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A staggered three-tier bunk built almost entirely from 1x4s and bolted together so it knocks down — an ambitious, lumber-heavy build for a shared kids' room.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-height legs | 12 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 70 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Single-end legs | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 45 1/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Hanging end support | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 43 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Hanging mid-bunk step | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 29" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Feet | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Single-end feet | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 29" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Double-end filler | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 47 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Hanging support | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 22" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Hanging bottom end | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 1 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Filler between steps and rails | 28 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 9 1/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Ladder top | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Side rails | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 59 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Foot-section rails | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Top safety rails | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 61 1/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Fourth step & mid-bunk side rail | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 22 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Second-mid step | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 42" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| End rails | 18 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 39" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Lower slat supports | 2 | 1 1/2" × 2 1/2" × 54" | 2x3 | ☐ |
| Upper slat supports | 2 | 1 1/2" × 2 1/2" × 34 3/4" | 2x3 | ☐ |
| Cross slat supports 8 middle, 4 upper, 2 lower. | 14 | 1 1/2" × 2 1/2" × 15 1/2" | 2x3 | ☐ |
| Inner-vertical supports | 12 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 2 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Slats | 27 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 40 1/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Foot-section slats | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 39" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) The bulk of the frame, rails, steps, and slats. | 52 each | ☐ |
| 2x3 board, 8 ft (Pine) Slat supports. | 5 each | ☐ |
| 3" bolts with nuts and washers Bolt holes drilled ~1" below each rail so nuts sit safely under the cross rails. | 32 each | ☐ |
| 2-1/2" bolts with nuts and washers | 4 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 100 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Speed Square, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2"
Build the two end pieces — one full height, one for the mid-bunk end. On the verticals, mark from the top down at 12-3/4", 25-1/2", and 38-1/4", plus 51" and 63-3/4" on the full-height vertical, with the last mark 7" from the bottom. These marks set every rail height, so measure them precisely.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2"
Build the two inner cross sections — one full height, one hanging. Rails sit the same 12-3/4" apart as the ends. Each cross section has one rail installed flat, which becomes a mattress support.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Speed Square, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2"
Build the front and back double sections as mirror images of each other. Mark the full-height verticals from the top at 12-3/4", 25-1/2", 38-1/4", 51", and 63-3/4" (last mark 7" up), aligning to the end pieces' rails.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2"
Build the front and back single/ladder sections, also mirror images. Mark the verticals at the same spacing as the double sections. On these, the main verticals sit on the outside of the rails so the ladder steps read cleanly.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 3" bolts with nuts and washers, 2-1/2" bolts with nuts and washers
Drill the connection bolt holes about 1" below each bed rail, plus one below the top safety rail. That places the nuts safely directly below the cross rails, away from sleepers — four bolts in each of the three full-height verticals, and so on per the plan.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, 2x3 board, 8 ft, 3" bolts with nuts and washers, Wood screws, 2"
Rather than screwing slats to the supports (which would kill the knockdown feature), fasten the slats to each other so they hold spacing as a liftable mat. Then bolt the panels together into the staggered frame. Do not omit the top safety rails — this bunk is tall.