How to Assemble a Loft Bed
A prefabricated loft bed is a great furniture solution for a child's room. Children don't mind climbing a ladder to get into bed, and the extra floor space makes room for a study area or play space. Every model of loft bed is built to slightly different specifications, but many follow the same basic framework for assembly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Assemble End Pieces
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1
Pull out all the components of one end piece from your kit. Some kits come with the entire end piece already assembled as a single unit, in which case you can skip to Section 2.
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2
Put the end piece components together. This usually means a rectangular frame approximately as wide as the mattress. When fastening the hardware, turn the hardware by hand until solidly mounted, but don't tighten down. This will make installing the other hardware a little easier.
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3
Tighten down all fasteners with the appropriate hardware. This usually involves holding a nut still with a pair of pliers while you turn the bolt head with a screwdriver or Allen wrench. Tighten as hard as you can without stripping the hardware.
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4
Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the opposite end piece. In most kits, the end pieces are identical.
Attach the Cross Braces
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5
Set up the end pieces where they will stand once the bed is fully assembled. In many cases, this means you'll be able to lean one piece against a wall. If you have an assistant hold the other piece upright, the rest of this section will go much easier.
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6
Install the top cross brace for the side of the bed closest to the wall. This often involves a tongue-and-groove arrangement, reinforced with a nut or screw. As with the end pieces, tighten hardware by hand just enough to be solid. Some models have a single-piece mattress platform that replaces individual cross braces.
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7
Install the bottom cross brace on the wall side of the bed, followed by the top cross brace on the opposite side of the bed.
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8
Tighten down all fasteners as you did for the end pieces.
Final Steps
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9
Insert the mattress frame on top of the top cross braces. Install it, tightening fastening hardware by hand.
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10
Tighten the fasteners down as you have the other fasteners.
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11
Install the mattress on top of the mattress frame. If you use a plastic undersheet or mattress pad, fit them on the mattress before setting it in place.
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12
Attach any guard rails. These are usually hooked onto the end pieces, using nuts and bolts. Tighten by hand, then further tighten with the appropriate tools.
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13
Add any additional components, such as desks, shelves or a ladder, according to the instructions in the kit's manual. If you don't have the manual, most other components will attach the same way as the ones you have already installed.
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