How to Build Yourself a Bunk Bed

Building your own bunk beds is a project that will take the better part of a weekend afternoon. The process is simple enough to be a good starter project for people interested in learning more about DIY. Better yet, you can involve the child who will use it, introducing her to woodworking and building furniture. These plans are for a twin-size bunk bed, the most common kind, but you can change the lumber dimensions to build larger frames.

Things You'll Need

• 2 plywood sheet, 1/2 inch by 38 inches by 75 inches
• 4 beams, 2 inches by 4 inches by 75 inches
• 4 beams, 2 inches by 4 inches by 35 inches
• 4 posts, 6 inches by 6 inches by 72 inches
• 10 bolts, 7 inches long, with matching nuts and washers
• Power drill with screwdriver bits
• Pliers
• Sandpaper
• 2 twin mattresses

Instructions

Prepare the Lumber

1. Drill four holes through and along the center line of the 75-inch beam, using a drill bit the same diameter as your bolts. Place the holes 2 3/4 inches and 3 1/2 inches from each end of the beam.

2. Repeat step one for each of the other three 75-inch beams.

3. Drill two holes through one of your 6-inch square posts using the same drill bit. Drill the holes in a line perpendicular to the length of the post, 3/4 inches apart. Place the holes 12 inches from the end of the beam.

4. Repeat step three for the other end of the beam.

5. Repeat steps three and four for each of the other three beams.

6. Sand all faces of all your pieces of lumber.

Build Mattress Frames

1. Set up a rectangle using two of your 75-inch beams and two of your 35-inch beams. Set the shorter beams inside the longer beams with all beams lying on their narrow (2 inch wide) sides.

2. Screw the beams in place with two screws per corner, drilled through the face of the long beam and into the end of the short beam.

3. Lay a plywood sheet down on top of the frame. Screw it in place with one screw at each corner.

4. Repeat steps one through three for the other mattress frame.

Put the Bed Together

1. Set the posts on end with all the pre-drilled holes lined up so they run the same direction.

2. Set the bottom platform in place. Bolt it to the posts using the bottom row of holes. Tighten down the nuts using your pliers.

3. Hoist the top platform into position and bolt it in place as you did the lower platform.

4. Set a twin mattress on each platform.

References

• Better Sleep: Mattress Sizes
• Gene Brick; Furniture Hobbyist; Hillsboro, OR

Resources

• Bunk Beds Central: Bunk Beds Home