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How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

Remember when I built a loft bed for my younger son? No sooner had I made his bed, when my oldest son was begging me to build him a loft bed too. Instead of starting from scratch, I was able to turn his bunk bed into a loft bed in a few simple steps.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed

Materials:

  • 2″ wood screws
  • 1 – 1″x 4″x 8′ board
  • Saw
  • Drill with philips head bit
  • Pencil

Instructions:

Remove the mattresses and bedding.

You will need to remove the bunky board (or slats) and the front side rail from the lower bunk.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

This will leave you with a loft frame.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

But, the bed will be wobbly until you add a diagonal support. Hold the 8′ board up at an angle against the back of the bed. Use the pencil to mark the angle and excess to cut off the ends.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

Cut the board using a miter saw (or any saw you have access to.) Drive the 2″ screws into the bunk bed frame at the bottom of one side and the top on the alternate side.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

The diagonal brace will look like this after installed.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

Replace the upper mattress and make the bed. That was easy wasn’t it?

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

If you want, you can stain or paint the diagonal brace to match the bunk bed. I may or may not do that at some point.

How to Turn a Bunk Bed into a Loft Bed | Pretty Handy Girl

For now, I have one happy older son who is doing his happy dance over his new loft bed!

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See how Pretty Handy Girl turns her son's bunk bed into a loft bed in a few simple steps | DIY bed | DIY loft bed #prettyhandygirl #DIYbed #DIYproject #DIYloftbed

48 replies
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  1. Camryn
    Camryn says:

    Ahh I seriously want to do this but I have a futon and I seriously don’t want to imagine how long it would take to remove it.

    Reply
  2. Francisca
    Francisca says:

    Hi,
    I’m planning to do this for an office space for college. My bunk bed is made of metal, would I still have to put the reinforcement when I take down to lower bunk?

    Thank you,
    College Freshman

    Reply
  3. Teresa
    Teresa says:

    Hi, just wondering if you have any ideas about how this might be done with a metal bunk bed? One that is missing both the bottom mattress platform,as well as one of the railings? Any idea how to stabilize it, besides anchoring it to the wall?
    Thanks, Teresa

    Reply
  4. Charlene
    Charlene says:

    I would like to try this but would it work if the ladder is attached to both the top and bottom bunk on the front?

    Reply
  5. Ginger
    Ginger says:

    I am looking at doing this and thinking about more safety. Some ideas are plywood or small board attached to each end where the 2 beds meet in middle to secure where they connect. Another is using lattice board attach to back under top on inside just as another security. Plus you could easily attach twinkle light, fabric, bulletin board for decor to the area.

    Reply
  6. Susan
    Susan says:

    I am doing something similar for my eight year old. I have been looking for a chair for under it. Where did you buy your red chair for under the bed. Please reply if you have time. Thanks Susan

    Reply
  7. Dona
    Dona says:

    Another newbie question – is there a reason to not make and ‘X’ and only a ‘slash’, meaning just one board instead of two that cross? I just want ours to be safe to play under, and I worry 🙂 or, could I attach the top bunk rails to the wall like cabinets and book shelves are with anti-tip devices?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey
      Brittany Bailey says:

      Donna, you don’t need an “X”, the single board at an angle keeps the two ends square. Of course if you like the look, you can do two boards, but you’l have to contend with the spot where the cross being two boards wide. You can definitely attach the top rail to the wall with some large “L” brackets, but it’s really not necessary.

      Reply
  8. Jaime Costiglio
    Jaime Costiglio says:

    Every young boy wants a loft bed – mine included! You must have ESP because I’m in the process right now. Love how you transformed the bunks, using what you have is always a great solution for so many reasons and bonus mom points too!

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] height to act as head rests while he curls up to read. I had pre-measured the space under his bunk bed turned into a loft bed and knew this chair and a half would fit perfectly. I can’t say as much for him fitting […]

  2. […] height to act as head rests while he curls up to read. I had pre-measured the space under his bunk bed turned into a loft bed and knew this chair and a half would fit perfectly. I can’t say as much for him fitting […]

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