Asked on Oct 30, 2014

How do you make the base for a loft bed sturdy?

Timothy
by Timothy
Hello dear people, I'm looking for a way to build a sturdy loft bed frame without using too much or too expensive wood. I already thought of making the base like the way you make non-load bearing walls, but I'm afraid it will one day collapse at the least movement.
  6 answers
  • Barb Orthmann Barb Orthmann on Oct 31, 2014
    We also used 4x4 posts and then used a 2x4 screwed in diagonally across the back from top of left side to bottom of right side. We also cut 2x4 pieces to fit horizontially across the head and foot end that added stability and were used as a step up. the boys used the beds this way for 6 or 7 years.
  • Debra Grieve Debra Grieve on Oct 31, 2014
    Great answers!! I agree that cross bracing is the key to keep the joints from failing! You will use less wood doing that in the long run. When the kids rough house the bracing is the most important thing at that point!!
  • Darla Darla on Oct 31, 2014
    If you just make rectangles with the wood, it will flex. If you use cross-bracing or plywood to hold the angles at 90 degrees, it will be stable. IT might be helpful for you to visit the Ana White furniture building site.
  • Sarah Bauer Sarah Bauer on Oct 31, 2014
    These are pics of the bed we made for our daughter 6 years ago.... the girls roughhouse up there, adults have slept up there, my hubby and I can both lay up there and we have no concerns about it 'falling' - we just used 2x4's for framing, osb for floor of bed, and some particle board stuff for sides. We have a set of 2 shelves under the 'head' of the bed; at the foot of the bed, we have 2x4's going across at even spacings for steps.... the side that is against the wall/window, does also have a piece of particle board stuff going from one end to the other to help hold the ends together (the upper bed/loft just sits on the end shelving/uprights).
  • Carol S. Carol S. on Oct 31, 2014
    screw the frame into the wall at a stud in at least two places (use a stud finder or a thin nail to find stud). AND add cross members between the side posts only - like the rungs on chairs where you put your feet.