Tools and Materials

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

Benefits of a DIY Loft Bed

Great for small bedrooms
Allows extra space for a play area or furniture such as a small table and chairs
Can be easily built by DIYers with basic woodworking skills
Inexpensive to build if you already have some basic tools in your garage or workshop

Instructions

Cut from panel stock and pine boards, this loft bed is designed for children 7 and up. Then decorate the room with a set of animal art you can print and frame yourself.

Shop Bunk Beds Shop Kids Furniture Shop Kids Play Tables

Cut the Bed Parts

Cut the opening using a trammel to guide the saw

For the round cutout, drill a 3/8-inch starter hole on the waste side -- the inside -- of the circle just touching the edge. Slip the blade of a jigsaw though the hole and cut out the 30-inch-diameter hole.

Good to Know

To make the hole cutout more accurate, make a trammel to guide your jigsaw. Near one end of a scrap board at least 36 inches long, drive a nail though the scrap and about 1/4 inch into the center point of the circle. Measure 15 inches from the nail and use carpet tape to secure the jigsaw to the scrap. Slide the blade though the clearance hole, start the saw, and push the saw forward. Work slowly and allow the trammel to guide the saw for a clean cut.

Drill the hardware holes for the sides (F) (Project Diagram, Drawing 2) and then sand all of the panels with 120-grit sandpaper to prepare for assembly.

Good to Know

There are a few tricks to sand all of the panels effectively. For the 30-inch circle, a random-orbit sander and 120-grit paper will ease the edges and create a flowing curve. Keep the sander moving back and forth to cut through any high spots. For the outside curves, the sander again works well. For radii too small for the sander, wrap sandpaper around a 1-1/2-inch dowel to sand the inside shapes. Then sand the flat surfaces and square edges of the panels.

Assemble the Bed

Make the Stairs

Build the stairs as you built the bed: Cut the parts from a large sheet, trim them to size, cut shapes with a jigsaw, sand, and assemble. Begin by cutting the stringers (I) and the rail (J) to shape (Project Diagram, Drawing 6).

Good to Know

Saw cut marks on the stringers will be concealed when the stairs are built. Take your time, but don’t fret about making them perfect. For the arch of the rail panel, you can use the trammel much like you did for the circle cutout in the headboard end (A) to cut an even radius.

Complete the Bed

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to loft beds.

What ages is a junior loft bed suitable for?

In general, bunk beds are recommended for children ages six and up. However, each child is different and it’s important to ensure they can be trusted to use the ladder safely.

Do loft beds save space?

Yes, loft beds do save space, especially in small rooms.

What size mattress is used for a junior loft bed?

Most bunk beds use either a twin, twin XL or full-sized mattress.

Related Tags:

Home Décor

DIY Junior Loft Bed

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Benefits of a DIY Loft Bed

Instructions

Cut the Bed Parts

Assemble the Bed

Make the Stairs

Complete the Bed

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages is a junior loft bed suitable for?

Do loft beds save space?

What size mattress is used for a junior loft bed?

Related Tags: