How to make framed bunk beds that kids will love in 2023

May 11, 2023 admin Home and garden 0

How to build framed bunk beds that kids will love in 2023

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HOW TO MAKE 100K DAILY

You will need:
• 90mm x 45mm H1.2 framing timber (I used 30 lineal metres)
• 1 pack nails or screws
• Skillsaw
• Chisel
• 6 x joist hangers (optional)
• 5 x 12mm MDF sheets, plus a partial one to build the optional face for the trundler)
• Sandpaper
• Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer
• Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Indian Ink
• Resene Colorwood in Resene Bark
• Resene EzyFill Quick
• 40mm x 40mm dressed pine (I used 3 x 1.8m lengths – one for each upright and the third for the step rungs on the ladder)
• Curtain rod
• Curtain (I used 6m corduroy)
• 4 large bolts and screws (8 gauge, 75mm)
• Trundler bed
• 18mm MDF sheet for optional front
• Finishing gun

How to make frame bunks for your children or kids:

1. Making a frame with the framing wood or timber by nailing it or screwing the frames together. By using screws, the bunk beds will be much easier to dismantle in the future. This frame was made to suit the ceiling height and to fit a king single mattress inside, allowing a bit extra for bedding. I fixed
the frames into the walls, floor and ceiling, making sure everything was level and plumb.

2. Add joists (the horizontal structure) to build a platform for the mattress. I used a skillsaw and chisel to notch the joists into the upright framework for strength. Alternatively, you could butt them in flush and fit the joist hangers. I only needed one level of joists because I put an existing bed and trundler at the bottom, but if you require two or three levels, simply repeat this step. Don’t forget to consider factors such as head height, access and safety when designing multiple level bunks.

3. Fit the platform for the bed. I used a 12mm sheet of MDF, but you could also use plywood. Fix this down to the joists using either short nails or screws.

4. Measure and cut MDF to encase all the framing timber. Try and have all the smooth faces towards the front of the bunks and the cut edges towards the back.

5. Before fixing the MDF to the framework, give everything a really good sand, then prime with Resene Quick Dry primer. I used Resene Indian Ink to paint two top coats.

6. Fix the MDF to the framework. I used a finishing gun or bradder. I made sure I numbered the back of each piece when I measured and cut it so I would know where it would go back on. Fill nail holes with Resene EzyFill Quick. Lightly sand and paint one more top coat to finish it off.

7. For the ladder, I used 40mm x 40mm dressed pine, notching in each of .the rungs like the joists. The ladder was painted with Resene Colorwood in Resene Bark and fixed to the end of the bunks with four large screws.

8. Provide privacy for your guests by adding curtains to create that enclosed feeling seen in old-style Scandinavian bunks. This look is cosy if you have multiple sets of bunks in one room. I hung the curtain rod on the inside of the framework and added corduroy curtains.

9. Create a front for the trundler, it’s an optional step but great if the bed is unsightly. Cut the face/cover for the front face of the trundler bed. I used 18mm MDF and fixed a border on it, then repeated the sanding, priming and painting process as described in Step 5.

10. Add handles, then drill four holes and use four bolts (as pictured) to fix the face piece to the metal frame.

Tip: Choose a waterborne enamel, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, for walls in high contact areas, such as this bunk bed. This will make it easier to wipe them clean later. You can also apply Resene SpaceCote Clear for extra protection.

More colours to try (left to right): Resene Indian Ink, Resene Rock Salt, Resene Spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

six to Seven years old. For the bottom bunk, wait until your child has outgrown their toddler bed and is ready to upgrade to a larger children’s bed. This usually happens at around the age of five or six years old. Generally speaking, bunk beds are suitable for kids who are aged between 6-16 years old.

At what age can a child sleep on a top bunk? A child should be six-years-old or older to sleep up high on the top bunk. If your child is a bit of a dare devil and might be tempted to jump off instead of taking the ladder or stairs, hold off until they are a bit older than this.

Load up the bottom level with lots of fluffy pillows, a cozy blanket, and string some holiday lights around the “roof” of the bunk. To complete the look, you might want to even install a floating bookshelf on the wall of the bottom bunk.

Safety of Bunk Beds. Always use two side guardrails on the upper bunk. Keep guardrails securely in place at all times no matter what the age of the child. Children move about during sleep and may roll out of bed. Not permit children under 6 years of age to sleep in the upper bunk.

The weight limit for a bunk bed depends on whether the bed is for children or 1 to 2 adults. Kids’ twin bunks typically have a weight limit of 150 to 220 pounds per bed. Adult bunk beds can have a weight limit ranging from 250 to 800 pounds Metal bunk bed frames can safely hold more weight than wooden ones.

Bunk beds have also been known to collapse on kids, usually because of shoddy construction or defective components. Cuts are the most common bunk bed injury, followed by bumps, bruises, and broken bones.

Can the bunk bed collapse? If it’s not assembled properly, yes it can collapse. Make sure there are no missing pieces and everything is tightened sufficiently. Before allowing your child to climb in and go to sleep, push on all sides to test for sturdiness.

We recommend that you buy plywood that is at least 1 inch thick since standard bunkie boards are between 1 and 3 inches thick. Thicker, better quality plywood will be strong enough to support the weight of your mattress.

Not only are metal bed frames incredibly strong, they are also safer than wooden loft and bunk beds. Metal beds are durable enough to withstand years of wear and tear without degrading.

How to make framed bunk beds that kids will love

Even with the use of solid wood in the construction, you may feel better safety wise with the unit mounted to a wall. This is simply a matter of personal preference for most parents and not a requirement with bunk beds. There are a few ways to get the safety of a bunk bed without securing it to the wall.

Bunk beds are not a safe option for young children. It is recommended that only children over the age of 9 years should use the top bunk. About 4000 children under 15 years old are treated every year for bunk bed related injuries by hospital emergency departments or general practitioners.

The general rule of thumb is that the top bunk needs to have 33 to 36 inches of space between the mattress and your ceiling. This will give the child up top enough room to sit up comfortably without hitting their head.

To be sure that they are safely used, here are some tips to keep in mind. Children must be at least 6 years old before they can use the top bunk. Children should always use the ladder when getting on or off the top bunk. Only 1 person should be on the top bunk at a time.

Easier to pack. But at least with a bottom bunk you can sit down on the edge of your bed and rummage through your bag. You can lay everything out on your bed if you need. Everything about packing is just easier when you’re nearer the floor.

The average bunk bed height is 5.5 to 6 feet tall (167.6 to 182.8 cms), but you should measure the height of the room from the floor to the ceiling and ensure there will be at least 30 inches (76.2 cms) of space between the top bunk, from the top of the mattress, and the ceiling.