Big Brother Twin Bed W/ Red steps :  In February 2006, I delivered and set up this project for my grandson in Seattle, Washington. He really liked his "Big Brother Bed", but was quick to point out that the red Ladder he requested is really just a small step. Together we painted the step two coats of fire engine red, which is the color Ryan requested. He has been told when little brother Joey gets bigger we will build a bunk to go on top and he will get a real ladder.

I will take you through the steps I used in designing and building this bed. The plans I started with called for using 1 inch lumber, which knowing my three year old grandson was not going to work. So my first change was to use 2 x 4's instead of 1 x 4's. Usually I end up over engineering some of my projects. I did end up adding extra support as I went along throughout the entire project.

Twin Bed figure 1

First thing you need to do is decide what size your bed will be. These plans can be adjusted for any size of bed, By finding out the size of the mattress I determined how big to make my bed.

 First cut side rails to length for both sides, then cut spacers. Measure and mark equal spaces for your drawers. I then marked spaces allowing 22 inches for each drawer, I used biscuits to join each side and ends, then glue, screw and clamp as shown in figure 1.

Twin Bed figure 2

Use above steps and alsp cut,biscuit, glue screw and clamp.

Twin Bed Figure 3

This is showing the supports I added to assist side rails .....

Twin Bed corner brackets figure 4

On each corner I mounted Galvanzed steel surface mounted bed rail fasteners (Rockler # 30247

Twin Bed drawer slides figure 5

These are drawers guides which I created with my router table.

Twin Bed rail figure 6

I screwed and glued inside rails to support the slates which will support the mattress.

Twin Bed figure 7

Getting closer .....

Twin Bed Final

This is the bed with the coat of stain and couple coats of Polyurethrane..Almost ready for the trip to Seattle. This view shows the slates and drawer fronts.