Bunking up

KITTED-OUT BUNKS AND CLEVER LAYOUTS TAKE SHARED BEDROOMS TO THE NEXT LEVEL, MAXIMISING SPACE WITH MASS APPEAL

- Keith Flanagan

If the very idea of bunking up brings back memories of childhood and slumber parties, the latest designs will surprise you. More elevated than elementary, shared bedrooms with space-saving solutions continue to pop up in design-driven projects of late, and interior experts aren't just stopping at stacked beds.

Using anything from dynamic layouts to clever lofts, designers squeeze two, three, four or more beds into a single space without sacrificing aesthetics - all while accommodating kids and grown-ups alike. 'Bunking up isn't limited to children - it's a versatile solution for maximising space in homes with limited square footage,' says Dublin designer Róisín Lafferty. 'It consolidates sleeping areas, freeing up the room for other uses like play, study or storage.'

Beyond the primary residence, shared bedrooms are also popular in homes keen to host family and friends. 'It's especially great for second homes where lots of guests are flowing in and out throughout the season,' says Nicole Ficano, principal at NYC's Workshop/ APD. 'In some cases, it's a way to activate underutilised or in-between spaces, and to open up as much floor space as possible for other activities.'