bed on one side?

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John Mausteller
Real Estate Agent · Outer Banks, NC · Member since 2019 · 168 posts · 116 votes
3y
Quote from @Cam Lawler:

Quote from @John Mausteller:

I would consider doing a built in bunk maybe - if the ceilings are high enough you could do a comfortable one - even queen over queen or a twin over queen. You could also do a trundle under each queen bed - so that adds two extra beds, even tho in separate rooms. If you do a twin over twin with the queen room, I’d make sure it was very sturdy - or built in. If the space is super tight, I’d consider a different approach.

@John Mausteller was doing some space measurements and looks like the best spacing I could do with separate beds would be 36” between but shoved up against the wall on one side. Is this an issue for guests if they can only enter the bed on one side?

Some people certainly don’t like that … that’s where I think a trundle twin in each room under the queen might be better
1 Reply
Frank Barletta
Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2023 · 163 posts · 95 votes
3y
Quote from @Cam Lawler:

Quote from @Frank Barletta:

I would ask myself the question: If I were a parent with kids, would they love a bunk bed and would it be safe for them.

Space is relevant if you expect people to stay in the bedroom. My kids LOVE bunk beds so hopefully that gives you a useful perspective.

I think kids would love it, but safety is always an issue I feel like. I have been thinking about my sister's family when considering this. The parents could sleep in the master and her 4 kids could share the Queen and bunk beds. This also allows the adults to stay up later in the main living area since they would not have to use the couch for sleeping.

A trundle could server the same purpose, and might be safer.

Sure. There are all different heights and configurations of bunk beds (low to the ground, twin over full, etc.).
A trundle is an option and safer from falls but could kids can get hurt from that as well.
You can also go for sleeper sofas.
My point was simply that you should cater to the audience you're targeting.
Maximizing space and providing enough accommodations for people are always key. I'm sure you'll figure it out :)
1 Reply
Mark Kazmierski
Real Estate Investor · Victor, NY · Member since 2015 · 6 posts · 3 votes
3y
One consideration is cleaners HATE bunkbeds. They are a huge pain to strip the beds and remake.
1 Reply
Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Mark Kazmierski:

One consideration is cleaners HATE bunkbeds. They are a huge pain to strip the beds and remake.

Good point. Need to talk to my cleaner about this.
0 Reply
James Hamling
Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y
@Cam Lawler why not just do all of the above, in 1, a bunk-bed with trundle?
1 Reply
James Hamling
Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Mark Kazmierski:

One consideration is cleaners HATE bunkbeds. They are a huge pain to strip the beds and remake.

To put this statement in a nutshell, I was talking with a service vendor at a property yesterday, going over a SOW, and he was hemming and hawing at end and said "ah, it's not going to be fun" to which I said "Well it's a good thing I am bribing you with MONEY to do it then, right. If it was fun it would be FREE".
I couldn't care less what a vendor likes or doesn't like, it's why they get paid to do it.
1 Reply
Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @James Hamling:

@Cam Lawler why not just do all of the above, in 1, a bunk-bed with trundle?

@James Hamling I have never seen one like this before. Interesting.
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Luka Milicevic
Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
I would try get a full bunk bed in there and not a twin, alternatively 2 twins side by side if you can fit it.
Either alternative is better than just a queen bed.
I'd also change out the queen in the other room for a king.
I'm assuming this is all for an STR? The sleeping situation is very important that a guest can get a good night's rest. Upgrade your queen!
1 Reply
Cam LawlerPro Member
OP
Member since 2021 · 23 posts · 15 votes
3y
Quote from @Luka Milicevic:

I would try get a full bunk bed in there and not a twin, alternatively 2 twins side by side if you can fit it.
Either alternative is better than just a queen bed.
I'd also change out the queen in the other room for a king.
I'm assuming this is all for an STR? The sleeping situation is very important that a guest can get a good night's rest. Upgrade your queen!

@Luka Milicevic We are definitely going to switch the master to a King this year.
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Jayson Cain
Lender · Manhattan Beach, CA · Member since 2017 · 423 posts · 268 votes
3y
Congratulations on your new property! It sounds like you're taking the right approach by considering the comfort of your guests, especially families with children. In my experience, providing comfortable sleeping arrangements for families is key to attracting and retaining guests in a vacation rental.

Regarding your question, I would recommend considering the space constraints of the room before adding a twin bunk bed. If it will make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable, it may not be the best option. A trundle bed, on the other hand, could be a great alternative as it provides an additional bed without taking up too much space.

It's also worth considering the demographics of your potential guests. If families with multiple children are your target market, having a twin bunk bed may be more appealing to them. However, if you're also targeting couples or smaller families, a trundle bed may be a better fit.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preferences, the space available, and the preferences of your target market. I hope this helps you make the best decision for your property.
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Brooklyn McCarty
Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
3y
King all the time, queen of you must.
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