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Little Cottage Loft Bed

Transform your child’s bedroom with this DIY playhouse loft bed! Featuring a charming cottage-inspired design with window boxes, a slatted ladder, and an upper bunk, this space-saving bed is perfect for imaginative play and restful sleep. Built with 1x boards and planks that lines up just like real cottage walls, this bed fits beautifully in modern,…

Little Cottage Loft Bed

Specifications

Project typeBeds and Bed Frames
RoomBedroom
StyleCottage Style Furniture Plans
DifficultyAdvanced
Estimated cost$150 - $200

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

Little Cottage Loft Bed dimension diagram 1

Shopping List

  • 10 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 7 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 11 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long
  • 11 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • Slats or Bunkie Board

Acclimate lumber in room before assembling to prevent wood changes after build.

Cut List

  • 50 - 1x2 @ 15" (Rails)*
  • 1 - 2x2 @ 21" (Ladder Side, Top)
  • 10 - 1x6 @ 21" (Ladder Side, Planks)
  • 9 - 1x3 @ 71 1/4" (Legs)
  • 1 - 1x6 @ 15 3/4" (Ladder Top)
  • 4 - 1x3 @ 15 3/4" (Ladder Rungs)
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 21" (Ladder Side Trim)
  • 1 - 2x2 @ 37 1/2" (Window Side Top)
  • 5 - 1x6 @ 37 1/2" (Window Side Planks)
  • 4 - 1x6 @ 27 1/4" (Window Side Vertical Planks)
  • 6 - 1x4 @ 27 1/4" (Window Trim)
  • 1 - 1x3 @ 18 1/2" (Window Side Top Trim)
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 18 1/2" (Window Side Bottom Trim, ends tapered in)
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 37 1/2" (Window Side Trim)
  • 2 - 2x2 @ 75" (Long Railing Tops)
  • 4 - 1x3 @ 16 1/2" (Long Railing Ends)
  • 3 - 1x6 @ 80" (Long Rail Bottoms/Bottom Support)
  • 2 - 1x3 @ 43 3/4" (Back Spacers)
  • 2 - 1x3 @ 27 1/4" (Front Window Spacers)
  • 8 - 1x6 @ 28" (Front Planks)
  • 1 - 2x2 @ 24" (Doorway top)
  • 2 - 2x2 @ 47 3/4" (Doorway Sides)
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 40 3/8" (Both ends cut at 20 degrees off square, ends parallel)
  • 1 - 1x2 @ 78" (Gable End Trim)
  • 1 - 1/8" Paneling to fit Gable end
  • 2 - 1x3 @ 17 1/4" (Front Window Top Trim)
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 17 1/4" (Front Window Bottom Trim, Ends Tapered)
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 25 1/2" (Front Wall Trim)
  • 2 - 2x2 @ 75" (Cleats)
  • Slats for the mattress or bunkie board

*Set up a stop block to cut these boards quickly on your saw, don't try to measure and cut each one, you won't get accuracy or speed

Tools

  • measuring tape
  • square
  • pencil
  • safety glasses
  • hearing protection
  • kreg-jig
  • drill
  • circular saw
  • nailer
  • sander
  • staple gun
  • level
  • countersink drill bit

Step-by-step Instructions

1

Step 1

This is for the ladder side. The top is a 2x2, and the bottom is a 1x6. Mark out all the rail spacings as shown above and predrill holes with a Kreg Jig™ set for 3/4" stock. Fasten the rails to the top and bottom, keeping the back side flush. Try placing a 3/4" thick board under the rails to bring them up to flush with the 2x2 as you fasten. Little tricks like this can save you a ton of time.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 1
2

Step 2

With your ladder side rails done, attach the legs and the 1x6s with pocket holes as shown above. Remember that all boards on the back side are flush. Use glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 2
3

Step 3

Now it's time to start constructing the ladder. Attach the ladder top trim and the remaining leg as shown above.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 3
4

And now the ladder rungs.

Depending on the quality of your 1x6s, you may wish to add a pocket hole screw in the center of each 1x6, joining 1x6s to each other.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 4
5

Step 5

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 5
6

Step 6

Now build the window side railing as shown above, in the same manner as the ladder side.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 6
7

Step 7

And add the legs and the horizontal panel boards.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 7
8

Step 8

Now measure and cut the vertical panel boards as shown above. Fasten in place. From the leg, attach the panel board with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 8
9

Step 9

Some window trim. Attach with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 9
10

Step 10

You don't have to do the trim in this manner - use your imagination and be creative! Attach with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 10
11

Step 11

A little trim will finish up the window side of the bed.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 11
12

Step 12

You will need to build two of these, one for the front, and one for the back.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 12
13

Step 13

To both of these railings, attach legs as shown here.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 13
14

Step 14

To the back panel, attach a base support as shown above.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 14
15

Step 15

And now fill in the legs as shown above. Use 1 1/4" finish nails and glue. This completes the back panel.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 15
16

Step 16

On the remaining panel attach boards with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue. Use pocket holes to attach the door trim in place as shown above.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 16
17

Step 17

Now add in the vertical panels as shown above. You may need to cut these to fit.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 17
18

Step 18

Use your Kreg Jig to build a triangular frame as shown above. Then tack 1/8" beadboard paneling to the back with 3/4" finish nails or brad nails and glue. Then attach the gable end piece to the front of the bed with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue as shown above.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 18
19

Step 19

Time for window trim. Same as the side window, use 1 1/4" finish nails and glue.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 19
20

Step 20

This bed is easy to assemble in the room. Simply move all four panels into the room, and screw the walls together as shown above.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 20
21

Step 21

Attach cleats to the inside of the bed as shown above with 2" screws and glue, every 6-8".

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 21
22

Step 22

Finally, lay slats across the cleats as recommended by your mattress, or use a bunkie board. If you use cleats, screw your cleats down with 2" screws.

Little Cottage Loft Bed — step 22
23

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/little-cottage-loft-bed