How to Build a Bunk Bed Into a Wall

Bunk beds are an excellent way of saving space while providing a comfortable area to sleep. Building a bunk bed into a wall can be an inexpensive way of cozying up beds in a small room and requires very little time and effort. Whether you’re looking to make the most out of a small space, or you want your children to nap in comfort, a built-in bunk bed is the way to go.

Building the Bed

Cut the side rails and end pieces to the desired measurements, depending on the required height, length and width of the bed. These measurements will vary depending on the age and height of the individual, and whether he or she wants the bed should to be a single, twin, double, etc. The head and footboards should be cut 2 inches wider than the bed to allow the bed to fit within the end pieces. Once these measurements are determined, cut the slats and slat supports to fit. The slat supports need not be wider than 1 ½ inches.

Paint or stain the wood to the color of your choice. Set the pieces out to dry.

Screw the first two slat supports to one 1-by-6-inch side rail and one 1-by-8-inch side rail, allowing 2 inches of wood at the bottom of the latter, using at least 1 screw per foot of bed. Repeat the process with the second two slat supports.

Lay the head-side legs on their edge, and screw the 1-by-8-inch head rails at the levels where you want the bottom and top beds, allowing for the appropriate height of each bed. Repeat the process with the foot-side legs, using 1-by-6-inch boards throughout, at least four inches apart, to serve as a ladder. At the foot end, each board should be fixed with 3 screws to allow for extra strength.

Lay the end pieces on their side, fitting and screwing the bed pieces into position at the level of the 1-by-8-inch head and 1-by-6-inch foot base rails using 3 screws spaced 1 inch apart for increased security. Ensure that the rails are flush.

Stand up the bed and screw a 1-by-6-inch guardrail no less than 3 inches above the side rail, for a total height of 9 inches, on the inside of the top bunk on the side with the 1-by-6-inch side rail. This side will face away from the wall.

Attaching to the Wall

Measure the length of the end and side of the bed that will be attached to the wall and remove the baseboards of the two walls where the bed will be installed accordingly, using a utility knife and crowbar. For stronger baseboards, a saw may need to be used.

Move the bed into position, ensuring that the 1-by-8-inch rails are flush with the wall while the 1-by-6 inch rails are opposite to them.

Sit or kneel in the bottom bed area and locate the wall studs that the bed needs to attach, marking their location with a pencil.

Attach the bed to the walls using 3 screws on each stud per bed, placing the screws in the 2-inch space below the slat supports and the bottom two inches of the head rail.

Move outside of the bed and arrange the 1-by-6-inch slats along the supports, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart, according to the length of the bed, making sure that the ends of each side align. Screw the slats into the slat supports.

Things to need:

Measuring tape

1-by-6-inch lumber

1-by-8-inch lumber

Paint

Screws

Screw driver

Crowbar

Utility knife

Pencil