The Cool Kid Beds Advice Blog
What Is a Children's Trundle Bed? A Parent's Guide to Pull Out Beds
A simple guide to pull out beds, sleepovers and choosing the right setup
A children's trundle bed is a bed with a second sleeping space stored underneath the main frame. When you need it, the lower bed pulls out. When you do not, it tucks back underneath.
That makes trundle beds particularly useful for sleepovers, occasional guests and children's bedrooms where you want an extra bed without permanently giving up more floor space.
You may also see the same style described as a pull out bed, underbed or truckle bed. The exact design varies, so always check the individual product details before choosing a mattress or deciding whether a particular model is suitable for your child.
Children's trundle beds at a glance
| Question | Quick answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| What is a trundle bed? | A main bed with a second sleeping platform stored underneath | You get an occasional extra bed without keeping two beds permanently in the room |
| What are they best for? | Sleepovers and occasional guests | The spare bed can be tucked away again afterwards |
| Do they need a special mattress? | The mattress must fit the size and depth allowed by the individual trundle | A mattress that is too deep may prevent the lower bed from storing correctly |
| Are all trundle beds the same? | No | Mattress sizes, pull out mechanisms and layouts vary between products |
What is a children's trundle bed?
A trundle bed has a second bed stored beneath the main bed. The lower section usually sits close to the floor and pulls out when an additional sleeping space is needed.
Unlike a separate guest bed, the spare sleeping space is already stored in the child's bedroom. Once it is put away, the room returns to its normal layout.
Simple explanation
One everyday bed, with another bed tucked underneath
That is the basic idea behind a children's pull out trundle bed. It gives you an extra sleeping option without permanently filling the room with a second bed.
Why are trundle beds useful in children's bedrooms?
The biggest advantage is flexibility. Most of the time, the room only needs to accommodate the main bed. When a friend or relative stays over, the lower bed can be pulled out and used as an additional sleeping space.
- Useful for sleepovers without keeping a permanent second bed in the room
- The spare sleeping area is stored where you already need it
- The room can return to its normal floor space after the lower bed is put away
- A practical option where a separate guest bed would take up too much space
Are trundle beds worth it?
They can be very useful if the extra sleeping space will genuinely be used. If sleepovers are common or you regularly need somewhere for a child to stay, having the spare bed built into the main bed can be much easier than finding storage for a separate guest bed.
If the lower bed would rarely be used, it is worth comparing a trundle with other ways of using the space beneath the bed, such as storage. The right choice depends on what the room actually needs.
What are the disadvantages of a trundle bed?
A trundle bed is not automatically the best choice for every bedroom. The lower bed needs clear floor space in front of the main bed when it is pulled out, and the mattress for the trundle may have stricter size or depth requirements than the mattress used on the main bed.
Trundle bed: useful features and things to consider
| Feature | Potential benefit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Second bed stored underneath | No permanent second bed taking up the room | There must still be enough clear floor space to pull it out |
| Lower sleeping position | Allows the spare bed to fit beneath the main frame | Check whether the layout is suitable for the person who will use it |
| Specific mattress space | Keeps the lower bed compact when stored | Check the permitted mattress size and maximum depth for the exact model |
| Occasional extra sleeping space | Convenient for sleepovers | If you need two beds every night, another bed layout may suit you better |
Before you buy
Measure the pull out space as well as the bed itself
Do not only measure the footprint of the main bed. Think about where the lower bed will extend when it is in use and whether drawers, wardrobes or other furniture will block it.
Do trundle beds need a special mattress?
The important point is not whether the mattress is marketed as a special trundle mattress. It is whether it matches the dimensions and maximum depth allowed by the particular pull out bed.
Because the mattress has to store beneath the main bed, some trundles have limited vertical clearance. A mattress that is too deep may prevent the lower bed from sliding back underneath correctly.
- Check the exact mattress length and width required by the lower bed
- Check whether the manufacturer specifies a maximum mattress depth
- Do not assume the trundle mattress is the same specification as the mattress on the main bed
- Follow the individual product and manufacturer guidance rather than relying on a generic rule
Can you use normal sheets on a trundle bed?
Use bedding that fits the mattress fitted to the trundle. The lower mattress may be a different depth from the main mattress, so check the actual mattress measurements before buying fitted sheets.
What should you check before buying a children's trundle bed?
- Measure the bedroom and the clear floor area needed when the trundle is fully pulled out.
- Check the mattress size and maximum mattress depth specified for both sleeping areas.
- Look at how the lower bed pulls out and where it will sit in relation to other bedroom furniture.
- Think about how often the spare bed will actually be used compared with other underbed options such as storage.
- Check the specific manufacturer's age, safety and usage guidance for the model you are considering.
What age is a trundle bed suitable for?
There is no single age rule that applies to every trundle bed. Suitability depends on the design of the particular product, who will use the main bed and who will use the lower bed. Always follow the age and safety guidance supplied for the exact model.
That is especially important with children's furniture because bed height, guard features, mattress depth and construction vary between designs.
Common trundle bed questions
Children's trundle bed FAQs
Quick answers to some of the questions parents commonly ask about pull out beds.
Is a pull out bed the same as a trundle bed?
The terms are commonly used for the same general idea: an additional bed that stores underneath the main bed and pulls out when needed. Individual designs can still differ, so check the product details.
What is another name for a trundle bed?
You may also see trundle beds described as pull out beds, underbeds or truckle beds.
Are trundle beds good for sleepovers?
They can be very convenient for sleepovers because the spare sleeping area is stored beneath the main bed and can be put away again afterwards.
Do trundle beds need a special mattress?
They need a mattress that matches the size and maximum depth permitted by the individual trundle. Always check the specification for the exact bed rather than assuming any standard mattress will fit.
What are the disadvantages of a trundle bed?
You need enough clear floor space to pull the lower bed out, and the trundle mattress may have stricter depth requirements. They are also mainly designed as flexible extra sleeping space rather than necessarily replacing two permanent everyday beds.
Are trundle beds worth it?
They can be a very practical choice when you genuinely need occasional extra sleeping space, particularly for sleepovers. If you rarely need a spare bed, you may prefer to use the underbed space for storage instead.
Can you use normal sheets on a trundle bed?
Yes, provided the bedding fits the mattress used on the trundle. Check the lower mattress measurements, particularly its depth, before choosing fitted sheets.
What is a truckle bed?
Truckle bed is another term you may encounter for a bed that stores underneath another bed and can be pulled out when required.
A practical way to choose
Start with the room and how you expect to use the spare sleeping space. Once you know the available floor area, compare the exact dimensions, mattress requirements and manufacturer guidance for the trundle beds you are considering.
Looking for a children's pull out trundle bed?
Explore children's beds with practical space saving designs and compare the individual product details to find the right option for your child's room.