Build Your Kid's Dream Bed from 2x4's | DIY Loft Bed

How to build a DIY Loft Bed from 2x4 lumber. A great alternative to a DIY bunk bed that takes up less space.
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How to build a DIY Loft Bed for $75.
This DIY bed is made from 2x4 and 2x6 construction grade lumber. If you want to get some nicer boards and save a little money you can cut these down from 2x12 boards. The bed is straightforward to assemble after all the wood parts are cut. This loft bed is great for a kid’s room but can also be a dorm loft bed where it would really take advantage of the space in a small room. Get the DIY loft bed plans and build your own!
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#woodworking #loftbed #diyloftbed

[@LetMeTellYouSomeTing]

Awesome video, now I just need $500 worth of clamps.

[@rivatoot]

Let me grab my planer. Standard first buys for a diyer. Hammer, screwdriver and then planer.

[@trovelemmanuel5627]

And fancy machinery😄

[@livinlegend5554]

Ctfu

[@Cartierboy13]

😂😂😂😂

[@lifewithoutstress2684]

Having a carpenter for a dad = awesome!! 😊

[@jayrodathome]

For my daughters queen size loft bed I just took her existing bed and added 4 (4x4) legs and supported it as needed. Now when she gets older I can just take the loft extensions off and she will have her original undamaged queen size bed. Worked out great and was cheap

[@xyzcreate]

I would have absolutely loved this as a kid! It would have been so cool to come home from a long day of school and start reading comics under my bed fort!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

yeah, same here!

[@perkypegasus1072]

This is amazing that you can do this! Your family is lucky to have you.

[@Anand-nj6be]

Brad, great set of instructions and step-by-step guide. I ended up building two of these for my kiddos (one red and one blue). I modified the design a bit so you can flip the bed over to make it a standard twin (just with a big head board and footboard). So we have one lofted bed and another un-lofted loft bed. Love the channel. Keep up the good work.

[@xstrongbowx1]

As someone who's hit their head on a fan in the morning, you learn pretty quick

[@mavrick561]

Man, this comes at a great time. My dad and I were planning on building two of these in the next couple of months. Now I don't have to reinvent the wheel. Thanks for another great vid!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Awesome! I'd love to see the builds when you make them

[@breckdiy1981]

Great video, you inspired me to make a bunk bed for my girls. I wish I had a shop like yours 👍😁

[@merry1234sama]

Man, I'm from Mexico and this video is amazing! You have filled me with inspiration ❤

[@heatherwinmill3838]

I definitely hit my head on the fan in my childhood room getting onto the top bunk many times 😂

[@Y_I_DIY]

Dad of the freaking year! Looks great

[@_WillCAD_]

When I was a kid, my Dad made me a similar loft bed, but he used nothing but 2x6's for the head and foot, assembled flat and then lag screwed into the endgrain of the long rails. Instead of slats, he cut down a sheet of three-quarter inch plywood, and reinforced it with three 2x4 slats screwed into the underside. Biggest difference - he made me a corner desk underneath and mounted a single fluorescent light fixture to give me some illumination. He finished it with a walnut stain and satin poly so it looked more like fine furniture than something you'd find in a kid's room. I kept that thing until I graduated high school and was just too tall to sleep in a twin bed any more. I wish I had some pics of it, it was a beautiful piece.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Wow, sounds amazing and that's great you have such a fond memory of something from your dad. Hope my boy has the same memories!

[@pedalman4595]

GREATEST DAD EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

I try at least :)

[@GMan56M]

Annnd now my 4 y/o wants a new bed... Gives me an excuse to get back in the shop! Great work Brad; looks great!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Oh that's a perfect age for this! He could easily walk under it for years. My guy is 9 and is a bit too tall to stand full upright. Have fun!

[@JayBates]

Thanks for the shout out. And yes, that is definitely painters tape blue :)

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Those cleats were a lifesaver, Jay! Install was so much easier with them 👍

[@naomidutchak9468]

@@Fixthisbuildthat one question, what is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the bed, just wondering cause I wanna add a desk for me to work at.

[@jonusmc1371]

Just got done with this build using your plans. I did add additional 2x4's on the back side of each step of the ladder just as you did at the top to prevent a foot grab where the mattress sits because my daughter said the single 2x4 edge hurt her feet as she was climbing.

[@trevorcrist5456]

Man that paint job looks perfect. Maybe just the camera and lighting but looks great.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, my boy loves it!

