What is a Trundle Bed & Why Buy One?

Trundles are a great way to furnish a child's bedroom while saving weight.

When choosing a bed, there are many sizes and options to choose from. Twin, full, queen, king, and california king sized mattresses and corresponding bed frames offer sleeping spaces for one individual or multiple individuals. Bunk beds, captain's beds, daybeds, four poster beds, canopy beds, sleigh beds and trundle beds are just a few common bed frame configurations.

Any bed that has a trundle unit can be classified as a trundle bed. The trundle unit is an additional mattress that is stored underneath the main bed, typically on casters or rollers. The most common configuration is comprised of a twin size main mattress and a twin size trundle mattress. It is a great space saving option, but due to the mattress placement, neither bed has a boxspring.

Trundle beds are not the same as a daybed. A daybed is commonly made for a standard twin size mattress and typically has a bed frame with a back and 2 sides in the bedframe. It can be used as a bed and as a place to sit, instead a sofa. A daybed usually has a linkspring instead of a boxspring. The linkspring is usually comprised of metal and this grid-like structure attaches to the two side panels of the daybed frame to create a strong, stable daybed. A daybed can have a trundle unit underneath.

The trundle mattress comes in two different options: a pop-up type or drawer type. The pop-up option raises the extra mattress to the same height of the main mattress, creating a sleeping space as large as a king sized mattress. The drawer type of trundle rolls out from underneath the main mattress and is located much lower to the ground than the main mattress, usually at floor level. The drawer can also be used as a storage drawer when the mattress is removed from the trundle drawer. Most trundle mattresses used are of a standard twin size, measuring 39 inches by 75 inches.

As with any bed frame, a trundle bed frame can be made of metal or wood, or a combination of both. Any other material that is used to create a bed frame can be used for the trundle bed option. Typically the pop-up trundle unit is made of metal, while the drawer type trundle unit is made of wood, matching the main bed frame.

Trundle beds offer a space saving design in any room where space may be limited. It is a great option in a kid's room for sleepovers. It is a convenient option for a multi-purpose room that occasionally functions as a guest room. Or it can provide an additional sleeping space in a guest room.

A trundle unit can be added to any size bed frame style. It can be added to the bottom bunk of a bunk bed. It can be added underneath a king size bed frame, though this is more a custom configuration. It just depends on what you are looking for and what your individual needs are.