A trundle bed might be the most underrated piece of furniture you can put in your home, and if you’ve ever scrambled to figure out where everyone is sleeping when guests arrive, you already know exactly what I mean.
I discovered the magic of the trundle bed when my kids started having sleepovers and I realized I was either blowing up air mattresses at 10pm or making someone sleep on the couch. Neither option felt great. A trundle solved everything — it tucks away completely during the day, pops out in minutes when you need it and gives your guest an actual bed rather than something that deflates by 3am.
Whether you’re outfitting a kid’s room, a guest room that doubles as a home office or a small apartment where every square foot counts, here’s everything you need to know about choosing and styling a trundle bed.
What Is a Trundle Bed?
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A trundle bed is a bed frame with a second, lower bed stored on wheels underneath it. During the day, the trundle pulls flush against the underside of the main bed and is completely hidden. When you need it, you simply roll it out and it becomes a separate sleeping surface right on the floor.
Most trundles accommodate a twin mattress, though some larger frames include a trundle that can expand to a full size. The main bed above can be a twin, full or queen depending on the frame style.
The beauty of the trundle is that it gives you two sleeping surfaces in almost exactly the same footprint as one bed. For homes where space is the main constraint, that math makes the trundle one of the most practical furniture investments you can make.
Who Needs a Trundle Bed?
Families with Kids
This is the most common use and the most obvious one. A trundle in a child’s room means sleepovers are always welcome without any scrambling or extra setup. Your child has their regular bed every night, and when a friend stays over, the trundle rolls out in about thirty seconds.
For a shared kids’ room, a trundle also solves the “two kids, not quite enough space for two full beds” problem elegantly. During the day, the room has room to play. At night, both kids have a real bed.
Shop kids’ trundle beds: Kids Trundle Bed Twin
Guest Rooms That Double as Something Else
Not everyone has a dedicated guest room, and that’s completely fine. A trundle bed in a home office, a craft room or a bonus space gives you a functional everyday room that converts to a guest room in minutes. The trundle stays tucked away until you need it — no permanent furniture taking up space for the 350 nights a year you don’t have guests.
Small Apartments and Studio Spaces
In a smaller living situation, a trundle is a smart way to maximize sleeping capacity without sacrificing living space. Studio apartments, in-law suites and smaller homes all benefit from furniture that works harder and takes up less visual space during the day.
Vacation Homes and Rental Properties
If you have a lake house, a beach rental or any kind of vacation property, trundles are a great way to sleep more guests without adding beds to every room. A twin bed with a trundle in a smaller bedroom gives you two sleeping spots in what would otherwise be a one-person room.
Types of Trundle Beds
Standard Roll-Out Trundle
The classic version — a lower bed frame on wheels that slides completely under the main bed. Standard trundles sit lower to the ground since they need to fit under the frame above. These are great for kids who don’t mind a lower sleeping surface and for adults who simply need an extra bed for occasional guests.
Shop standard trundles: Roll Out Bed Frame
Pop-Up Trundle
A pop-up trundle is the upgraded version. Instead of sitting flat on the floor, it raises up to the same height as the main bed once rolled out, creating two beds at even height. This is more comfortable for adults and older kids, and it also means you can push the two beds together to create a larger sleeping surface — perfect for couples visiting or for a child who wants to share a “big bed” with a sibling during a sleepover.
Shop pop-up trundles: Pop Up Bed Frame
Daybed with Trundle
A daybed with a trundle is one of the most versatile furniture pieces you can own. During the day, the daybed functions like a sofa — it sits against the wall and can be styled with throw pillows to look like a couch. At night, you have a twin bed above and a trundle bed below. For a guest room that doubles as a sitting room, a home office or even a living room reading nook, this is an incredibly smart choice.
Shop daybed with trundle: Daybed with Trundle Twin
Captain’s Bed with Trundle
Some platform beds and captain’s beds — the kind with built-in storage drawers — also include a trundle. These give you triple function: sleeping surface, storage drawers and an extra bed. They’re especially popular in kids’ rooms where you want to maximize every inch.
Shop captain’s bed with trundle: Captain’s Bed with Trundle Storage
Full-Size Trundle Bed
Most trundles accommodate a twin mattress, but some frames are designed with a trundle that can expand to full size. These are a great option for older kids or for a guest room where you want to accommodate adult guests more comfortably.
Shop full-size options: Full Size Trundle
Trundle Bed Styles and Aesthetics
Trundle beds come in virtually every style, so you don’t have to sacrifice your room’s look for the functionality.
