How to Build a Bunk Bed in a Wall

Build the Bunk Bed

• 1

  Cut the side rails and end pieces to the desired measurements, depending on the required height, length and width of the bed. These measurements also vary depending on the age and height of the person to be sleeping in the bed and what size she wants the bed to be: single, twin, double, queen or king. The head and foot boards should be cut 2 inches wider than the bed to allow the bed to fit within the end pieces. Once you determine these measurements, cut the slats and slat supports to fit. The slat supports need not be wider than 1 1/2 inches.

• 2

  Paint or stain the wood the color of your choice. Set the pieces out to dry.

• 3

  Screw the first two slat supports to one 1-by-6-inch side rail and one 1-by-8-inch side rail, allowing 2 inches of wood at the bottom of the latter and using at least 1 screw per foot of bed. Repeat the process with the second two slat supports.

• 4

  Lay the head-side legs on their edges, and screw the 1-by-8-inch head rails at the levels where you want the bottom and top beds, allowing for the appropriate height of each bed. Repeat the process with the foot-side legs, using 1-by-6-inch boards throughout, at least 4 inches apart, to serve as a ladder. At the foot end, each board should be fixed with three screws to allow for extra strength.

• 5

  Lay the end pieces on their sides, fitting and screwing the bed pieces into position at the level of the 1-by-8-inch head and 1-by-6-inch foot base rails, using three screws spaced 1 inch apart for increased safety. Ensure that the rails are flush.

• 6

  Stand the bed upright and screw a 1-by-6-inch guardrail no less than 3 inches above the side rail, for a total height of 9 inches, on the inside of the top bunk on the side with the 1-by-6-inch side rail. This side faces away from the wall.

Attach It to the Wall

• 7

  Measure the length of the end and side of the bed to be attached to the wall and remove the baseboards of the two walls where the bed is to be installed accordingly, using a utility knife and crowbar. For stronger baseboards, you may need a saw.

• 8

  Move the bed into position, ensuring that the 1-by-8-inch rails are flush with the wall while the 1-by-6 inch rails are opposite them.

• 9

  Sit or kneel in the bottom bed area and locate the wall studs to which the bed needs to attach. Mark their locations with a pencil.

• 10

  Attach the bed to the wall using three screws on each stud per bed, placing the screws in the 2-inch space below the slat supports and the bottom 2 inches of the head rail.

• 11

  Move outside the bed and arrange the 1-by-6-inch slats along the supports, spacing them about 2 inches apart, according to the length of the bed, making sure that the ends of each side align. Screw the slats into the slat supports.