How to Build Bunk Beds
If you have a small room that has to be shared by two kids, bunk beds are an ideal solution. This can even be an exciting experience for kids who enjoy getting up the ladder to sleep on the top bed. Of course, the only problem will be deciding who gets the top bunk!
Required Materials
- plywood – 2×4 bits
- plywood – 2×6 bits
- bolts - carriage types
- 4×8’ plywood
- screws
- 10 nails
Required Tools
- screwdriver
- drill
- miter saw
- tape measure
- hammer
Instructions
- Box Frames - According to the size of the mattress you are using, make a box using the 2×6 plywood with a length of 6.5 feet and a width of 3.5 feet. The holes in the wood should be plugged with wooden plugs. You will want to keep your child’s safety as a top priority at all times. Repeat the entire process for a second box frame.
- Installing the Posts - Now you have 2 boxes for the 2 mattresses. Put 4 posts in the four corners of the boxes and secure them with carriage bolts. The lower bunk should be at least 1’ above floor level and the upper one should be 4’ above floor level. These heights are important to note, as the children should be comfortable sitting up in bed without having to hit their heads of either the top bunk or the ceiling. Secure the frames to the posts with the nails and once again secure with the remaining carriage bolts.
- Railing - For younger children, rails are helpful in case they roll over during sleep. Build rails with the 2×4 bits and insert them inside the frame of each bed. There is no need to fix them permanently - they should be able to be removed whenever required.
- Mattress Supports - Supports for the mattresses will have to be placed within each of these box frames using plywood bits. Once again, these should not be secured permanently so that they can be removed whenever required.
- Ladder - The ladder can be bought in a store or assembled from scratch. It should be placed at an inclined angle to the bed and given support with a plank to keep it firmly in place. If you do not want a ladder, you could put rungs made of metal on the side of the bed. These are better suited for older children, as rungs are more difficult to climb.