home/Furniture/Diy bunk bed: assembly steps for different design options
Diy bunk bed: assembly steps for different design options
The main area in the children's room is occupied by beds. As children grow up, there is a lack of free space in the room. Do-it-yourself bunk bed will help to solve this problem. There are many design models that are selected based on the age of the children, the size of the room and personal preferences. You can learn more about the types of bunk beds and the options for their self-production in this article.
A bunk bed will help solve the problem of a lack of free space in the room.
When designing a bunk bed made of wood or metal, special attention should be paid to the strength and stability of the structure. Here it is necessary not only to create comfortable sleeping places, but also to properly organize the stairs to climb to the second floor. At the initial design stage, you need to think about where the stairs will be located. Next, the calculation of berths is performed and the distance between the tiers is calculated. These values are determined in such a way as to ensure further convenient operation of the structure.
For the safety of the child, the upper tier should not be placed too high
The distance from the lower tier to the floor level is selected so as to provide a comfortable seat for an adult. The niche that will be formed under the lower tier can be filled with boxes for linen or other things. The distance between the beds in height should allow an adult to sit comfortably. This requirement is fulfilled not only for the convenience of the parents, but also for the safety of the child sleeping on the lower tier, who, when jumping up, should not hit his head on the upper bed.
The upper tier should not be placed too high. It will be dangerous for a sleeping child. He will also feel uncomfortable, because in a too warm room upstairs he will be very stuffy.
The optimal dimensions of a berth are the following: 160x70 cm and 180x80 cm. The recommended construction height is 160-180 cm. The height of the sides of the second tier should be at least 35 cm, depending on the thickness of the mattress. The most acceptable dimensions for a staircase are 39 cm wide, 150 cm high, 25 cm spacing between steps.
It is recommended to make the sides of the bed at least 35 centimeters high
Varieties of bunk beds: photos of interesting options
The option of a 2-story bed is selected depending on the purpose, age of children and their personal preferences. A younger child usually sleeps on the lower tier, and his older brother or sister occupies the upper seat. The bunk structure can also be used for one child. In this case, the sleeping area is located at the top. Under it is a space for games, classes, or a convenient storage system.
There are the following types of bunk beds:
traditional model;
bed with sofa;
sliding tier construction;
attic bed.
A traditional wooden do-it-yourself bunk bed is the simplest design that any craftsman with minimal woodworking skills can do. This model will require a small amount of component materials. This design can be prefabricated or one-piece. In the first case, the upper berth, when placed on the floor, turns into an ordinary bed.
The lower tier of the bunk bed can be converted into a sofa
The second type of bunk bed is represented by a design with a folding sofa at the bottom of it. This is a very comfortable and unusual model that allows you to organize a comfortable seating area and a place for receiving guests, which is carried out using a soft back. In this case, you will not need to purchase additional chairs in the room.
Helpful advice! Same-sex children can sleep on a fold-out sofa, and an older child can sleep on the upper floor.
An attic bed is convenient for a small room. The structure consists of a berth, which is located on the upper tier, and a working area located under it. There may be a pull-out desk, bedside tables and lockers. Also, the lower space can be left free by arranging a play area there.
For a large family with four or more children, you can organize a two-tier set, consisting of two or more identical sections. Despite the fact that such a design will require significantly more material, sleeping places can be neatly placed along one of the walls of the room, thereby saving free space.
For large families, you can make a bunk bed with four berths
Bunk wooden pull-out beds: photo examples
The retractable deck design can be presented in several versions. In a sliding bunk bed made of chipboard with their own hands, the tiers are securely fastened together. In such a transforming bed, the lower tier with a berth moves forward, to the right or to the left. This design is made with a height of 60-80 cm. The product can be a traditional two-level model with a ladder, in which one more sleeping place extends under the lower bed.
The roll-out model has separate berths. The lower tier is not attached to the upper tier, so it can be rolled out and installed anywhere in the room. The result is two separate beds.
The most functional option is beds with drawers, which are located under the lower tier. This model is successfully implemented in roll-out designs. An interesting variation is a pull-out double bed, in which the sleeping place is hidden in a niche during the day, and in the evening it is pulled out for further use.
A bunk bed with a pull-out third berth can significantly save space
There is the most compact option, when there are two pull-out berths under the upper bed. When unfolded, such a design resembles steps. Such a model will significantly save useful space, which can be used for games during the day. In addition, the cost of this triple bed will be much lower than the total amount spent on the purchase of individual stationary options.
Helpful advice! For the lower tier, it is recommended to purchase a thick mattress for full insulation of the berth.
The model with a podium, from which the beds are pulled out, looks original and unusual. The podium can become a specific area of the room where you can organize a place for games or study. At the base, it is recommended to place lockers for toys, linen and other things. However, it is advisable to install such a structure in rooms with high ceilings.
