| There are a lot of good reasons why you might | | | | built yourself will, naturally, be of much more value to |
| choose to build your own bed, instead of buying one | | | | them then something just bought in a store. This way, |
| ready made. The most commonly cited reason, which | | | | when they have other children over to play and get |
| may or may not be relevant to you, is the price. | | | | asked about their nice new bunk bed, they can proudly |
| Building a bed tends to be much cheaper then buying | | | | say "my dad built it". Or even, "My granddad built it, and |
| one ready made, although if you buy second hand you | | | | I helped!" |
| can get a good, rugged bunk bed for under $150. You | | | | The other reason for building, rather then buying, which |
| might be able to get a new one at that price, as well, | | | | has already been touched on slightly, is that only when |
| but I seriously doubt that any bed you buy that cheaply | | | | you build it yourself can you be sure of getting what |
| will be well made enough to be worth having. As you | | | | you want. Whatever you are looking for in a bed, |
| know, if you want quality, it will come at a price... Unless | | | | when you put it together yourself you can make it |
| you buy it from someone else. | | | | how you want it to be. Obviously don't stray too far |
| Alternatively, if you don't want to buy a bunk bed, you | | | | from the plans, unless you are very good, as you don't |
| can always build one yourself. While it can be difficult | | | | want to risk your children's safety. However, even |
| to get a good bunk bed new at a low cost, bunk bed | | | | within this limit there is a lot of room for imagination. For |
| kits are much more readily available and you can | | | | example, adding paints or stencils. This can be a |
| usually put them together without much effort. You | | | | significant factor if you need it to be a specific color, |
| can even just buy the plans for a bed, and get the | | | | for example to match an existing piece of furniture (or |
| materials yourself. So let's have a look at some of the | | | | just your walls) and is something to consider. |
| reasons you might want to build your own bunk or loft | | | | There are plenty of options when it comes to deciding |
| bed. | | | | exactly what plan you want for your bunk bed, so you |
| Firstly, as I've said already, they are easy to build. Not | | | | should have no difficulty finding something suitable. The |
| effortless, of course, but they require very little in the | | | | bed itself can follow a number of different basic |
| way of woodworking skill. You can use standard tools | | | | designs, with a number of extra features available as |
| that you have around the house, such as a hammer | | | | well. For example, you could get a bunk bed with |
| and screwdriver, without needing to buy anything | | | | storage drawers underneath it, or a loft bed with a |
| exotic. If you only bought the plans and instructions, | | | | desk or closet under it. There's a lot of choice to pick |
| then you'll need to get wood as well. This shouldn't be | | | | from. |
| a problem as you can use off the shelf lumber. The | | | | In the end, there are some situations where buying a |
| plans to construct them, moreover, are always easy | | | | bunk bed actually is the best solution. Obviously, if |
| to understand- after all, a bunk bed is not a | | | | money is not an issue, then sure, go for it. On the other |
| complicated device. | | | | hand, it might be worth just buying a cheap bed as a |
| And of course, constructing it yourself is the best way | | | | short term solution, especially if you need it quickly, or |
| to ensure it meets your requirements. With something | | | | will only be using it for a short time. A lower quality bed |
| you buy, especially something wooden, you can never | | | | is not a good idea in the long run, as it will only break |
| be entirely sure of the quality. However if you | | | | eventually, but for right now it could be worth it. |
| construct it yourself, you can test each part as you | | | | However, building a bunk bed has a large number of |
| assemble it. | | | | advantages that go beyond just the money saved. |
| The second most common reason for building a bunk | | | | Building a bunk or loft bed can be a fun family project, |
| or left bed is that building it is a fun activity. All the | | | | that serves to bring parents and children closer |
| family, parents and children both, can contribute. This | | | | together. You can customize the bed as much as you |
| transforms it from a necessary item of furniture, into a | | | | wish, changing the color and design to fit whatever |
| fun family project. Additionally, if you don't want to | | | | you wish it to, and there are a huge variety of kits and |
| involve the kids, then you can build one for your | | | | plans available for you to get started. |
| children (or grandchildren) as a gift. Something you've | | | | |