Bunk, cabin, mid sleeper or high sleeper
A bunk stacks two beds. A mid sleeper is a lower raised bed with space underneath. A high sleeper is one high bed, often with a desk. A cabin is a raised bed with a den or storage. The upper bed of anything with a base 600 mm or more off the floor carries the under-six warning.
The names, without the brochure
Shops overlap the words. For planning, use the sleeping surfaces and the height. A bunk has two mattresses, one above the other. A mid sleeper has one mattress at a middle height and a desk, shelves or play space below. A high sleeper has one mattress high enough for a desk or wardrobe underneath. A cabin usually means a raised bed with an enclosed play space or storage, and it may be mid-height or high.
Published heights you can compare
Julian Bowen Orion bunk, listing checked 13 November 2026: frame H 172 cm, mattress 90 × 190 cm. Jupiter midsleeper: the dimensions bullet says H 138 cm, with a stated maximum mattress height of 18 cm and a 16 cm clearance under the guardrail. Ocean high sleeper: H 178.5 cm, with a corner desk and wardrobe, mattress separate.
The Jupiter is the one that fits a lower ceiling. The Ocean is the one that needs the most headroom and suits one older child who wants a desk, not two sleepers. None of these sentences is a test. They are the listing’s figures.
Who sleeps on top
SATRA, describing EN 747-1:2024 marking, says a bed with a base higher than 600 mm is marked “This bed is not suitable for children under six years”, or with a pictogram. BSI’s scope starts at that same 600 mm. So a low play bed can be a different case from a bunk. A mid sleeper at 138 cm is not a low play bed.
Put the younger child on the lower sleeper. If both children are under six, do not use an upper bed that carries that warning. Some makers set a higher age. Boori’s shorty guide says that series is for age 9 and above on the top bunk.
Published examples
Julian Bowen Orion bunk
A stacked single bunk with shelves and a pull-out drawer. A shared room that can take a frame about 172 cm tall, for a child who is allowed on the upper bed.
- The listing’s dimensions line says H 172 × W 197 × D 135 cm, net weight 122 kg.
- Suitable mattress size stated on the listing: 90 × 190 cm UK single. Mattresses sold separately.
- A second dimensions row on the same listing says 196.7 × 135.5 × 171.5 cm. Use the maker’s sheet if those two rows matter to the fit.
We haven’t tested this product. Dimensions and limits are as the maker’s listing states them (checked 13 November 2026).
Julian Bowen Jupiter midsleeper
A mid sleeper with a pull-out desk, shelves and drawers, lower than a full bunk. A room that needs a desk underneath and has less ceiling height than a standard bunk.
- The listing’s dimensions bullet says H 138 × W 196 × D 135 cm, net weight 126.5 kg, mattress 90 × 190 cm.
- The same listing says the top of the mattress must be at least 16 cm below the lowest part of the guardrail, and that the maximum mattress height is 18 cm.
- A product-dimensions row on the listing shows 53.1 × 77.2 × 54.3 cm, which is not a bed. Ignore that row and use the maker’s sheet.
We haven’t tested this product. Dimensions and limits are as the maker’s listing states them (checked 13 November 2026).
Julian Bowen Ocean high sleeper
A high sleeper with a corner desk, a drawer, shelves and a one-door wardrobe. One older child or teenager who needs a desk in the same footprint as the bed.
- The listing says H 178.5 × W 98.5 × D 196 cm, item weight 143 kg, model OCE001.
- Mattress sold separately. The listing describes it as a 90 cm / 3 ft kids’ and teenagers’ bed and does not state a user weight limit.
- The listing says to use the ladder and not to jump or climb on from the floor.
We haven’t tested this product. Dimensions and limits are as the maker’s listing states them (checked 13 November 2026).
Questions people ask
Is a cabin bed safer because it looks enclosed?
An enclosed den does not change the height of the mattress. If the base is 600 mm or more above the floor, BSI puts it in the scope of BS EN 747-1:2024 as a high bed.
Can a mid sleeper take a child under six on top?
Only if the base is under 600 mm and the maker says so. A frame around 138 cm tall is an upper bed. Follow the warning on it.
Sources
Opened 13 November 2026. The maker’s sheet and the mark on the bed take precedence.