1. Home
  2. Plan Catalog

Simple Bunk Bed Plans (Twin over Full)

twin over full bunk bed
|save this plan
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
| Print this plan

Build your own twin over full bunk beds! Ladder plans included.  These free woodworking plans include step by step diagrams, cut list and shopping list.

We also have a twin over twin bunk bed version of this plan.

Collections
Simple Bedroom Collection

Reader submitted photo

Dimensions
dimensions diagram for full over twin bunk beds
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

See Simple Bed Twin Plans and Simple Bed Full Plans

Cut List

See Simple Bed Plans

General Instructions

Make sure you measure your space before building. The bed parts can be assembled in the room, so doorways aren’t as big of an issue.

Instructions

Step 1

Build the Top Bunk

You will need to build a top bunk made up of two footboards. Simple twin size bunk plans are here. When you add the slats to the headers, start in the center and work your way out. If the spacers do not fit tight at the end spacers, don’t despair. Simpy cut a piece of 1×6 leftover from the header to the exact dimension and use it as the spacer instead of the 1×3 spacer.

Step 2

Build the Bottom Bunk For the bottom bunk, you will need to build the Full Size Simple bed, but this time, build two headboards and no footboards.

Step 3

Assembly Measure the location of the top bunk and mark it on the headers for the bottom bunk. Find the center of the marks and drill a 1″ hole, 3″ deep. Then find the center of the bottom of the legs on the top bunk and drill a 1″ hole, 3″ deep. Use 6″ metal headless bolts or hardwood dowels to hold the bunks together through the drilled holes.

Step 4

Ladder For the ladder, cut two 2x4s 64″ long, with both ends cut at 25 degrees off square parallel to each other. Then on the top edge, mark the top edge in 1 1/2″ from the front top corner. Use a square to mark a line perpendicular to the top cut downward. Cut this line off. These are your ladder sides. Measure and mark the ladder sides and screw the rungs to the ladder sides with 2″ screws and glue. The ladder can be attached with metal brackets or by screwing from the inside of the side rails of the top bunk. Guardrail plans area also available in the Twin Simple Bunk Plans.

Project Type
Bunk Bed
Room
Kids and Toys
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

bugnbelle (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 20:53

I love your resolutions list above! I am a newbie, can't wait to try some projects in the new year.

Abby (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 00:27

OMG I stumbled upon your awesome blog about a month ago and it has me itching to get woodworking. My man is a die hard metal worker and hates to work with wood when I showed him some of your projects he was straight up "You know I hate working with wood"..... "ummmm babe IM totally doing it and I cant freaking wait!!". Might take me awhile to get the supplies together but I will be joining you in carpentry sometime in 2011! Thanx for the inspiration!

Tsu Dho Nimh (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 06:37

Footboards or headboards for the top bunk? The picture says one thing and the instructions sah another.

Rebecca (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:02

I would love to be your neighbor. And not just to borrow tools from. ;) You have a great outlook on life. I am planning on more building and repurposing/refinishing projects this year. Thank you for sharing with us and encouraging us all.

Susie (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:10

Wow! Beautiful! We bought a twin over double for our boys last year. This one is so much nicer!

Lindsey S. (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:23

Ana, this is great! My husband and I were hoping to build full over full bunkbeds. Would it be easy to convert this plan to a full over full?

jodie (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:37

Great! I want to do this for my daughters. Can you do full over full with these same plans? Also, can you do a flat ladder that attaches to the bunk (I.e. Doesn't touch the floor)?

Chelle (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:45

I have been learning what a serious workout carpentry really is! This past week I have been building the Simple Bunk Beds for my kids and I've done a good part of it on my own. I AM SO SORE! My arms and legs are aching! Woodworking is a full body workout, it even gets your heart rate up! The beds are almost done, I can't wait to share pictures.

Ana White (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:48

Lindsey, I don't see why this wouldn't work - just make sure your slat system is properly done - perhaps with a center support, so the top bunk is adequately supported. The ladder could also have less of an angle in that case too (this ladder is made to fit the wider bottom bunk).

Yolanda (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:59

Oh my goodness! How on earth did I miss the laundry basket dresser?!Seriously, I have a baaaaaad problem with moving clothes from the laundry basket to the dresser. With that dresser, I wouldn’t have to bother and no one woud have to be bothered by my clothes living permanently in a laundry basket. And thank you for such simple plans for making the twin over full bunk beds. Happy New Year!

Amy Callahan (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 09:01

Hi Ana...I'm one of the ones that has been waiting for this. Our upstairs bedroom is shared by our two boys. It has eaves that cut into our ceiling height, but we have a full height in the center. We're planning to switch the ladder to the other side of the bed, perhaps with less of an angle, so the "full" part of the lower bunk will tuck in under where the ceiling starts to eave. Hope that makes sense. It will be such a huge space saver :)

Jessica (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 11:02

Ana -

You are just 10 kinds of amazing, I want you to know that! I love reading your site and though I haven't built a thing yet (for shame, I know!) I am amazed every time I read a new post. I get super excited over every new plan and I want to build stuff so desperately! Gotta make some room in that garage for me to do so... haha

But I just wanted to say that I was so excited about your reasons for building, esp. #6. I hadn't thought about just how green building is... thank you for showing me another reason for wanting to build! :)

Brooklyns_Mama (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 13:23

The link to "your horrible first project" isnt right =)
It pops up the Little Creations bunker <3

Kelli (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 19:20

I want to build the bunk beds instead of buying a set mostly because I want a sturdy bed and cost. One additional thing I would like to do is in place of the ladder have the stairs at the end of the bed with a built in dresser. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Just a side note. I was directed toward your blog and I have to say you are one amazing woman!!! I love coming back to see what is new and get more ideas.

laree (not verified)

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 04:52

So, I'll admit, I didn't really read this post, since I already made bunk beds. But then all of the sudden I started getting all kinds of comments on my blog, and realized they were referrals from you. I am tickled pink! Thank you so much Ana for featuring my room!