Another newfangled option is a growing bed, in which sleeping places can be transformed, increasing in length. This feature of the model is used as the child grows up.
The roll-out model allows you to install the lower tier anywhere in the room
What materials can you make a bunk bed
Natural wood, metal or wood-containing materials can be used to make the bed. The most durable of all options is metal. Longitudinal seam thin-walled pipes, round bars or wire made of brass, iron, galvanized metal or carbon steel can be used to make the bed.
The finished products have an aesthetic appearance and are able to withstand a lot of weight. The disadvantages of the material include a laborious manufacturing process, requiring the use of a welding machine, and the high cost of the structure.
Solid wood is difficult to process and an expensive material. Working with him, you must have good skills in working with wood, so as not to spoil the product. However, the result is a solid wood bunk bed that is strong, reliable, durable and presentable.
Solid wood is an expensive material, but a bed made from it will last a long time
Often, a planed or edged board is used for the manufacture of structures, since this is the most economical and easiest option in execution. When properly designed, such a structure can withstand even an adult.
Important! To create a strong and stable structure, it is important to purchase a well-dried board that will not deform later.
An affordable option is MDF. Bunk beds made of this material are beautiful and durable. However, a MDF product can break when exposed to heavy loads. It is advisable to use this material for beds intended for small children, and you can also make headboards, drawers, shelves or decorative panels from it. For the same purposes, chipboard is suitable, which also does not differ in its high bearing capacity.
Important! In the case of using chipboard to create a bed or bed frame, a sufficient number of supporting elements should be provided.
MDF is the most popular and cheapest material for making a bunk bed.
Furniture panel is a durable, strong and reliable material. It is represented by a slab, which is glued from different natural wood bars. It is an ideal material for making a bunk bed because of its high load-bearing capacity. When working with the stove, it should be borne in mind that it has internal stress.
How to choose the right option for stairs and bed sides
When making a bunk bed, due attention should be paid to the sides and stairs.It is these elements that are designed to ensure the necessary safety of the child. There are several options for stairs, which is shown in the photo of do-it-yourself bunk beds. The flat vertical structure is mounted on one side of the façade. At the same time, it acts as a protective edge for the lower tier. Such a staircase is devoid of railings, therefore, it is unsafe for a small child. More suitable for 5-6 years old kids.
A flat sloped or forward curved structure can be installed on the side of the bed or in front of its front wall. The element is equipped with safe handrails and flat steps that are comfortable and safe for the child. This option can be used for children of any age.
Multifunctional and easy-to-use is a ladder with steps from drawers. This design is most often used for loft bedsas it requires a lot of space. Its recommended length is at least 2.4 m.
The safest stairs for children are steps with drawers.
The sides of the bed provide protection for the child from falling during sleep. Their height can be 30-60 cm. The sides are made in the form of a lattice or a solid sheet.
Diy bunk bed: preparatory stage
When creating a structure, precision of execution and accuracy in work are required. Therefore, at the initial stage of manufacturing the product, it is necessary to make a detailed drawing of a bunk bed, which indicates its dimensions and components. For each individual node, an individual diagram must be made with the exact dimensions of all its components applied. The general drawing shows a diagram of the assembly of a bunk bed and how to connect all its parts.
Photos and features of the device. What materials are used. How to choose the right one. Convertible sofa into a bunk bed.
The basis for calculating the structure is taken mattress... The size of the bed must strictly correspond to its dimensions. A perimeter allowance of 1 cm is allowed. The width of the back of the structure must correspond to the width of the bench, taking into account the thickness of the longitudinal slats and the size of the overhang. This calculation is carried out for wooden structures. As for metal products, then the double thickness of the pipe is added to the value of the width of the bed, taking into account an allowance of 1 cm.The size of the longitudinal slats corresponds to the length of the mattress with an allowance of 1 cm.
After the model has been determined, the material of manufacture has been selected and all the necessary diagrams and drawings of the bunk bed have been created with your own hands, you should start making the constituent elements. To complete the work, you need to prepare tools.
drill with a drill for working on metal with a diameter of 9 mm;
roulette;
square file;
metal square;
sandpaper;
metal brush;
paint brush.
To create solid wood bunk beds you will need;
milling machine;
grinder or plane;
hacksaw;
screwdriver;
electric jigsaw;
drill;
sandpaper;
roulette;
level.
Manufacturing technology of an iron bunk bed
To make a bunk bed out of metal with your own hands, you will need a 50x25 metal profile to create berth frames, a 20x25 section profile for making a rack base for a mattress and metal elements with a 40x40 mm section for the side racks. You will also need to purchase metal screws, screws, primer and paint for metal surfaces.
