Hello! I’m Ana, a mother and homemaker from Alaska.
Skeching
100’s of FREE plans!!
You can make ANYTHING!
stick
img
sticks
img

Give Back

Brag Posts and Plans

Getting Started

Tools & Tips for Newbies

White Bunk beds with ladder instructions

March 9, 2011 |
11 Comments
posted by Ever heard of Euless
Additional Photos
White Bunk beds with ladder instructions
White Bunk beds with ladder instructions
White Bunk beds with ladder instructions
About This Project

I redid this whole room for less than $600! Make sure you take your time with cuts and fitting. I did this with my father in law (my daughter even got to help out!), and it's less than perfect due to some rushing! More details on my blog.

I also couldn't find any 4x4's. Instead of doubling up on 2x4's, I just used one. That allowed me to change the tops of the head/foot boards to only 48" instead of 50 1/2. You can get enough for a head and foot board out of one board this way.

After looking at a TON of bunk bed ladders online, I designed my own. Just some leftover 2x4's. The sides are 47 1/2 inches long, and the rungs are 13 1/2 inches long. It's screwed to the bunk bed from the back so you don't see the screws.

Blog Link: 
Welcome to our peacful place
From Plan (new): 
Build the Simple Bed
Simple Bunk Beds
Estimated Cost: 
$300
Estimated Time Investment: 
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Required Skill Level: 
Beginner
Type of Wood: 
pine
Finish Used: 
Sanded the heck out of everything, then two coats of Behr primer, followed by 2-3 coats of Behr semi-gloss in New Day Dew (it's a Disney color)

bunk beds

11 Comments
clips

Oooo!

Very pretty, I love the colours!!


Just went to your blog too, the room is gorgeous! That tree is amazing :)

posted by Acorns and Oaks | on Sat, 2011-04-02 16:33

I really like it. Are the 2x4

I really like it. Are the 2x4 alone okay? are will it be stronger if you double the 2x4? Im worried that the bed wont be strong with only 1 2x4

posted by Ayana (not verified) | on Wed, 2011-08-03 21:30
clips
Ever heard of Euless's picture

It's been just over a year

It's been just over a year now, and we haven't had any problems with the just 2x4. That bunk bed is so heavy and sturdy nothing is going to bother it much! So yes, I think just one 2x4 for the leg works just fine!
posted by Ever heard of Euless | on Mon, 2011-08-08 18:18

Thanks for the info. Just

Thanks for the info. Just want I wanted to know :)

posted by Ayana (not verified) | on Tue, 2011-08-09 11:18

What type of nails did you use on the heaedboards and footboards

Did you use regular nails, finishing nails, or screws for the paneling on the head and foot boards?

posted by Jack K. (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-01-27 16:47
clips
Ever heard of Euless's picture

I used just regular gold

I used just regular gold screws for the entire project. We switched between 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch depending on which part we were working on.
posted by Ever heard of Euless | on Sat, 2012-01-28 11:32

Thanks...a few more quick questions :)

Thanks for the info on the head and foot boards. One more series of quick questions.:) How did you attach the sidrails of the frame to the posts? Did you use pocket holes/screws from the inside of the siderails? How sturdy is the bed frame attached to the posts? Did you use normal matresses on both top bunk and bottom bunk (I am planning on slatting the frame)?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer. :)

posted by Jack K. (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-01-30 12:10
clips
Ever heard of Euless's picture

The side rails are also just

The side rails are also just gold screws (I think 3 inch ones? They had to be really long). I just followed the instructions for the Simple beds exactly the way she wrote it, and they work great.

My hubby, on the other hand, didn't trust the screws holding everything up. So he added in a small L bracket at each corner of the bed between the side rail and the headboard. It's now been 2 years, and there has been no problem at all with the bed.

Yes, we used just regular mattresses. I did slat the frame with 1x3's, and everything is great!
posted by Ever heard of Euless | on Mon, 2012-01-30 17:09

Thanks!!

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my simplistic questions...however, I am still confused as to how to screw the siderail to the post at an angle. Is it from the inside of the sidrail? Underneath? On top? Seems like there is only room for 2 screws per siderail end from the inside.

posted by Jack K. (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-01-31 19:36
clips
Ever heard of Euless's picture

Remember, before you attach

Remember, before you attach the side rails, you make a large rectangle with 2x2's. You then screw through 2x2 into the side rail (so you now have a large rectangle with very tall sides.)

You then attach the 2x2 rectangle to the headboard, by putting the short side of the rectangle underneath the headboard and screwing it in. Once the short side of the 2x2 is attached, you'll be able to drill at an angle through the corner of that rectangle into the headboard.

We actually just used really long 4 inch screws, and instead of the angle, drilled through the top and bottom of the side board from the outside of the headboard (if that makes sense!) I think that's the part that worried my hubby, so he added in the l brackets.
posted by Ever heard of Euless | on Wed, 2012-02-01 09:42
clips
Ever heard of Euless's picture

Someone just asked how big

Someone just asked how big this room is on my blog, but didn't leave any contact info for me to tell them!

So, just fyi: this room is 10 x 13, and the bunk beds are on the 10 foot long wall. There's a good 2 1/2 feet of room on the end between the bed and the wall (which is were we put the laundry hamper!)
posted by Ever heard of Euless | on Wed, 2012-05-30 08:09

Recent comments

Search

Social

Let's Connect

Tweets

  •  

User login

Not Much >>

What's going on up here in Alaska.

Momplex Cam >>

Momplex Cam >>

We are DIYing our moms a Duplex in Alaska! Check out our progress so far as we owner build a home, step by step. Read the Momplex blog here.

Most Viewed Plans

New here? Check out our most popular free, step by step furniture plans.

Laundry Basket Dresser
Farmhouse Table
How to Build a Loft Bed
Flip Down Wall Art Desk
Ten Dollar Ledges
Simple Outdoor Dining Table
Sausha’s Washer/Dryer Pedestals
Farmhouse Queen Plans
Reclaimed-Wood Headboard, Queen Size
$10 Cedar Raised Garden Beds
Storage Sofa
Storage Daybed