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Classic Bunk Beds

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classic bunk bed diy bunk beds how to build bunk beds
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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These bunk beds are unique because they are easy to build and can be assembled and disassembled easily. Ladder is integrated into the design.

Photo by Our Home Notebook

how to build a bunk bed shared room

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bunk bed diy bunk bed

Photo and built by Our Home Notebook

Dimensions
Classic Bunk Beds
Dimensions are shown above. Fits standard 39″ x 75″ twin mattress, shown with 6″ mattresses.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 11 – 10′ 1×4 Boards
  • 4 – 8′ 2×2 Boards
  • 9 – 8′ 1×3 Boards (not including wood slats)
  • 2″ Self Tapping Wood Screws
  • 1 1/4″ Self Tapping Wood Screws
  • 1 1/4″ Brad 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)
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 64" (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)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

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

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.

Project Type
Bunk Bed
Room
Bedroom
Kids and Toys
Teens
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

BayviewBadger

Sat, 05/30/2015 - 07:51

While I'm always grateful for free content, this isn't the only set of bunk bed plans on the web.

Just wanted to warn any other husbands/fathers out there...

We were planning on building these with a planned trip to get the lumber later today. Then I started looking at lumber prices...that brought an abrupt end to this project.

All the research I did says to use hardwood, pine/softwood is just going to be a disaster...good luck finding one perfectly straight piece of pine at a home improvement store. Also if you're building this for kids, the only way you'll get a strong enough bed for them is hardwood.

A **single** 1x4x10' piece of hardwood runs $17-$24, putting the price of just the 1x4's at $170-$240. That brought this project to a halt, I only eyeballed the 1x3 and 2x2 prices.

If nothing else, make your list and price it out before you head off to get your lumber. Don't mess with the cheap softwoods, hardwood is the only way to go.

I miss the bunk we had in the 80's...it was bombproof and survived the beating my brother and I gave it from pre-school into our college years.

njmorin

Wed, 09/23/2015 - 20:58

I'm thinking of building these bunk beds but I'm just a little unsure about using 1x boards.  Anyone who has built this - is it pretty sturdy?

RajeanaBarker

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 06:02

I was wondering how many boards I needed of the 1x4 x 10" long because it says 7 but then it also says I need 8 at 80 1/2" long and then 12 @ 63"and only 7 boards total so I'm just a little confused do I need to buy more 1x4 x 10"

Tjguerin

Sat, 08/13/2016 - 10:14

hey Ana,  LOVE this bunk bed plan!!  However, I am needing to build a double over double.  Plus we have a low ceiling and so this height is perfect.   So many other plans and retail bunk beds are just too tall. .... Any chance you might be able to design something to reflect that? A low (like this) double over double bunk??? Or even this exact design with dimensions, and cut list?   If so,  THANKS!!! appreciate your time and vision SO MUCH!!!

Tjguerin

Sat, 08/13/2016 - 10:14

hey Ana,  LOVE this bunk bed plan!!  However, I am needing to build a double over double.  Plus we have a low ceiling and so this height is perfect.   So many other plans and retail bunk beds are just too tall. .... Any chance you might be able to design something to reflect that? A low (like this) double over double bunk??? Or even this exact design with dimensions, and cut list?   If so,  THANKS!!! appreciate your time and vision SO MUCH!!!

rarmstrong15

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 13:46

For the husbands building these note: make the 80.5 1x4 cuts first and use the scraps for the slats... I multi cut 12 slats before I figured it out haha now I have to buy 5 more 1x4 and have a great amount of “other” project 1x4. It’s a great bed frame.