How to Make Cuts for a Bunk Bed Ladder

Set the bunk bed ladder you want to install in the spot on the bunk bed where you want it to stay. With a pencil, trace the lines where the ladder hooks make contact with the bunk bed frame. Most ladders have two hooks, so you should be drawing four lines—one line on each side of each hook.

Set the ladder aside and take out your reciprocating saw. Line up the blade with the first line and cut 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep. Repeat this for the next 3 lines. Your cut depth should remain consistent.

Insert the blade of a chisel into one of the cut lines. Pry out the two wood chunks between the cut line pairs and then run the sharp part of the blade over the rough wood surface to smooth it out. You should now have two 1/2-inch to 1-inch-deep slots cut into the frame.

Insert your bunk bed ladder hooks into the slots you cut out of the bunk bed frame. If the ladder came with screws for securing it to the frame, follow the included instructions to secure it to the frame. If not, your ladder will still stay in position without screws because of the slots you cut into the frame.