Keep it up - your site is the best!

Susan (not verified)

Sun, 01/16/2011 - 16:17

Hi Ana! We just found your blog and LOVE it! We already have list of items we want to tackle...first being these bunk beds, twin over twin. I have a question though, we've seen several bunks now that have stairs instead of a ladder, since our boys are younger we thought this might be something to consider. Have you ever tried anything like that or any chance you have plans for stairs?? Just thought we'd ask....your plans are awesome and so seeem so easy to follow.
Thank you all these wonderful ideas/plans and your help. :)

pequerg

Mon, 07/21/2014 - 12:36

Ana, i was looking for plans just like this one for my kids room but the pdf link doesn't work, just like the above comment says... Could you think you could repair the link or send me the pdf? Thanks and congrats for your webpage! It's great and very usefull!!

pequerg

Mon, 07/21/2014 - 12:37

Ana, i was looking for plans just like this one for my kids room but the pdf link doesn't work, just like the above comment says... Could you think you could repair the link or send me the pdf? Thanks and congrats for your webpage! It's great and very usefull!!

kmt

Sun, 08/10/2014 - 15:04

My wife and I have falling in love with this design but the pdf link to the plans isn't working. Could you help me? Thanks. I love the site.

dvmaguire

Sat, 05/23/2015 - 19:17

I was very disappointed with what you call a 'Plan'. Generally plans have full dimensions and at least some instructions. These are absolutely terrible!

dvmaguire

Sat, 05/23/2015 - 19:17

I was very disappointed with what you call a 'Plan'. Generally plans have full dimensions and at least some instructions. These are absolutely terrible!

Ana White Admin

Sun, 05/24/2015 - 13:20

We are sorry for your disappointment. If you read the entire post, this is how to convert the "simple bed plan" to bunk beds. The plan is the "simple bed" http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-by-request-simple-bed-twin-sized.html and the post about the full, which also is modified from the "twin simple bed plan" http://ana-white.com/2010/02/plans-simple-bed-full-size-inpsired-by.html

Hope this helps!

johnthomas19

Thu, 10/22/2015 - 12:05

I think I'm going to tackle building this bad boy this weekend.  My question has to do with how sturdy it is. My 4 yr old likes it when I lay down with him before bed.  I'm a good 215 lbs.  I'm concerned that the only thing keepng the top bunk attached to the bottom is four dowels.  For folks who have built this bunk bed, can you tell me if it feels sturdy?  Are you confident the top bunk could support 215 lbs (me) + 50 lbs (son)?

lauren6696

Mon, 07/04/2016 - 03:08

Hi!  I love, love, love this plan and can't wait to use it.  However, the PDF isn't functioning, can you put a new link in?

THANKS!

Kevin K

Tue, 09/19/2017 - 20:46

Replying to myself. It took me a while to figure out this site. (Fire your web designer).

But, here's what I figured out:

1) You need the "Sinple Bed" plan first: http://www.ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-by-request-simple-bed-twin-sized…

2) Then you need the "Simple Bunk Bed" plan second: http://www.ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-how-to-modify-the-simple-bed-to-…

3) Then you need the "Twin over Full Bunk Bed" plans here: http://www.ana-white.com/2011/01/plans/twin-over-full-simple-bunk-bed-p…, but the .pdf link is broken so use the Printer Friendly version.

 

Deano35

Fri, 03/16/2018 - 18:03

How do you get your lumber so cheap? Just ran some quick numbers and lumber alone is near $500 plus fasteners, glue, and finish. $100-150 doesn't seem like a realistic number.

dculberson

Mon, 10/19/2020 - 11:36

I built this bed and it turned out great! The kids love it. I added some custom LED reading lights to each bunk and the kiddos have their own switches to turn the lights on and off and they seem to enjoy the control it gives them. Everyone I've sent pics to has been impressed (darn COVID so nobody's seen it in person).

One note, the height on the ladder is incorrect. I made the ladder according to the plans and it came out too short. If you add up the component heights the top of the side rail on the upper bunk is 60.5" above the floor. (46.5" total height of lower bunk, plus 8.5" gap between top of lower bunk and bottom of upper bunk side rail, plus 5.5" high side rail = 60.5") The ladder is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with the bunk being a side leg of 60.5" and an acute angle of 25 degrees at the top so the ladder length should be roughly 66.75" (that's 66 3/4").

Unfortunately I didn't realize this until after the ladder was done and painted so my ladder just ends up looking a little funny ending a couple inches short of the top of the side rail.

UTVol

Mon, 11/30/2020 - 11:30

How did you attach the top bed to to the bottom bed? I'm confused as to how to do it. Is there something somewhere that shows a picture?

Thanks!!

amartea

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 09:59

Thank you Ana!! My husband and I have followed so many of your plans and love following your directions.

I have a question about the bunk beds. We just completed them and there is a sway back and forth when my daughter moves in the top bunk. Is this normal or is there something we could do to remedy this.

Thank you again for sharing because we have enjoyed working as a family.
Alena

ThomasGarcia

Wed, 03/09/2022 - 09:53

Hi Ana,
Your plans are amazing. Thank you for sharing them. I really like your plans for the Twin over Full bunk beds. My question is do you have plans for a twin XL over Queen bunk beds? If not, do you plan on designing something like that. Thank you for your response and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thomas

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!