How to Make a Loft Bed

By Dave Donovan

A loft bed is the perfect way to increase a smaller bedroom's floor space while satisfying a youngster's dream of having a really cool room. With this type of bed, your child will have a convenient area in which to study and a wonderful, off-the-floor bed in which to sleep, imagine and reach for the stars.

Note: These instructions are for making a loft bed for a twin mattress.

The materials you will need to create this type of bed include:

    * (4) 8 ft. long construction-grade or pine 4x4s
    * (1) 4x8 sheet of ¾" plywood
    * (3) 2x6x8s (regular lumber)
    * (3) 8 ft. long, 1"x3.5" finished lumber boards
    * Lag bolts and 1 and 5/8" drywall screws
       

When making your own loft bed, it is important to avoid using any chemically treated lumber. Also, do not use nails in the construction.

Directions:

Step 1

Twin mattresses typically measure 38" x 76." You will want to have about an inch of space leftover around all sides of the mattress as it sits on the platform. Therefore, cut the length of two of the 2x6s to 78 inches. Cut the other two 2x6s to 37 inch lengths. When building the lengths of the longer sections overlap the shorter sections, so when finished the box should measure 40" x 78." To secure the boards together, screw three drywall screws in each corner.

Step 2

Next, take your plywood and cut it to fit the box. At two foot intervals around the perimeter, screw a drywall screw to secure the plywood to the box.

Step 3

Take the 4x4s and lay them down side by side with one end butted up against the wall. Measure down 44 inches and with a square and a pencil, strike a level line across all four.

Step 4

Take two of the 4x4s and position them so that their outer edges are parallel and 78 inches apart.

Step 5

With a helping hand, tilt the platform onto the posts so that the top of the plywood is touching the lines on the posts. With a drill and a ¼" bit, drill two holes through the 2x6s and halfway through the 4x4s. Connect the posts to the platform using the lag bolts. Then, follow this step for the other side of the platform.

Step 6

Now, just lift the frame and position it into place. Slide the mattress on top and you're all set. Of course, you will have to build a make-shift ladder for easy enter and exit. To solve this, simply measure and cut a few 2x4s and then screw them onto one side, joining two posts. This helps strengthen the foundation even more and eliminates the need for a ladder that can take up floor space.

The great thing about this type of loft bed is that your choices for embellishment are endless. Under the bed offers a wealth of space in which you can add a desk, dressers, a futon couch for sleepovers, a curtained fort or whatever else your child's imagination can come up with.

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, NJ.  An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.