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A pocket-hole bunk bed scaled for 18" dolls, built from 1x2 and 1x1 stock with a full ladder and open-side guardrail — small enough to gift unfinished for a birthday paint job.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corner posts The four tall posts shared by both bed levels. | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Bed level rails Front and back rails at both the lower and upper bed levels, plus the ladder-side top rail. | 6 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 19" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Guardrail rails Open-side upper-bunk guardrail. | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 14" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Floor slats Five per bed level, supporting the doll mattress. | 10 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 9 1/4" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Ladder rails | 2 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 19" | 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2) | ☐ |
| Corner reinforcing cleats Used as spacers/cleats during assembly per the source photos. | 2 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 19" | 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2) | ☐ |
| Ladder top cleat | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 18" | 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2) | ☐ |
| Guardrail posts | 2 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 5 3/4" | 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2) | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x2, 8 ft Corner posts, rails, guardrail, and floor slats. | 4 each | ☐ |
| 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2) Ladder rails, ladder cap, and guardrail posts. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Scrap hardboard, 1/4" plywood, or other sheet goods Floor slats or panel — any scrap qualifies. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws or 2" countersunk screws | 40 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 2 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws or 2" countersunk screws
Build the two end frames from the corner posts and bed-level rails, using a scrap piece of 1x material as a spacer to keep the rail spacing consistent between the two ends. Attach with a pocket-hole jig, or with countersunk 2" screws from the outside if you don't have one.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws or 2" countersunk screws
Join the two end assemblies together with the remaining bed-level rails, forming the full bunk frame.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2)
Attach the guardrail on the ladder side of the top bunk with the guardrail rails and posts.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Spring Clamps. Materials: 1x1, 8 ft (or ripped from a 1x2), Finish nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Position, glue, and clamp the corner reinforcing cleats in place, then nail with 1-1/4" finish nails — clamps matter more at this scale than on full-size furniture, since there's little material for a nail to grip on its own.
Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, Scrap hardboard, 1/4" plywood, or other sheet goods
Cut the scrap plywood or hardboard into floor slats or a single panel and set into each bed level to support the doll mattress. Any clean scrap works here.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander
Sand every edge smooth. Finish with paint or stain, or gift the bed unfinished so the recipient can paint it themselves.