Building a Wood Bunk Bed
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4 hours
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Intermediate
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- 100-200
A wood bunk bed is a familiar sight in many homes with families. Children seem to enjoy having their own space, even if it is no more than 20 square feet. In these spaces you will often find more than just a pillow, mattress, and quilts. It is not uncommon to also find toys, books, and even pets. If you would like to add one of these bunk beds in one of your children's rooms without having to pay retail prices, you can easily build your own. Just follow the instructions below.
Step 1 - Cut or Choose your Lumber Size
Purchase lumber from a lumber yard or home improvement store that will cut your lumber to the size you need. You could also cut your own boards to size. Using a carpenter’s square, make a cut mark on each lumber piece. Then cut each piece to the required size. Be sure to cut outside the line you marked so that each piece is cut to the precise size.
Step 2 - Mark the Placement of your Individual Wood Pieces
Mark your 4x4 posts on the inside surface where your headboards and footboards will be attached. The bottom edges of these boards should be about 12 inches above the floor and will rest on the sideboards. Each of the 2x6 boards will be attached to the posts on their inside surfaces.
Step 3 - Drill Bolt Holes in Your Posts
To create bolt holes for your lag bolts that will attach the sideboards to the posts, drill holes for lag bolts at the marks you made on the posts on the outside of the posts. On the outside edge of your posts, where you will attach your headboards and footboards, drill holes for the lag bolts you'll use to attach the boards.
Step 4 - Attach Headboards and Foot Boards
Position all your bunk bed boards on the floor where you'll have room to lay them out. Check the holes in the posts with the headboards, footboards, and sideboards to be sure they line up properly. Mark the sideboards where you will drill your holes, then drill the holes. Finally, using lag bolts, washers, and nuts, attach the headboards and footboards to the posts.
Step 5 - Attach Plywood to the Sideboards
Lay out your plywood and sideboards in the position they will be when attached together. Mark the plywood where you'll need to cut it to fit on top of the sideboards. Draw a line representing the position where you'll drive screws through the plywood and into the edges of the sideboards. Finally, attach the plywood by driving wood screws through it and into the sideboard edges. Then attach the sideboards to the posts, using lag bolts.
