After searching in vain for the Perfect Loft Bed, we finally just decided to make one ourselves. We wanted one that would be comfortable with our 8-ft. ceilings, but that would also leave lots of space underneath for our 8-yr old to hang out. He also has a pretty small room, so we only wanted a bed with an upright ladder that does not take up further floor space. We ended up combining our favorite features from many different beds. After so many people asked if we could tell them how we did it, we finally decided to sell our plans for anyone else who thinks this is the perfect loft bed too! Our bed only took a few days to make, and cost under $75 for materials! (Not including paint, should you decide to paint yours, like we did.) If you would like a copy of our very detailed plans, which include lots of diagrams and photos, we are selling them for $10 via paypal, to go towards our kid’s college fund! Once your payment clears (paypal says 3-5 days!), we will send over the plans (a pdf) right away.
It looks amazing! And for such a great price! Love the wood accent wall with the light as well! Beautiful!
xo,
Jen
Thanks for the kind words, Jen! I also have to thank you for some inspiration: we now have a behind-the-door gift wrap station, thanks to you! ; )
Love, love, love it!
THANK YOU!!!!!
hi! I’m looking for plans for a loft bed frame for full-sized mattresses. Could you send me that? Or do I just need to make a few minor adjustments to the width of your original plans? thanks!!
It looks beautiful, and I would like to buy the design but I have a question first. How tall is it? And can it be made into a full instead of twin easily? thank you
Thank you!! The bed is about 73″ tall. It is shown here with our 8′ ceilings. I know several people have mentioned that they are converting the plans to fit a full sized bed, but I have not yet gotten feedback on how it went. I can tell you that a full mattress is 15″ wider than a twin…. That’s the extent of my knowledge on that!
Are the desk (dresser?) and table included in the plans, or just the bedframe?
Hi there Andrew! Shown in the photo is a table from ikea, which we later modified for better use of the space (see here: http://diyloftbed.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/solutions-in-legoland/). Also shown is an old bookcase from – I think – target. So, no – those things are not included in the plans. Thanks for asking!
Where did you get the sail? That is a fantastic touch!
ha – thanks! It is a curtain panel that came from Ikea, probably 6 or 7 years ago now,though. I have the other “half”, just waiting for a use for it!
Is there anyway to make this a bunk bed using your plans? I am looking to buy a bunk bed for my 8 and 9 year old but can’t find anything I like for a decent price. Everything is too big and to expensive. I like the simple look of this and that the ladder is at the end and not taking up more floor space.
I had to defer to my handy husband, who says: Absolutely! You would just duplicate top bunk and have it align with bottom step (as the top bunk aligns with top step). So there you have it! Thanks for the great question!
Another question, could you make this bed to where the top bunk is a twin size and the bottom bunk a full size?? My husband is going to be making this and I’m a little iffy on it since he’s basically taking this picture and altering the measurements. LOL Thanks
Hi there! You can certainly alter the plans however you wish…. I do know that some people put a full bed perpendicularly underneath the loft – thought that was a great idea!
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m planning on making this for my little boy. He’ll be STOKED!
Hi there, we r definitely interested but could u tell me what tools you would need to build this and skill level?
Thanks
Hi there! The tools we used were: hammer, saw (most lumber places will cut the wood for you, though), drill, and a wrench. Skill level: I’d say pretty much beginner. But I think you’d need two people to do it…. Thanks for asking!
We just put in the payment in PayPal and look forward to seeing the plans soon! A few questions: (1) is it easier to paint each piece and then assemble, or better to paint when it’s done? (2) for a small room, is it better to assemble outside the room and try to move it in afterword, or build inside the room from the get-go? Thanks for any thoughts you may have!
Thanks for ordering! We got the bed assembled loosely then took apart to paint. I’m sure you could paint it once it’s all set to go instead, and that’d for sure save a step! We got it ready in garage, then assembled in the bedroom…. Was pretty easy!
How much clearance (height) under the loft bed?
Hi Tyler! There is about 53″ under the bed. This can be easily adjusted if you wanted to. We have 8′ ceilings, so this gave the best division of space up top and down below, for us.
Is it designed with slats all along under the mattress or is it designed to be used with a bunk board?
Hi again! Plans are for slats, but you can of course make any changes you wish…..
Hi! Do you have a feel for how well the loft will hold up if/when it rocks back and forth? I only ask because my Dad and I put together a loft for college (too many) years ago and after climbing up an down over and over, the joints loosened up quite a bit. I always thought a diagonal cable along the back wall would have kept it together, but you may have a better joint approach than I had (when I was 18!)
Ha! This brings back memories! But I will say, this bed is S-O-L-I-D solid! Both boys (8 and 6) have been using it as a virtual jungle gym and it has not budged. It’s just another reason we decided to build our own. The ikea one was all wobbly and chintzy, imo.
Hi! I found your loft bed on Pinterest! It’s Perfect! I was wondering a couple of things. Are you still selling the plans and materials list? Also, we are wanting to put this over top of a full bed. (you know, across the head of the full) So instead of using the under area for play, it’d be for the bed we already have. Also, where did you buy your wood? The cost for your supplies sounds great!