[@shanesamson7833]

What a great looking BED... Love the colour as well.. The best looks solid and cool 👍

[@balajiiyengar4]

Just love the way you built, that color hah! amazing.

[@Jemgirly]

My mind is blown just watching this guy do his work. I don’t have the tools are the means to build something like this yet, so I’ll just have to build my daughter a crappy one 😂

[@LutherBuilds]

I'm feeling a bit of nostalgia watching this. I built my son the same bed 3 years ago and ended up using 2x4's and 2x6's. It's still holding up very well. I also added on the small platform on the footboard going from Ana White's plans. Other than that, I pretty much built Jay's version of the bed. My daughter has been asking me to build her a bed as well. But I'm not sure it will be the same design as she will probably want more of a day bed or modern design.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

My daughter already has the daybed and now wants this instead 😀

[@bg73]

Nice build. Interesting colour too.

[@chrisrasmussen5018]

Sounds like sister needs to get the 2.0 version with an integrated desk.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Or integrated dress up station. I already made her a desk too, and no way I'm getting rid of that thing!

[@blahdiblah2169]

I love it. Such a cool design.

[@_RYEN_]

Good job dad!

[@alliez1436]

Hoping to have my own carpentry business and love watching your videos and I am going to watch you for tips so thank you...

[@football29k]

So unique idea my son will love this loft bed too 👊

[@simmuborgir3337]

Great job. Lucky kids to have a good wood working dad👍

[@ProtoEliteTV]

Happy Holidays. Thank you for sharing the experience with everyone. Inspired me to do the same project for my son. Bit that would have to wait until spring. Cool channel as well. I follow you on ig but definitely will favorite this video, very informative.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, and hope your kiddo loves it when you make one!

[@elmerezpeleta2728]

Loved the jenga along with the creepy laugh...made me LOL! Nice build, and I may download your plans to build this for my stepdaughter! Thanks!

[@TheFlowshizle]

Great Video! Just got the plans, my daughter is very excited. Cheers from Canada!

[@diamondperidot]

Great job! I don't think the color is garish, but then again Blue is my favorite color. tfs

[@awesomearizona-dino]

Nice Work.. as usual. Yes, the pinching lumber is common and dangerous for amateurs.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Yes, it can definitely scare you if you aren't ready for it

[@puwazatza]

This bed is a beast! I will make three for my creations.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Could be an easy bunk be conversion too!

[@SewingBoxDesigns]

Another awesome build. Thank you.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

you're welcome!

[@dinasoria8805]

Oh wow.. that was awesome to watch. Nice clean work.

[@SouthernStyleDIY]

That's an awesome bed and the color really pops well!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, David!

[@mrsjokerstout]

I have seen a lot of diy loft beds... this one is by far the least complicated design. I like the end product. It looks a lot sturdier than the $200+ loft beds I have found online, plus this looks like it would be easy to add a desk to, or even a fold down murphy bed as a buddy bunk...

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks! It's a very simple and easy design 👍

[@brimstone_flame6246]

Turned out great thanks for the walk through!

[@brimstone_flame6246]

What is the tool you used to cut the biscuit slots?

[@Tony-112]

Always enjoy your videos 👍✌️ Definitely investing in a planer

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

it's a wonderful tool!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice work on the loft bed Brad! Thank you for sharing the video with us all.👌👍😎JP

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

you're welcome!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

😎

[@user-qg6fy4yp8t]

Nicely build!! I recently built 2 beds for my kids.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks!

[@shotokankjs]

Nice, 75 bucks but need 1000 worth of tools 😬. I'm going with the half half approach. Bought a wood frame from ikea with their slats and metal mid beam and got cypress wood posts. Its for a queen sized loft bed .

[@thornieves3624]

Simply awesome great job👍👍👍

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Appreciate it!

[@skiblink]

Last year I built almost the exact same bed, same color and LEDs, Looks great!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

must have been reading your mind!

[@ryancormack6934]

Good plans, worth the time saving thanks! I made a few small changes. I eliminated the lower bracing (J and a D); not needed since the "bed frame", the "Head and guard rails" and the L shape leg design create a strong geometry and would make buckling very unlikely. Also my daughter wanted a desk underneath and more headspace there, so I added 4 inches to the feet area. Also her twin bed is a bit more puffy than average twin and she wanted to tuck in her blankets on the sides and feet, so I added 3" to the side and 1.5 inches to the foot of the bed frame.

