Kids Bed Takes Up Minimum Space

For do-it-yourselfers with children or grandchildren, here’s a worthwhile project for their rooms. This sturdy, attractive piece of furniture combines a bed, a desk and a closet and is ideal for smaller bedrooms. And it not only saves space, it’s also fun for kids to use.

The bed portion on top fits a twin-size mattress and has railings on two sides for safety. The desk section (lower right) is big enough for a computer and has a handy pull-out shelf for a keyboard. The closet section has shelves for books and toys behind saloon-style swinging doors. The unit also has two big drawers and a big cabinet in front as well as an easy-to-climb ladder.

This project does take some time, but it’s not difficult and is well worth the effort. It requires about 15 board feet of birch and five 4-by-8 sheets of 3/4-inch birch plywood. Most of the wood cuts are straight cuts. Other materials include dowels, shelf standards and brackets, brass handles, screws, nails, nuts, bolts, glue and finish.

Final assembly should probably be accomplished where the unit will be used. When completed, it measures 6-plus feet long by 4-plus feet tall by 3-plus feet deep and isn’t easy to move around.

The 3-in-1 Bunk Bed Unit plan, No. 844, is $6.50 and includes complete step-by-step assembly instructions with 26 photos, exploded diagrams, a shopping list and a cutting schedule.

A package of four plans for kids’ beds, No. C76, is $18.95 and includes plans for this bed as well as twin-size bunk beds, a car bed and a fire engine bed. Prices include sales tax, postage and handling.

MEMO: To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383. To order by credit card, call toll-free (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.