DIY and Repair Guides

Learning to build a loft bed is the quickest way to squeeze more space out of your room. Follow the steps below to make one easily.

Required Tools and Materials

Mattress
Saw
Stain or paint
Nails, screws and bolts
Hammer
Gloves
Drill
Tape measure
Eye goggles
Ladder
Pen or other marker
Lumber (several 2 x 4s or 4 x 4s)
Assistants (at least one person)

Make Some Space First

Take out the furniture from the room. Use the tape measure to determine how much space you’ll need. Dimensions of a typical adult loft bed are 78” x 48”. Make room for the ladder in your calculations.

Step 1: Make the Box

Before you build a loft bed, you need to get the dimensions of the mattress. Put the mattress on the floor. Get its height, width and depth. Cut four pieces of lumber large enough the mattress fits inside them.

Put the mattress aside. Nail the four wood pieces together or you can drill holes and bolt them together. Cut some 2 x 4s and make them just a tad wider and longer than the mattress. Nail it on the frames you just made.

To make railings, measure the length of the box. Saw a couple of 2 x 4s and nail them to the box.

Step 2: Create the Supports

The average loft bed is 7 to 8 ft high. You can make it higher or lower than that. To build a loft bed successfully, the supports need to be the same height. If needed, use the tape measure and mark the spot where the lumber needs to be cut.

Step 3: Assembling the Loft Bed

When all four posts are cut, put them in position. Now get the ladder and carry the box up. Nail the box securely. Another option is the following. Turn the box upside down. Nail the supports on the sides. Now you and your friend can turn the bed up slowly.

Step 4: Making the Ladder

Cut a couple of 2 x 4s in equal length. This should be as tall as the loft bed. Now cut the ladder steps. The space is about 10 inches for an 8 ft high loft bed. Feel free to modify the spacing as it suits your needs.

Continue to build a loft bed by nailing the steps to the 2 x 4s you just cut. Set the ladder against the loft bed. Test it for firmness. If it’s okay, you can nail it on the bed. Now you can put in the mattress.

Tips and Warnings

You can paint the loft bed any color you like. However, staining is another option. A couple of layers of paint or stain will do nicely. Wear a mask so you don’t inhale any of the chemicals. There should also be ventilation (i.e., the room’s windows should be open). The goggles are necessary to shield your eyes from splinters.

After you build a loft bed, you can start using the space below it to organize your belongings.    

Related articles:

How to Build Small Horse Barns
By making your own barn, your horse will be protected from rain, wind and other elements. Build a small horse barn and give shelter for...

How To Build A Garden Bench
Making a garden bench is a simple task you can finish in a few hours. Build a garden bench and give yourself a place to...

How to Build a Closet
.Making a closet is the easiest way to reduce clutter and recover space in your room. Build a closet and clean the mess in your...

How to Build a Deck Chair
It’s not necessary to buy a deck chair when making one is possible. Build a deck chair and have a place to relax in any...

How To Make A Room Divider
By making a room divider, organizing your room and its contents will become easier to do. Make a room divider and make the room more...