How to Build a Loft Bed

If you’re living in a cramped apartment, consider building a loft bed to address your storage problems. It doesn’t cost much nor do you need a high degree of carpentry experience.

Required Tools and Materials

Saw
Drill
Plywood
Screws, bolts or nails
Screwdrivers
Mattress
Tape measure
Lumber (several 2 x 4s and 4 x 4s)
Paint (optional)
Gloves
Goggles

Determine the Bed Size

Start the project by taking stock of the available space. A typical loft bed will measure 78” x 48”, but you’ll need to allocate a few more feet for the posts and ladder. Gather all the stuff in the room and place them somewhere else for a while.

This will help you make the right measurements. Only when you’ve got the proper measurements should you commence building a loft bed.

How to Construct the Box

The box is where you’ll put the mattress in. Get the mattress and set it on the floor. Measure the sides of the mattress. Saw four wood pieces so that the mattress will fit within them. Drill holes
on the corners so you can secure the four pieces.

Remove the mattress. Get the plywood and place it below the box frame you just made. Put a nail in each corner and hammer it. If the plywood is too big, cut the excessive pieces off.

How to Create the Wood Posts

A typical bed loft is 7 to 8 ft high, but you can increase or reduce this as needed. If necessary, saw the wood. When building a loft bed, you need to make sure the posts are exactly of the same height.

Connecting the Bed to the Posts

You have two options here. Option one is to erect the posts. Then you get some people to assist you in lifting the bed box. Put it on top of the posts. Now you can nail or screw it in place.

Option two is to flip the bed box you made so the bottom (the one with the plywood) faces you. Place all four wood posts on the corner. Place a nail or two on each side. Hammer until the nails are secured. Now you and your friends can flip the structure up and slide it into place.

How to Make the Ladder

The final step for building a loft bed is making the ladder. Begin by sawing two long wood pieces. Each should be of equal length. It must also be the same height as the loft bed. For an 8 ft loft bed,
you probably need to make 5 ladder steps 10 in apart. Adjust the
height and width to the shape you’re comfortable with.

Lean the ladder against the bed. Attach it to the loft bed using bolts or nails. Take the mattress and put it on the bed. Add the pillows.

That’s basically all there is to building a loft bed. Once it’s done, you can start arranging the furniture in your room. Now you’ve got more space to work with.