Cabin bed - thumbs up/down?

[whethergirl]

I need to get DS age 6 a bed, and was thinking to get a cabin bed - one with a wardrobe, draws, storage space etc. all built in, to save on space. His doesn't have a tiny box room, but I just thought the more space to play the better.

However a friend put me off by telling me that she wasn't keen on cabin beds and that the storage space wasn't as effective as one might think.

Does anyone have a cabin bed? Love it or hate it? Where did you get yours from? I'm quite poor, so am looking at Argos (so I can pay weekly) and also 2nd hand ones on ebay.

[Zingylemontart]

DD has a Scallywags Colours cabin bed that is shortly to be made into a high sleeper. I don't understand how the storage wouldn't be effective - surely if you can store stuff in it, its effective? The Scallywags stuff isnt cheap, but it's modular so you can add to it as you can afford it (which is what we have to do!) there was one on eBay the other day - not sure if it's still there.

[cambridgeferret]

Don't bother with the Argos ones. The bed's fine but the drawer units are far too flimsy for normal use. My DD managed to break the pull out desk and she's only a normal 6 year old.

[GBR]

We have one from Tesco Direct for my DS, it just has space underneath it, not fittings, so I can hide all his big toys under there to clear floor space. He loves it, and it's not too high so I can still change the sheets easily, etc. We love it!

[whethergirl]

Thanks, I have spent 2 hours looking all over argos, ebay, gumtree etc.! And just ended up even more confused. Good to know about the ebay draws though!

[ilovemilton]

the ones with just storage or a tent underneath are much better - you end up with more floor space, as all the big toys can go under, and the kids love to play under there too!

[BlooCowWonders]

Rather than a cabin bed, a high sleeper might do the trick.

DD has similar to this at M&S
www.marksandspencer.com/Texas-High-Sleeper/dp/B004FOMSB6?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_14&nodeId=121043031&sr=1-14&qid=1306155990
and has a book case and bean bag cushions underneath.

It's high enough to have proper space underneath, and would be fine for a 6yo, I think. (though a real pain when I have to change the sheets...)

[Mollymax]

My dd 10 has a midi sleeper, with just space underneath. I think they are better than ones with wardrobes or drawers etc. The space is very useful. She has wicker baskets underneath to keep toys etc in. Makes the room look tidier ( even if it is'nt! )
I did make curtains to fit around, but they did not last long.

[RachelHRD]

Aspace have some lovely cabin beds and high sleepers. Not cheap but very good quality.

[betterwhenthesunshines]

The Swedish shop sells a KURA reversible bed that we got when our son (then aged 6) wanted a high bed. (about £100) You can have it as a high bed with space under, or turn it for it '4 poster'. Worked well. Now age 9 he's fed up with the high bit so we've sawn the legs off so it is permanent low bed with the solid surrounds so it looks more like day bed /sofa.

It's a bit awkward to change the sheets on a high bed.

[flaime]

My kids have high beds with storage underneath and love them to pieces and the storage is excellent.
I hate them though as I have to stand on a chair to give them their goodnight kiss and can't cuddle them in their beds when they are unwell and changing the sheets is a nightmare!

[Butterbur]

They're a bugger to change the sheets on, and boy does the sick splatter from that great height! Your child will be able to pebble dash its entire room.

[vintageteacups]

Ditto what butterbur said - really hard to lift matress corners on far side of bed to change sheets and for some reason, the sheets never lay properly down the sides because the matress fit up so close to bed rails.

However, great for storage. we now have DS' cabin bed in it's 3rd position and he now has maximum room in his bedroom. He has 4 drawers for clothes, book shelves turned parallel with bottom of bed and then a huge space underneath for his mini Ikea chair and cd player.

[vintageteacups]

Oh gosh yes, the cuddling thing - can't do that unless they come right up close next to bed rails.

[whethergirl]

Ooooooh. Hmmmmm.

After reading these posts and having a think, and after many hours of browsing cabin beds online (no, really - I get obsessed about things like this)....I am now seriously re-considering.

I am not good with vomit at the best of times. Once ds was sick, on the bed, and all the way to the toilet (finished being sick just as he reached the toilet). Can't imagine how much worse that would be with a cabin bed.

Cuddling - I suppose I could buy a bean bag and we have bed time cuddles on that. But sometimes it's nice to have a little chat while ds is lying down on his bed at bedtime...it's a nice time to explain something, put his mind at rest or praise him. I was also thinking, it's nice to have the bed as sitting space, or lounging on, isn't it? I mean he does always have the sofa/my bed for being sick on/lounging about on I suppose.

Also, I see most cabin beds have desks and wonder how often these actually get used? At the moment, DS has the option of doing homework on the kitchen table but always prefers the floor. I seem to remember having a desk as a child and never using it.

Now I can't decide and this is really going to do my head in.

[Tortoise]

DD2 has an Argos cabin bed, one with pink drawers and pull out desk. The desk parts are in the loft because she doesn't need a desk. Space where desk goes fits 2 tubs of toys.
She loves her bed and it is bigger than I expected. She has broken one draw because she stood on it!

[redhatbluehat]

DS has an Argos cabin bed, it's one of the pine ones. I think the metal or mdf beds aren't built as well, but ours is very solid and has lasted well.

DS uses his desk as he prefers to do his homework in peace. We'd have space for a desk in his room but it's nicer for him to have his floor space. He's quite creative and likes making models which we'd never have room for if he didn't have the cabin bed!

DS got his bed when he was 9 though, so bedtime cuddles and sickness issues weren't much of a problem by then. He's never really been unwell since he's had his bed so I haven't thought about the vomit problem!

[hastingsmum]

I can deffo recommend a high sleeper / mid sleeper. Lots of space underneath and DS2 looves being up there.
Ours did come with a desk but I didn't fit it as we don't need it.

[vintageteacups]

Agree about the desk - I'm sure eventually DS will need a desk but in the mean time, ours is also in loft.

It was way too high for him as well - I think it would only suit a taller child.

[BelovedCunt]

i agree with flaime, i wouldn't buy it again purely on cuddling alone. i do drag myself in and out on occassion but it is v. hard