Rustic Modern Bunk Bed

Difficulty

Intermediate

Build your own bunk beds! This rustic modern bunk bed features wide planking and clean lines. We love it stained or painted any color of your choice.

Our free plans include step by step diagrams, shopping list and cut list.

Dimensions

Dimensions shown above. Twin size. NOTE: May not work with Bunkie boards or mattress box springs/platforms. Designed to be built using slat system in plans.

Preparation

Shopping List

7 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long
3 - 1x10 @ 8 feet long
4 - 1x6 @ 6 feet long
4 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
3 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
4 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
Does not include boards for mattress slats

Common Materials

1 1/4 inch screws

2 1/2 inch screws

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

Cut List

MAIN BED STRUCTURE

2 - 1x8 @ 75" - bottom bunk side rails
2 - 1x8 @ 37-1/2" - bottom bunk end rails
2 - 1x10 @ 75" - top bunk side rails
2 - 1x10 @ 37-1/2" - top bunk end rails
4 - 1x6 @ 62-1/2" - end legs
4 - 1x8 @ 75" - side legs

RAILING

4 - 1x3 @ 39"
2 - 1x3 @ 62"
2 - 1x3 @ 47-1/4"
34 - 1x2 @ 7-1/2"

LADDER

2 - 1x4 @ 65"
5 - 1x4 @ 13-1/4"

SLAT SYSTEM

4 - 2x2 @ 73-1/2"
1x boards or plywood scraps 3/4" thick @ 37-1/2" long

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Build the two boxes for the mattress platforms. Place pocket holes on outside - they will be covered by the legs in next step and it is a stronger joint this way. Use glue at all joints.

Step 2

Drill 3/4" pocket holes along one edge of the 1x6 boards. You may want to hide them discreetly where the beds will sit, and can finish where the pocket holes are visible with 1-1/4" nails and glue. Then attach the beds to the legs from insides with screws. I'd prefer glue as well, if the bed is not to be disassembled.

Step 3

Build the end railing with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. TIP: Cut a couple of 3-3/4" blocks to use as spacer for placing railing. Attach to the ends of the bed. Again, prefer glue if possible to use.

Step 4

Repeat steps to build the bunk bed back guardrail.

Step 5

Step 6

Build the ladder with 3/4" pocket holes on underside or rungs. Attach to bed with screws.

Step 7

Screw cleats to insides of beds. Place at height desired for mattresses (recommend lower on top bunk and higher on bottom bunk. Screw slats on top of cleats to keep in place. 2x slats can be used for increased strength.

Project Type

Bunk Bed

Room

Kids and Toys

Style

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Industrial Style Furniture Plans

Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

papabear

Wed, 03/02/2016 - 07:12

just a quick question

Shouldn't the 37 1/2 inch boards on the boxes be 39 inches.

papabear

Vosters42

Wed, 04/06/2016 - 20:35

The boards (Slats) should be

The boards (Slats) should be 37 1/2 inches because you will be using 4 - 2x2 @ 73-1/2". You will place the slats on those 2x2s. The slats will be the same and the width of the bunk beds. Hope this helps :)

Tjacox

Sun, 05/15/2016 - 17:33

Full size measurements?

Could you post the measurements if I wanted to build this in the full over full size?

Sarahlynne46

Tue, 01/03/2017 - 14:35

Full over full measurements?

I wanted to build this in a full over full but very new to diy projects and know I would not be able to figure it out simply from looking at the twin over twin instructions and changing the measurements for full. Would love the help for full over full.

@TcanDo

Sun, 06/20/2021 - 10:57

Full size measurements

Did you ever get these measurements? We want to do full over full as well.

OkDesignerMom

Fri, 07/29/2016 - 08:25

Measurements don't make sense to me...

Not to doubt the queen of building, but if a twin mattress is 39" wide how does it fix within the 37 1/2" boxes? The slats should be the same length as the mattress is wide in order for the mattress to fit. Maybe I'm just not understanding, but I'd hate for someone to build it then their mattresses wouldn't fit. Thanks for any clarification you can give.