How to Build Bunk Beds for Little Girls

Simple PVC connectors, like this elbow connector, make bunk bed construction easy

Create a bunk bed fit for princesses out of cheap, affordable PVC pipe. Easily decorated with paint, ribbon, tulle and other royal furnishings, this plastic creation is extremely durable and requires absolutely no maintenance. Little girls will enjoy the versatility of easily removable decorations. As the girls grow and their interests change, the royal decorations can be replaced with more grown-up features.

Things You'll Need

• Spray paint
• 12 18-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 6 39-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 12 12-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 10 16-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 10 40-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 10 8-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 12 9-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 4 24-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 2 75-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 2 40-inch segments of PVC pipe
• 12 3-way corner connector
• 12 4-way corner connector
• 8 5-way connectors
• 8 4 way cross connectors
• 24 T connectors
• 2 elbow connectors
• 2 pieces of plywood, 39 inches by 75 inches
• 2 rectangles of tulle, 75 inches by 95 inches
• 2 rectangles of tulle, 40 inches by 95 inches
• 1 rectangle of fabric, 85 inches by 50 inches

Instructions

1. Spray paint all segments of PVC pipe in the desired color and let each piece dry before construction.

2. Create the base. Assemble one 75-inch section by using T connectors to attach one 18-inch segment on each end of a 39-inch segment. Repeat to create another 75-inch section. Assemble one 40-inch section by using T connectors to attach one 12-inch segment on each end of a 16-inch segment. Repeat to create another 40-inch section. Create a rectangle from the two 75-inch sections and the two 40-inch sections with three-way corner connectors that face upward.

3. Build the intermediate layer between the base and the lower mattress platform. Insert 12-inch segments into all upward facing connectors. Place four-way corner connectors on top of the pipes in each corner of the rectangle. On the long sides, place five-way connectors with the inner opening facing the opposite edge of the rectangle. On the shorter sides, place four-way cross connectors.

4. Duplicate the lower rectangle between the upper layer connectors. Fit 40-inch segments between the middle openings of the five-way connectors. Place a sheet of plywood over this layer. This is the lower mattress platform.

5. Build the second intermediate layer between the lower and upper mattress platforms. Fit 40-inch segments on the top of the five-way connectors on the long sides of the rectangle and on one short side. Place a four-way corner connector on each corner piece. Place five-way connectors on the top of the sections on the long side. Place four-way cross connectors on top of the remaining sections.

6. Construct a ladder on the remaining short side. Place an 8-inch segment of pipe in each upward opening of the four-way cross connectors. Place a T connector on top of each pipe segment, with the middle opening facing the opposite connector. Fit a 16-inch segment of pipe between the T connector openings. Repeat until there are five rungs, not including the lower mattress platform section. Instead of T connectors, use a four-way cross connector on the top rung so that it will attach to the upper mattress platform.

7. Repeat Step 3 to create the upper mattress platform.

8. Create railings for the upper platform by fitting a 9-inch section of every upward facing opening. Place four-way corner connectors on the corner pieces. Place elbow pieces on the 9-inch segments above the ladder. Place a T connector on every other section. Duplicate the lower rectangle between these connectors, except for the piece that over the ladder section, to finish the assembly.

9. Place a 24-inch section of pipe on top of each corner connector. Place a three-way corner connector on top of each pipe.

10. Create curtains out of tulle fabric. Gather the top 6 inches of each section of tulle and fold it in half. Sew the overlapped portion together to create a loop. Slide the corresponding length of pipe into the loop and then fit it between each corner connector. This will enclose both bunks in a curtain.

11. Add a canopy by tossing a large rectangle of fabric over the upper rectangle.

Tips & Warnings

• Twin mattresses (40 inches by 75 inches) fit this design. For bigger or smaller mattresses, modify the dimensions.

• Dry-fit the assembly before gluing anything to make sure that no mistakes are made. Then disassemble each section and glue together by swabbing PVC cement inside the fittings and pushing the pipe sections inside.

References

• Bunk Bed Plans
• Mattress Dimensions