How to Build a Fun Bunk Bed For Kids

Growing up, I always wanted one of those fun bedroom sets pictured in magazines. At five, my mom gave me the chance to choose one. When we made it to the store, I fell in love with one they had in the showroom (similar to the ones in the magazines, and not the one she wanted to get me).

It had so many pieces that there was no way it was going to fit in my small bedroom. I ended up getting just the bed and one other piece, a modular desk, and shelving unit (that was back in the late 80s before modular furniture got very popular). Although I was happy with the bedroom set, it was not as fun without the other pieces I could not get.

Looking for ideas for our kid’s bedroom brought back lots of memories, I knew I had to build a fun bed for him! After a bit of research (and finishing his play table and dresser), we decided to build him a fun bunk bed, similar to this one.

HOW TO BUILD A FUN BUNK BED FOR KIDS

Right after deciding which bed we were going to build, we went ahead and gathered all the necessary tools and materials. Do not be discouraged by the somewhat long list, in the end, we spent less than $150 (most of it on wood, a similar bed costs about $800).

• Framing Lumber (ten – 2x4s & six – 2x6s)
• Palled Wood (at least twenty four boards)
• Half inch plywood board
• Table Saw & Miter Saw
• Sander & Sandpaper
• Drill & Drill Bits
• Jig Mini
• Screwdrivers & Hand Tools
• Level
• Pneumatic Nail Gun & Nails (Optional)
• Metal Supports (Framing Angles)
• Drywall Screws
• Drywall Anchors
• Wood Glue
• 2 1/2” Wood Screws
• Caulking
• White Primer/Paint
• Wagner Power Painter Plus (Optional)
• Wood Stain

STEP 1: MEASURE AND CUT ALL THE FUN BUNK BED’S FRAME PIECES

We measured, cut and sanded a total of 24 pieces for the fun bunk bed’s frame.

• (8) 2” x 4” x 84” (Legs)
• (4) 2” x 6” x 73” (Side Rails)
• (4) 2” x 6” x 35 1/2” (End Rails)
• (2) 2” x 4” x 73” (Top Side Rails)
• (2) 2” x 4” x 35 1/2” (Top End Rails)
• (4) 30” x 1 1/2” x 1 3/4” (These support the piece of plywood that supports the top bunk mattress – hasn’t been installed yet).

 

STEP 2: ASSEMBLE THE BUNK BED’S FRAME

We started by putting the legs together. To do this, we nailed the 2” x 4” x 84” in pairs using the nail gun. Then we put some caulking to close the gap between the two 2” x 4”.

 

Once we had the four legs, we used the jig mini and the 2 1/2” wood screws to attach the end rails to the legs.

 

 

Then, we installed the metal supports that would later be used to attach the bed’s side rails to the legs/end rails assemblies.

 

 

 

Right after, we marked and drilled holes on the side rails for the drywall anchors. These allow the bed to be disassembled/re-assembled if needed. We used some glue to make them stronger.

 

 

Finally, we installed the side rails using some drywall screws.

 

 

STEP 3: MEASURE AND CUT ALL THE WINDOW PIECES

We measured, cut and sanded a total of 18 pieces for the bunk bed’s window.

• (2) 35” x 1 1/2” x 1” (Lateral Supports)
• (8) 35” Pallet boards (For the “Siding”, we trimmed them a bit lengthwise to make the window area square, 35” W x 35” H)
• (8) 17” x 1 1/2” x 3/4” (Trim Pieces, ends were cut at a 45-degree angle)

 

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL THE WINDOW

As you can see in the image, to assemble the window, we nailed the 8 pallet boards to the two lateral supports. Once we had them all nailed down, we went ahead and cut the window opening. Finally, we installed the window trim using the nail gun.

 

 

To install the window, we used screws to fix the left window lateral support to the leg of the bed. Then, we used the jig mini to drill and screw in the right window support to the top and middle side rails.

 

STEP 5: MEASURE AND CUT ALL THE BUNK BED’S LADDER, GUARDRAILS AND ROOF PIECES

We measured cut and sanded a total of 5 pieces for the ladder.

• (2) 59” x 1 1/2” x 1 3/4” (Rails)
• (3) 12” x 1 1/2” x 1 3/4” (Steps)

A total of 20 pieces for the roof.

• (2) 24” x 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” (Left/Right Support or “rafter”)
• (2) 25” x 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” (Left/Right Support o “rafter”)
• (1) 77” x 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” (“Ridge Beam”)
• (15) 28” Pallet Boards (When put next to each other, the roof is 51 1/2” Wide)

And a total of 6 pieces for the guardrails.

• (4) 35 1/2” x 2 5/8” x 3/4”
• (2) 23” x 2 5/8” x 3/4”

 

STEP 6: INSTALL THE LADDER, GUARDRAILS, AND ROOF SUPPORTS

To install the ladder, we used screws to fix the ladder’s left side rail to the middle and bottom bed side rails. Right after, we used screws to attach the three steps to the left side rail. Then, following the same procedure, we attached the ladder’s right rail. Finally, using a level, we used screws to attach the steps to the ladder’s right side rail.

 

To attach the guardrails, we used a combination of screws, nails, and glue. Please note that we did not install a guardrail on the back side of the bunk bed, this is because the bed is going to be sitting against the wall.

 

 

 

To install the roof’s frame, we first attached all the pieces together using screws. Then we fixed the whole roof’s structure to the bed’s frame, also using screws.

 

STEP 7: PRIME & PAINT THE FUN BUNK BED

Once we were done putting the bed together, it was time to set up a paint shop in our garage. We used some plastic sheeting to cover the garage’s floor and walls so we could spray the bed using our Wagner Power Painter Plus. We put a coat of primer and a coat of white paint.

 

 

 

 

 

After letting the paint dry overnight, we moved the bed to his bedroom.

 

STEP 8: STAIN & INSTALL THE FUN BUNK BED’S ROOF

As the last step, we stained and installed the 15  pallet boards that make up the roof using the nail gun.

This is how his bedroom looks now with the DIY play table, dresser, and bunk bed.

 

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