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About Project
These bunk beds are unique because they are easy to build and can be assembled and disassembled easily. Ladder is integrated into the design.
Dimensions
Materials and Tools
7 – 10′ 1×4 Boards
4 – 8′ 2×2 Boards
9 – 8′ 1×3 Boards (not including wood slats)
2″ Wood Screws
1 1/4″ Wood Screws
1 1/4″ Finish Nails
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Finishing Supplies
16 – 3″ Bolts with washers and nuts
Cut List
12 – 1×4 @ 37 1/2″ (End Rails)
8 – 1×3 @ 63″ (Solid Leg Pieces)
8 – 1×4 @ 80 1/2″ (Back and Front Rails)
12 – 1×3 @ 3″ (Trim Pieces between Rails)
2 – 1×3 @ 22″ (Trim Pieces between Rails)
4 – 1×3 @ 8″ (Bottom Trim Pieces)
4 – 2×2 @ 75″ (Use Metal braces for a stronger bed)
1 – 1×3 @ 55″ (Ladder Side)
2 – 1×3 @ 19″ (Ladder Rungs)
1 – 1×3 @ 13″ (Ladder Front Trim Piece)
6 – 1×3 @ 10″ (Ladder Trim)
1 – 1×3 @ 35″ (Front Leg Trim Piece)
1x3s @ 39″ (Bed Slats, as shown with 34 total slats)
Step 1
Build the Ends
Build two of the ends as shown above. Best joining method is to use pocket hole screws from the insides of the rails into the legs. Other option is to use 2″ screws from the outside of the legs, with a countersink bit. Screws are recommended, because bunk bed are going to take lots of movement, and nails joints will eventually separate out.
Step 2
Build the Back
Simply take two of the 1×3 legs @ 63″, and mark as shown in the diagram above. Glue and screw with 1 1/4″ screws the side rails to the legs. On this step it is very VERY important that you check and adjust for square. If the diagonals do not match up, push the outside corners of the longer diagonals together.
Step 3
Trim the Back
After you have built the back, cut 1×3 pieces to fit the legs between the slats. You can nail these pieces on with a finish nailer and glue, using 1 1/4″ nails. TIP: Don’t cut these pieces prior to building – measure and cut to the opening, to get the exact fit.
Step 4
Bed Slat Supports
If your child is heavy or you expect the bed to take a large amout of abuse, I recommend purchasing metal braces, and screwing to the inside of the bed. Otherwise, use 2x2s, 2″ screws and WOOD GLUE to attach the bed slat supports to the back slats, keeping bottom edges flush.
Step 5
Build the Front
As you did the back, mark the legs and the ladder piece (green) as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ screws and wood glue to fasten the rails to the legs and ladder piece. Adjust for square.
Step 6
Rails and Ladder Rungs
Mark the sides and the ladder piece as shown above. Glue and screw with 1 1/4″ the top bunk rails and the ladder rungs to the legs and the ladder side.
Step 7
Trim the Front
As you did the back, trim the front, filling in all the spaces with 1×3 boards. Use 1 1/4″ nails or optionally screws and glue.
Step 8
Assembly
Assemble the bed by bolting the four pieces together, using 3″ bolts and washer and nuts, four bolts per leg. If you plan on seldom assembly/disassembly of the bed, you could also use 2″ wood screws from the inside of the end legs into the back/front legs.
Step 9
Mattress Slats
Your mattress should have recommendations for bed slats. Use 1x3s, cut at 39″, layed on top of the wood slat supports, according to the recommendations of the mattress. Screw down with 1 1/4″ screws.
As we close off our first week officially at ana-white.com, I wanted to thank you for welcoming and accepting the new site, for taking your time to learn the new site, and your patience with me, and also, your feedback to make this site better. In gratitude, I am pulling from my secret vault of plans that a smarter person would earmark for a book.
So what possibly could be so special about these bunkbeds? Well, they are actually not bunk beds. They are four really wide ladders. You just remove the slats (or bunkie boards if you are using those) and . . .
And unbolt the four sides, and you've got four super manageable, movable, transportable pieces that can easily be reassembled into a bunk bed.
And this is how amazingly easy this bunk bed is to build.
Build two ends. These ends are simply 1x3s (for the legs) and 1x4s screwed to the 1x3s. How easy is that.
And then you build the back. It's just as easy. This time you simply screw the slats directly to the legs, and then fill in the differences with leg trim pieces (the small squares in the legs). If this isn't making sense, read further down where we actually get into the build. Oh, and why not attach the slat support too at this step?
And then we build the front, which is a little different than the back, but still, so easy.
And then you just bolt the four pieces together, lay the slats on top of the slat supports (or bunkie board if you are using those) and you have a bunk bed with ladder integrated! And because the legs are 3 - 1x3s layered, they will appear as a 3x3 post for the corners, much like our loft bed plans
Like this amazing loft bed built from these plans (desktop plans and bookcase plans).
This is what Rebecca said when she posted her photo on our Facebook Fan Page "Here is the loft bed finished for my 12 year old's room. She saved her own money to help pay for the wood and the three of us finished it in two days. She did most of the painting herself and is so excited! I'm glad she learned that hard work pays off! She's busy organizing all her stuff onto her shelves at this very moment. Thanks Ana for the wonderful plans!! There was no way this family would have spent the crazy amounts of money for the Pottery Barn version."
