Made to magic up an extra bed in your home without taking up more room than a single bed, trundle beds are your saviour when unexpected guests come calling.
The design sees a lower frame slide neatly under a single bed frame; when rolled out, you get two for the space of one. They’re best suited for kids, as apart from anything else, their low stature means few injuries will occur should they fall off in the night. Trundles are also great options to have on call for sleepovers and for big occasions where you’re hosting: think family get-togethers, weddings and Christmas.
And if you're one for weekend-long boxset marathons, a trundle can be a great place to stretch out while enjoying all the action on the big screen.
That said, most adults should be able to use them too - but pay attention to weight loads to avoid embarrassing incidents. Some trundles are pop-up, meaning the frame can be raised to that of a regular height bed. Paired with its twin, this can create a bigger sleeping area when pushed side by side.
Price-wise, they’re in the same ballpark as a standard single-bed frame or a two-seater sofa bed, which means your selection will all come down to preference rather than the burden on your budget.
To help with your search, we’ve rounded up the best trundle beds worth splashing out on below. From child-friendly designs to options your friends and family will be queuing up to snooze on, here’s our pick of the best.
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Furniture123 Single White Wooden Guest Bed with Trundle - Oxford
For those with big families, why not consider a trundle bed design in your child’s bedroom? They can use the main frame as their permanent bed, keeping the trundle on call when relatives come to visit. The space-saving solid pine design can be left at floor level or use the fold-out legs to prop it up to the usual bed height.
Buy now £269.97, Furniture123
Furniture123 Single White Wooden Guest Bed with Storage and Trundle - Oxford
Regular readers will know that few things make us more ecstatic with glee in the home department than storage. It’s the one thing we always need more of. So lo and behold this glorious wooden trundle bed, which not only comes with the requisite spare bed underneath the main frame, but three deep drawers for extra bedding and towels too. Gliding out on castors, it does make the overall height somewhat taller than the average bed at 94cm so it’s one for older kids. Maximum user weight is 80kg.
Buy now £299.97, Furniture123
Habitat Kanso Metal Guest Bed with Trundle - Black
Clever design at a decent price; it’s got to be Habitat. The homeware brand has nailed temporary bedding in its Kanso design, which appears like a day bed with a trundle frame nestled underneath. The metal frame is strong and long-lasting but it’s a compact design so you’ll need to choose a shallow mattress for the trundle if you want it to slip easily under the main frame. Comes with a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £210.00, Argos
The Oak Bed Store Heywood Solid Natural Oak Guest Bed - 3ft Single
Made from reassuringly solid wood, this charming two-in-one design is well-made and promises to go the distance, making it a viable long-term investment in your hosting set-up. Ideal for the guest room, the trundle has foldaway legs, which can be propped up to the same height as the top bed. The design is protected with a five-year workmanship guarantee and will come in five flat-packed boxes, so one for DIY enthusiasts.
Buy now £499.00, The Oak Bed Store
La Redoute Loan Solid Pine Trundle Bed
Just looking for a trundle frame to roll under an existing frame? Head to La Redoute where you can find this compact bed on castors, ready to slide under a single-size bed or larger. This add-on will increase your current home’s bed count without taking up any more room. The wooden look is also available in grey as well as an untreated option, allowing you to paint it in a shade that you prefer.
Buy now £185.00, La Redoute
John Lewis ANYDAY Wilton Trundle Guest Bed Frame
Sold as frame only, this is nonetheless a stonking buy from John Lewis, especially if you've always got guests coming around to stay. Available in natural wood and painted white options, the design is made from solid pine wood - slats and all - giving your friends and family a supportive base for the night. The lower trundle is set on wheels, allowing you to glide it in and out of position with ease.
Buy now £349.00, John Lewis
Cotswold Company Pensham Guest Bed and Trundle
Host friends, family and playdates that turn into sleepovers without hesitation thanks to this trundle bed design from Cotswold Company. The clean white wood design includes a lower bed with folding legs which can be manoeuvred to the same height as the stationary bed. Both beds can hold a standard single mattress, though best to keep the lower one at less than 20cm to allow the trundle to roll in and out easily.
Buy now £499.00, Cotswold Company
Julian Bowen Elba Wooden Day Bed with Trundle - Black
Available in a choice of black or grey, this day bed earns its keep by offering a second bed under its base, allowing two guests to get their 40 winks. Made for casual use, your single-size mattresses will sit on wooden slats, offering an excellent level of support and comfort all night. Maximum user weight is 110kg, comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £300.00, Argos
Lark Manor Leonardo Daybed
This elegant steel-frame daybed hits the sweet spot if cottagecore is your dream aesthetic. Use it as a comfy perch to watch telly during the day and transform it into a bed once it’s time to head to the land of nod.
You can buy a matching trundle bed that slides into the bottom to maximise your sleep offering. Mattresses are not included.
Buy now £111.99, Wayfair
Next Stella Daybed
Looking straight out of a chic hotel bar thanks to the delicate grey upholstery and curved back, this deep-seat sofa is wide enough to accommodate a single sleeper once the cushions are removed.
But it’s hiding a helpful secret beneath its seat - a second bed on a trundle that wheels out when unexpected visitors call. You’ll have to add your own mattress, so the space could simply be used for storage if you don’t want an extra bed.
Buy now £750.00, Next
Verdict
While we're taken with Furniture123's storage trundle, it is slightly too high to fit into a young kid's room. We've put it in second place to the retailer's simpler trundle, which looks like a regular bed - just with a helpful secret.
