Lights and chargers on a bunk

Lamps that clip on

A clip-on lamp or a small battery light lets the child on the upper bed read without the main light. Fix it where the lamp’s own instructions and the bed’s allow, usually on a headboard or a solid panel, not on the guard rail where it can be knocked or used as a handhold. Choose a lamp that stays cool to the touch and keep it clear of bedding and curtains.

Battery and rechargeable lights avoid a lead on the frame at all. If you use a plug-in lamp, run the cable down the back of the bed to an existing socket, not across the ladder or the floor where someone climbs.

Chargers and trailing leads

Older children often want to charge a phone or a tablet in bed. A charger left under a pillow or trapped between the mattress and the frame cannot lose heat, and a cable hanging from the upper bed is a trip hazard and a loop that can catch. Charge devices on a shelf or a desk, ideally out of the bed, using the charger that came with the device or a reputable replacement.

A long lead stretched from a far socket to the top bunk is the wrong fix. We do not give wiring instructions, and we do not suggest new sockets or circuits on or near the bed. If you think the room needs another socket, ask a registered electrician.

Where this fits with other kit

Bunk bed extras: mattresses, tents and add-on rails covers mattresses, canopies and rails. A canopy and a lamp together need extra care, because fabric and a warm bulb should not touch. On a high sleeper, the desk underneath is the natural place for chargers and a desk lamp. High sleeper with a desk for teens covers the height and space that desk needs.

Questions people ask