How to Build Suspended Beds for Kids

Cut 18 pine boards into the boards for the frame and deck of the bed. You need two 82 3/4 inch boards, six 42 1/2-inch boards and 10 84 3/4-inch boards to accommodate a standard twin mattress. If you choose to use a larger mattress, adjust the measurements accordingly. Also, cut four brace boards to hold the mattress in place. You need two 72-inch boards and two 34-inch boards.

Measure in 1 1/2 inches from the end of the first 82 3/4-inch board and mark it. Place a mark 14 3/4 inches down from the mark. Mark a spot 1 1/2 inches from the second mark. Then measure another 14 3/4 inches, followed by another 1 1/2-inch mark. Continue to mark the board in this manner until you reach the end of the board making six separate 1 1/2-inch marks and five 14 3/4-inch spaces to total the 82.75 inches. The 1 1/2-inch spaces are to indicate where the joists will go. Repeat the process on the second board.

Place the two 82 3/4-inch boards on a flat work surface, parallel to one another. Rest them on one of the 2-inch sides, spaced 42 1/2 inches apart. Place one of the 42 1/2-inch boards at each of the six 1 1/2 inch marks stretching between the two 82 3/4-inch boards. Position the 42 1/2-inch boards on their 2-inch sides stretching between the two longer boards to create the bed joists.

Apply wood glue between the boards where they touch. Make sure the edges of the boards are flush. Place two 3-inch wood screws into each end of the joists. Use a power drill equipped with a screw bit to press the screws through the 82 3/4-inch board into the 42 1/2-inch boards to create the frame.

Apply wood glue to the top frame and the top of the joists. Place the 10 84 3/4-inch boards on top with the 4-inch sides flat against the frame and joists. Leave a 1/2-inch gap between each of the boards, leaving 1-inch hanging over on each of the 84 3/4-inch sides. Secure the deck boards onto the frame and joist using two 3-inch wood screws on each deck board where each meets the joist.

Place a pilot hole in each of the four corners of the bed using a drill with a 3/4-inch drill bit. Place the holes 2-inches down from the 42 1/2-inch edge of the bed centered in the middle of the 82 3/4-inch boards. Once the holes are drilled, place wood glue in the holes and twist in a 3/4-inch wide eyebolts into each of the holes.

Place the two 34-inch brace boards on the deck boards directly over the joist on either end. Turn the brace boards on the 2-inch sides. Center the boards between the two eyebolts on that joist and secure them in place using one 6-inch screw through the brace and into the deck board below.

Place the two 72-inch brace boards on the deck boards directly over the 82 3/4-inch frame sides. Turn the brace boards on the 2-inch sides. Secure the brace using one 6-inch screw every 6 inches down the length of the brace.

Drill four pilot holes into the ceiling for the hanging supports. Place the holes along a rafter or ceiling joist. Use a stud finder, if necessary, to local these beams. Space the holes the same way the eyebolts are spaced on the bed. Apply wood glue to the predrilled holes and insert a 3/4-inch wide eyebolt into each hole.

Attach a chain to each of the four eyebolts in the bed. The length of the chain depends on how high your ceiling is and where you want the bed to hang. Attach the other end of the chains to ceiling eyebolts.