DIY: Study Loft Bed

Arrange two 4-by-4-by-60-inch posts on your working surface, parallel with each other and about 28 inches apart. Position a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch board across the two posts exactly 1 foot from what will be the top of the posts. Adjust the posts so each end of this short board, which is a horizontal support board, is even with the outside edge of a post.

Drill four holes through the horizontal support board and into each post for a total of eight holes. Put 4-inch wood screws with washers in each hole. Tighten them securely with a drill until the washers dig into the wood slightly.

Repeat to add another 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch board 2 feet below the first one. Repeat the entire process to create another unit of two posts and two boards that are 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch.

Stand the two assembled units upright and parallel with the help of assistants. Face the sides with the horizontal support boards inward toward each other. Position a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-80-inch board against the side of a post on each unit, level with the upper horizontal support board.

Drill four holes through this board, which is a long mattress support board, and into the post. Drill two more holes through the long mattress support board and into the end of the horizontal support board.

Set 4-inch screws with washers into each hole. Tighten them completely until the washers dig into the wood surface. Repeat on the other side with another long mattress support board.

Position six evenly spaced 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-39-inch boards on top of the long mattress support boards. Keep their longest surfaces against the long mattress support boards. Drill two holes into each of these short mattress support boards and through into each long mattress support board, for a total of 24 holes. Set a 4-inch wood screw in each hole and tighten with a drill.