Assemble the bed frame from the side panels, head section and base section

The head section, base section and side panels are fastened together to form a frame using bed joints. These are screw brackets with short arm lengths (in this case, 22 and 28 mm) and a large overall height (in this case, 127 mm). The fittings are positioned so that the long arm is always screwed to the short side (in this case, the head or base section) and the short arm is always screwed to the long side (in this case, the bed).

Of course, you can also use other bed joint fittings. However, if you do, refer to the manufacturer's assembly instructions or try out the fittings beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Position the side panels, the head section and the base section together on their bottom edges in the way you want to fasten them; the side panels are enclosed within the head and base sections. Now assemble the frame using the cordless screwdriver and round head screws (4 x 15 mm).

Fit the supporting timbers for the slatted frame

The slatted frame rests on square timbers, or supporting timbers that are mounted flush with the bottom of the bed side panels on the inside surfaces using five screws. The supporting timbers are shorter than the bed side panels and mounted on the panels centrally in accordance with their length: you must therefore leave enough room for the bed joints that are used to attach head and base sections to the side panels.

Predrill the holes for the supporting timbers. Countersink the holes pointed towards the centre of the bed. Using the cordless screwdriver and flat head screws (4 x 60 mm), mount the supporting timbers.

Cut the top of the posts in a pyramid shape

Adjust the longitudinal stop of your bench circular saw to 45°. Taper the top of the posts on all four sides.

Mount the posts and rungs to make the ladder

Now it's time to assign the five posts that will support the entire structure to their final positions. Mark the relevant positions using a pencil. Place the two posts that will bear the ladder rungs onto your work surface.

Predrill the ladder rungs for two screws on each side and countersink the holes from the rear. Referring to the specifications in our illustration, position the rungs on the posts and attach them using the cordless screwdriver and flat head screws (4 x 60 mm). Refer to our tip on screwing together two pieces of wood in step 2.

Join the handrail and posts together

Now place together the completed ladder and the third front post with their front sides face down, in the way they will be assembled. Predrill the handrail to be fastened with the posts and then mount it using the cordless screwdriver and screws (6 x 80 mm). Refer also to the tip on screwing together two pieces of wood in step 2.

Join the bed frame and posts together

The head section, base section and side panels are fastened together to form a frame using bed joints. These are screw brackets with short arm lengths (in this case, 22 and 28 mm) and a large overall height (in this case, 127 mm). The fittings are positioned so that the long arm is always screwed to the short side (in this case, the head or base section) and the short arm is always screwed to the long side (in this case, the bed).

Of course, you can also use other bed joint fittings. However, if you do, refer to the manufacturer's assembly instructions or try out the fittings beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Position the side panels, the head section and the base section together on their bottom edges in the way you want to fasten them; the side panels are enclosed within the head and base sections. Now assemble the frame using the cordless screwdriver and round head screws (4 x 15 mm).

Apply the decorative elements to the handrail and bed side panel

Now transfer the motifs from our wooden templates (see attachment in the PDF document) to a board and cut them out using the jigsaw and curved saw blade. (To make the tower window, use the 10-mm wood drill bit to make a hole near the pencil line in the area you want to cut out, insert the saw blade - while the saw is switched off - and then cut out the window area. First guide the saw in a curved shape past the two lower corners. You can go back to rework the corners afterwards and then staple a fly screen behind the window.)

Predrill two holes in the bed side panel and handrail and countersink these from the rear. Attach the decorative element in place with clamp clips and fit it from the rear using the cordless screwdriver and screws (4 x 45 mm).

Sand wood surfaces

Take time to prepare the surfaces so they are in the best working condition possible before starting assembly.

First chamfer all edges with sanding paper with a grit of 120 or 180 at a 45° angle to create a small bevel. Use your sander to sand all visible surfaces in the direction of the wood grain, first with coarse sanding paper (grit of 120, 180) and then with fine sanding paper (grit of up to 240).

Damp sponge the surfaces afterwards to wipe off the dust. Some loose wood fibres may protrude while the wood is drying. You can remove these with sanding paper with a grit of 180. The wood is now ready for surface treatment.

Stain the surfaces

Staining refers to the process used to colour the wood. The wood stain can be applied with a fine spray system. After the stain has been applied, the surface of the wood remains unprotected until wax or paint/varnish is applied.

First read the manufacturer’s safety and handling instructions thoroughly. Make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated and not used for smoking, eating or drinking.

You should change the paint tank if you want to apply another material with your fine spray system in the next step.

Paint the surfaces

A wide range of paints is available, of various types and price categories. The main criteria in choosing a paint should be its workability, the technical equipment you have at home, and the surface quality and durability you require. Ask for advice at a specialist retail outlet. If you are not an experienced painter, we recommend that you practice beforehand on a sample piece.

You will achieve the quickest and best result with acrylic paints. It is particularly quick and easy to apply these water-dilutable paints using a fine spray system.

Pour the paint into the paint tank and dilute it if necessary with water. Using a test board, adjust the spray jet at the nozzle and the paint flow at the setting wheel. The spray jet can be set to horizontal or vertical for surfaces and tapered for edges.

Now apply a thin first layer of paint. Start with the edges and then paint the surfaces using even, parallel strokes.

During this process, wood fibres may appear (as they may have already during the rinsing phase). You can remove these after the paint has dried by using sanding paper with a grit of 220 or 240 in the direction of the grain.

For the second coat, use the same base as you did during the priming stage. This time, you can apply a slightly thicker coat of paint. Start again with the edges and then work on the surfaces using even, parallel strokes.