[@akvaru]

I´m tring to buy the plans on gumroad, but is not working :(

[@asmakitto]

Finally someone using a mask while working. Refreshing

[@patrickschreck6997]

Love the build my man -- wondering when you choose to use wood glue vs no wood glue? Noticed here it was all just screwed together. Keep up the great work!

[@kimberlykimmie1728]

Your good 💯 And you make it look so easy lol

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@douglasharley2440]

awesome build!...as always. thanks

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, Douglas!

[@jilllunsford9614]

Great tips thank you!

[@ThisIsHowIMadeIt]

Great build man! As always!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks!

[@holdemNE1]

Nice build.

[@scottadams2624]

Great job!

[@gbjones54]

Great Build Brad. 👍👏

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks, Gary!

[@RichieRich-ug2wr]

Amazing video . And to be honest , this is the first KZbin video I ever watched . Completely watch that is

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome job Brad! 😃👌🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks, Fred!!

[@reforzar]

Turned out great. I’ve built a few of these. They’ll get years of use from it.

[@bravoshift9148]

Just built one for my son using your plan!

[@SpecificLove7]

Looks really good

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thank you!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Just looked at the one you built. That thing is a beast!!! Nicely done!

[@SpecificLove7]

@@Fixthisbuildthat Thank you very much. It was a little intimidating, but I loved building it even more than most of my other stuff.

[@jenboltalt]

cole idea love the coler.

[@jenboltalt]

how long does it take to bild and paint?

[@joebyron9]

great build for a college bed too, gives space under bed for a desk

[@syedhasan6548]

Very Nice 👍 Thanks for sharing

[@jazmanjef]

This project cost me $4,075 once I bought the table saw, router, and mitre saw ...

[@dreroy599]

Lmaoo

[@techywill]

Count yourself lucky, mine was over $200k when factoring in the house!

[@genli5603]

You don't understand. The projects are excuses for the tools.

[@clydedecker765]

You'd think you would have learned - Giving one child something cool leads to ...Trying to play one-upsmanship .. forever. But that's fun too. Love your videos.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks, Clyde!

[@therevoman]

Just finished one of these and its pretty awesome! unfortunately all my twins are Twin XL, so 5 inches longer. Instead of extending the whole thing 5", I extended it 3" and rotated the bottom piece of the bed box to lie flat. This also helped with the gap between the box and the top step. Anyhow, my son loves it!

[@dustincathers9575]

Would love to see a pic, I want to build this and also have a TwinXL.

[@therevoman]

@@dustincathers9575 I meant to blog about it. I’m traveling so I’ll have to send details at the end of the week.

[@ozzie128]

Good luck with the sequel

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

hehehe, you know i'm powerless to my daughter!

[@somerandomfox1153]

I think I might make one of these 👍

[@joaquinruiz6965]

👍nice color good job thanks

[@williamellis8993]

Really nice bed, Brad. My grandchildren are even too old for this but it looks neat.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks, William!

[@neemtree619]

You're very talented, skilled! I'm thinking about just living in a tree.😂😆💚🌳

[@JNDCreations]

Cool build mate! You’ve got some awesome quality camera shots in this vids! Well done

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thank you!!

[@cori0420]

Awesome! Nice work! Now to make one for my toddler lol

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

I'm sure he/she will love it!

[@cori0420]

Thank you! My son will enjoy it

[@dayna139]

Thanks!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks for the Super Thanks!! 💪

[@bmor1074]

This turned out beautiful! We are planning to make this and alter it a bit to make it a bunk bed. What is the thickness of the mattress you used?

[@joeysawyer7572]

Awesome job man

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks!

[@kthornbloom]

Love the build! Confused about the $75 claimed price though. Just the wood alone is around $170 anywhere I look :(

[@WetPaintChi]

This vid was from 2019 - lumber prices skyrocketed during the pandemic ☹️

[@cammie8701]

this when you could by a 2x4 for $2

[@lale9121]

Not to mention all the tools 😂😂😂

[@Sweetfire555]

Kool!, great job!

[@mattluongo7763]

Looks great and well built. My only fear is the 1x4 slates, are they strong enough? I'd be worried my kids would find a way to break them.

[@saowczarek7671]

Essa dica de colocar um taquinho pra abrir a madeira é simples, mais nunca havia pensado nisso.... Obrigado

[@ericlyden]

Hey Brad... Great video, great bed, and great craftsmanship!! The only question I have is how you attached the filler strip at the top of the ladder. I know it goes between the top ladder step and the bed frame. But did you screw it into the top ladder step or the legs? Hope to hear back. Thx!!

