They Were In Bedrooms Everywhere In The '60s, Now It's A Space-Saving, Thrift Store Gem

The 1960s saw the rise of many progressive movements and milestones, including the civil rights movement, counterculture, and space exploration. It's no wonder, then, that the boldness of this decade also affected interior design choices, particularly in bedrooms. Alongside geometric patterns and vibrant colors, bedrooms often featured space-age-inspired chrome finishes and walnut wood tones — a '60s design trend making a hard comeback. Homeowners hoping to add some '60s' retro flair to their own homes are in luck. Many of the decade's most common furniture pieces can be found at your local thrift store, including a bedroom staple of the time: the trundle bed.

At first glance, a trundle bed might look like your standard bed, but beneath the frame, a thinner, additional mattress can be pulled out, offering two beds in one. This type of bed dates back to the medieval era, when extra beds were typically needed to keep servants and maids close by. Today, several trundle bed variations exist, including the standard roll-out trundle featuring a mattress on casters, pull-out trundles mounted on platforms attached to bed frames, and pop-up trundles that rise to the same height as the main bed. 

By the '60s, trundle beds had become mainstays in children's rooms, and during an age of newfound mass production, more and more trundle beds were made with metal frames, matching the chrome finishes popular at the time. However, as the 20th century progressed, trundle beds fell somewhat out of popularity. This could be because the average size of U.S. family homes continued to increase in the 1970s. With additional space, many Americans had less need for space-saving trundle beds. Meanwhile, other hidden-bed options, such as Murphy beds, entered the market. Now, trundle beds have once again emerged as a cost-effective, space-saving option.

If you're interested in adding a trundle bed to your home, a word of advice: don't buy it new. Vintage trundle beds are available secondhand, often at a fraction of the price for which their modern, first-hand peers retail. Outside of your local thrift and antique stores, you can also find them on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Your local Habitat for Humanity nonprofit resale store may also be a great option. When searching for a vintage trundle bed, keep an eye out for full sets without missing or damaged pieces, as well as beds made with solid wood or strong metal frames.

Although often used in children's rooms, trundle beds can come in handy for adult guests, too. Consider using a trundle bed as a daybed on ordinary days, then turn it into a multi-sleeper guest bed when you have company. Adults living in studio apartments can even invest in trundle beds in order to maximize the available square footage in their homes. However, when using a trundle bed as an adult, consider making some mattress adjustments. Lower trundle beds generally have thinner mattresses in order to fit under the main bed, which can result in discomfort for older side sleepers. Investing in a high-density memory foam mattress or a mattress that is at least 8 to 10 inches thick can help mitigate this issue.