How to Make Built-In Bunk Beds

If you want your kids to have the coolest room in the entire world, construct built-in bunk beds for them. It's a step up from the usual and is easier than you might think.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 15 8-foot long 2x4s
• 2 sheets of drywall, 4 feet x 8 feet
• 2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood, 4 feet x 8 feet
• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Hand saw
• Utility knife
• Drywall screws
• Drywall tape
• Drywall filler
• Wood screws
• Drill

1. Build the frame out of the 2 x 4s. Make the frame a little wider than your mattresses, and make sure that it reaches the ceiling in all four corners. If your floor sags at all, the four corners won't be the same height. Measure before you cut. Cut pieces of 3/4 inch plywood to sit under the mattresses for extra support. At this point, you also want to build a ladder, if you want a permanent one.

2. Attach the frame to the wall.

3. Now comes the fun stuff. Span the top front of the frame with a 2 x 4. Attach it to both inside ends of the frame and the ceiling. Attach another 2x4 to the underside of the top bunk's frame, matching the one above. Build a small wall (a 2x4 on top, a 2x4 on bottom and evenly spaced 2x4s standing vertically in between) that will snugly fit below the frame of the bottom bunk. Attach.

4. Using the remaining 2x4s build 2 walls equal to the height and width of the frame. One 2x4 will span the top and another will span the bottom. Use at least 3 vertical 2x4s to comprise the bulk of the wall spaced 12 inches apart. FOR EXAMPLE: if your frame is 30 inches wide and 108 inches high, you would cut 2 pieces @ 30 inches and 3 pieces @ 105 inches making a 30 inch x 108 inch wall.

5. Attach the walls to the edges of the frame, the wall, and the floor. Make sure they are flush with the front of the frame.

6. Cut drywall to cover the walls. Attach. Cut two pieces to cover the front of the walls and the ends of the frame. Cut a smaller piece to cover the wall below the bottom bunk. Cut a piece to cover the 2x4s in between the bunks and 2 more pieces to cover the 2x4 attached to the ceiling (cover the front and bottom). Use drywall tape to bridge between pieces. Cover with drywall filler. Sand smooth.

7. Paint the drywall to match the walls of the room.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to go all out, instead of building walls you can flank the bunkbeds with built in shelves.
• You can also run electricity up the new walls to give each kid a little power.