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This bunk bed is two complete, ordinary twin bed frames — the same self-tapping-screw, no-pocket-hole construction as this catalog's Simple Build Bed Frame — joined at one point rather than built as a single fused structure. That single-point join is the entire trick: build both frames with their FOOTBOARD end pointing up and their HEADBOARD end at the floor, then screw the bottom bunk's headboard directly to the underside of the top bunk's headboard, three 4" screws per leg, predrilled. Screwed this way, at some later date the two beds unscrew apart and go back to being two ordinary twin beds — nothing about the joint is a one-way door.
Predrilling matters more here than on a floor-standing bed, because these screws are carrying the entire weight of the top bunk (frame, mattress, and sleeper) through just four leg-to-leg connections. Countersink every one, and drive the leg screws in at a slight angle from the top of the lower header into each upper leg for real mechanical grip, not just friction.
The guardrail and ladder are both sized generously and explicitly adjustable — the cut list is written for a single 44-3/4" guardrail and one ladder width, but the source says plainly to lengthen the guardrail or widen the ladder to fit your actual bed and room. Build the guardrail as its own small frame (top rail, spacer, middle rail, spacer, bottom rail, all between two outer posts) exactly like a miniature version of the headboard paneling technique, then add the inner post last so the whole rail assembly can screw flush against the top bunk's side rail.
The ladder's compound angle is the one cut worth double-checking before you commit lumber to it: both ends of each ladder side are cut at 30° and 60° respectively, which is what gives the ladder its lean against the bunk rather than standing bolt upright. Predrill and countersink every tread screw — two per side, per tread — since a loose ladder tread on a bunk bed is a genuinely bad failure mode.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ftLegs and headboard caps for both beds. | 4 each |
| 2x6, stud length or 8 ftSide rails and headboard/footboard rails for both beds. | 4 each |
| 2x2, 8 ftSlat cleats and headboard back cleats for both beds. | 6 each |
| 1x6, 10 ftHeadboard paneling for both beds. | 6 each |
| 1x4, 10 ftSlats for both beds. | 6 each |
| 1x3, 8 ftGuardrail rails and posts. | 3 each |
| 1x2, 8 ftGuardrail spacers. | 1 each |
| 2x4, 8 ft (ladder)Ladder sides and treads. | 2 each |
| Self-tapping screws, #9 x 4", star driveThe bunk-to-bunk join — three per leg, predrilled. | 12 each |
| Self-tapping screws, #9 x 2-1/2", star driveMain assembly for both bed frames. | 140 each |
| Self-tapping screws, #8 x 1-3/4", star drivePaneling and slats for both beds. | 100 each |
| Nails, 1-1/4" and 2"Guardrail assembly. | 60 each |
| Screws, 3", for ladder treads | 12 each |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
| Stain or paint | 2 qt |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Headboard legs2x4Two per bed, two beds. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 37" |
| Footboard legs2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 12 1/2" |
| Footboard legs, front2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 7" |
| Side rails2x6Two per bed. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 72" |
| Headboard and footboard rails2x6 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 39" |
| Headboard top cap2x4One per bed. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 40" |
| Headboard back cleats2x2Estimated to clear the top cap — trim to fit your assembled legs. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 34" |
| Slat cleats2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 72" |
| Headboard paneling1x6Five per bed. | 10 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 36" |
| Bed slats1x4Ten per bed. | 20 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 36" |
| Guardrail rails1x3Lengthen for a wider bed if needed. | 3 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 44 3/4" |
| Guardrail outer posts1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 14 1/2" |
| Guardrail spacers1x2 | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 2 1/2" |
| Guardrail inner posts1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 10 1/2" |
| Ladder sides2x4Ends cut at 30° and 60°, per the lean angle against the bunk. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 58 3/4" |
| Ladder treads2x4 | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 18" |
Buy 37 boards at 8 ft.
6 boards
6 boards
Build two complete twin bed frames following the Simple Build Bed Frame construction: leg-and-side-rail assemblies built as mirror pairs, headboard and footboard rails joining them, a 2x4 cap across the headboard top, 1x6 paneling screwed on from behind, and 2x2 slat cleats along the inside of the side rails.
The one difference for a bunk conversion: build BOTH beds identically, since one becomes the bottom bunk and one the top.
Orient both bed frames so their FOOTBOARD end points up and their HEADBOARD end sits at the floor. Attach the bottom bunk's headboard to the legs of the bottom bunk using three 4" screws per leg, predrilled.
Stack the top bunk on the bottom bunk and screw through the top of the bottom bunk's header into the top bunk's headboard, again predrilling and countersinking every hole — this single joint is carrying the full weight of the top bunk. For each leg, drive an additional screw at a slight angle from the top of the header into the leg for real mechanical grip. Built this way, the two beds can be unscrewed apart later and used as two separate twin beds.
Attach the top rail, a spacer, the middle rail, another spacer, and the bottom rail to the outer posts, keeping the top rail flush with the top of the outer posts. Use 1-1/4" nails and glue, nailing from the inside into the inside edge of the outer posts, with the end edges kept flush. Check the assembly for square before moving on.
Adjust the guardrail's overall length longer if your bed is wider than this cut list assumes.
Attach the inner post to the guardrail, keeping outside edges flush, with 2" nails and glue. Mount the finished guardrail to the top bunk's side rail.
Screw the treads into the two ladder sides, two 3" screws per tread per side, predrilled and countersunk. Widen the ladder if it needs to match a wider bed.
Attach the finished ladder to the bunk bed by predrilling and screwing through the top of the ladder sides into the side rails of the top bunk.
Lay the slats for both bunks on their respective cleats and screw down with the 1-3/4" screws. Sand and finish the whole assembly before the mattresses go in.
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Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →