Simple DIY Tips for Kids’ Bunk Beds
In the 21st century, the one thing that is shrinking fast is physical space. Small is the new cool, with petite apartments, tiny but exquisitely furnished rooms and so on. While it might be a woeful thing for adults, tiny spaces actually define fun for kids – miniature fascinates them to no end. Bunk beds were perhaps created in the same vein- to save space in a creative and fun way. And with recession on the rise, along with space, money crunching also becomes an issue. Here’s a list of tips and suggestions for a do-it-yourself exercise in making bunk beds for your tots.
2-D Preparations: Before starting with the actual raw materials, sit down and draw out a clear sketch of the bunk bed design you have in mind using the measurements of the space. Go through the many designs swarming the Internet or in home-décor magazines, and pick one that will not just suit the intended room the best but will also be suitable for children. You can go with a bunk bed or if you’re confident of your carpenter skills, go with the more elaborate loft bunk beds or ones with a retractable bunk.
The 3-D raw Material: Look for good quality wood with no splinters, slivers or similarly hazardous bit sticking out. Ply is a good substitute that many people prefer- being lighter and safer. Screws are also preferable to nails, since they tend to be more secure than nails and are less likely to jut out or dislodge, thereby preventing any untoward accident. Use a drill and screws to fit pieces together to create a sturdy structure.
Paint It Beforehand: Staining the wood pieces before beginning the construction process is an easy way to give the bunk beds a finished look with the desired colour, which is a tad difficult and cumbersome to do once the assembly is done.
Frames: Once the frames are made, the lower bunk bed can be made by fitting the plank/slab inside the frames and screwing it into place. The top bunk should, however, be made by adjusting the bed on the top of the support posts so as to provide a more stable structure when the bed is in use.
Safety Precautions: When it comes to bunk beds for children, guard-rails on the side opposite the wall are a must-have on the top bunk to prevent any accidental slips in the night. When making standard bunk beds, the bottom bunk should always be at least the same size as the top bunk if not bigger. And accompanying ladder is also mandatory.
Finishing Touches: No one likes blandness when it comes to their belongings. This is true even more for kids. Spruce up the finished furniture with ample (but safe) colours and synchronise it to match with the wall decor, furnish the bunk beds with a few secret drawers and add embellishments like linen and pillows that sport famous cartoon characters or anything that the children are particularly fond of.
These DIY decorated bunk beds, if done with care, can become a hit with the kids and save space, all the while going easy on your pockets.
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