How to Make a Loft Bunk

Set two 60-inch 2-by-4 boards on top of each other so their large surfaces are touching. Drill 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the two boards, spacing the screws evenly every 12 inches to make one of the loft posts. Repeat this process to make a total of four posts.

Position two of the posts on the ground, parallel to each other and with 27 inches between them. Set a 32-inch 2-by-4 board across the two posts, about 6 inches from the ends that will be the top of the posts. Adjust the posts so that the ends of this short board, which is a short support board, are flush with the outside surfaces of the posts. Drill four holes through the short support board and into each of the posts. Attach the boards together by setting 2 1/2-inch wood screws in each hole and tightening them completely.

Flip the assembled posts and support board over and suspend two more short support boards 2 feet and 4 feet from the top of the posts. Attach them to the posts with the same method. Repeat these steps with the other two posts to create two identical systems of two posts with three short support boards.

Raise the two assembled sections up on their ends with the help of assistants. Set the sections parallel to each other with the top support boards facing inward. Hold an 84-inch 2-by-4 across the side of the two sections, so that the ends of this long 2-by-4, which is a long support board, are flush with the outside edge of the posts. Hold the long support board at the same level as the top short support board.

Drill four holes through the long support board and into each post and two holes into the end of each short support board. Attach the boards together with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat to attach a long support board to the other side.

Set six evenly spaced 35-inch 2-by-4s on top of the long support boards with their large surfaces down. Drill two holes through each of these boards, which are the mattress boards, and into each long support board. Attach them in place with wood screws.