College Bed Loft (Twin XL)

Intro: College Bed Loft (Twin XL)

How to make a loft for a dorm, or any other tight space!
Dimensions given will accommodate an Extra-Long Twin mattress with 1' extra on every side.

We are making these lofts to take to Iowa State while living in a Dorm. We will be able to put a desk or sofa underneath. A loft is a great way to gain floor space; so much more room for activities!

EDIT:
    After a full school year of sleeping on this loft I have made many drastic improvements, mainly that it now accepts the frame provided by the school. This new version can be found here. Thanks all for your support!

STEP 1: Materials

My roommate and I built both lofts at once, so keep that in mind in the pictures; also, he weighs in around 250 lbs, so we upgraded the "slats" on his from 2x4's to 2x6's.
These lofts are made entirely of dimensional lumber, bolts, and screws.

Tools:
Miter Saw (power)
Cordless Drill with Screw bit
Corded Drill (opt.) with 3/8" drill bit

Hardware:
18 3/8" Carriage Bolts
18 3/8" Flat Washers
18 3/8" Lock Washers
18 3/8" Nuts
Small box of 2-1/2" Deck Screws (torx opt.)

Lumber:
8 - 2x4x6'
8 - 2x4x8'
3 - 2x6x8'

STEP 2: Cut Your Wood!

2x4
8 @ 72" uprights (6')
1 @ 88" back bottom brace
2 @ 78" inside slat rest
4 @ 44" ladder/ side brace
6 @ 44" Slats (can replace with 2x6)

2x6
2 @ 88" main horizontal support
2 @ 44" top end braces

**** edit****
these dimensions are about 8 inches too long and 4 inches too wide
I would also recommend like a flat piece of plywood in the corners to stabilize

STEP 3: Assemble Uprights

Fasten two 2x4's at a right angle with deck screws.

STEP 4: Assemble Main Beams

Fasten the slat rest to the "main horizontal support" using three bolts. Feel free to pin these two boards together with screws while drilling.

STEP 5: Uprights + Main Horozantal Support

Fasten the main horozantal support to the uprights (legs) using two bolts.

STEP 6: Front + Back

join the front and the back using one bolt on the 2x6

STEP 7: Add Bottom Bracing

Move the legs to reach the boards, this will square up the legs.
Fasten with screws.

STEP 8: Paint It?

Paint it IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY colors! Go Clones!

STEP 9: After Thoughts

We're all moved in but ran into some snags along the way; the main one being that the matteresses are much smaller than expected. For the dorm mattress i was provided, the loft is 8 inches too long and about 6 inches too wide. Luckily, we brought a hand saw because we had to cut 8" off to fit one on the wall with the door.

These lofts were very stable on their own, but we brought these braces anyway, so i put them to use

Another thing we did is get automotive cup holders from walmort, and they fit perfect; great for holding beverage, or put an empty cup in it and hold your cell phone, ipod, or keys.

Comments

[tkgossett13]

Given that this is 8 inches too long, would it be possible to keep the loft bed and replace the bottom with a king size mattress?? That is essentially how i came upon these instructions is that i am looking to create a loft bed that will fit over a king mattress.

[SoupEpicTrek]

Hey, your instructions noted that the design dimensions is 8 inches too long and 4 inches too wide. I was wondering if you had changed it since you made that realization, or where said changes need to be made in order to not have the oversized bed frame.

[JenniferW21]

How much did all the supplies cost and how long did it take to build?

[jeffrey68]

How long are the carriage bolts? I'm assuming 4 inches but wondering if you went shorter.

[jonaha]

You may want to check out this web site. They can make a loft bed for you @ under $200.00 and you do not need to do anything but wait for UPS to delivery. Please check out this site.

http://www.elitedecore.com/cat--Loft-Bed--lftb101.html

[goody17]

perfect... mostly because ill be at isu next semester. thanks!

[ajmontag]

Be sure to check out the final pictures I posted on the loft instructable! https://www.instructables.com/id/College-Dorm-Loft-accepts-Twin-XL-frame/

[badheadday]

Very nice! The one I built for my daughter earlier this year has a 2x4 ladder on each end so that we could rearrange her room easier. We were planning on moving soon and I wasn't quite sure how it would fit in the new place with the windows, doors and closet. I would have freaked if I'd built just one ladder side and it didn't work! Also I don't have the kick board on the front. Now she has a great little reading area with a bean bag, lamp and book shelves under it. I assembled it in 3 large solid pieces (ladder, ladder and mattress support) that bolt together, a support beam for the bottom on the 'wall' side and two for the long sides of the mattress so she doesn't roll out. Again, GREAT JOB!

[john.d.watkins]

do you have the plans for that bed you finished? if you do can you send it to [e-mail]. thanks

[InnovationLiving]

Another multi-functional item perfect for the college room is this Skater sofa bed from Innovation.

[nubiana str]

Is anyone out there making something like this in the instructable family ?  I'm very frugal and would rather make it than buy it.  I like the storage area on this futon.

[jawoo]

Hey nice going! I go to ISU as well! GO CYCLONES! (Friley I presume?)

[ajmontag]

HELSER!! lol

[jawoo]

Outch. I'm sorry to hear that!

[Zipper963]

WOW !! Nice Job ! I will give a try !!

[Zipper963]

I finally did it ! I made some modification as you can see :) Thanks for you're good idea !

[Zipper963]

Final Step ! I add a Neon to do my homework !

[ajmontag]

Yes, I also did that. On my roomies loft (the couch is underneath his) we have stapled up white christmas lights; these are functional (for reading) and also make nice accent lighting.

[piratequeenfaber]

that head board is frickin sweet. my friend puts a plastic tub lid under her mattress so she has a side table.

[Aklash, The hunchback]

that is a great idea, i have a bunk as well and need to remember that one