[@billplotsky8208]

Hey Brad. Great video. Where did you get the sanding disc attachment for your hand? That looks super handy.

[@MikkosFree]

Now all I need to do is pray that my client doesn't see this video. I made him a bunk bed that looks exactly like this, and I charged him $350. But then again, materials for his bed cost $250. Good wood costs a lot over here.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Even if you got the lumber for $75 you have to charge for your time and overhead, so I think $350 is actually cheap. Way too cheap if you spent $250 on materials!!! Don't undervalue your work!

[@kings5223]

$100 for the tools, labor and experience to make the bed is a bargain for your client.

[@j316finewoodworking6]

350 is super cheap for hand made bunk beds when selling...I don't sell a single twin under 400...🤔

[@zero.g13]

@@Fixthisbuildthat one thing i learned from the joker, "if you're good at something, never do it for free"

[@TOXICSHARK35]

Jhuliz AJL - Construction grade 2 x 4s would work fine IMO

[@zachariascolvin2153]

Brad; Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your process! Not positive I can build it as well, but you've made me want to try it for sure. Thank you!

[@dennisjohansen8490]

From now on for the rest of my life I will use "peas and carrots" when referring to when something is good. Also, extra points for the use of "garish".

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

😂 😂 👍

[@ChiefMoonChunks]

big points for garish

[@victorn6065]

Great plans Brad! I made this with my 4-year old and he loves it! We skipped the mattress, opted for yoga mats, and installed an escape hatch. It definitely wasn't $75, but the funnest $250 I've spent with my son thus far! For my first major woodworking project, I'm pretty satisfied! I posted a video about it if anyone is interested! Cheers, and have fun everyone!

[@kestutisk9397]

Very great job nice bed👍👍👍

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks!

[@axlent123]

Just used your loft bed as inspiration for mine. But mine, I might add, is a queen sized (adult) futon loft bed with two tatami mat panels. I’m using the 2x6 mattress frame, 2x4 legs, 2x2 matttess supports (holding the tatami panels), and 1x3s for the slats. Pocket joinery on the mattress frame, 2” screws countersunk to connect the legs to the mattress frame, and 2 1/2” screws to connect the 2x2s to the side 2x6 mattress frame boards. I also used a bit of glue for the 2x2s as well.. (hoping the screws will hold the weight that will be placed on them!!!) Also, I incorporated yakisugi (shou Sugi ban) into the process, creating a darker wood, and an amazing grain texture! The feel of the ebb and flow of the grain is lovely! As for your bed, I wish that I had one as a kid!!!!

[@Jram0107]

Wow ! Very nice

[@kevinwak]

Not sure if you did, but I would screw down some or all of the slats at both ends. I made beds in the past with a similar design and the 2X6’s that the slats sat on bowed outwards over time and then the slats fell through. I ended up having to use a small 1/8” cable with a turnbuckle between two eye bolts in the centre of the 2x6’s to pull them back together so that they weren’t spreading and dropping the slats. Love the bed, kind of wish I had built this for our boys instead of mates beds, since they have small bedrooms

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

wow, those boards much have really bowed a ton! I have them on 2x2's so they'd have to bow over 1.5" combined. But we are actually changing out the mattress, so I'll probably just whip some screws in there for good measure. Thanks!

[@jeffforbes3772]

Pretty nice bed there. And regardless of how you feel about vegetables...all we are saying is give peas a chance.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

😂 😂 😂 I actually love peas! And carrots for that matter

[@ODell1931]

I see this video just as I finish putting together my loft I just got for my dorm. Figures lol

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

hahaha, that's how it goes isn't it?

[@TheDarique]

the workshop is complete.. everything is easy to do..

[@kiantimurphy7892]

This build caught my interest. I am a carpenter, so I am going to do some minor changes, using 2x3s instead. I noticed you drilled pocket holes, but didn't use some of them. Am I correct, and why?

[@scartoazul]

What paint and primer did you use for this project? Thanks and awesome job.

[@Gaboyj0214]

Your taking all my money with your damn wonderful plans

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

And I hope your happy everytime you pay!

[@ryancormack6934]

6:47 Here I used glue, nails and screws. Screws are weaker than nails when there are shearing forces.

[@woodlandburl6648]

Great!

[@NationJJPodcast]

Dope!