Wood Trundle Beds
A wood frame — whether solid wood, wood veneer or MDF with a wood finish — is warm, classic and fits almost any bedroom style. White painted wood is especially popular for kids’ rooms because it’s bright, clean and pairs with almost any color scheme. Natural wood tones work beautifully in a more rustic, farmhouse or Montessori-inspired room.
Shop wood trundle beds: Wood Trundle Frame Twin
Metal Trundle Beds
Metal frames tend to be lighter, often less expensive and very easy to style. A black metal trundle bed frame has an industrial-meets-modern look that works in a teen’s room, a guest room or any space going for a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic.
Shop metal trundle beds: Metal Trundle Frame
Upholstered Trundle Beds
For a more sophisticated, adult-feeling room, an upholstered trundle bed in a linen, velvet or performance fabric is a beautiful option. These feel more like furniture and less like a utilitarian kids’ piece — perfect for a guest room where you want the space to feel intentionally designed.
Shop upholstered trundle beds: Upholstered Trundle Frame
Platform Trundle Beds
A low-profile platform bed with a trundle keeps the visual weight of the room light and modern. Platform styles tend to work well in minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired spaces where you want clean lines and a less bulky silhouette.
Shop platform trundle beds: Platform Bed with Trundle
How to Choose the Right Mattress for a Trundle Bed
This is one of the most important parts of the trundle conversation and one that gets skipped over too often. A trundle bed is only as good as the mattress you put in it.
Check the clearance height first. The trundle mattress has to fit under the main bed frame when the trundle is pushed in. Measure the clearance from the floor to the bottom of the main frame before buying a mattress — most trundle mattresses need to be 8 inches or thinner to fit properly.
Look for a quality foam or innerspring mattress. Because trundle mattresses need to be low-profile, your options are more limited than a standard mattress. Memory foam and high-density foam mattresses are usually the best choice — they compress slightly during storage and provide good support when in use.
Don’t skip a proper mattress for the trundle. It’s tempting to put a cheap foam pad in the trundle since it’s “just for guests” or “just for sleepovers,” but anyone sleeping in it will feel the difference. A quality low-profile mattress isn’t expensive and it makes the trundle genuinely comfortable rather than something guests endure.
Shop trundle mattresses: Trundle Mattress Twin 8 Inch
How to Style a Room with a Trundle Bed
Make It Look Intentional During the Day
The best trundle setups look great when the trundle is tucked away. A daybed with a trundle styled with coordinating pillows looks like a perfectly designed reading nook or sitting area. A kids’ twin bed with a trundle underneath can be styled with a bed skirt that hides the trundle completely.
Bed skirts are your best friend here. A tailored bed skirt on the main bed hides the trundle entirely when it’s rolled in, giving the room a polished, furniture-store look rather than a functional-but-bare setup.
Shop bed skirts: Twin Bed Skirt for Trundle Bed
Coordinate Bedding for Both Beds
Keep a set of bedding for the trundle stored nearby — in a basket at the foot of the bed, in a nearby closet or in a storage ottoman in the room. Matching or coordinating sets make the room feel intentional when the trundle is out and eliminate any scrambling when guests arrive.
Shop coordinating twin bedding sets: Twin Bedding Sets Coordinating
Use the Space Around It Well
Since a trundle bed needs clearance to roll out, keep that floor space clear of rugs with thick piles, storage baskets or furniture that would block the path. A low-pile rug or a rug positioned just beyond the trundle’s reach keeps the room looking finished without creating a problem when you need to use it.
Shop low-pile rugs for bedrooms: Low Pile Area Rug Bedroom
Trundle Beds for Kids’ Rooms: What to Look For
For a child’s room specifically, there are a few additional considerations worth thinking through.
Weight capacity: Check the weight limits for both the main bed and the trundle — not just for your child’s current size, but for the future. Kids grow fast, and you want a frame that will hold up for years.
Safety rails: For younger children, side rails on the main bed are important. Make sure the frame you choose either includes them or is compatible with aftermarket rails.
Easy roll-out mechanism: Kids should be able to pull the trundle out themselves without too much effort. Some frames have a locking mechanism to keep the trundle secured when not in use — this is a nice feature for younger kids who might otherwise roll it out during play.
Style that grows with them: A simple wood or metal frame in a neutral color will grow with your child from toddler years through the teen years far better than something with a very specific theme or look.
If you’re putting together a full kids’ room refresh, my post on outdoor swing has great ideas for creating intentional play spaces that complement a well-designed bedroom.
