Winchester Solid Pine Storage Mid Sleeper

Safety by design

Every raised bed we sell is built to meet BS EN 747, the British standard for bunk beds and high beds. It covers guard rail height, structural strength, and gap sizes that could trap a child.

As standard across our raised beds:

• Full-length guard rails on the open sides of the upper sleeping surface
• Fixed ladders or steps with deep treads
• Slatted or perforated bases for airflow beneath the mattress
• Smooth edges and child-safe fixings

Before you order

Two measurements save most of the problems we hear about.

Ceiling height. Check this bed's overall height in the Dimensions section above, then allow enough room for your child to sit up comfortably in bed. For most high sleepers that means a ceiling of at least 2.3m.

Ladder and door clearance. Allow 50 to 60cm of clear floor in front of the ladder, and check that wardrobe doors, desk drawers and the bedroom door all open freely once the bed is in place.

Getting the mattress right

This is the most important safety choice you'll make, and it's specific to each bed. The mattresses we sell with our beds are recommended for a reason.

Check the maximum mattress depth in the Dimensions section above, and don't exceed it. Guard rails are designed to sit a set distance above the mattress surface. Too deep a mattress reduces that margin and the rail stops doing its job. The limit varies from bed to bed, so please don't assume it's the same as one you've owned before.

Match the mattress size exactly to the base. Too small leaves gaps at the edges; too large won't sit flat.

Age guidance

The upper bunk of a bunk bed, and the sleeping platform of a high sleeper, are not suitable for children under 6. This is the guidance set out in BS EN 747, and it exists because younger children don't yet have the coordination to use a ladder safely at height, particularly at night.

Younger children can safely use the lower bunk. If you're buying for a child under 6, a low sleeper is the better choice, and the age guidance for each bed is given in its description.

Assembly

Allow around 1.5 to 3 hours and two adults. Lay the parts out in the room the bed will stay in, build the main frame before fitting the guard rails and ladder, and have one person steady the frame while the other tightens.

Check every bolt is fully tight and the frame sits level before your child sleeps in it. If you'd rather not, our assembly team can build it in the room of your choice and take the packaging away.

Ongoing checks

Every few months, and more often with an active child:

• Re-tighten all bolts and fixings
• Check the guard rails are still firm
• Check the ladder or steps are secure

Please don't hang ropes, skipping ropes, belts or bags from the frame, and keep the raised sleeping area clear of ceiling lights and fans.

Read our full safety guidance →