How to Make a Stair Bunk Bed

A stair bunk bed is an ideal piece of furniture for small children sleeping in a small bedroom. The stairs allow kids to easily climb into bed without the risk of falling posed by a ladder. The bunk bed structure doubles the amount of sleeping space in a bedroom. If only one child sleeps in the room, the extra space can be used for a desk or a play area.

Things You'll Need

• Finished 4-by-4 pine posts: (four) 8 feet long Finished 2-by-4 pine boards: (two) 8 feet 6 inches long, (two) 7 feet 4 inches long, (two) 6 feet 8 inches long, (15) 4 feet long, (six) 20 inches long 4-foot-by-7-foot-3/4-inch plywood slab 39-inch-by-75-inch twin mattress 5-inch bolts wood glue nails screws

Instructions

1. Ask the lumber yard where you buy your wood to cut it to your desired lengths. Many will do this for free and sand down the rough edges. If they won't help you, you can cut the wood yourself. Measure twice and cut once.

2. Construct the platform frame around the plywood slab. Use 5-inch bolts to secure two 7-foot-4-inch boards and two 4-foot boards together in a rectangle. Stand the wood on the 2-inch sides and connect two bolts in each corner. Bolt five more 4-foot boards at equal intervals inside the rectangular frame. These boards should lay flat on the 4-inch sides. Nail the 3/4-inch plywood slab to the top of the supports.

3. Place the bed frame on its longer side and line up two 4-by-4 lumber posts beneath it. The top of the posts should extend 2 feet beyond the top of the frame. Use bolts to attach the posts to the frame. Attach two more posts on the other side of the frame in the same way. Stand the frame on its legs and make sure that it is level.

4. Support the bunk bed structure with cross beams. Use bolts to attach a 6-foot-8-inch 2-by-4 between the two posts on the long side that will be against the wall. Place this cross beam along the floor. Attach another one halfway between the floor and the mattress frame. Attach four foot-long 2-by-4s in the same way on both short sides.

5. Connect security rails between the parts of the posts that rise above the bed frame. Bolt two 6-foot-8-inch 2-by-4s between the posts on the long side that will go against the wall. Bolt two 4-foot railings between the bed posts on both of the short sides. Attach a 2-foot vertical support 2 feet away from one of the railings on the open side. This will be where the staircase will go. Bolt two 5-foot railings between the vertical post and the support on the side of the 5-foot gap.

6. Build the staircase. Make sure the ends of the staircase rails are cut at 45 degree angles in opposite directions so that they will lay flat on the ground and bed frame. Attach six 20-inch steps at 1-foot intervals between the two 8-foot-6-inch staircase rails. Make sure that they are angled properly. Stand the staircase against the bunk bed and bolt it to the frame at the opening in the security rails.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish