Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed

01.26.15 By //
The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed

If you have more than one kiddo and they have things – maybe even quite a few things- a bunk bed with rolling trundle and bookshelf storage is going to be your new bff slash sanity saver. Today’s plan is an exciting one but it is quite a whopper of a furniture plan, broken down into a lot of steps, so I am breaking it up into 2 parts for easier digesting! Otherwise we will be here all week typing out the instructions… eek! This plan focuses on the upper and lower bunk beds or basically the bunk bed portion of this plan – duh! The next plan will cover the rolling trundle and the bookshelves. I can’t wait to see your builds of this project, don’t forget to submit them to our Builder’s Showcase.

As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
$525-$575
Dimensions for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed

 

5/16″ Drill Bit

 

  • 6 – 1×2 at 8’
  • 16 – 1×4 at 8’
  • 8 – 2×4 at 8’
  • 6 – 2×6 at 8’
  • 3 – 4×4 at 8’
  • 1 – 1/4” sheet of plywood at 2’x4’
  • 5 – 3/4” sheets of plywood at 4’x8’
  • 4 – 4×4 at 70” – Bed Posts
  • 4 – 2×4 at 78” – Back Panel Frames
  • 4 – 2×4 at 43” – Side Panel Frames
  • 4 – 2×6 at 82” – Front and Back Rails
  • 4 – 1×4 at 82” – Front and Back Cleats
  • 4 – 2×6 at 43” – Side Rails
  • 2 – 1×2 at 55-1/2” – Front Frame Top and Bottom
  • 2 – 1×2 at 12-1/2” – Front Frame Sides
  • 2 – 2×4 at 57-3/4” – Ladder Rails
  • 5 – 2×4 at 18” – Ladder Rungs
  • 28 – 1×4 at 40”– Slats
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 15”x78” – Panel A
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 12-1/2”x78” – Panel B
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 11”x43” – Panel C
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 8-1/2”x43” – Panel D
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 9-1/2”x55-1/2” – Panel E
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 11”x43” – Panel F
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 28-1/4”x43” – Panel G
  • 1 – 3/4” plywood at 8-1/2”x43” – Panel H

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Posts and Frame for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 1

Cut the pieces for the Bed Posts and Panel Frames. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in the both ends of each Panel Frame piece. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws.

Long Rails and Cleats for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the Front and Back Rails and Front and Back Cleats. Attach a Cleat to the bottom edge of a Rail using 2” Wood Screws. Clamp each Rail/Cleat “set” into place as shown, leaving a 1-1/2” space on each end for the Side Rails. The Rail, Cleat, and bottom of the Panel Frame should be flush with one another. After making sure that everything is completely square and aligned, use a 7/16” Drill Bit to drill through the Rail, Cleat, and Bed Post. You should have two holes on each end for the Bolts. Fasten with Carriage Bolts and Tighten. This step should be done a total of 4 times – twice for the top bed (front and back) and twice for the bottom bed (front and back).

Side Rails for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 3

Cut the pieces for Side Rails. With the Kreg jig still set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Side Rails. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws.

Upper Guard Rail for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 4

Next, cut the pieces for the Front Frame. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Front Frame Top and Bottom. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Attach the Front Frame to the Front Rail with 2-1/2” wood screws.

Ladder for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 5

Cut the pieces for the Ladder Rails and Ladder Rung. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Ladder Rungs. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Attach the Ladder to the Bed with glue and 2-1/2” wood screws.

Bed Slats for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed

Cut the pieces for the Bed Slats. On each end of the bed, there will be three Slats placed next to each other. The reason for this is that the Bunk Beds need to be longer than necessary to accommodate the Trundle underneath. Because of this, a twin-sized mattress will be approximately 6” shorter than the length of the Bunk Bed. We have extra Slats at the ends because we don’t want any feet falling through the Bed! Repeat for both the top and the bottom Bed, laying out the Slats with spacing as shown. Attach the Bed Slats to the Cleats with 1-1/2” wood screws.

Back View Panels for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Front View Panels for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed
Step 7

Cut the pieces for the Panels. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in each side of each Panel. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.

(back view followed by front view)

Step 8

We will pick up right here next time and build the bookcase and trundle, yahoo!

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidental and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Affiliate links are used for tools and materials. The Design Confidential will earn a small commission for any items purchased using these links. Thank you for your support – every little bit counts!

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3 comments on “Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Duet Bunk Bed”

  1. Hiya Rayan,
    I’m trying to track down the Pod bunk bed plans. I have a PDF version I’ve had for a few years.
    Are there updated plans?
    I’m a little confused by some of the timber lengths and their relation to the cut list. It seems to be an awful lot of waste. Am I off base?
    I’m in Australia. I’ve had a lot of fun converting the measurements and amounts into metric. I want to make three of these Pods.
    MikeR

    1. Hi mike! So the plans you are referring to were actually removed from the site at the request of the manufacturer. I don’t typically do that as I am always completely within my rights to post my plans and nothing about how I design is not infringing upon anything proprietary but she seemed like a small maker and I was happy to oblige. Naturally after taking the plans down she became one of the most horrid creatures I have ever encountered and now I wish I hadn’t taken them down! Maybe I shall put them back up! Ha!

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