I moved out of my parent’s apartment last month and was fortunate to be assigned a room with a bunk bed in my new apartment. While I love having this extra space, I also found myself wondering how I would ever manage to disassemble the bunk bed and move it into my new place. After doing some research online, I discovered 10 simple steps that even an inexperienced mover can follow to disassemble their bunk bed and easily move it in one piece! If you want to disassemble your bunk bed, keep reading!
1) Get all the tools you need
Gather all the tools you need. This can include a screwdriver, pliers, or wrenches. You will also need something to place screws into so they don’t roll away or disappear. Put these tools nearby where you will be working so that you don’t have to run back and forth from your toolbox or drawer whenever you need something.
2) Remove the ladder
First, disconnect the sides of the bottom bunk from each other. You can do this by prying up on the ladder and using it as leverage against the top bunk rails. Once it’s disconnected, you can lift it out on either side of the bed. Next, remove the slats from under the mattress. Then you’ll need to flip over both ends of the upper mattress frame so that they’re facing outward. Lastly, use your hands or a tool like pliers to detach any metal screws holding the top frame onto both ends of that frame.
Finally, turn everything upside down again so that you’re looking at what used to be the top mattress with a metal headboard.
3) Remove the bolts from the corner posts
One of the most frustrating parts of moving is having to dismantle your furniture. There are many different ways you can take apart furniture. Here are a few helpful tips for taking apart that pesky bunk bed you never thought you’d be able to break down. First, remove the bolts from the corner posts by twisting them counterclockwise and sliding them out with your hand or pliers. Once those are removed, each post should slide right out! Once all bolts have been removed. You can remove any pieces screwed together on this side of the frame (usually one or two). I would start dismantling any connected headboards or dressers as they typically don’t need extra attention.
4) Start at the bottom and remove each side panel
Start by removing the bottom panel of the bunk beds, which will be against the wall. Lay the panel on its side and cut through all four bolts. Move the panel away from the wall before unscrewing it from both sides and then unhooking it from its final attachment point with wire cutters or pliers. Work your way up in this manner until you’re left with only one panel, which will be what you sleep on.
If you need extra room to work at any point, lift the mattress off its frame and set it aside. Replace when finished.
5) Unscrew the screws
The screws that hold the frame together are all accessible from under the frame. The side rails can be unscrewed at the foot of the bed and slid out. Then slide out one of the middle panels and unscrew any remaining screws. Finally, lift off the mattress platform and unscrew any remaining screws.
6) Unscrew any extra screws or bolts
It’s time to move out, but you’re faced with the daunting task of dismantling your once cozy bunk bed. It may seem like a simple task, but take heed and prepare yourself with patience and some coordination. First, remove the drawers underneath the top bunk. If you have headboards attached, remove them by unscrewing any extra screws or bolts. Remove the mattress from both bunks and set them aside for now.
You can reattach them later if you want to keep using the same frame. Now put one of the two bunks on its side and gently pull it away from the other one until there are about six inches between them. Make sure you don’t lose any pieces that might come off as you take apart each bunk bed component! Next, unscrew all four corners on each side and slowly lift that corner so that it is no longer screwed in place.
7) Move on to the top bunk
At this point, you can take the screws out of the panels. If it helps, use masking tape on either side of the panel to mark where you need to screw in new ones. This way, it will be much easier when you have all your new pieces on hand and are ready for assembly! Next, remove the ladder from the top bunk by unscrewing the bolts. Lift and pull on the top bunk railings until they also come off.
8) Place each side panel on their respective beds
- Take the mattress off the lower frame and place it on the upper frame. If your mattress is on any other piece of antique furniture (such as a dresser), you will need to move that first.
- Place your hands onto each side panel and push in at an angle, breaking away from the corners where they meet. Be careful not to cut yourself on metal edges sticking out if you have metal-framed beds like those sold by payless furniture in Canada.
9) Put the ladder back in place
- Buy the appropriate tools for taking apart your bunk bed, including a screwdriver set, crowbar, and hammer. If you want something smaller than the traditional tools. Check out screwdrivers that can be used with one hand and electric screwdrivers that do all the work for you!
- Find an open area where you won’t be bumping into other furniture, and make sure there is no cloth or material on the ground that could get caught in moving parts.
- Label any screws as they are removed so they return to the same place when assembled. Remove all the screws on each side of the headboard/footboard from top to bottom.
10) Congratulations, you have successfully taken apart your bunk bed!
The space is much more open now, and the floor is clutter-free! It’s going to be great for our family game night. Disassembling the bunk beds was pretty easy. All you need are a couple of screwdrivers and some strength. First, start by unscrewing each of the bolts that hold the rails in place with a screwdriver before setting them aside.
Next, remove any excess hardware, such as brackets and screws, cluttering your work area by twisting off their heads with pliers before returning them to their appropriate spot in your toolbox. Now go through all four steps again and continue until there’s nothing left but two pieces of wood sitting in front of you. Congratulations on taking apart your first piece of furniture!
Final Thoughts
Dismantling a bunk bed is difficult, but there are steps you can take so that the process goes as smoothly as possible. The first step is to ask yourself which bunk is getting taken apart. If it’s the bottom bunk, you’ll want to remove everything from the top before starting. This means removing any drawers or shelves that may be in the way and moving anything on top of the dresser into drawers or onto another surface.
