XL Beds - Dorm Room Ideas

I was graduating high school and one of my friends had been telling me about his scouting of some colleges with his parents. Besides visiting campuses he had also been checking out dorms. One of the things he'd been noticing were alot of loft style beds and bunks in the rooms. Not having slept on a loft or bunk before he told me that he found this somewhat different. Of course the occasional fishing trip or camping lodge would have bunks and I mentioned this. He just wasn't into these. So I guess the question was why was he so opposed to bunk beds or loft beds?

Maybe the answer lies in the size of these beds. As youth we easily can fit into a twin or full size bed. Most school age youth are on average 48 inches tall. The length of of twin or full bed is 75 inches. Figuring stretching out and being comfortable these sizes are adequate. Bunk beds and loft beds are also made twin size in most models so these too are great places . As teenagers we usually hit an average height of anywhere between 62 inches to 72 inches. Stretching out on a twin or full bed as you become a teenager or young adult becomes more difficult.

Perhaps the idea of sleeping elevated on a bunk or loft was the issue. The upper bunk of a loft or bunk bed does elevate you higher. I don't think the idea of being higher up off the ground is a bad thing myself. I understand of course that a loft bed offers the possibilities of providing storage beneath the loft system. A chest, desk, bookshelves, storage or any number of other furniture configurations. These options along with the loft bed itself make it a great space saving bed.

I can see how bunk beds also offer space saving solutions when options are limited. I guess this would be especially true for rooms that need to sleep more than one individual. With bunk beds you typically have two varieties. Twin over twin models which present the most basic in bunk bed designs. Futon bunk beds which feature a twin on top and then a futon sofa below. Most bunk beds though are still twin or full size and for a young adult this still may create some issues for spreading out and being comfortable on the bed.

The solution may lie in what are called extra long beds. These beds are made longer like a queen bed but retain the width of a standard twin or full size bed. An extra long bed will provide a bed that is 80 inches long. The surprising thing is that some bunk beds are made twin XL which makes them very strong possibilities for dorm use when a standard twin bunk is not enough. Of course you could always consider a twin extra long bed or a full extra long bed if the space is just sleeping one individual. Extra long beds, mattresses and sheets are available and could be the difference between sleeping in cramp quarters or being comfortable on a larger sleeping surface that should still fit in most tight spaces.

My advice to those leaving high school for college living and needing to decide on a bed is this. If you're living in a dorm environment, check into extra long beds and see what is available. If you're able to find an xl twin or full bed that works for you by all means get it and use it in your space. This goes for apartments or homes too if you're heading out and tight on space in the bedroom. Extra long beds use the same width as standard beds and are longer so that adults can easily sleep on them day to day. You want to be comfortable in your new space so why not get a bed that can best accommodate you when your options are limited.