How To Build Shelves On Your Loft Bed

An additional bonus of building a loft bed is that it provides prime space for built-in shelving. Properly constructed shelving provides perfect storage and display for bobble-head dolls, voodoo dolls, American Girl dolls, books, music, or speakers.

Step one is to determine what exactly will be kept on the shelves. Speakers need to be towards the outer edges of the loft, so the sound is not trapped under the bed. Books or other storage items are best shelved towards the walls, where hanging shelves won't smack unsuspecting heads.

If you have already built your loft, shelf construction will be a snap. You will want two people, although it can be done with one and a lot of creativity.

Materials

• 1" x 2" white pine
• 3/4" plywood
• 1 5/8" wood screws

The plywood will be the shelf. Cut this to the desired size. Students frequently make do with the scraps left from the loft bed platform. This plywood shelf will then hang from the underside of the loft by the 1"x2" pine boards. Make sure these are cut to exactly the same length. Any discrepancies will give you a slanted shelf. The shelf height is very important. Make sure to check the height of any furniture that will sit beneath the shelf. Also consider if people will be moving or sitting near the shelf. You do not want a shelf that is a constant threat for smacking your head.

Once the pine is cut to the desired length, attach the pine to either each corner of the shelf, or the two front corners and the center of the back edge. The back piece provides a backstop for books, but can be unnecessary if the shelf is near the wall. Screw the pine into the plywood with either two screws or one screw and wood glue. This prevents the supports from rotating and keeps the shelf more stable.

Once this hanging shelf is prepared, you are ready to attach it to your loft. Have one person hold the shelf at the desired spot against the underside of the loft bed platform. The other person climbs onto the loft with a drill and screws. Drill down through the plywood platform into the pine supports. The person holding the shelf from below will need to apply pressure to ensure that the pine is tied in tightly against the plywood. Once again, two screws will create a much stronger and more stable connection.

Tip: Having trouble hitting the pine 1"x2" 's when drilling through the bed platform? Use your hands. You can usually tell the exact location of your hands and fingers. Reach under the loft and feel for where the pine wood is. Use this to align the screw before drilling. Just make sure to take your hand away before you start drilling. You do not want to be too confident.

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