Essential Low Bunk Bed

Difficulty

Beginner

Build your own low bunk beds with free plans by Ana-White.com. Step by step plans with shopping lists, cut lists and easy to follow diagrams.

Low bunk beds are perfect in younger children's rooms - they are easy to access, easy to change bedding, and just as fun as a taller bunk.

This bed is built with 2x6 and 2x4 boards, and is very sturdy and well planned. Please watch the build video of the low loft bed, it is very similar in steps:

Dimensions

Low Bunk Dimensions, suitable for twin mattresses

Preparation

Shopping List

4 - 2x4 @ 104-5/8" or 10 feet long
6 - 2x6 @ 10 feet long
4 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
10 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long (for bed slats)
100 - 2-1/2" long self tapping wood screws (star bit #8 recommended) - for main construction, can be as long as 3"
80 - 1-5/8" long self tapping wood screws (star bit #7 or #8 recommended) - for screwing slats down only

Cut List

5 - 2x6 @ 75" - cut first
6 - 2x6 @ 41" - cut from leftovers after cutting the 75" pieces
1 - 2x6 @ about 55" - measure and cut to fit - cut from leftovers after cutting the 75" pieces
7 - 2x4 @ 50-1/2" - legs / ladder sides
2 - 2x4 @ 18" - ladder rungs
4 - 2x2 @ 75" - cleats for slat system
20 - 1x4 @ 38" - slats

Cutting Instructions

TIP: Before cutting, paint or stain all the 2x4 and 2x6 boards. Then cut the prefinished pieces.

After final assembly, you can touch up the cut ends.

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Build two of the end panels as shown, with the 2-1/2" screws.

If not building the bed in the room, it will not fit through doorways when it is complete. So these screws will be removed in later steps. Do not glue if you will be disassembling for moving.

Step 2

Attach the siderails to the end panels, with screws at a slight angle for better strength.

Step 3

Build the ladder.

Step 4

Attach the remaining leg to the ladder on the side that won't be attach to the end panel of the bed.

Step 5

Attach the ladder to the bed with screws from inside.

Step 6

Measure and cut to fit the remaining siderail, and attach to ladder and end leg.

Step 7

Add the 2x2s flush to the bottom of the siderails with screws, at least 6 screws per side.

Step 8

If disassembling, remove the end pieces as shown and bring into the room and set up.

Step 9

Add slats to the tops of the 2x2s. Two screws per end for more structure.

Project Type

Twin

Bunk Bed

Room

Kids and Toys

Bedroom

Comments

Jefffafa83

Sat, 09/25/2021 - 02:31

do you think this would work for a twin over a double? My son recently moved back home and we are SO short on space. I'd like to get him off the cot he's using and into a real bed. His brother already has a double bed so I'm trying to work with what we have.