How to Build a Kid's Reading Loft

Constructing the Loft Frame

• 1

  Select a location for your reading loft and measure the length and width of the space to determine the dimensions of the loft. Build your loft against a closet wall to make the installation process easiest.

• 2

  Use a jigsaw or table saw to cut 16 8-inch-wide pieces of 1/2-inch cabinet-grade plywood to the desired height for the reading loft base. These pieces of wood will be used to construct four hollow support posts.

• 3

  Lay one of the pieces of 1/2-inch plywood flat on the ground and apply a bead of wood glue along the left and right edges. Press another piece of plywood into the line of glue on either side. Apply a bead of wood glue to the edges of the two pieces you just installed and lay a final piece of plywood flat on top of them, aligning the edges to create a hollow square post.

• 4

  Use a nail gun to drive nails every 4 to 6 inches along the length of the top sheet of plywood into the thickness of the two perpendicular pieces. Flip the post over and drive nails through the bottom sheet of plywood into the perpendicular pieces from the other side.

• 5

  Repeat this process three more times until you have completed four hollow square posts. Set two of the posts upright against the closet wall in the desired positions.

• 6

  Cut two pieces of 2-by-6-inch lumber to the desired length of the reading loft minus 16 inches to accommodate the 8-inch posts on either end. Slide one of the pieces of lumber between the two posts positioned against the wall, aligning the upper edge of the 2-by-6-inch pieces of lumber with the upper edges of the two 8-inch posts.

• 7

  Drive a 10-inch carriage bolt through the post on either end into the thickness of the 2-by-6-inch piece of lumber to secure it in place. Position the second set of 8-inch posts upright on the floor parallel the first two posts set against the wall and attach the second piece of 2-by-6-inch lumber between them following the same procedure.

• 8

  Cut two pieces of 2-by-6-inch lumber to the desired depth of your reading loft. Sandwich each of these pieces of lumber between the two posts on the left side of the loft, aligning the upper edges, and attach them in the same manner using a 10-inch carriage bolt. Slide the second piece of 2-by-6-inch lumber between the posts on the right side of the loft and attach it following the same procedure to create a rectangular box shape.

• 9

  Measure the distance between the two horizontal cross beams and cut additional pieces of 2-by-6-inch lumber to this length. Install these pieces of wood perpendicularly between the horizontal cross beams every 18 inches and secure them in place with 10-inch carriage bolts through the cross beams.

• 10

  Slide the loft up against the wall in the desired position if it shifted during the building process. Drive 14-inch carriage bolts through the loft post on either end and through the closet wall. You will need to go into the closet to tighten the bolt on the other end.

Finishing the Loft

• 11

  Cut six pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber to the desired height of your railing. Place these pieces of wood upright in the corners of the loft so the inside edge is flush with the loft frame, overlapping it by at least 4 inches.

• 12

  Position the pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber so the two in the back corner each have one edge flush against the wall. The remaining four pieces of lumber should form corners in the front of the loft frame. Secure the pieces of lumber in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through the lumber into the loft frame.

• 13

  Cut pieces of 1-by-2-inch lumber to the height of the railing and install them in the same manner, spacing them every 12 inches between the 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber. Leave a 36-inch gap at one end of the front of the loft frame through which to enter and exit the loft.

• 14

  Cut three pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber for the railing top, one measuring the length of the loft minus 36 inches and two cut to the width. Lay the pieces flat on top of the railing supports, aligning the edges. Secure them in place by driving 3-inch wood screws down through the railing top into the railing supports.

• 15

  Lay an air mattress or foam padding on the floor of the loft to make it more comfortable for reading and arrange several throw pillows in the corners. Lean a wooden ladder up against the opening in the loft frame in order to provide your kids with access to the loft.