Building a loft bed yourself costs €150 to €400 in materials. By comparison, a ready-made loft bed of comparable quality costs €300 to €800. Building your own saves 40–60% — and you choose the exact dimensions to fit the room. In this article you’ll find a complete step-by-step guide with measurements, a materials list and safety requirements — because a loft bed must be solid.
Build vs Buy: Cost Comparison
| DIY | Ready-made | |
|---|---|---|
| **Simple loft bed (90×200 cm)** | €150 – €300 | €300 – €600 |
| **Wide loft bed (140×200 cm)** | €250 – €400 | €500 – €900 |
| **With desk below** | €300 – €500 | €600 – €1,200 |
| **With slide or ladder** | +€50 – €100 | +€100 – €300 |
| **Savings** | 40–55% | — |
Safety Requirements — These Are Mandatory
A loft bed falls under European safety standard EN 747. The key requirements:
- Fall protection (guardrail): minimum 16 cm above the mattress on three sides; on the open side at least level with the top of the mattress
- Maximum gap width: nowhere greater than 9 cm (entrapment hazard)
- Ladder angle: 65–85 degrees for a fixed ladder
- Clear headroom above the mattress: minimum 95 cm between the mattress surface and the ceiling
- Minimum sleeping surface thickness: planks at least 18 mm thick (for MDF/chipboard), preferably 22–28 mm solid timber
Important: building a loft bed for a child? Follow these standards strictly. A self-built loft bed is entirely achievable, but safety comes first.
Dimensions
| Size | Mattress size | External sleeping platform size |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 × 200 cm | 95 × 205 cm |
| Wide | 120 × 200 cm | 125 × 205 cm |
| Double | 140 × 200 cm | 145 × 205 cm |
Sleeping platform height: the standard is 150–165 cm from the floor to the top of the sleeping surface (slatted base). This provides enough space underneath for a desk or play/sitting area.
Required Materials (single bed 90×200 cm)
| Component | Material | Size | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posts | Solid timber spruce/pine 90×90 mm | 200 cm | 4 | €40 – €60 |
| Long rails | Timber 45×95 mm | 205 cm | 4 | €20 – €30 |
| Cross rails | Timber 45×95 mm | 95 cm | 6 | €15 – €25 |
| Slatted base | Slats 28×58 mm | 95 cm | 20 | €20 – €30 |
| Guardrail (long sides) | Board 18×145 mm | 205 cm | 2 | €15 – €20 |
| Guardrail (short sides) | Board 18×145 mm | 95 cm | 2 | €10 – €15 |
| Ladder | Timber 45×45 mm + 3× rungs | — | — | €20 – €35 |
| Fixings | M10 bolts/nuts, stainless steel screws | — | — | €20 – €30 |
| **Total** | **€160 – €245** |
Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Loft Bed in 9 Steps
Step 1: Design and Materials
Draw the design on squared paper (scale 1:20 or 1:10). Decide:
- Height of the sleeping platform (150–165 cm)
- What goes underneath (desk, wardrobe, play area)
- Position of the ladder (side or front)
- Which sides to fit the guardrail
Order timber from a timber merchant — they will cut it to size for you. This saves a great deal of work at home.
Step 2: Cut to Size (or Check Pre-Cut Material)
If you are cutting the timber yourself: use a circular saw with a guide rail for straight cuts. Check: are all identical pieces exactly the same length? Even a 2 mm difference will show up later in the stability.
Step 3: Sand All Parts
Sand all parts before assembly. Start with 80 grit for rougher surfaces, then 120. Round off sharp edges and corners — this is especially important on a child’s bed.
Step 4: Build the Base Structure (Posts + Rails)
Connect the four posts with the long rails (long sides). Use M10 coach bolts for the corner joints — these are the strongest connection for a loft bed and can be tightened and loosened as needed.
Drill through the rail into the post with a Forstner bit (10 mm). Insert a bolt, add a washer and nut, and tighten.
Check with a spirit level: the frame must be square on all sides. This is the foundation — if the frame is crooked, everything else will be too.
Step 5: Add the Cross Rails
Fix the cross rails (short sides) using the same bolt system. The cross rails connect the frame at the front and back.
Diagonal bracing: to prevent racking (the frame twisting out of square), add a diagonal brace. This can be a board running corner to corner, or a metal angle bracket.
Step 6: Fit the Slatted Base
Lay the slats across the long rails, evenly spaced over the width. Gap between slats: 5–8 cm. Fix each slat with one screw per end — this allows the slat to pivot (air circulation) but prevents it from falling out.
Step 7: Fit the Guardrail
Screw or bolt the guardrail to three sides of the sleeping platform. Use M10 bolts for a solid connection. Check that the guardrail stands at least 16 cm above the mattress.
The fourth side (adjacent to the ladder) has a lower guardrail — high enough to keep the mattress in place but low enough to allow easy access.
Step 8: Build and Fit the Ladder
The ladder consists of two side stiles (45×45 mm timber) and 3–4 rungs. Standard rung spacing: 25–30 cm. Rung depth (the width of the rung itself): minimum 8 cm.
Cut notches in the stiles for the rungs (use a jigsaw or router) or join with screws and wood glue. Fix the ladder to the bed post with two bolts.
Step 9: Finishing
Choose your preferred finish:
- Clear varnish: transparent lacquer or furniture wax — preserves the natural timber colour
- Painting: use child-safe water-based paint (look for the EN 71 safety mark)
- Staining: adds a colour accent
Apply at least two coats. Allow each coat 24 hours to dry. Lightly sand between coats (180–220 grit).
Safety Check Before Use
- [ ] All bolts tightened?
- [ ] Guardrail on all three sides at least 16 cm above mattress?
- [ ] No gaps larger than 9 cm?
- [ ] Ladder securely fixed?
- [ ] Clear headroom above mattress at least 95 cm?
- [ ] Slatted base properly secured?
- [ ] No sharp edges or points?
Common Mistakes
- Not tightening bolts firmly enough. Check bolts again after 1 month — timber dries and joints can loosen.
- Choosing posts that are too slender. Use a minimum of 90×90 mm solid pine. Thinner timber is too flexible.
- Guardrail too low. Do not just look at the minimum measurement — also factor in the mattress thickness. In practice, aim for 20–25 cm above the mattress.
- Ladder too steep. An angle greater than 85 degrees is both unsafe and uncomfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a loft bed be?
The standard sleeping platform height is 150–165 cm. You then need at least 95 cm of clear headroom above. That means a minimum ceiling height of 260–270 cm. Measure this before you start!
Which timber is best for a loft bed?
Solid pine with a minimum section of 90×90 mm for the posts and 45×95 mm for the rails. Avoid plywood as a structural material for posts and rails — it is not strong enough for the loads involved.
Can a beginner build a loft bed?
Yes, but it is a project with safety requirements. Use M10 bolts for the connections, follow safety standard EN 747 and have a second person check it over before it is used.
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