How to Build a Bunk Bed Out of Framing Studs

Build the two ends of the bunk bed first by cutting out four, 6-foot sections from the 2-by-4 studs to serve as corner posts. Cut out four, 42-inch boards. Lay two of the 6-foot section down on the working surface, parallel to each other with their larger sides flat on the floor and 33 inches between them.

Arrange the 42-inch sections perpendicularly on top of the corner posts, evenly spaced to serve as both horizontal supports and ladders. Use the drill and a drill bit just smaller in diameter than the wood screws to drill three holes at each joint through the 42-inch section and into the 6-foot sections so that there are 24 holes in all. Space the holes evenly and keep them toward the center of the joint.

Attach the boards together using wood screws drilled into the previously made holes with a standard Phillips drill bit. Do not overtighten the screws so that the head of the screw is buried beneath the surface of the stud. Repeat for the other end board.

Flip the end board over so the ladder boards are flush to the floor of the working space. Cut two, 36-inch support boards and position them parallel to the ladder boards on the opposite surface of the corner posts then the ladder boards are positioned.

Arrange the two support boards so that the center of one of the boards is 2 feet from the bottom of the posts and the center of the other is 5 feet from the bottom of the posts, as these boards will serve as the attachment points for the beds.

Predrill three evenly spaced holes at each joint using a drill and a drill bit slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the wood screws. Drill the holes down through the top of the 36-inch boards and into the corner posts. Attach with wood screws inserted in each predrilled hole. Repeat for the other end piece.

Cut four, 76-inch pieces of stud to serve as the long horizontal mattress supports. Position them perpendicular to the support boards and flush with the corner posts so that the end of the 76-inch boards butts into the corner post and is flush on the side with the support boards. Predrill and screw them into both the support board and the corner post. Repeat for all four long supports.

Cut 12 pieces of 39-inch stud. Arrange six evenly on each bed, perpendicular to the long support boards. Predrill and attach two screws at each joint for a total of 24 screws. Test the strength before putting mattresses on each bed frame.