Loft Beds

Well we moved into an apartment and as you know, they aren't known for the amount of space they have. We needed a place to sleep and a place to work. This gave us an idea, sleep above the workspace with loft beds!

You can build one in an afternoon if you stick with it and it can be made for under $100. We didn't stain ours because we like the look of the bare wood (haha) and it wasn't worth the effort.

After we had the idea, we started looking around for plans. None of them really fit our situation exactly, but we used some ideas from each of them. You can manipulate, add or subtract from these plans. They are just what suited us.

There is a Google sketchup file I uploaded that is the project.

Step 1 Materials

As with all things we need the trusty materials list.

Tools:

~Drill with various bits
~Saw - capable of cutting at right angles (miter saw)
~Clamps - preferably C clamps.
~Hammer
~Wrench - preferably ratcheting

Materials:

~ (1) Twin sized mattress
~ (1) sheet of 3/4" plywood (get it cut to 39 inches by 75 inches at the place if possible)
~ (12) 2x6's
~ (6) 2x4's
~ (16) 3/8" carriage bolts
~ (16) 3/8" ID 1" OD Washers
~ (16) 3/8" nuts (locknuts if you wish)
~ (1) pack of 3 1/2" screws

Comments

[The Expert Noob]

Here Is what I came up with for a Full size bed. It will be all bolt together except for the shelf and the mattress cross supports. Made up of all 2x6 as well. (its cheaper at the local lumber yard for some reason

[Gunnar120]

How about a queen size? Just scale it up?

[The Expert Noob]

queen sized is getting a bit large. If I were to do it, I would just scale length and width, not height. As well as add more support underneath. I had built my above design when I was living in the dorms about a year ago. when I moved out, I sold it to my roommate at the time. If your gana go queen size id look into heftier leg support with maybe some cross sectional pieces with parts that will be up against the wall. I can design something but it may be a while as I work full time.

[The Expert Noob]

I also thought about adding supports half way up for monitor mounting and well extra support.

[s07395676]

(removed by author or community request)

[Hazzard2theworld911]

the kind that uses proper spelling ;P

[CFE]

Great loft! Going to attempt to build it this weekend. I have two questions though:

1. What length bolts & screws should I get? You mention the diameter but not the length.

2. I'm aware I can modify the hights/lengths to make this for a double bed (what I'll be doing) but do you (or anyone else) know if these plans offer enough support for two people? I share my double bed with my partner and just want to make sure it'll be ok!

Thanks!

[Hazzard2theworld911]

I am not sure about sturdiness, but you can ALWAYS "double up" the thickness of the supports, add extra supports, and trim the bottoms of the legs to compensate.
also, don't hesitate to ask someone who works at a local lumberyard for what type of wood they would recommend.

Regards,
~~B~~

[AP Digital light]

Thanks for the great tips and inspiration;-)
That's my version of bed combined with workbench that's I've built for my lab.

[J_A_C_K]

Hi! Look at my hand-made bed in my room.
I hadn't place for my bycicle, therefore I made such convenient bed.

[dorotheabrown37]

I love this one with a few modifacation like making a kind size bed under neath may be just so i can put my kid on top

[thanatosys]

 Hey I made a few modifications to your design.
1. Upgraded to twinXL
2. Added a desk / workbench under the bed
3. Added shelving underneath
4. Moved latter to other side to fit the room layout better.

Your instructions were great and my dad and I who are not carpenters by any means were able to put this all together in under a day. Thanks for the detailed plans and instructions.

Finished product here: strogn.com/demo/finishedBed.jpg

[keikothemeowmeow]

 *ogle* That is one sweeet,sweeeeet loft-desk combo.

[ttgivencej]

Take a look at www.collegebedlofts.com, they have loft bed kits for larger sizes also. JV

[jimmyslick]

The dimensions seem too short. Aren't most twin mattresses 39x75"?

[trooperrick]

Yes I made a mistake. It is supposed to be 75" I will make the changes later, I am a bit busy right now.

[trooperrick]

Yes, I believe they are, when I get a chance I will doublecheck our dimensions and correct it. Thanks for catching it!

[jimmyslick]

Nice instructions and I plan on using them. However, i have a question about the dimensions. you mention 39x72 for the plywood, but in checking twin matrtress sizes, they appear to all be 39x75. If so, this would not seem to work. Di you use a standard twin mattress or dies this require a special size? thanks.

[trooperrick]

Read my reply to the other comment. I made a typo and it is supposed to be 75".

[eash]

Very nice instructable! I've been wanting a loft bed for ages, but I don't want to spend a small fortune on one. Maybe I'll try this when I get a chance. Also, could this be adjusted to fit a larger bed or do you think it would be too top heavy?

[trooperrick]

Yea, I think it will be fine for a larger bed. You may have to make more supports and maybe a some underneath the plywood to stop it from bending in.