How to Build Bunk Bed Furniture

Bunk beds help parents use space creatively.

If you have two small children who are sharing a bedroom, one way to help save space is to use bunk beds. Purchasing bunk beds, however, may be a bit expensive. If you have a few tools and materials, you can build your own bunk beds for about $100. By building your own bunk beds, you can save money and take pride that you made something for your children that they will use every day.

Things You'll Need

• Four pieces of 41-1/2-inch 2-by-6
• Four pieces of 75 inch-2-by-6
• Four 68-inch pieces of 2-by-4
• Four pieces of 41-1/2-inch 2-by-4
• Four pieces of 75-inch 2-by-4
• Eight pieces of 38-1/2-inch 2-by-4
• 16 3/8-inch carriage bolts 3-1/2 inches long
• 16 3/8-inch washers
• 16 3/8-inch nuts
• Two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 38-1/4 inch by 74-3/4 inch
• One pound of 3-inch deck screws
• 3/8-inch wood plugs
• One pound of No. 10 finishing nails

Instructions

1. Build a rectangle with two pieces of the 75-inch 2-by-6 and two of the 41-1/2 inch. The 75-inch boards should be in between the 41-1/2 inch boards. Screw them in at the corners using three wood screws and cover the screws with the wood plugs. Repeat this for the second set of 2-by-6 boards.

2. Place four pieces of the 38-1/2-inch 2-by-4 in the middle of the rectangles. These will be the support beams for the beds. Space them evenly with 18-3/4 inches between them. Screw them to the rectangle using two wood screws on each side of each beam and cap holes with wood plugs.

3. Stand your 68-inch 2-by-4 up measure 9 inches and 48 inches off the floor. Mark the wood at these heights. Repeat this for all four pieces of 2-by-4.

4. Nail the rectangle frames to the 2-by-4 frames at these heights to form the bunk beds. The nails will hold the frames and post together as you drill holes for the carriage bolts.

5. Make sure everything is square and there are two holes where each post meets a corner of the frame. Place a carriage bolt in the hole and attach on the other side with a washer and nut. You should have 16 bolts holding up the frame.

6. Using two pieces of 75-inch and 41-1/2 inch 2-by-4, build a rectangle and screw it together with two screws at each of the joints. Build a second rectangle out of the remaining 2-by-4.

7. From the bottom of the posts, measure up 55-3/4 inches and 61-1/2 inches. The two 2-by-4 rectangles will fit around the posts at these heights and will act as guard rails for the top bunk. Screw them into the posts with two screws at each corner.

8. Place your plywood in each of the 2-by-6 frames and screw it into the support beams and the frame sides.

Tips & Warnings

• This frame can be used with any size mattress. Just measure your mattresses and build accordingly

• Remember to put the carriage bolts in. Although finishing nails hold the frame together until carriage bolts are installed, they will not be enough to provide support on their own.

References

• Bunk Bed Plans