Not a TOP SECRET Fort

As the summer break rolled into the fourth week our tiny apartment started to feel much smaller with the kids home all day long. It was apparent that even the kids craved a little individual space - they converted their bunkbed into a three (separate) compartment fort - desperate times call for creativity and innovation.

While I wholly support the idea of some personal space, I could not embrace the aesthetics of the thing. Also, nary a blanket could be found and Mummy could not get comfortable on the couch. A fort makeover was in order.

Our Fort

These instructions are specific to the IKEA SVÄRTA Bunkbed and SVÄRTA Pull-out Bed but could probably be adapted to another similar style of bunk bed. This project cost me about $60 ($20 per child).

You will need:
Bed Tent - $20
Curtains - $16
Curtain Rings - $2
Tablecloth - $13
Grommet Set - $6
Binder Rings - $2
Cable Ties - $0 (I had left over from a previous project; I only needed five)

Instructions:
1. Assemble the IKEA KURA Bed Tent per instructions. The tent will not attach to bed per the instructions as it is made for a KURA bed. Just hook the tent to the underside of the top bunk. The mattress will hold it in place adequately.

View inside the top bunk ten

2. