How to Build Three-Tiered Bunk Beds

Bunk beds with three sleeping positions require rooms with high ceilings, sturdy materials, and sleepers who don't mind small sleeping spaces. By doubling up the wood in the corner posts of the bed, this type of bed retains enough strength to support three adults sleeping in twin beds. Additional central support would be required to make this bed any bigger. Thin mattresses are helpful in conserving as much sleeping space as possible for the occupants.

8 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-96-inch studs
6 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch
Measuring tape
Drill
Drill bits
2 1/2-inch wood screws
6 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-77-inch
Carpenter's level
5-inch wood screws
18 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-39-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Lay two 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-96-inch studs on the working surface to serve as the bedposts. Arrange them so they sit parallel to each other on their largest surfaces, about 3 feet apart. Set an additional stud on top of each of these studs and attach them together by drilling 2 1/2-inch wood screws into them every 6 inches in a staggered pattern.
- 2
  Position three 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch frame support boards perpendicular to the posts and lying across them. Move the bedposts so that the frame support boards end halfway across their top surfaces. Arrange the frame support boards so that one of them is flush with the end of the two bed posts that will rest on the floor, one is 3 feet from that end and one is 6 feet from that end.
- 3
  Drill two holes through the frame support boards and into the bedposts at each joint for 12 total holes. Connect the joints by passing 2 1/2-inch wood screws through each hole and tightening them with a drill to complete the bunk bed end. Repeat with two more bedposts and three more frame support boards to make a second bunk bed end.
- 4
  Stand up the two bunk bed ends with the help of an assistant. Keep the ends parallel with each other, with the frame support boards facing inward. Position two 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-77-inch mattress support boards on either end of the frame support board so that they butt into the bedposts.
- 5
  Hold the board straight with the help of an assistant, and drill two holes in the side of the mattress support boards and into the ends of the frame support board. Attach the boards together with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Drill two holes through the back of the bedpost and into the end of the mattress support board. Attach the boards together with 5-inch wood screws. Repeat for six total mattress support boards.
- 6
  Arrange six 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-39-inch mattress boards evenly on top of the mattress support boards, with their largest surfaces touching the mattress support boards. Drill two holes through the top of each mattress board and into each mattress support board for a total of 24 holes. Attach the boards by putting 2 1/2-inch screws in each hole and tightening completely. Repeat for the other two sets of mattress support boards.

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