Simple Bunk Beds (Twin over Twin)

simple bunk bed plans
Difficulty
Intermediate
| Print this plan

This Simple Bunk Bed is basically two Simple Beds stacked to make bunks! The beds can be used as twins as well. Super sturdy design, classic slatted styling.  Our free step by step plans include diagrams, shopping lists and cut list.  Lots of reader submitted photos!

We also have plans for a twin over full version of this bunk bed.

Reader submitted photo

Dimensions
dimensions for simple bunk bed plans
Fits standard Twin Mattress

Preparation

Shopping List

Materials and supplies to make two Simple Beds

Common Materials
1 1/4 inch screws
2 inch screws
3 inch screws
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Follow the Cut List for the Twin Simple Beds

 

Cutting List for 1 Guardrail

A) 3 – 1×3 @ 44 3/4″ (Rails)

B) 2 – 1×3 @ 14 1/2″ (Outer Posts)

C) 4 – 1×2 @ 2 1/2″ (Spacers)

D) 2 – 1×3 @ 10 1/2″ (Inside Posts)

 

Cut List for the Ladder

2 – 2×4 @ 58 3/4″ (Sides, ends cut at 30 degrees and 60 degrees as shown in the diagram below)

6 – 2×4 @ 18″ (Treads)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
General Instructions

You will need to begin by making two Simple Beds from these plans.

Instructions

Step 1

Build two simple beds, but construct the beds with both footboards to the top bunk, and both headboards to the bottom bunk. Notice how the header for the bottom bunk is shown in purple? That’s because the easiest way to join these two beds is to attach the bottom bunk’s headers to the bottom of the top bunk, as shown in the above diagram. Then when you assemble the bunk beds, simply screw through the top of the header into the top of the bottom bunk headboard. Super easy! To do this, first attach the bottom bunk’s header to the legs of the bottom bunk using 3 – 4″ screws per leg. Predrill first. When you assemble the beds, make sure you countersink and predrill the header into the bottom bunk’s 1×6 trim. Also for each of the legs, screw at an angle from the top of the header into each of the bottom bunk’s legs. In this method, you can also unassemble the bunk beds and use as twin sized beds later.

Step 2

In addition to the bunk beds, I also drew up plans for the guardrails and the ladder. You can adjust the length of the guardrails and width of the ladder as you see fit. These measurements are similar to the Land of Nod Simple Bunk Bed Guard Rails and ladder.

Step 3

Cutting List for 1 Guardrail

A) 3 – 1×3 @ 44 3/4″ (Rails)

B) 2 – 1×3 @ 14 1/2″ (Outer Posts)

C) 4 – 1×2 @ 2 1/2″ (Spacers)

D) 2 – 1×3 @ 10 1/2″ (Inside Posts)

 

This cut list and instructions is for 1 guardrail, 44 3/4″ long. You may wish to increase the length of the guardrail to fit your needs. You may also wish to sand all of your pieces prior to building the guardrail. Attach the top rail, spacer, middle rail, spacer, and bottom rail to the outer posts as shown above. Keep the top rail flush with the top of the outer posts. Use 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Nail from the inside into the inside edge of the outer posts. Keep end edges flush. Check for square (See HOW-TO section)

Step 4

Inner Post. Attach the inner post to the Guard Rail. Attach the inner post as shown above. Keep outside edges flush. Use 2″ Nails and glue.

Step 5

Step 6

Treads. Use 3″ screws (2 per tread per side) to screw the treads in place as shown above. Predrill and countersink your screws. To attach the ladder to the bunk bed, simply predrill and screw through the top of the sides into the side rails of the top bunk.

Comments

Lover_of_craft…

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 15:14

Prices in Hawaii are INSANE for untreated wood, so this project will have to wait til we get back to the mainland. :( But I am going to be doing a few others for sure! Great plans Ana and thanks again for sharing!

m3ng (not verified)

Sun, 02/26/2012 - 18:26

Forgive me for being a novice, but I really don't understand this paragraph from Step 1:

"To do this, first attach the bottom bunk’s header to the legs of the bottom bunk using 3 – 4″ screws per leg. Predrill first. When you assemble the beds, make sure you countersink and predrill the header into the bottom bunk’s 1×6 trim. Also for each of the legs, screw at an angle from the top of the header into each of the bottom bunk’s legs."

Do you have a diagram of this? I am looking for an method of connecting the bunk beds, but easily disassembling them into two separate beds for moving purposes. It seems to me like too many holes are drilled into the 4x4 posts? Unless the top boards of the header/footers are fastened at a different spot...

