Loft Bed Plans - PlansNOW

If you've given up on the so-called free loft bed plans spread all over the Web (like I have) you're next stop should probably be at PlansNOW. You'll pay about $10 for the download, but this is a pretty extensive set of instructions (compared to the freebies) that attempt to cover all the woodworking challenges you'll face with this type of project. Notice I used the word "woodworking" because these are not the down-and-dirty plans I talk about elsewhere that call for 2x4s and nails. PlansNOW is primarily geared toward woodworkers who have some fairly sophisticated tools in the shop (things like wood planers, drill presses, and router tables). If these are the kinds of tools you're coming to the table with, then definitely check out the selection of loft bed plans and bunk bed plans here.

As with most woodworking plans, there's no need to think you have to follow the plan exactly. That's usually too difficult anyway, because most plans having a lot of tedious explanations in the text that don't really help get you through the project (ie; section "a" is connected by way of section 3-B via left rail "b" connected to...). Those kinds of instructions don't help me much, and so I do what I think most DIY builders do...just look at the drawings and come up with my own dimensions.

The nice thing you'll find with PlansNOW are some fairly decent photos to go along with the project plan. That's a big help if you're more a visual-oriented person like me (who isn't visually oriented, anyway?). Even if you get hung up with the explanations, you can always take a close look at the photos to see how everything goes together. PlansNOW also includes shop tips and techniques, which often include some type of shortcut or quickie method that the editors discovered while they were actually building the project. Those kinds of tips are extremely helpful when taking on a project like this. No need to spend entire weekend trying to solve a woodworking problem on your own. If there's something tricky going in the project's joinery that you should know about, PlansNOW is pretty good at letting you know before hand.