How to Build a Bunk Bed

How to Build a Bunk Bed

If you are looking for a space-saving option for a small bedroom, look no more. Bunk beds can solve your problem easily. This is a good way of creating enough sleeping room for two kids sharing a small bedroom. When two beds are not possible, when two kids cannot share a small bed, building a bunk bed is a nice option.

A bunk bed is all about two levels of bed in a single unit. One is on top and the other is at the bottom. It is something that children sharing a room would enjoy.

How to build a bunk bed can easily become a DIY project. It is manageable for as long as you have the right plan, the right tools and the right materials. At some point of completing the task, you will also need an extra hand to help you pull the task.

What You Will Need:

Commonly, DIY bunk beds are made out of wood. To build a unit, you will need a couple of pieces of 2x4s and 2x6s. You will also need a sheet or two of plywood, which will be used for the bottom of the bed. As for the tools, you need to prepare measuring tape, hammer, nails, screwdriver, drill, miter saw, and carriage bolts.

Before you start on the project, gather the materials together. If you cannot find recycled items to be used for this project, you can buy them at a hardware nearest you. As for the tools, they could easily be lying in your garage or storage room. If not, you may borrow your neighbor’s.

What To Do:

First of all, you need to take the exact measurements. Determine the size of your bunk bed including the space between each bed. The size of the box depends on the size of the mattress you are using. The space between each bed determines the height of the bunk bed.

Next up, you must build the boxes for the mattresses. Use 2×6 boards for the outlines of the box then a sheet of plywood for the bottom. Secure each bit with screws.

The 2×4 boards are intended for the mattress support. Attach the 2x4s to the box, 3 inches from the foot and another one at 3 inches from the head of the frame of the bed. Another support should be at 25 inches from the foot of the bed while the fourth one should be at 48 inches from the foot of the bed.

Make the four-corner posts and attach the mattress boxes to them. Remember not to put the lower bed too low, below 12 inches. Ideally, the upper bed must be at least 48 inches from the floor.

Lastly, you need to make the ladder. The space in between the bunk beds will be joined by a ladder. Create one that is sturdy. It should be able to carry the weight of the bunk bed users.