Jeff (not verified)

Wed, 10/24/2012 - 22:14

We are planning on doing these bunkbeds Full over Full and it would be really helpful if you have dimensions for full over full.

Congrats on the book release!
Thank you!

closetofcrud

Wed, 10/24/2012 - 22:26

turned out fantastic!! my son-in-law did a version with the ladder and storage underneath.....its amazing as to how much they saved, let alone the quality!!

Ashley3456789 (not verified)

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 18:55

I assembled these usung regular 4 inch deck screws and they are not holding the posts to the headboard/footboard and they have gotten very wobbly after assembly. How are u assembling the top bunk to the bottom? And what screws are u using to screw the footer/header to the 2x6 rails?

swbaby

Thu, 06/13/2013 - 13:35

This bed turned out beautifully! What an undertaking though. I did have trouble with the ladder as well, but we figured it out by adding more length and an extra step. We also extended the guard rails on top bunk to span the entire length of one side and all the way to the ladder on the other, as well as adding height to accommodate a regular 10" mattress. Also, we made two normal sized guard rails for the bottom bunk.

peacockb

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 16:15

Before my dad embarks on building this for my kids, we want to make sure that the standard 75"x39" twin mattresses will fit the bed frames. Looking at the measurements they seem to be smaller than what the standard dimensions are for a mattress. Thanks!!

KatrinkaJane

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 05:50

How are the guardrails attached? We bought Kura lofts and just want to build the rails, but I didn't see anything in the instructions past building them...? Thank you, you're incredible!

joannamorin

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 09:27

I'm wanting to build this bunkbed, but am planning on just using a mattress (no box spring).  Do you have any suggestions on whether or not to use a sheet of plywood vs. bed slats?  Which is better?  If I do use bed slats, what size slats do I use and how many to make sure there is no uneven support?  Thanks!!!!

njmorin

Wed, 01/13/2016 - 13:20

This is the first piece of furniture I've built and I'm having some trouble figuring out the best way to attach the 1x6 sidrails to the 4x4 post on the headboards and footboards.  Would using a kreg jig be strong enough and if so, what's the best way to go about doing that?  

Flourdude

Sat, 01/27/2018 - 13:50

Looking for a plan like this that we can do a full or over full. Has anyone modified this plan to do that or have any suggestions?

go_eli

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 17:07

Hi, thank you so much for all the wonderful plans you offer. I love you website! Do you think these can be built as queen over queen? Do you have any plans for queen size bed that I can incorporate to this plan, or any suggestions? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

[email protected]

Thu, 05/21/2020 - 16:49

Thank you!
I like the straight ladder in the picture. Does anyone have instructions on how to make that?

Tempelis

Mon, 06/07/2021 - 14:47

Hi Ana,
How many 2 1/2 self tapping screws should be used to attach the top of footboard and headboard? And how far apart?

wheelerlance64

Thu, 11/04/2021 - 07:18

Am I the only one that's having troubles with these plan? I'm building twin over twin. I built the top bunk first (no reason just started there). The issue I am having is I cut the 2x4 for the frame to 79 3/4" and was attaching them to the 2 "footboards" but realized butting the 2x4 to the footboards and attaching them made my frame longer than needed for a twin mattress. My fear was confirmed when I got a twin mattress and found out it was at least 4' too long. Now I'm looking at building the bottom bunk with the headboards where the 2x4 frame is supposed to be attached under the headboards and by using the 79 3/4' 2x4 would make the bed about 4' too short meaning the op bunk would be longer than the bottom bunk and not be able to connect the two bunks securely.

So...

I have three options I guess.
1. cut the 2x4s to 76" and attach flush with the bottom of both the head board and footboards for both top and bottom bunks which will raise the bed height of the bottom bunk by 6 1/2"...

Or

2. Cut the 2x4s to 82" and attaching them under both headboard and footboards flush with the back of the 4x4 posts. Doing this will lower the bed height of the top bunk

Or

3. Cut 2 2x4s to 76" for the top bunk butting the 2x4s up to the head and foot boards leaving the bed height at 8 1/2" from the bottom of the 4x4. Then cut 2 2x4s to 82" attaching them at 8 1/2" above the bottom of the 4x4 post like plans say and flush with the back of the 4x4 post. This will leave both top and bottom bunks at the bed heights of 8 1/2" like plans state.

Probably going to end up doing option 3. Hoping both top and bottom bunks are the same length when I'm done so both beds can be secured safely and in line. As this is being built for a customer I want to make sure its all perfect.