Completed Loft Bed

[John Guerra]

I recently built this loft bed for my 10 year old daughter. She decided it was time to get rid of the Pink girly bedroom and change to some bright colors. She wanted a loft bed with a futon underneath. We picked up a cheap futon but I promised to build the bed. So, she designed it. She gave me this sketch and asked me to build it (notice the feet on the end view of detail C, and her arrows representing wood grain direction - gotta love it cause it was all her idea):

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0759.jpg

It's made from Poplar and stained with Mahogony and finished with poly. I added puck lights underneath and now she has the nicest spot in the house to read. Amazing how much time she now spends in her room.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0758.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0757.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0756.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0768.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0767.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0765.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0764.jpg

And the satisfied customer :):
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ctxman/Loft%20Bed/HPIM0762.jpg

We decided she didn't need the gaurd rails so I didn't build those.

Thanks for looking,
John

[Roger Los]

Beautiful work and how great is it that your daughter designed it? Loft beds are way cool and I'm just sorry I never had one when I was a kid, they're a great use of space.

[Art Mulder]

Most lofts I've seen usually have some diagonal brace at the back to help with side-to-side stability. How is this bed for staying put?

looks good!

[Vaughn McMillan]

Nice job John, and the look on the customer's looks like ample payment for your work. (Maybe it's just the color-coordinated sheets and pajamas making her smile, but I doubt it.) You also did a great job of emulating the design as per the plans you were given.

(And I'm assuming you're already busy in the shop working on a nice ash or hickory whoopin' stick, which you'll likely need in a few years just to keep all the teen-aged boys at a reasonable distance. ;))

- Vaughn

[Don Baer]

Thats great and I love the details in the blueprint... she even drew in her feet at the foot of the bed..:D

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Great bed, cute kid. Do her a favor and install something to prevent her from falling out in the night.

I think it's required by law in most states too.

[John Guerra]

Thanks Everyone.

Art - there is a 1x6 that runs across the back that helps keep it from racking (you can see it easiest in the pics before it is stained). Also each end has a 1x6 across it, so there is really only one open side (the front) that isn't supported. There doesn't seem to be a problem with racking.

We decided that she doesn't roll around much and didn't need the gaurd rails so I didn't build them. Let's hope she doesn't start rolling off beds at this point! :D

John

[Gary Herrmann]

Nicely done, John. A satisfied customer that gives you detailed specs (I love the feet in her drawing). Gotta love that. I've been thinking about making one of those for my son.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Great Job, the customer looks very happy!

Did she give you a good tip for a job well done :D

Way to go!

Cheers!

[Jay Knoll]

Great job John, and congrats to your daughter for taking on the design challenge --

Jay

[Peter Stahl]

Nice looking bed. Really nice design too.

[Jim Hager]

Now ain't that something. Great for her to be able to design her own furniture at her age. Good job, both of you.