The bed might just follow her to college, but I bet the pride and self confidence from building this bed will last a lifetime. Rebecca, thanks so much for sharing your amazing story.
And also, wanted to share with you Angela's loft bed too!
And one more smile . . .
Angela, Rebecca, you made your beds. But you made my day. And you are making me (and probably tons of other people) want to run to the lumber store!
And while you are at the lumber store, somebody, please pick up some colorful paint, like these turquoise bunk beds from Ohdeedoh.
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You are beyond AMAZING! These
You are beyond AMAZING! These are the bunk beds I have wanted for my boys!!!!! Does your brilliant mind ever stop? I LOVE THESE!
This is awesome, Ana. Of
This is awesome, Ana. Of course, we bought these beds six months ago, spent hours assembling them, days staining them, and paid twice as much. And when we moved this summer it was a total jigsaw to disassemble and move. Glad I found you when I did to avoid stuff like that in the future.
Thank you for adding our
Thank you for adding our pictures to your post. My daughter is home sick today and you just brought the first smile to her little face. We could never have done it without your plans. You just make it sooo easy to build.
LOVE how simple you made
LOVE how simple you made this!! I think I can handle four ladders! :) Thanks for letting us in the "secret vault" for a peek. I know I will be first in line for any future books!!!
Angela, thanks for sharing
Angela, thanks for sharing your amazing photos!
Just bought these at the
Just bought these at the ickier(sic) store last weekend. I put it together in about an hour and a half but 30 minutes of that was because the predrilled hole was crooked. If I had these plans and a bit more space who knows?
Ack! I'm kicking myself for
Ack! I'm kicking myself for buying bunk beds last week! This is exactly what I wanted for my girls but everything like this is way too expensive for what it is!!
maybe next time...
I just love your blog....I am
I just love your blog....I am actually getting my husband to build these beds for the guest room for the grandkids...thank you...
These are awesome! Thanks
These are awesome! Thanks for sharing from the "vault". They will be in our house soon:)
Hey Ana- husband printed the
Hey Ana- husband printed the shopping list and bought all the wood for these today. He began putting them together and SWEARS he will need to buy more wood- that the shopping list is off. I told him he was full of it- Ana is NEVER wrong ;). but in case I am wrong- might you take a look at it and make sure? if you have a moment.... thanks!
There are two cuts missing from the cut list.
You do need a tad more lumber. The cut list does not include the front top side rails, next to the ladder opening. You need two 1" X 3" X 64" boards to finish the front section. And of course, the lumber for the slats is not included in the shopping list because you are supposed to figure that out based on your mattress manufacturer instructions.
The only problem I've encountered thus far as I'm building it is after I checked and rechecked, I still missed the top two rails that weren't listed. This is my first build, so I'll forgive myself for having to go back to the lumberyard for a second trip this time. ;o) (I'm a perfectionist! Haha.)
Never trust a cut list
Never trust a takeoff (a.k.a. shopping list) that you didn't vet yourself. The cutlist is only really useful for production environments anyway. Not one-offs, you'll always have modifications that you make as you build.
Hi Megan, it's entirely
Hi Megan, it's entirely possible that i am wrong :) I'll take a look. Make sure you cut the longest boards first to use up all of your lumber. Can't wait to see this built!
thanks Ana. Ill let you know-
thanks Ana. Ill let you know- and will post pictures when they get done. the man is working lots of OT in the next month, so I dont know how soon it will be. And speaking of the man- in all his awesomeness, he is even routing out the part on the ends where the cross boards meet the legs so they will fit together!
One definitely needs
One definitely needs significantly more wood than is listed in the shopping list. Just an FYI.
And check out what Megan's
And check out what Megan's husband built and posted on our FB page!
"Make sure you cut the
"Make sure you cut the longest boards first to use up all of your lumber." Guess we should have read the comments a little more carefully! :)
We built these bunk beds this weekend! Our first project. We learned a lot (above plus... square IS important!) and they turned out great! Two of our boys (we have five) slept in them for the first time last night. I need to stain/paint them and then I'll send in a picture!!
Thanks Ana for such an awesome site!!
You'll need 5 more 8' 1x4's
You'll need 5 more 8' 1x4's than what are listed to complete the rails. Also don't forget that the list above does NOT include the 1x3's for your slats. You'll need a ton of them!
Oh, I thought i'd also let
Oh, I thought i'd also let everyone know that this project costs just at $100 including screws, nails, glue, and lumber. Spring for a kreg jig jr to make it even easier, it's only about $40. I used left over paint so that's not figured in to the above costs.
Thanks so much for taking
Thanks so much for taking your time to come back and give feedback! Much appreciated!
Can this be made into a
Can this be made into a full/full bunk? Love this and your site!!
I am IN LOVE with these
I am IN LOVE with these plans. My only problem is my girls have double beds. I am thinking my husband might be able to make the changes, but I thought I would check if you already have those plans somewhere?????
