What is a Trundle Bed? And Who Should Use One?

Trundle beds are a fantastic option for those who want to preserve the space in their room. Therefore, this makes them an ideal choice for people who have large families that share bedrooms, or for someone who lives in a studio apartment.

This is because a trundle bed is part of a larger guest bed and slides out from underneath the bigger bed on top. This makes them extremely useful for space-saving purposes, sleepovers, or even for unexpected visits from friends and family.

If you’ve recently been wondering about trundle beds and whether they’d be a good fit for your needs, then we’re here to help you make the decision. Below, you’ll find everything there is to know about trundle beds, including whether or not it’s right for you. Read on!

The definition of a trundle bed

In a nutshell, a trundle bed often comes in the form of a twin-sized bed, with the trundle bed being the bed that is closest to the floor. For ease of use, trundle beds often come on wheels so that they can be moved around easily and, to ensure easy storage, the trundle bed of the overall frame is often the thinnest and smallest of the two beds. Most commonly, a trundle mattress is around 8” thick and is usually three-quarters the size of an average-sized mattress, which makes them ideal for children or temporary bedding.

Interestingly enough, the word ‘trundle’ actually comes from an archaic word that roughly translates to the ‘sound of something being rolled across the floor’ which is what a trundle bed has been specifically designed to do. All trundle beds will feature integrated wheels within the frame design so that it can be easily pulled out from their storage space, as well as easily rolled across carpets and wooden floors.

The history behind a trundle bed

Trundle beds have been around for a long time and were first created way back in the medieval ages, as this was a period in time when bedrooms became normalized and a common occurrence within homes. During this period in time, the trundle bed consisted of a slightly more basic design than the trundle bed we have come to know today and would most often include a bed with a slightly smaller one underneath. At the time, trundle beds were mainly used in wealthy households for servants and maids to use within their living quarters. However, as times progressed, beds and bedrooms started to become more commonplace, and trundle beds were used by many for their functionality and affordability.

How does a trundle bed work?

If you’ve already begun exploring the web, then you may have noticed that trundle beds can come in a whole host of different designs. However, most commonly, a trundle bed will be a ‘two-in-one bed design, with the trundle bed positioned directly underneath the bigger bed. When the trundle bed needs to be used, all you will need to do is slide it out from underneath the bigger bed, and it will be ready to use.

The purpose of a trundle bed

The main purpose of a trundle bed is to provide additional sleeping accommodation, all while helping to preserve space within a room. Like we mentioned above, as a trundle bed is kept underneath a larger guest bed, it means that a trundle bed can be tucked away out of sight until it is needed, which will help to maximize the floor space in a bedroom or spare room.

In contrast, trundle beds can also sometimes be integrated into a sofa design, which is a good choice for people who live in a studio flat.

Here are some reasons why a trundle bed may be a good fit for you:

  • You live in a small housing accommodation (such as a studio apartment) and would like to preserve the space within your home.
  • You often like to entertain guests or host dinner parties and would like the additional sleeping space a trundle bed offers.
  • You have a large family who shares bedrooms.
  • You often enjoy hosting sleepover parties for your children but need additional sleeping accommodations so that everyone will be comfortable.

The different types of trundle beds

There are a variety of different styles that a trundle bed can come in. So, to help you gain a better understanding of the differences between them all, let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of trundle beds currently available on the market:

1. Captain’s bed

A captain’s bed is a type of trundle design that features the addition of extra shelves and storage drawers. This will be especially useful for those that live in studio apartments, or other living accommodations where space is limited. This is because the integrated shelves and drawers will help to maximize the floor space available in your home.

2. Sofa bed

Another type of trundle design is a sofa bed. This versatile design features the trundle bed positioned directly underneath the sofa, and can be tucked away out of sight when using the structure as a sofa, or pulled out from underneath when ready to be used as a bed. For this reason, a sofa bed trundle is especially suitable for parents that often host sleepover parties, or for someone who lives in a studio apartment and would like to save on space.

3. Standard trundle

Last not least, the final type of trundle design available for you to choose from is the standard trundle. This is the most common trundle bed, and consists of a twin-bed frame, with the smaller trundle bed positioned directly underneath the larger bed. This type of design is the most popular due to its versatility and can be used for a number of different purposes such as for helping to save on floor space, having an additional bed for guests, or for children that share a bedroom.

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