Frame and Finish a Sleeping Loft
Build a sleeping loft for a small bedroom or dorm room with these directions.
In this article, you will find:
Structural details
Step 2: Structural Details
This loft design is a simple, straightforward structure with a touch of esthetics.
The Parts List
Before buying lumber for the loft, skip ahead to Step 3: Build the Frame to determine the length of the frame sides. If the stud spacing does not cooperate, you may have to extend the frame sides.
The suggested parts list shows approximate sizes for a single-mattress loft:
| Name | Material | Length | Number Used | Comments |
| Frame side | 2 x 6 | 92" | 2 | Measured on top of side. If ladder is at end, end is mitered at the ladder angle. |
| Frame end | 2 x 6 | 42" | 2 | Length=mattress width + 3". |
| Ladder stringer | 2 x 6 | About 20" longer than top height of frame | 2 | Top and bottom mitered to be horizontal in use. |
| Ladder steps | 2 x 6 | 22" | Approx. 1 per foot of height | See sidebar for step spacing. |
| Sleepers | 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 | Approx. 1 per 2' of length | Bevel visible ends 30° | |
| Platform | 1/2" plywood | 4' x 8' sheet | 1 | Place any seams on a sleeper. |
| Guardrail uprights | 2 x 3 | Approx. 20" | 2 | Bevel ends at 30° |
| Guardrails | 2 x 3 | Up to mattress length | 2 | Bevel ends at 30° |
| Face trim | 1 x 8 cedar | 8' to 16', cut to fit exposed frame | 1 | Optional. |
| Top trim | 1 x 2 cedar | Up to 24', cut to size | 3 | Optional. |
| Lag bolts + flat washer | 3/8" | 4" | About 2 dozen. | |
| Nails | 6d finishing nails | 2" length | 1/2 lb. | |
| Phillips-drive construction screws | 1 5/8" | 1 lb. | ||
| 2 1/2" | 1 lb. | |||
| 3" | 1 lb. |