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A low kids' bed with solid particle-board end panels — one closed, one open with built-in climbing rungs — and slatted sides that read like fort walls.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open end panel board | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/2" × 39" | Particle board, 3/4" | ☐ |
| Closed end panel | 1 | 3/4" × 46" × 39" | Particle board, 3/4" | ☐ |
| Panel trim pieces | 7 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 39" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom of open panel end | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 39" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 46" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Ladder rungs | 3 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 16" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Side panel full-length boards | 5 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 75" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Ladder panel guardrail boards | 3 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 57 1/2" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Slats | 14 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 39" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Particle board, 3/4", 4x8 sheet | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x2, 8 ft | 4 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft | 7 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 11 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 3" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 3 oz | ☐ |
| Finish | 1 can | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: Particle board, 3/4", 4x8 sheet, Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3", Wood glue
Fasten the panel trim pieces to the open end panel board with glue and screws — this is a permanent joint. Then attach the legs and the bottom 2x2 to the legs with 3" screws and glue, predrilling your screw holes.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: Particle board, 3/4", 4x8 sheet, Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3", Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Build the closed end the same way as the open end: glue and screw the trim boards to the particle board with 1-1/4" screws, then add the legs with 3" screws and glue, keeping the outside edges flush.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3"
Using 3" screws, attach the side panel full-length boards between the two end panels to form the bed's rails and bottom framing.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft
Attach the ladder rungs across the open end's legs to form climbing steps, and add the ladder panel guardrail boards alongside for safety.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft
Choose one method for the slats: screw straight from the outside of the rails into the slat ends (visible screw heads); glue and screw a 1x2 nailer on edge to the rails first and attach slats to that; drill pocket holes if you have a jig and fasten to the rails that way; or screw steel angle brackets to the inside of the rails, rest the slats on top, and drive a couple of screws up from underneath.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Finish
For extra rigidity, add corner braces at the leg joints. Sand every surface and apply finish.