The grinder needs to cut all the constituent elements from the profile pipe, which are then welded together
Based on the drawing of a children's bunk bed, do-it-yourself cutting of all blanks of a given length is performed. The assembly of the structure begins with the creation of backs in the amount of 4 pieces. The structural elements must be laid out on a horizontal surface and connected with a welding seam. After each step, it is recommended to check the angle value, which should be equal to 90 degrees.
With the help of a grinder, slats for the mattress are cut from a profile pipe 20x25 mm. Next, the base is collected. 12 metal strips are welded onto long frame parts at the same distance from each other. Then it is necessary to connect in pairs the vertical posts, to which the backs of the lower and upper tiers are attached by welding. The result is two designs.
To the first, at a distance of 35 cm from the floor, a frame is welded under the mattress of the lower tier, and for the upper floor - at a distance of 95 cm from the lower level. All actions are performed according to the drawing of the children's bed with their own hands.
In the places where the frames of the second post are attached, it is necessary to weld two sections of the profile measuring 20x20 mm. They should be installed with a certain gap, since the elements must fit tightly into the inner part of the profile with a size of 50x25 mm. This technique will allow in the future to transport the structure, which will not lose the strength and rigidity of the joints.
The metal bunk bed is the most durable and durable
The final stage is the manufacture of a staircase 36 cm wide. With the help of a grinder, all the component elements are cut from a profile pipe, which are welded together. The structure is attached to the bed by means of self-tapping screws.
After the bunk bed is assembled, all seams are sanded, the surface is cleaned from dust and the base is primed with a special compound. After it dries completely, paint is applied to the structure in two layers.
How to make a bunk bed with your own hands from wood
A do-it-yourself bunk bed made of wood is a comfortable classic model that is very popular. For its manufacture, it is necessary to purchase high-quality, straight, well-dried wooden blocks, from which parts of the required sizes are cut. The most commonly used boards are pine. Their number is determined based on a detailed drawing of a bunk bed made of wood with your own hands.
Helpful advice! Consumables should be purchased with a margin so as not to use rejected areas of the board.
To assemble a bunk bed from wood, you need to make materials in advance
For the traditional model, based on the shown drawing of a bunk bed made of wood, the following parts must be made:
vertical racks measuring 3.8x7.6x173 cm - 4 pcs.;
outer pads for racks with dimensions of 3.8x7.6x173 cm - 4 pcs.;
drawers measuring 3.8x14x203 cm - 4 pcs.;
bars for laying frame boards that are attached to the inside of the drawers, parameters 3,2x4,4x185 - 4 pcs.;
elements for assembling the headboard and footboard measuring 2x14x91.4 cm - 4 pcs.;
central boards for the installation of end structures with dimensions of 2x9x91.4 cm - 4 pcs;
handrails with parameters 2x9x151 cm - 1 pc .;
steps (2x6.4x48.2 cm) - 3 pcs.;
elements for creating a fence measuring 2x9x180 cm - 2 pcs .;
transverse slats for the manufacture of a berth (2x7.6x100 cm) - 24 pcs.;
side boards for creating a supporting frame measuring 214x91.4 cm - 4 pcs.
Instructions for assembling a bunk bed: stages of creating a structure
How to make a bunk bed? You can start the manufacturing process by creating support structures in the form of a headboard and footboard. These elements are almost identical. The difference lies in the design of the upper part of one of the backs, taking into account the location of the railing on it. In this case, three blocks are made on the outer cover of the vertical post for securing the side protective enclosing element.
Diagram of a simple bunk bed made of wood with a vertical staircase
The foot and head of a children's bunk bed are made by hand from pre-cut racks and crossbars. Supports are made of timber and parts that will close the holes for fastening the structural elements and form a groove for further laying the side frame boards into it.
On the basis of the drawing of a bunk bed with the dimensions of all the constituent elements, the manufacture of side parts (tsars) in the amount of 4 pieces is performed. These parts will subsequently hold the lamellas of the structure. On the inside, a longitudinal strip is attached, necessary to support the mattress, on which the bars are mounted at an equidistant distance from each other. Cross slats are installed in the grooves to support the mattress.
Next, the assembly of the berth of the second tier and the elements of the fence is carried out. The position of the steps is indicated on the counter (in the amount of three pieces). When installing the lower step, it is necessary to ensure that its fasteners do not fall into the locations of the self-tapping screws that hold the side wall of the lower floor.
Then the side elements of the structure are connected with the drawers, as shown in the drawing of the bunk bed with your own hands. They must be installed in the gaps that have formed between the linings. Each side is screwed on with four self-tapping screws.
