Transform your guest or kids bedroom with one of these unique DIY bunk beds. They are an easy way to add space and create an oasis for guests or kids. Plus, there are so many ways to create a built-in look that will really make a room have that wow factor.
After checking out these DIY bunk bed ideas, you will be having a hard time deciding which style to add to your home, because they are really all so good! And the best part is you can customize many of these plans to your needs or pick the plan based on the bed sizes and amount of bunks needed.
Making your own bunk bed really gives you the creative freedom to get the exact look you want.
Awesome Bunk Bed Ideas
This article includes 25 different DIY project ideas for bunk beds that you can make yourself with detailed instructions provided by the creators. And the best thing is there are plenty of options for even beginner DIY skills!
They include a mix of traditional and simple bunk bed design, along with designs for a built-in look too. So look at these great bunk bed building projects and find just the right one for your needs.
You are sure to find a variety of options that will leave your bedroom looking like a bunk room straight out of a parade home.
DIY Bunk Beds
Let's dive into 25 incredible DIY bunk bed ideas that will give you the custom fit for your space that you can't get from pre-made bunk beds.
The finished products are so beautiful, you won't believe that many don't cost a lot of money, nor require a PhD in construction.
While some of these ideas are certainly more intricate, expensive, and difficult to complete than others, they greatly range in both price and difficulty level. Your only problem will be deciding which one to choose!
Rustic DIY Built-in Bunk Bed
This built-in bunk bed has so many awesome features from the ladder to the X railing design. This is perfect for older children and as a convertible guest room when extra sleeping space is needed thanks to the queen bed as the bottom bunk. Younger children will be happy to take the fun top bunk area.
And the built-in shelves under the ladder are such a great bonus!
Quad Built In Bunk Beds!
This double built-in bunk bed would be perfect for a cabin, Air B&B, or as a guest room to sleep lots of guests. What a perfect solution for a ski house, lake house...you name it.
I really like that minimalist design they added for the guard rail. It's enough for safety, but keeps that upper bunk area feeling more open. And the plank wood on the back wall is a really beautiful touch. If you're wondering about the paint color here, it's SW Pewter Green.
Kids and adults alike would love these sleeping quarters.
Camp Loft Bed with Stair, Junior Height
This wooden bunk bed from Ana White is perfect for little ones...it's kind of like the bunk bed version of toddler beds.
It features stairs, a platform, and a half ladder for easy access to that top bunk. Leaving plenty of play space on the floor and utilize the space under the stairs for storage with cute baskets.
In small rooms, floor space is key. And by elevating the bed, you can gain a lot of space for toys, a desk, cartwheels...you name it!
Twin Bunks with a Nautical Twist
Ashlea and her husband built these bunks with a nautical nod using a free bunk bed plan from Ana White (that includes a full materials list, cut list, diagrams and detailed plans.
She said this was a really inexpensive build...the whole thing cost between $100-200 to complete, and the simple design made it a great project even for beginners.
Triple Delight Bunk for Three
When you are low on space in your child's room (or children's room!), a triple bunk bed is a great option. Jen Woodhouse helped this couple create this fabulous (and affordable) triple bunk for their triplet little girls.
The small side basket for each child to stash books and other treasures, and the curtains are such a great touch.
If you're curious, the ceiling height is 9' in this room. And they painted the bed frames Ben Moore Simply White.
DIY Built-In Bunk Beds and Playhouse in One
How's this for a DIY idea?! Go all in on a built-in bunk bed with this fabulous plan. I love all the special little touches from the plants to the house numbers to the lights.
Your kiddos will be the envy of all their friends, for sure!
A Lovely Loft Complete with Sliding Barn Doors
Now this is a bunk bed, completely with barn doors for privacy. This is an ultimate loft bed that looks so awesome!
And you could add a mattress on the bottom for more sleeping space. But isn't that little sitting room area in lieu of the bottom bunk just the best?!
A Mini-House Bunk Space for Your Mini Family Members
Another take on the playhouse style bunk bed. This one uses an existing simple bunk bed and then adds so much more!
{Build A Bed} Free Plans for Triple Bunk Beds
A different take on a triple bunk bed. This overall measurements of the bunk bed will be longer, but in turn, each bunk gets more vertical sleeping space.
How To Build A Loft Bed-Free Plans
Loft beds might not add more sleeping space, but they really do allow you to use more space for storage or play areas. This one has an awesome, more minimalist design.
Basic 2×4 Bunk Bed
This is the best place to start if you are a beginner at building furniture. Grab some 2x4's and build basic twin bunk beds with a ladder.
