Cabin Bed Buying Guide – How to Choose the Right Cabin Bed
A cabin bed can be one of the most practical choices for a child's bedroom, combining comfortable sleeping space with useful storage and, in some cases, desks, shelving, wardrobes or additional guest beds.
Designed to make better use of the available space, cabin beds are particularly popular in smaller bedrooms where every centimetre counts. Whether you are looking for a first storage bed for a younger child or a multifunctional bed for an older child or teenager, there are many different cabin bed designs available.
This guide explains what a cabin bed is, the different types available and what to consider before choosing the right one. For the full range of children's bed guides, see our Children's Bed Buying Guides hub.
What Is a Cabin Bed?
A cabin bed is a bed that incorporates additional features into the design, making it more than simply a place to sleep.
These features can include:
- Storage drawers
- Shelving
- Cupboards
- Desks
- Pull-out guest beds
- Wardrobes
- Bookcases
Many cabin beds are raised slightly from the floor to create useful storage space underneath, while others sit lower and focus mainly on drawers and shelves.
The main aim of a cabin bed is to provide:
Sleeping + storage + practical furniture features
This can help reduce the need for additional furniture elsewhere in the room.
Why Choose a Cabin Bed?
A cabin bed can help make better use of a bedroom, especially where space is limited.
Instead of having:
- Bed
- Chest of drawers
- Desk
- Shelving
- Guest bed
a cabin bed may combine several of these functions into one piece of furniture.
This can create:
- More floor space
- Better organisation
- Less clutter
- Additional storage
- A more flexible bedroom layout
Cabin beds are particularly popular for:
- Children's bedrooms
- Smaller bedrooms
- Shared bedrooms
- Bedrooms requiring extra storage
- Sleepover rooms
See our Shared Bedroom Ideas guide for more on making the most of a shared room.
Cabin Beds with Storage
Storage is one of the biggest reasons people choose a cabin bed. Our Beds with Storage Buying Guide covers the wider range of storage bed options.
Storage options may include:
- Drawers
- Shelves
- Cupboards
- Open storage spaces
- Bookcases
These can be useful for:
- Clothes
- Toys
- Bedding
- Books
- School items
- Games
- Everyday belongings
Making use of the space underneath the bed can often reduce the need for additional furniture.
Cabin Beds with Desks
A cabin bed with a desk can provide a useful study or activity area without taking up additional floor space. See also our Children's Desk Buying Guide and Mid Sleeper Beds with Desks guide.
Some desks are:
- Fixed
- Pull-out
- Integrated
- Positioned beneath the bed
A desk can be useful for:
- Homework
- Reading
- Drawing
- Craft activities
- Computer use
As children grow older, a desk often becomes more important, making a cabin bed with a desk a practical long-term choice.
Cabin Beds with Shelves
Shelving can provide useful storage for items that need to be easily accessible.
Shelves can be used for:
- Books
- Decorations
- Toys
- School equipment
- Bedtime essentials
Open shelving can also help children organise their belongings independently.
Cabin Beds with Wardrobes
Some cabin beds incorporate wardrobes or hanging space, combining sleeping and clothing storage in one design. Our Children's Wardrobe Buying Guide has more on choosing the right wardrobe.
A cabin bed with a wardrobe can reduce the need for separate bedroom furniture and may be particularly useful where floor space is limited.
This type of bed can be useful for:
- Smaller bedrooms
- Shared bedrooms
- Teenagers
- Bedrooms needing extra storage
Cabin Beds with Sleepover Beds
Some cabin beds include a pull-out trundle bed or guest bed underneath. Our Beds with Sleepover Beds guide covers trundle options in more depth.
This can provide an extra sleeping space for:
- Sleepovers
- Visiting family
- Shared rooms
- Occasional guests
When not in use, the additional bed remains stored neatly underneath the main bed.
Always check:
- Mattress size
- Mattress depth
- Whether the mattress is included
Cabin Beds for Small Bedrooms
A cabin bed can be particularly useful where space is limited. Our Best Bed for Small Bedrooms guide compares the different space-saving options available.