Based on the drawing, you need to make drawers in the amount of four pieces
How to make a bunk bed yourself: assembling stairs and fence elements
After the frame is assembled, proceed to fastening the handrail, stairs, steps and crossbars for the fence. All elements must be connected together. Then, using self-tapping screws, the structure is fixed to the bed posts. On a one-piece assembled structure, lamellas are placed between the bars on the side frame boards.
Traditionally, the staircase is made up of three steps. Their number may be increased depending on its height. In this case, it is not at all necessary to install only a vertical structure. The ladder can be inclined and positioned at any angle.
It is very easy to assemble. Steps are attached to the base, consisting of two bars. In this case, the lower element is additionally connected to the rack of one of the backs. Others are located one above the other. The steps can be fixed externally with a metal corner or installed in a recess. Any fastener should be as closed as possible.
The last step making a bed made of wood, the surface is varnished
A ready-made bunk bed for children with their own hands, if necessary, is sanded to eliminate roughness on its surface. Then it is treated with a special impregnation and covered with stain or varnish.
Helpful advice! For reliability and prevention of overturning of the structure bed recommended to be mounted on the wall.
How to make a loft bunk bed: the manufacturing process
There are many varieties of loft beds. For self-production, you can choose a model from the proposed options posted on sites where detailed do-it-yourself drawings of bunk beds for children are displayed.
To make a classic loft bed (dimensions 250x115 cm) with one berth, a staircase and an open area for games, boards of different sections will be used. The assembly of a bunk bed begins with the manufacture of its left end side. To do this, crossbeams 5x10x95 cm in size are connected with racks of the same section 1650 mm long, they are mounted in pre-prepared holes and fixed with glue and self-tapping screws. A ladder will be installed to this side.
Drawing of the manufacture of a loft bunk bed
In the same way, the installation of the right side is organized, which at the same time will become a protective fence. The next step is to glue the bars (5x5x190 cm) with spacers to the side bars 5x15x190 cm in size, which are attached with self-tapping screws.
Next, the end elements are connected with drawers and wooden elements for a fence measuring 5x10x190 cm. All boards are fastened with bolts. It turns out a sleeping place measuring 1.0x1.9 m. It is necessary to lay lamellas on the timber. Bolted connections can be fixed with wood glue for reliability.
The next step is the assembly of the support frame-rack for the platform from boards with dimensions of 5x10x50 cm and 5x10x95 cm.It is necessary to attach the frame of the staircase to the frame using boards having parameters 5x10x50 cm and 5x10x10.5 cm.
The assembly of the bunk bed is carried out according to the instructions
Then the whole system is mounted to the main frame using iron corners that are screwed on the inside of the structure. The platform is sheathed with boards (5x10x65 cm), which are immediately connected with glue, then fixed with self-tapping screws.
Important!The caps of the self-tapping screws should go into the wood by a few millimeters, and the resulting indentations are sealed with sawdust mixed with glue.
Next, the installation of the stairs is carried out. To two side boards (5x15x100 cm), the ends of which are cut off at an angle of 90 degrees, bars 2.5x5x20 cm are attached in parallel. They should be located opposite each other on the side beams. Then steps made of wood 5x10x45 cm in size are mounted on them. The finished structure is attached by means of metal corners to the podium, after which the strength of the stairs and the bed is checked.
Finally, all the recesses are filled in and the surface is sanded. All elements are covered with a primer, after which varnish or paint is applied to them.
The loft bunk bed is the most optimal design to save space
How to make a pull-out bed with your own hands
To create a pull-out bunk bed, you can use chipboard. The structure made of this material is easy to manufacture and does not require special skills and experience from the master. The first step is to create or select a ready-made drawing of a children's bunk bed with the dimensions of all elements.
For the manufacture of the main structural parts, laminated chipboard sheets with a thickness of 19 mm are used. For the cover and the lower side of the podium, a 22 mm thick furniture board can be used. All elements are made on the basis of do-it-yourself detailed drawings of a children's bunk bed. The photos clearly show every detail of the design of the corresponding dimensions. Fastening of the component parts is carried out using screws with bolts and corners.
To create the upper tier, you need two sheets of chipboard for the headboard and footboard, and you will also need two thin strips for the side walls. The retractable structure is made of parts of the same height. The length of this part should be 10 cm less than the given value of the upper level.
Wheels are attached to the legs of the lower tier for convenient use
The lower tier is equipped with castors, thanks to which the bed moves freely if necessary. For the lathing, wooden boards 10 cm thick are used. For beds with a length of 1.7-2 mm, there should be at least 7 such strips.
When free space is limited in the room, and it is required to arrange two or more sleeping places, a bunk bed comes to the rescue. Today, there are many design options that are selected based on the stated requirements. After completing a detailed drawing of a children's bunk bed, you can independently assemble the selected model, which will ideally fit into the interior and save space.
