Bunk Bed Steps with Built-In Drawers

Stack the 1x10 rows longest at the bottom, glue between every board, and face with the 1x3s — outside edges flush, glue and 1-1/4" brads. The 1x3 facing is what turns four loose boards into one stair-profiled panel.

Build the second panel in MIRROR. Left stair side and right stair side; two identical panels build a staircase that only works from one side of the bed.

On each panel, measure 7" down from the top of each row and strike a line. Mount the cabinet halves of the slides with their screw holes CENTERED on the lines — the lines do the left-right matching for you. The 20" slide goes on the top row; add blocking behind any slide that needs it.

Cut the 1x10 tread stock at 24", rip 1-1/2" off each piece, and set the wide remainders aside labeled DRAWER FACES. Attach the ripped strips as cross framing between the two side panels with glue and brads — the stairs become one structure here.

Glue and brad the 1x12 treads and top landing on, outside edges flush, fastening into the back cross strips as well. Add screws where the brads feel lonely — treads take full body weight at a stomp, and the source added them too.

Glue and 3/4"-brad the 1/4" plywood back on, edges flush. On a staircase kids will treat as a jungle gym, the back panel's anti-racking job is real structure.

Build the four drawer boxes with 1-1/4" brads and glue, bottoms on with 3/4" brads and glue. Mount the drawer halves of the slides, and test every drawer for smooth travel BEFORE facing.

Then the faces — the reserved 1x10 offcuts: tack each with brads at an even reveal, then lock from inside with 1-1/4" screws. Sand face edges anywhere the slide is tight.

Fill, sand, stain, and poly the treads hard. Then push it against the bunk, fill the drawers with pajamas, and retire the ladder with honors.