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Today is the day that my little girl’s room is done. This sweet space is for my 6-year old daughter Kayla. Before we moved from Indy to Columbus, OH I was just beginning to makeover her room. When we realized a move was in our future that plan was put on hold. However, before that, we had built the Pottery Barn Kids knock-off cottage loft bed. So for about 9 months Kayla has been begging for me to finish the bed. For 1/10 of the price we built this fun loft bed that hosts many forts, American Girl doll parties and sleepovers.

Here is my original inspiration picture from Pottery Barn Kids

I used the plan that Ana White drew up. However, I did not frame the windows the same. I much preferred just a basic rectangle frame rather than the angle. If you decide to go that route I would measure and cut the trim after the bed sides are put together.

You will spend a ton of time with your Kreg Jig and a sander. I sanded each piece before I even assembled the bed. It made it easier to make sure there were no rough edges.

The entire bed was made of premium pine from Lowes. You can also save a little money if you rip down some of the leftover pieces of the wider boards to the 1” x 2” width. I did that with my small Rockwell Blade Runner.

If you notice I also put my stairs on the right side of the bed rather than the left side because it worked better for the layout of my room. This is definitely something you want to think about before assembly. In order to do this, when you get to step 3 just reverse the layout of that side.

Time Saving Tips:

1. With Blue Painter’s tape mark all of your pieces. Some pieces are similar in size and hard to distinguish unless marked.

2. Sand all the pieces as you go. Once assembled it is hard to get in the crevices with your sander. You will be happy you did it prior.

3. Invest in a paint sprayer. It will take your forever to paint by hand. Plus you get such a great finish with a sprayer. I primed and painted with my sprayer.

4. Kreg Clamps are a must. It will help your Kreg screws go in so much smoother and straighter.

5. In step 1, 5, and 11 you will need to position your boards 2 1/2” apart. Save yourself a truckload of time by cutting a piece of wood 2 1/2” wide and using that as a spacer. Mark your spacer with a pencil so you don’t lose it.

6. You will also notice I didn’t fill any of the Kreg pocketholes with wood filler. Of course you can do this but I chose not to. Once painted, they are hard to even notice and goes along with the cottage look.

7. You don’t need nice boards for the wood slats that hold the bed in. I just used some plywood I had leftover and ripped it into 3” pieces and then used wood screws to attach them in place.

The two sides of the unassembled cottage loft bed…

This wasn’t a hard build at all. I would call it an intermediate build because of all the cuts, tools used and time spent into building it. I will say it was worth the effort. My daughter loves it and I made the entire thing for less than $150.

I purchased some 11” – 18” tension rods from Bed, Bath and Beyond and made some curtains. I sewed a casing in the top and bottom so they can be pushed opened and closed and provide less light than if they were free flowing at the bottom.

The swag was made from the symphony broadcloth from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. However, if you can find your colors in the country classic solid fabrics I would suggest that. It won’t have as many strings when you rip them and looks nicer.

The hook on the side of the bed is a brass and pink glass knob from D. Lawless Hardware.

Kayla normally hangs her clothes for the next day on it, which helps our morning routine go a bit faster.

Now I am not going to lie. Just like every high bed out there, bunk beds included, it is a pain in the tush to change the sheets. It is definitely a two-man job, or a one-sweaty-woman-job.

But think of all the fun to be had. Kayla constantly closes the curtains and hangs blankets over the stairs and door and brings a flashlight underneath. She will read like that and play with her dolls. I can hear her all by herself under there talking to Ella Grace (her American Girl doll). It is pretty cute.

Squeeeall! Another room in my newish (we have been in it 6 months) house is done!

I will show you the full reveal of the room next but here are some other projects from her room.

Mint Chocolate Chip Dresser

Little Girl’s Room Gallery Wall