How To Build An End-to-End Floating Loft Bed For Kids

I built this floating double loft bed with 2 twin mattresses for my two young kids, boys ages 9 and 11. We wanted to elevate the bed higher than a traditional top bunk of a bunk bed to allow plenty of head room below. The goal was to avoid legs on the loft bed and maximize the floor space as much as possible. In the future we plan to add a futon below as a third bed for when friends visit.

The double loft bed measures 13 feet 9 inches long (the full length of the bedroom wall) and 3 feet 6 inches wide, which is large enough to support 2 twin mattresses end to end.  The minimum wall length for 2 twin mattresses end-to-end is about 12 feet since twin mattresses are each 6 feet long. There are a few inches on each end of our bed that now have pallet wood headboards.

Supplies That I Used:

Tools That I Used:

We used construction grade pine 2×6 and 2×4 pine from Home Depot. The frame is made from two 16 foot 2×6’s for the long pieces and 8 foot 2 x6’s cut in half for the end pieces and center divider between the two mattresses.

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The frame of the loft bed is attached to 3 walls with these 4 inch lag bolts.

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The lag bolts are screwed into every stud available on the 3 walls.

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The lag bolts are also used to connect the front frame to the two side frames.

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“L” brackets connect the inside of the bed frames.

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The inside of each bed frame measures 76 inches by 38 1/2 inches.

Two 84 inch 2×4’s are ripped in half with a table saw to create the ledges that the bed slats are attached to.  The bed slats (which are each 38 1/2 inches long) are notched out with a dado stack blade on the table saw to create a half lap joint for the slats to lay on.

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22 of the slats were spaced a 2×4 width apart to complete the support that each mattress lays on.  These slats were screwed to the ledge with 1 1/2 inch wood screws.

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Two ladders offer a little extra support for the long 13 foot front rail of the double loft bed.

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The ladders are constructed from 6 foot 2x4s with 4 rungs, each 12 inches apart.  The upright ladder rails were notched out wide enough to receive the ladder rungs for added support.

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Safety rails are also constructed with 2×4’s.  Each safety rail is 55 inches long and supported by 2 16 inch 2×4’s and one ladder rail.  The 16 inch supports and ladder rail are notched to receive the safety rail, all are screwed together with 2 1/2 inch wood screws.

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This double loft bed is very safe and does not move with the two boys bouncing around on it. This was a pretty easy and fun project to build and the boys really like their new bed.

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Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for reading and watching!  If you like this project please consider checking out our YouTube channel for other great How-To projects.  And don’t forget to subscribe!
Josh

20 comments

  1. How did you do the ledge on the 2 x 16? You cut out part of the 2 x 16 or used another piece of wood and screwed it to the 2×16?

  2. How much wider do you think this design could be built? We have a room 16′ wide, so an additional 3ft wide. Maybe beef up the supports to 2×8?

    1. A LOT! It’s like a deck supported by 3 walls that are anchored to the ground. These beds can hold as much weight as the lumber can support, probably several hundred pounds.

  3. Hello, do you think a similar structure could hold 2 adults on a queen size, 7 feet high? Also, will the lag bolts screw into metal beams or would a toggle anchor wok better? Thank you for your help!

    1. I do think you could build it to support any size bed and the wieght of adults with not problem. My boys are 14 and 17 now and it’s still holding strong!

  4. Built one 12 ft long by about 3 1/2 feet wide. Used 2×6 with 2×4 together for support. I notice a slight bow on the outer facing 2×6 under load. Since I want to leave the space underneath open, I’m probably going to use chains wrapped by pool noodles for added support and safety. Did you notice any similar issues with your kids on the bed?

    1. I didn’t notice any bowing, the ladders on the ends probably help some. Glad this was helpful to you, sounds like you had good luck. Thanks for the feedback!

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