Monday, August 16, 2010

Bunk Room Project

Perhaps my biggest project for the summer has been the bunk room at our summer cottage at the lake. It was quite an undertaking but I am very pleased with the results.
IMG_0547
I started by selecting bedding which I found at TJ Maxx. I wanted something bright and cheerful since this room is the only one in the basement that doesn’t have a window. (FYI, by building code standards, this space cannot legally be called a bedroom because it does not have more than one exit or a window.) My goal was to make the room more welcoming than a dungeon!It took several weeks of going from TJ to TJ to gather 4 matching quilts, 4 sets of sheets, and the accent pillows. I then selected the paint color for the walls and got busy painting. The next step was the construction of  the beds. Why, might you ask, did I build the bunk beds instead of buying them? The answer is that I wanted very sturdy beds since the room will be used by friends of my children. Actually, my children are legal adults. They are college students but they are still my children! All of the bunk beds that I saw for sale appeared to be built for kids that weigh 50 pounds. I don’t know anyone who weighs 50 pounds. So, off we went to the home improvement store. The frames are constructed of 2x6’s attached to 4x4 posts. The plywood for the headboards and for the mattress supports is 3/4 inch thick. It is very heavy and sturdy. I will be reinforcing the ladders soon with some scrap 2x2’s. The finials on the bed posts are fence post finials.        IMG_0551     I chose to use bedpost hardware to attach the rails to the headboard and footboard just in case I ever wanted to move them out of this room. As a finishing touch, I added a swing arm lamp to each bunk.





         




      
IMG_0548                                                                                                                                       The lamps were purchased at Lowe’s and I switched out the round shades for rectangular ones that were purchased at Target, allowing the lamps to rest closer to the wall. The two sets of bunk beds take up most of the room so there won’t be a need to accessorize. I think it’s now big kid ready!

                                                      

22 comments:

  1. Love the bunkroom! I've always wanted a bunkroom for guests! Would you be willing to share the plans for the bunks?
    Love the TJ search for bedding -- been there done that! You've created a beautiful room that doesn't look like a basement room at all.

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  2. What a fun, bright and cheerful guest room! I adore the colors. Congratulations on a fabulous job!!! :)

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  3. beautiful! love the color and the quilts.

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  4. We didn't use any plans for the bunk beds. It was a figure it out as you go project. We built the footboard by simply attaching 2 2x6's between 4x4 posts. We did the same for the headboard, then attached a headboard cut from plywood to cleats that had been screwed to the 4x4 posts. The side rails are not permanently attached but are held in place using bedpost hardware that was purchased from a woodworker's supply store.

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  5. WOW!!!!
    This is gorgeous! I wanna sleep there!

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  6. This is so pretty! I love the paint color. They look like full size mattresses, but that might be the angle of the pic. No accessories needed! Perfectly done! What a happy place to sleep.
    Kelly

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  7. What a pretty and cheerful room! I would never have guessed it was a basemenet room. The color on the walls is gorgeous!!!

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  8. Love the paint color & the bunk beds. It appears that are a full size & that is way cool...so please give us a tour of the rest of the house...you know we lurve that stuff! :)

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  9. Per request the paint is a Valspar color which I purchased at Lowe's. The color is Sea Wave 5006-9C.

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  10. This room is fun, fun, fun!!

    -Rene

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  11. Sooooo "COOL" looking...love the idea and the colors!!!!! Happy New Year!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  12. How cool is that?! I have always wanted a bunk room!

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  13. Beautiful and bright! Just what big 'kids' want, a fun place to crash for the night.

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  14. that looks absolutely amazing! can't believe all those beds, and yet still looks spacious. how fun!

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  15. I love them! The colors are so relaxing and the swing lamps are perfect. Lisa~

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  16. Gorgeous!! My husband built some bunk beds for his younger sisters and it's a much better way to go. You couldn't break those things if you put an elephant on it!

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  17. I love your bunk room! The colors are so pretty, and it's definitely more welcoming than a dungeon!
    What a fun room.

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  18. This is such an exciting room! I am in love with the color and would like to come spend the night in one of those beds!

    Take care,
    Lisa

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