With another baby boy arriving in August, my one and three year olds are moving to a "big boy" room. My oldest decided he wanted a bunk bed and as they both are obsessed with tractors, when I saw the "John Deere Tractor Bunk Bed" plan, I was sold.
We would be needing a twin sized bunk bed though not a toddler. I used the classic bunk bed plans and simply modified them to suit our needs. I moved the ladder to the front, added a rail on the bottom bunk and added a small ladder to the side for my one year old to climb into the bottom bunk.
Once the the frame of the bed was complete, I added the tractor accessories. A couple of storage cubby shelves with fabric baskets for toy tractors which act as stairs up to the ladder and make the tractor bucket at the front. Also, the wheels which are made from joined 1x6s as I find plywood hard to sand and paint to the quality of finish I like. A cab & roof from 1x4s framed together. A side mirror that I decoupaged a picture of another tractor on. I used push lights for the headlights as well as a reading light above each bed (they're on timers so they'll turn themselves off). A steering wheel (play equipment access from toys r us). Also, I built and mounted by the head of both beds a "flat wall book holder" so they would have somewhere to store a few books.
My boys and I are fairly new to building so I spent a lot of time planning and measuring to ensure it would all come together in the end. It paid off because it all went smoothly (even with "help" from my boys). It's not perfect but they're very happy with the result. We also built a John Deere themed "Just my size closet" and even finished with over a month to spare before the new baby arrives! :)
Just want to say a quick thank you to Ana both for the amazing plans and also the inspiration to take on these projects. The time spent with my boys building as well as the resulting treasures are priceless and I would have never realized what we were capable of had I not stumbled upon your website and been so inspired by you and everything you've accomplished. Thank you!
Comments
groovymom2000
Mon, 07/04/2011 - 08:43
Very nice! I like it!
Very nice! I like it!
Pam the Goatherd
Mon, 07/04/2011 - 09:46
Spectacular!
Spectacular!
Ana White
Mon, 07/04/2011 - 12:40
wow, this is just perfect!
wow, this is just perfect! Love it!
emmarosemc
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 14:06
That looks so adorable!
That looks so adorable!
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 07/29/2011 - 23:37
BEAUTIFUL!!
this is perfect! i totally need a bunch just like this! I love the added doors!
Pam in Colorado (not verified)
Sat, 09/17/2011 - 12:48
Perfect
This is the look I'd like, fit the baskets and hide them behind doors until you are ready to do the laundry. These could be made for bedrooms, bathrooms, toy rooms (okay, toys instead of dirty laundry)...
Amy Pugh (not verified)
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 20:42
Would you mind sharing the
Would you mind sharing the dimensions for this cabinet? Love this idea!!!! Great job!
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 08:05
Help!
I absolutely love this! Could you please add instructions on how to make/paint and install the doors? I am a newbie to making my own furniture. Thanks!
Guest (not verified)
Wed, 01/11/2012 - 08:29
I love this idea! I will have
I love this idea! I will have a new bathroom soon and I think this will get used! What are the dimensions, or what style cabinet would you suggest to look for? TIA!
Guest (not verified)
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 16:42
Share dimensions!!!
Share dimensions!!!
Jennifer Simmons (not verified)
Fri, 02/17/2012 - 05:57
The dimensions are the same
The dimensions are the same as Ana's plan: http://ana-white.com/2010/11/laundry-basket-dresser except that the top is slightly bigger (3/4" overhang on front/sides) to look more like a countertop. On the doors we just made a frame w/ angled pieces, routed a notched line on the back & glued/nailed some beadboard in from the back. Sorry I can't be much more detailed on that, a friend did most of the doors for me!
Guest (not verified)
Sun, 02/19/2012 - 07:42
Baskets Used?
I actually got the plywood to do this project and I was going to add doors. I looked at the baskets suggested but it seems they would stick out the front. I was just curious, did you use different baskets that would fit inside the cabinet or did you make the cabinet slightly deeper?
Jennifer Simmons (not verified)
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 05:36
depth/baskets
Actually I discovered the same problem after it was built. I just didn't put a back on and they stick out a tiny bit in the back. I actually kind of like it that way because it lets some air in (being in the bathroom and putting towels in I could see it getting mildewy without much circulation). But if I had gotten the baskets first I probably would have made it about 2" deeper, then leave some open space, but not all, on the back.