Love your work Ana
Can you post dimensions/cut
Can you post dimensions/cut list/shopping list for this plan, but tailored for a toddler bed mattress? Great site and we wish you all the best!
I started assembling this
I started assembling this today. The plan calls for 7 1"x4"x10'. You need 10 total. Also the cut sheet does not include the 1"x4"x64" boards required for the front on the upper bunk. Personally, I modified the plans by increasing the length by 2 1/8 inches and increased by bottom height from 8" to 10 3/8". This is to accommodate a trundle (http://images.lowes.com/animate/ExtTrundle.pdf). So far the project is going pretty well. A good mitre saw is a MUST. I'll post back when I'm done.
I think we are going to be
I think we are going to be tackling this project in January. I'm a bit concerned about the 3" space between the bars, my kids flip and flop like crazy in their sleep. Has anyone tried modifying this for four rails across the top instead of three? And I'm thinking four on the bottom to make it match. By my calculations, that would make the space between the rails 1.25" (I think). Just wondering what it would look like and if anyone else had this concern.
Definitely needed more wood.
Definitely needed more wood. Shopping list only lumber for 7 of the 8 uprights; shopping list and cut list did not include 1X4s for the top bunk bed rails; and also needed 3 additional 1X4s for end pieces. I was also careful to cut the longest pieces first and use the cutaway to make shorter pieces...that part worked out pretty well with fairly little waste.
Just quick question. What
Just quick question. What type of bolt is anybody using lag or carriage? I'm hoping to be making these sometime in the next month. So excited.
Do you think this could be
Do you think this could be made into a triple bunk in a standard height room?
Did you build these bunkbeds?
Did you build these bunkbeds? I came up with the same numbers for wood needed. What type of wood are you using and where did you purchase?
definitely need more wood than shopping list
Started these today--bought the lumber yesterday. Getting ready to head back to the big orange store for more lumber to strap to my Ford sedan--my tall, tall husband is gonna love climbing through his window "Dukes of Hazzard" style AGAIN to help me get more wood. I read the list and the comments and have cut carefully, but there's just no way you can get 8 - 80" pieces from 7 10ft boards! It didn't click sooner--this is my second big project on my own and I'm loving it! The site is awesome. Thanks for all the info!
Project Completed
I also had problems with not enough 1x4 and had to make additional shopping trips. But otherwise, it went smoothly and turned out perfect.
http://uffdaprojects.blogspot.com/2011/05/project-bunk-beds.html
Materials
Ok, We are getting ready to build these for my son and I have a couple of questions. 1st, What type of wood are you using? and 2nd, what settings are you using on the kreg jig?
doesn't add up
I have triple checked and many of the measurements don't add up. An example is in step 6, do the math? Also if according to the sketch it show an inside measurement of 39 yet the cut list calls for the end slats to be cut at 37.5". Add it up 1" + 1' =+ 37.5 is 39.5", not 39? WTF?
Guest, If you look those
Guest,
If you look those measurements are based on wood not being true 1 x 3 and 1 x 4. Perfect example of this is:
http://mistupid.com/homeimpr/lumber.htm
So 37.5 + .75 + .75 = 39.
I have built a mod of these bunks with steps instead of a ladder and have not ran into issues other than figuring out the wood and cut list since adding steps. Pics to be posted soon.
Right you are.
Like a fool I jumped to conclusions and looked on the net shortly after posting and found out what you are saying. Thanks for your swift response.
Cut List Update
Ana -- could you put the updated cut list in a comment, I understand that people have needed more than you originally put in the initial directions but am unable to decipher exactly what the differences are. This is to be my first project so please take pity on a newbie! Thanks so much, you are such an amazing woman!!!
Hi Ana! Your website is
Hi Ana! Your website is great. Would I be able to download your sketchup model of the classic bunk beds? I, too, am a sketchup fanatic and am looking to build some beds. Thank you!
LOVE THIS BUNK!!! We made two
LOVE THIS BUNK!!! We made two of your twin size storage beds and now we're planning to make these bunks! Love your site and I love how simple you make these projects look! Such detailed plans and so stylish! Thanks!!!
Super annoyed. After I told a
Super annoyed. After I told a friend I'd help her build these, and gave her a price based on the shopping list and she saved up the money to do it, I went and bought lumber and it's not even close to enough. You say to buy 7 1x4s and the cut list requires 10 just for the long cuts, not even counting the side bars. And not listing the 1x3 slats is annoying too Now I have to break it to my friend that she needs another $30 or so. The first complaints about it being wrong were two years ago! Why was it never fixed? I e run into this on many of your plans and honestly? I think you do it on purpose so you can say " make this for under $100!" or whatever price but really your shopping list may be under $100 but your shopping list omits major components.
--A former fan
Wrong attitude!
If you are not able to appreciate the FREE plans Ana posts out of the goodness of her heart and take into account that despite being wonderful and awesome, she is not perfect and may make the occasional mistake, you are not worthy of calling yourself a fan anyway!
It's also why she states in
It's also why she states in ALL her plans to read through the comments as well. Mistakes happen. We all make them including you. Really bugs me when people complain about the plans, they're FREE!
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