Black, White and Boho Style Bunk Beds
Platform beds like this one give a sleek, built-in look for that bottom bunk, and the top bunk follows the same design, giving this bed design a really lovely, high-end look.
If you can make your guard rail on the top bunk smaller (or better yet...removable) like this one, it definitely will allow greater ease when it's laundry day!
Bunk Beds and a Bonus Slide!
Now if you are going to have bunk beds, why not have a slide to get down from the top, right??? Angela added this fun touch to her built-in bunks.
Mini House Beautiful Bunk Bed Plans
This is the ultimate house bunk bed building plan. This bunk bed has steps, drawers, windows, window boxes, and so many fabulous details that are just gorgeous!
The ladder rungs are on the side of the structure. And check out that bed storage...literally under the bed with built-in drawers.
The only thing with creating a bed this amazing is you'd no longer be able to use "go to your room" as a time-out strategy ;).
Farmhouse Style Twin over Full Bunk Bed Plans
If you are a farmhouse style fan, this twin over full bunk bed is a great choice. It is simple but still looks stunning.
Full Over Full Bunk Bed Plans
Sometimes you need something larger than a twin size mattress, so do a full over a full. This simple bunk bed plan gets the job done nicely.
Bunk Beds with Industrial Flair
Add in a touch of metal to your bunk bed building plan for an industrial look. The rail will keep the top sleep from rolling off and that ladder adds the perfect way to get up to the top!
How to Build Modern Bunk Beds
Mid-century modern is a gorgeous design choice, and now you can even extend that style into the bedroom with this plan for bunk beds.
DIY Loft Bed
This loft bed with a desk and shelves would be great for tweens and teens. It creates extra space for homework and storing items on the shelves.
Not 3, Not 4, But Five Bunks!
I love that there are so many ways to build a bunk room too. Build this five bunk bed in a corner. Such a great way to utilize the space you have.
DIY Built-in Bunk Beds with Stairs
Stairs and drawers! This is a bunk bed dream. Easy to get up to the top and storage beneath.
Simple DIY House-Shaped Kids Bunk Bed to Make This Weekend
If you want to add extra flair to a simple bunk bed, add a house look to the top bunk. Simply angle up the top to resemble a roof.
Triple Tween Bunk with Hang Out Space
Space saving triple bunk with enough space to add a hangout area. Great for tweens and teens and perfect for sleepovers!
Furniture Plans: Twin-over-Twin Flat Panel Bunk Bed
This plan is a unique take on a bunk bed. It is perfect if you want a more traditional panel bed over a farmhouse look.
Beautiful Platform Bed Niche + Bunk Design
There are so many simple ways to make a bunk bed look even more special. Adding in panelling, lights, and shelves do the trick in this light, bright, and very functional design.
So what do you think of these DIY bunkbed ideas? Aren’t they fabulous? The great thing is no matter which you settle on, your child is sure to enjoy years of use in any of these beautiful bunk designs.
Alternatives to Bunk Beds
That said, if you’re still on the fence about the idea of bunk beds, but need to save space in cramped kid quarters, there are other ways to do that without the joy (sarcasm definitely intended) of having to change sheets on a bunk bed (hello back pain!)!
Here are a couple of awesome alternatives that may offer a better idea for your own home.
Alcove Bed or Sleeping Nook
Corners often go unused in bedrooms, and rooms in general, really. But in small spaces, making use of corners can really be incredibly helpful.
So consider creating an alcove bed!
We did this in our daughter’s bedroom. To complete the look, we constructed a simple upholstered DIY headboard, and added storage space above it to create the look of the sleeping nook, and add space for books and other treasures in her otherwise small space.
We pushed her basic twin bed into the corner, and added a simple DIY curtain rod with feminine ruffled curtains to define the cozy space.
On the other end, we added a small desk area with a little vintage bamboo desk that got a very pink makeover.
The price was right, and this alcove bed area was surprisingly easy to make.
Daybed
A daybed is another great alternative to bunk beds if tight quarters are an issue. A daybed is basically a fancy term for taking a twin bed (or even a full bed), and pushing it up against a wall.
Yes, you can BUY an expensive daybed which has an actual frame/headboard behind the long end of your bed, but you don’t HAVE to do that in order to get the look/function of a daybed.
In our son’s room, we simply pushed a typical twin bed up against a wall, and sat two IKEA bookcase/dresser units on either end to create more of a “built-in” look (even though they aren’t).
Pillows on the bed give it more of a daybed appearance without an actual headboard. Easy breezy…and it saves serious space in this small bedroom!
Wait…you may also like these amazing bedroom ideas…sweet dreams!
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Pin these DIY bunk bed project ideas for later! And if you decide to try one, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to give one of these a try, too!
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