We don’t like to dwell on the negative, but the fact of the matter is that the worldwide economy is not so great these days, although job numbers in the United States have been improving very slightly. Moreover, the American housing market remains in a borderline apocalyptic state. Home values are down and, despite enormous government bail outs and public frustration, bank loans are difficult to come by.

That means that homeowners and apartment dwellers are being forced to delay moving into larger quarters or buying new homes. At a time like that, the only thing to be done is to make do with the space you already have. Particularly for growing families or “blended” households with multiple family members of all ages sharing a relatively small amount of space, kids bunk beds are an incredibly practical means of maximizing the use of space within a home. With these types of beds, a room which formally housed one person can now practically hold as many as four. (Alas, there is no equivalent item we know of for bathrooms.)

Bunkbeds are available in variety of configurations, from the traditional twin over twin, to a full size over a full size, and even a twin over full size. In addition, single loft style beds are another great space saving choice.

The good news is that bunks are not only attractive and as comfortable as ordinary beds, they are also beds that kids enjoy. It’s true that some prefer the top and some prefer the bottom, but if you can avoid fights, an awful lot of young people really enjoy getting them and the ability to quietly chat with their bunk mate. Of course, there are issues with safety, but as long as ensure that children younger than six do not use the top bed and make sure that legally mandated guardrails are installed, there should be few problems.