Far from the the narrow, uncomfortable beds you may remember from camp and college, today’s bunkbeds are luxurious—and bunkrooms are sophisticated. Take a look at the elegant spaces these top designers created for their clients.
Part of a whole-home project for Connecticut-based designer Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs was her client’s son’s bedroom.
“When they bought the home, the boy’s room was just a white box with hardwood floors, so—just like an artist—I had a white canvas to use my imagination and make this little boy’s dreams come true,” says Davies.
Bunks were an obvious choice since “the family needed a comfortable bed for the grandparents when they visited, but also needed the room to double for cousin sleepovers,” she says. “The child’s favorite color is blue, so we incorporated pops of blue in the bedding and accented the room with a tasteful citron green as well as black and white accents in the wallpaper.”
Davies also employed a patterned rug with graphic shapes to anchor the space. “I love experimenting with scale and always try to incorporate playful lighting elements. The room comes alive with bright pops of color from the lighting, accessories, and window treatments, all grounded by the striking area rug,” says Davies. “We included soft black and white pillows for the floor for playtime and hanging out.”
“A kid’s room is the perfect place to let your imagination run wild, and this design captures that spirit perfectly,” she adds. “This is a space that is fun and modern, one that a 4-year-old boy can grow into.”
Allison Campbell of the Utah-based Allison Campbell Design created a timeless bunkroom for her client’s home at the luxury golf community Victory Ranch in Wasach County, Utah. “Our client wanted a room that would not only accommodate children, but also function as a space where adults could sleep if a family wanted to stay together,” she explains. “We opted for twin over queen size beds to accommodate this. Built-in bunk beds, such as these, feel more substantial as well as add storage and more of an intended space.”
Campbell used Salt Design Cabinetry out of Salt Lake City to create the perfect bunks. “They were built with white oak and we added the slat detail on the heads of each bed to protect the drywall from getting banged up. We added wallpaper (from Burke Décor) on the back walls to tie into the ceiling and have it feel more cohesive,” she says.
Campbell also used a custom stain on the white oak, giving it a deeper, more sophisticated look as well as Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore on the slatted headboard walls at both ends of the bunk beds. “The light fixtures were selected for an intentional add of depth and style,” explains Campbell. “We wanted function for the bunks but then a bit of wow for the light fixture on the ceiling. The carpeting was selected to have the same effect. It needed to add another dimension and texture to the space. The bedding is from Beddy’s. All the elements combined to add layers of texture, depth and color to make it well intentioned space.”
All together, the design elevated the room from a child’s domain to one that could also serve adults. “What we love the most about this design is the overall appearance and function of the space,” notes Campbell. “Rather than being a childlike bunkroom, our vision was to make it a sophisticated space that complemented the rest of the home’s design.”
When Becca Casey of Ridgefield, Connecticut’s Becca Interiors set out to craft a bunkroom for a young family transitioning from New York City to the suburbs, respecting the history and unique personality of the home was paramount. “Built in 1937, the house is rich with character, featuring quirky rooms that tell a story of their own,” says Casey. “This particular space stood out with its pitched eaves and roofline, distinctive windows, and walls swathed in a small scale, patterned red wallpaper—elements that posed some design challenges to navigate.”
When it came to the bunkroom itself, she had one very clear objective: “I set out to create a space that [the eldest son] would be ecstatic to call his own,” she recalls. “Guided by the window lines behind the soon-to-be bunk area, I divided the room’s width to accommodate two twin beds, side by side, with a freestanding bed situated below. The brass rails, inspired by a detail I admired at a restaurant during my travels, quickly became an integral element of the design.”
The end result surprised even Casey. “I don’t think I fully grasped how beautifully it would all come together until the day I walked in and saw the brass rails installed. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in what we had created. What thrilled me most was seeing how we were able to create a really special design, using very basic, industrial materials,” she says.
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