How to Build a Loft Bed With a Desk

A personal space

Many people live in small spaces and you may need to be creative in designing your living area in such a way that you can accommodate all your activities. It’s common to need a desk, for school work, sewing or for working on a hobby. If you have a small space that won’t let you put both your bed and your desk on the floor, build a loft bed with a desk underneath and you’ll have plenty of space. When you’re finished building, you’ll have a piece that is about 4 feet wide x 7 feet long x 6 feet high. Throw a single mattress on the loft and pull a chair up to the flat desk that you can use as a writing surface or to set your computer on.

Things You'll Need

• Lumber:
• 4 (4 x 4) posts, 6' in length
• 2 (2 x 8) side boards, 87" in length
• 4 (2 x 8) end boards, 48" in length
• Plywood:
• 1 (1/2-inch) piece, 39 x 75 inches (bed)
• 1 high-grade piece, 25 x 75 inches (desk top)
• Lag bolts, washers, nuts
• A drill
• A level
• A wrench to tighten nuts/bolts

Instructions

1. Measure and cut the lumber. To make the frame for the loft bed, you will need four 4 x 4 posts (6 ft. long); two 2 x 8 pieces approximately 87 in. long; and two 2 x 8 pieces 48 in. long. The foundation for your mattress will take a piece of 1/2-inch plywood 39 . x 75 inches . To make the desk, you will need two pieces of 2 x 8 lumber, each approximately 48 inches long; and a piece of high-grade 1/2-inch plywood cut 75 inches long and 25 inches deep.

2. Build the loft bed first. Start with the 4 x 4 posts. Draw a line across the post 12 inches from the top of each board. These lines are your guides for attaching your long 2 x 8 pieces (side boards). You will attach the 2 x 8 pieces on the inside of the 4 x 4s. Your mattress will be approximately 5 feet off the floor. On the opposite side of each post, mark spots for drill holes below the lines you drew. Place your drill holes on a diagonal pattern, and mark them so they will go through the 4x4 and the 2 x 8 side boards and allow you to run a bolt through both pieces of lumber with room to attach washers and nuts. Drill your holes and attach your side boards with lag bolts, washers and nuts. Attach your head and foot boards. Mark drill holes (diagonal pattern) on the adjacent side of the 4 x 4, above the 2 x 8 side boards. Drill holes through the 4 x 4 x, the 2 x 8 head board and foot board. Attach the boards with lag bolts, washers and nuts. You have just built the frame for your loft bed.Stand the bed on its legs and lay the 39 x 75 inches of plywood across the frame. Attach with wood screws for safety.

3. Build the desk. On the inside of each 4 x 4 leg, measure and draw a line approximately 28 in. from the floor. You will attach a 2x8 support below this line. Attach your 2 x 8 supports to the head and foot ends of your loft bed. Mark drill holes in a diagonal pattern; drill through the 4 x 4 and 2 x 8. Use lag bolts, washers and nuts to attach the supports to the legs.Lay your high-grade plywood across the 2 x 8 supports under the bed. Attach with wood screws to add stability.

Tips & Warnings

• Your lumber yard may cut your lumber for you if you know what lengths and sizes you want.

• Always wear safety goggles when working with power tools.

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese