How to Use Wood to Build a Loft

Set two 3.5-by-3.5-by-84-inch posts parallel to each other on the floor. Arrange them so there is a 39-inch gap in between them. Place three 1.5-by-3.5-by-46-inch ladder support boards evenly spaced across the posts, which are on the floor. Arrange all the pieces so the ends of the ladder boards are even with the outer sides of the posts. Drill one hole through both the ladder board and the post at each place they meet for six holes total.

Thread a bolt through a washer and place it through the ladder board and into the post. Pass a washer onto the other side of the bolt and fasten it with a nut. Repeat for all six holes to complete one end frame of the bed. Complete the previous steps again for the other end frame of the bed. Mark a place on the inside of all four posts that is five feet up from one end of the posts.

Stand the two ends up, parallel to each other with the ladder boards facing away from each other. Use an assistant and the support of the wall to hold the ends in place. Arrange the boards so the markings from the previous step are five feet off the ground. Position a 1.5-by-3.5-by-85-inch-long mattress board against the previously made markings on the inside of the post. Drill two holes through the mattress board and into the post. Attach the boards using the bolt technique from an earlier step. Repeat for the other three posts.

Position six 1.5-by-3.5-by-39 inch short mattress support boards evenly and perpendicular to the long mattress support boards. Arrange the short support boards with their largest surfaces touching the long support boards. Drill two screws through each short board and into each long board, for a total of 24 screws.