By combining several functions into one piece of furniture, more floor space can remain available for:
- Playing
- Studying
- Storage
- Everyday movement around the room
Before buying, measure:
- Room dimensions
- Ceiling height
- Window positions
- Door openings
- Wardrobes
- Radiators
- Drawer opening space
Cabin Beds for Younger Children
Many lower cabin beds are suitable for younger children because they sit closer to the floor than mid sleepers and high sleepers. Browse our junior and toddler beds for further options.
Low cabin beds can offer:
- Easier access
- Useful storage
- A sense of independence
- Additional safety
Always check the manufacturer's recommended minimum age.
Cabin Beds for Older Children and Teenagers
Older children and teenagers often benefit from cabin beds that incorporate:
- Larger storage areas
- Desks
- Shelves
- Wardrobes
- Sleepover beds
A multifunctional bed can help make better use of the room while reducing the amount of separate furniture required. See also our High Sleeper Beds for Teenagers guide for older-child options with more height.
Cabin Bed vs Mid Sleeper
The terms cabin bed and mid sleeper are sometimes used interchangeably, but there can be differences.
Cabin beds:
- Often lower
- Focus on storage
- May include drawers and shelves
- Suitable for younger children
Mid sleepers:
- Usually higher
- Create larger space underneath
- Often include desks
- Provide more under-bed functionality
However, many modern designs combine features of both, so it is always best to look at the specific layout and dimensions rather than relying only on the name.
For more information, see our Best Mid Sleeper Beds Buying Guide.
Cabin Bed vs High Sleeper
A high sleeper raises the sleeping area much higher, creating space underneath for furniture such as:
- Desks
- Sofas
- Wardrobes
- Additional storage
A cabin bed generally sits lower and can therefore be easier to access for younger children.
If maximum floor space is required, a high sleeper may be preferable.
If easier access and lower height are important, a cabin bed may be the better choice.
Our High Sleeper vs Mid Sleeper guide compares these options in more detail.
What Mattress Does a Cabin Bed Need?
Always check the product details before ordering.
Many children's beds use:
- UK single: 90 × 190cm
- European single: 90 × 200cm
Some larger beds may require:
- Small double
- Double mattresses
Also check the maximum mattress depth, particularly if the bed includes safety rails. Our Children's Mattress Buying Guide covers sizing, depth and safety in full. Our Children's Bed Size Guide explains the difference between UK and European sizes in more detail.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Before ordering a cabin bed, check:
- Mattress size
- Mattress depth
- Recommended age
- Maximum user weight
- Storage options
- Desk dimensions
- Ladder position
- Overall room size
- Ceiling height
- Drawer opening space
- Assembly requirements
See our Children's Bed Safety Guide for further safety considerations before buying a raised or storage bed.
Cabin Bed Buying Checklist
Before buying, ask yourself:
- Do I need storage?
- Do I need a desk?
- Is a wardrobe useful?
- Will sleepovers happen regularly?
- How much floor space is available?
- What mattress size is required?
- Is the bed suitable for the child's age?
- Will the bed still be suitable in a few years?
Are Cabin Beds a Good Choice?
For many families, yes.
A cabin bed can combine:
- Sleeping
- Storage
- Study space
- Guest accommodation
- Organisation
all within a single piece of furniture.
This makes cabin beds particularly useful in smaller bedrooms where making the most of the available space is important.
By choosing the right combination of features, a cabin bed can continue to be useful as your child grows.
Final Thoughts
A cabin bed can provide much more than just a place to sleep.
Whether you choose a bed with storage, a desk, shelves, a wardrobe or a guest bed, a cabin bed can help create a practical and organised bedroom.
The best cabin bed is the one that matches your available space, storage needs and your child's age and lifestyle.
If you are looking for additional height and larger under-bed spaces, you may also wish to explore our Mid Sleeper Buying Guide and High Sleeper Buying Guide.
Browse our full range of cabin beds to find the right style for your child's bedroom.