Trundle Beds vs. Bunk Beds: Which Is Right for You?
Both solve the “two kids, one room” problem, but they do it differently.
Bunk beds stack vertically, which means they take up less floor space but require ceiling height and can feel cramped in a lower-ceilinged room. They’re ideal when you have two kids sharing a room full-time and want each child to have their own dedicated sleeping space every night.
Trundle beds work better when one sleeping space is used occasionally rather than nightly — sleepovers, guests, a second child who sometimes shares but has their own room. They also feel less “climbing” intensive, which some younger kids and parents prefer.
If you have two kids who will share a room permanently, a bunk bed may serve you better. If you have one primary occupant and occasional guests, a trundle is almost always the smarter choice.
Shop bunk beds for comparison: Twin over Twin Bunk Bed
Setting Up Your Trundle Bed: Tips for Getting It Right
Assemble the main bed frame first and get it positioned exactly where you want it in the room before adding the trundle. Moving a fully assembled trundle setup is more awkward than doing it in stages.
Test the roll-out clearance before you finalize placement. Make sure the trundle has full clearance to roll out completely before you commit to the bed’s position in the room. Nothing is more frustrating than discovering after the fact that the nightstand blocks the pull-out path.
Put furniture protectors on the floor if you have hardwood or LVP flooring. The trundle wheels roll in and out frequently and can scratch or scuff an unprotected floor over time.
Label or color-code the trundle bedding if you’re storing it separately so whoever is setting it up can find everything quickly without digging through a linen closet at bedtime.
Shop This Post
Kids’ Trundle Beds Kids Trundle Bed Twin
Pop-Up Trundle Beds Pop Up Trundle Bed Frame
Daybeds with Trundle Daybed with Trundle Twin
Wood Trundle Bed Frames Wood Trundle Bed Frame Twin
Metal Trundle Bed Frames Metal Trundle Bed Frame
Upholstered Trundle Bed Frames Upholstered Trundle Bed Frame
Captain’s Beds with Trundle Captain’s Bed with Trundle Storage
Trundle Mattresses Trundle Bed Mattress Twin 8 Inch
Bed Skirts Twin Bed Skirt for Trundle Bed
Twin Bedding Sets Twin Bedding Sets Coordinating
Low-Pile Bedroom Rugs Low Pile Area Rug Bedroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Trundle Beds
What age is a trundle bed good for? Trundle beds work well from around age 5 or 6 through adulthood, depending on the frame and mattress. For very young children, the low height of the trundle is actually a benefit — there’s minimal fall risk. For older kids and adults, a pop-up trundle that raises to standard bed height is more comfortable.
Can adults sleep on a trundle bed? Yes, absolutely — with the right mattress. The standard roll-out trundle sits lower and can feel less comfortable for taller adults. A pop-up trundle that raises to mattress height is a much better option for regular adult use. Always check the weight capacity of both the frame and the trundle.
What size mattress fits in a trundle? Most trundles are designed for a twin mattress — 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. The critical measurement is the height: most trundles require an 8-inch or thinner mattress. Some larger frames accommodate a full-size trundle — always confirm before purchasing.
Do I need a box spring for a trundle mattress? No — trundles are typically designed for a mattress directly on the trundle frame without a box spring. Box springs add too much height and won’t fit under the main bed frame when the trundle is retracted.
How do I keep the trundle from rolling out on its own? Most trundle frames include a locking mechanism or caster locks that keep the trundle secured when not in use. If yours doesn’t, non-locking casters can be replaced with locking versions, or you can use a furniture stop or wedge to keep it in place.
Are trundle beds hard to assemble? Most trundle bed frames assemble similarly to any standard bed frame — typically 30 to 60 minutes for an adult with basic tools. The trundle portion usually comes as a separate frame that slides under the main bed once both are assembled.
Can a trundle bed be used every night? Yes — the main bed of a trundle setup is designed for nightly use just like any standard bed. The trundle itself can also be used nightly if it has a quality mattress and proper support, though pop-up trundles are more comfortable for regular use than standard low-profile trundles.
Once you have a trundle bed in your home, you’ll wonder how you managed sleepovers and overnight guests without one. It’s the kind of practical upgrade that solves an actual daily-life problem without taking anything away from how the room looks or functions the other 300-plus days of the year.
Set it up, keep the trundle bedding in a basket nearby and the next time someone asks if they can stay over, you’ll say yes without a second thought.
Meta description: Everything you need to know about trundle beds — types, styles, how to choose the right mattress and how to style one beautifully in a kids’ room or guest space.
