Beach Hut Bed

Build four roof trusses exactly alike, using 2-1/2" pocket screws or countersunk 3" screws with glue. Make sure all four match exactly and are square — every panel from here references them, so a truss that's off shows up in the whole roofline.

On the two outside trusses only, attach another 2x4 flush to the top of the legs, flush to the outside like the lower support. Only two of the four trusses get this.

First check you can move a 26"-wide assembly through your doorway — if not, assemble in the final room. Build two hut frames by joining an end truss and an open truss into each. Build two identical huts.

Use the pocket-hole jig to drill the side supports and attach them to the trusses; the window openings are at the top, so adjust their placement as you like. Add the plywood hut floors and the floor joists/supports beneath.

Lay the cross braces over the sides of the bottom and mark them, then remove and cut the ends at an angle so they seat as shown. Make sure everything is very square before you screw them down — the braces lock the hut's geometry.

If your doorway was tight, side in the final room — siding adds 3/4". Lay out the siding with ~1/4" gaps, screwing with 2" screws (removable) or 2" finish nails and glue (permanent), keeping everything square. This stiffens the huts a lot, but they're now top-heavy and tippy — be cautious. Then add the side siding, which you can nail for speed and easier hole concealment.

The roof runs 30-1/4" wide — if that won't fit through your doorway, roof in the room. Start the roofing at the peak and work down. Unlike the siding, the roofing boards butt tight with no gaps. Both huts are now done.

Construct the center floor with 3" screws and glue, adjusting for square before screwing the plywood to the frame. Attach the 2x6 center trim to the sides, three screws per board, keeping the 2x6 flush to the bottom so there's a lip at the top to keep things inside.

With all pieces in the final room, attach the center platform to the two huts with the 4-1/2" lag bolts, washers, and nuts — predrill the holes, four bolts per side. These bolts hold the whole bed together; check them periodically and re-tighten as needed.

Add the ladder rungs — this ties the two huts together at the base; bolt or screw them. Add the 2x2 center top to hold the huts in position up high (beef it up if you have a climber). Add the 1x3 back support, and if there's any wiggle, add back cross-bracing like the sides to take it out.

Sand and finish. Note the bed is 4 ft tall at center without a mattress — you fold the mattress, slide it through the opening, and let it unfold inside. Build and use carefully.