The Most Popular IKEA Toddler Bed, According To TikTok

For families with growing children, the cost of necessities can quickly rack up. Young kids outgrow everything at a rapid pace from their clothes and shoes to their bedroom furniture — especially their bed. Dr. George J. Cohen M.D., a Fellow at the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends, "When the child gets tall enough to get a leg up to the top of the crib rail, it is best to switch to a bed to avoid a tumble" (AAP News). This tends to happen when a child reaches about two years old, but in some cases can be earlier or later. Thus, when choosing a bed for a child's bedroom, save costs by purchasing one that will grow as they do. 

The MINNEN extendable bed frame from IKEA has gone viral on TikTok for a reason. The frame's design accommodates three different mattress lengths, starting from a toddler-sized 49 ¼-inches long, to 63-inches, and finally 76 ¾-inches, the length of a standard twin-size mattress. And it's crafted from durable steel, with the most popular version being white powder coated (though there is a light pink, if that's more your little one's style). The frame has rave reviews from customers, landing an impressive 4.7-star average rating. It's praised for its sturdiness, easy assembly, chic design, and especially its budget-friendly price of $119.

The MINNEN bed frame's price falls on the low to mid-range end of the toddler bed market and is definitely low compared to convertible options from other retailers. But the truth is, there is no extendable kid's bed quite like IKEA's in terms of its ability to ultimately become a twin size. When you consider the MINNEN's value over the years, the return on your investment provides certified bang for your buck. That said, you're not just paying for the frame. IKEA's bespoke product inevitably requires the purchase of, well, another bespoke IKEA product. That is, an extendable mattress that fits the three different lengths of the MINNEN. Luckily, IKEA offers four different versions of the compatible mattress at various price points. 

The two foam options are the PLUTTEN at the least expensive price of $79 and the VIMSIG at a slightly higher $129. Likewise, the two spring options are the INNERLIG, which is available for $179, and the ÖMSINT at $229. Choosing the best mattress comes down to construction and price. The better rated foam option is the VIMSIG, which lands in the mid-range price point for foam twin mattresses from other stores. For a spring mattress, IKEA customers prefer the ÖMSINT. If anything, its cost is slightly high compared to other pocket spring twin mattresses on the market. But both are in a category of their own based on their modular design, so they can't really compare to regular mattresses from other retailers. 

For a bed that converts from a shorter toddler bed to a fully extended twin bed, IKEA is largely competing with itself. The SLÄKT is another extendable IKEA offering that retails for $229, and notably boasts a more minimal look than the MINNEN. If it's in your budget, the SLÄKT may be a better option than the MINNEN in terms of its ability to mesh with a multitude of interior decorating styles. Similarly, the SUNDVIK is a $249 extendable frame with a partial side guard and a more traditional silhouette.

Beyond IKEA, there are relatively few extendable bed frame options that offer the same value and versatility as the MINNEN. If they do, they tend to be considerably more expensive than the combined cost of the MINNEN and any of the extendable IKEA mattresses, which would be $368 total, at most. For example, an extendable platform bed with a compatible mattress costs $530 from Litfad. And this Telescopic Toddler Bed from GVAwood retails at a whopping $880 –- and that's without any mattress.

It feels safe to say that the TikTok hype surrounding the MINNEN bed frame is totally justified. For its unbeatable value, design, and overall quality, this unique bed frame is undoubtedly a worthwhile purchase. If you need a bed that will grow with your kiddo, it's definitely worth looking into the MINNEN and IKEA's compatible mattresses to get the job done.