Hi there! Yes – still selling the plans and materials list…. I love your idea of putting over a full bed! YOu can buy the wood at Home Depot, or any lumber retailer….
THANK YOU
I just purchased the plans through pay pal 
Can you tell me how wide this is? Very small room and trying to decide if we can fit 2 beds. Thanks!!
Hello! The bed is about 44″ wide. Hope this helps!
I love this bed! I almost bought a bed that would have cost so much more and would not have been great quality. What was I thinking? This is fantastic and I can’t wait to get started.
wow – thanks so much!!!Lemme know how yours turns out!
Wow! i am so excited about this. You are my kind of people. I love projects and as soon as I clear this with my my sister, i hope to purchase your plans and build this for my nephew. I dont think i have any questions, due to the great ones already asked. BTW, brilliant idea to sell the plans. Okay lastly, i am so happy you included your “how to” for the wall. Yes there are several other tutorials, but i think you did it simply and efficiently. This just made my week lol Thank you!
Thanks Beth! You just made MY week! ; )
I just ordered your plans for the loft!! Looking forward to the project…making 2 for my boys’ room. They are all excited! Hope mine turns out as nice as yours!
We have a small house and my daughter has been asking me for one of these for a while!! Thanks for posting on Craigslist!! We ordered the DIY instructions and will get to it asap! We will paint ours pink and yellow to match her room! Can’t wait!
How much space between the top of mattress ( we have a 8″ thick mattress) and a 8′ ceiling? Thanks so much. Rick
We made ours today and our son Cam loves it! Thanks again for the instructions.
Just ordered, can’t wait!
Send pics!! ; )
Hi..I think we’ll order the plans..looks great and a straight forward build. Curious how long it takes to build? Thanks!
Hi Pete! You could easily get this done in a weekend (or a day if you have a longer attention span!). Ours took a bit longer since I primed (had to let dry) and then painted (two coats, with drying time in between). Your mileage may vary! ; )
Great..thanks. Just sent Paypal through. Will fuel project with a fine microbrew (or 2)..so I hope for some good mileage over the weekend!
Ours was fueled in much the same fashion and turned out perfectly! ; )
Looks awesome. Ordering mine today!
This looks like it might work for us. I’ve been looking at different plans..my daughter already has a low loft with ladder. I want something higher with no ladder. Please email the pdf once the paypal clears. Thanks.
Just ordered the plans – can’t wait to get started! My son’s going to love this bed
Just ordered ours via paypal, for our little boy. We live in England and can not wait to get on with this build and show all our friends, this side of the pond!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration. Lisa x
Love the design it is chimp simple, but I have one problem. The ceilings in my son’s room is 7′ 10″. Can you send me a design for a shorter twin loft bed to fit his room. My son is 9 years old so he will definitely need head room to sit up in his bed. Thanks!!!!
All you would need to do is shorten the legs by 2″. Would be a very simple alteration!
Yes I would love these plans
Hi I was hoping to talk to you about purchasing the blus prints for this ASAP
if you could pls email me thx!
Hi there! There is a paypal link right there in the post….
Thank you! I can’t wait to start this. I could not find a loft bed I liked for a reasonable price! Love this!!
Am a single mom with very little knowledge about making things. Closet I’ve come was “assembling” my daughter’s crib
Any chance I could purchase one already made or request that of you? This is a great solid design!!!
Ha! Thanks for asking! If we hadn’t gotten so many requests for this, we could consider it! There’s no way we could build so many.
Hi! I love your design. A quick question, is the bed assembled with screws or bolts? Thanks!
We used carriage bolts.
Hi:). Could you tell me the length of this loft? We are thinking of putting a queen bed perpendicular underneath the loft, but want to make sure it fits:)
Hi there! The bed is around 78″ long.
My husband purchased the plans last night via PayPal! We are anxious to hopefully start the project this weekend!!
Hello, will this plan work out for a queen size? Thank you
I’ve had many people say they planned to convert to a full, but none so far have mentioned queen. I’m still waiting to hear back from anyone who has made a full-size version. Anyone???
I bought your plans a while back and am just finishing painting the wood. Love love love your plans. I love your back wall too. What is it made from?
Thank you! Here is everything I can tell you about the wall: http://diyloftbed.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/the-wall/
Is there a weight limit for this bed?
Not officially…? But our whole family of 4 can be up there with not so much as a creak or budge!
LOVE THIS I sent payment through paypal lat night and cant wait to get started can you email the PDF asap ! thanks
Thank you so much for sharing this! I just ordered the plans and will start shopping for wood as soon as I get the materials list with the plans. Forgive me if you’ve already said this elsewhere, but what type of wood did you use or would you recommend?
We used pine. ; )
Hi Cheri! Yes – it would be super easy to make a headboard there, several people have. There are a number of ways you could do it, one being just adding a few boards there – like the step treads. Basically, you can customize the plans any way you’d like…