Toddler beds are so popular, however most seem to be up off the ground which adds the expense of a rail. While many toddler beds are cute, not all of them are safe. Some are very narrow, not offering much room for your little one to move around in.
Step 1
Measure a space that is 3 ½-feet wide by 4 feet long on the floor in the room where the bed will go. Mark the area with masking tape so you'll know where you wanted the bed to go in the first place. This area will act as a reference when you begin cutting and measuring the wood.
Step 2
Measure and cut two 2x4's to 3 ½-feet long. Set aside. Measure and cut two more 2x4's 6-feet long. Place them on the marked floor to make sure they measure up to the space you have available. You may need to adjust the overall size of the bed depending on what you have available for space.
Step 3
Assemble the four 2x4 pieces you just cut just like a box. The 3 ½-feet long pieces should be the ends, head and foot of the bed, inside the long side pieces and the 6-foot pieces are to be the sides. You may need help with holding the wood while you assemble. Before hammering in the nails, apply wood glue to the parts of the wood that will be touching. Use two long nails at the top and bottom of the end of each piece of wood. To add extra security so the wood won't fall apart, use two screws to secure the wood into place. The screws should also be placed on the end of the wood. When you're done the ends should be firmly in place between each side piece.
Step 4
Sand and stain the assembled base. Let sit for a day or two. You may have to apply more than one coat of stain for it to take the kind of effect you're looking for.
Step 5
Use thick pieces of foam, measured out to: 3 ½-feet wide by 4-feet long. While this isn't exactly the size of a twin mattress, for your ltoddler it offers a small, yet wide space and is low to the ground to make it more accessible. Safety like this is important, not just in terms of rolling off the bed, which won't hurt them at this height, but jumping on the bed which could seriously injure the bed or the child.
Step 6
Retrieve a pattern for a simple pillow cover. Change the measurements to fit the foam mattress you bought, add a zipper to one of the ends and cover the mattress. Add sheets, pillows and blankets.
Skill: Moderate
Ingredients:
- Tape Measure
- Masking Tape
- Wood
- Table saw (optional)
- Hammer
- Nails/Screws
- Safety glasses
- Wood glue
- Pillows, linens and foam mattress
- Sanding machine or sand paper
- Wood stain
Tip: While you can measure out a bed frame base to fit an actual twin size mattress, it will be extremely long for your child.
Warning: Be sure to sand and stain only in an open air environment and always wear a mask so you don't inhale any deadly dust or toxins.
Keyword: Twin size toddler beds, building twin size beds,
