Building a bunk bed might seem like a daunting task. Indeed, a cheap bunk bed usually goes for £100, which, of course, often means it doesn’t last long. However, building a bunk bed is much cheaper, will be stronger and can be finished in a weekend. This article is just a template. The bunk bed can be customised in any number of ways after you understand the basic format.
Step One
Make the frame -Cut two 2-by-6 planks to be 2 m (6.5 feet) in length and two planks to be 1 m (3.5 feet) in length. Make a “box” with the wood. Cut four more 2-by-6 planks to be about 1 m (3.5 feet) in length to be used as support for the mattress. Screw one plank 7.5 cm (3 inches) from the head of the bed, and screw one 7.5 cm (3 inches) from the foot of the bed. Screw the other planks 62.5 cm (25 inches) from the foot and 1.2 m (48 inches) from the foot, respectively. Repeat for the bottom bunk.
Step Two
Cut four support beams to be at least 1.65 m (65 inches) tall and 5 cm (2 inches) thick. Using a carriage bolt, screw the boxes horizontally to the support beams — one beam for each corner. The bottom bunk should be about 30 cm (1 foot) from the ground, and the top should be about 1.2 m (4 feet) from the ground.
Step Three
Cut 2-by-4s to be the same dimensions of the box — cut twice as many 2 m (6.5 feet) long 2-by-4s. Screw the 1 m (3.5 feet) length planks onto the support beams about 30 cm (1 foot) from the top of the box. Screw the 2 m (6.5 feet) long planks onto the support beams. There will be two 2 m (6.5 feet) long planks on each side. The bottom planks should be fastened 15 cm (6 inches) from the top of the box, and the top planks should be fastened 15 cm (6 inches) from those planks.
Step Four
Make the ladder -Cut two 2-by-4s 147 cm (57 3/4 inches) in length. Saw an angle — about 20 degrees — at the top and bottom of each plank. This will be so the ladder leans in, making climbing up easier and safer. Screw them onto one side of the bed about 37 cm (14.5 inches) apart. Cut four 2-by-4s to be 37 cm (14.5 inches) inches long, and screw them so that they’re perpendicular to the ladder frame. They should be set about 30 cm (1 foot) apart.
Step Five
At the top of the ladder, install hooks to attach onto the top of the box. Screw these in.
Step Six
Sand smooth and finish.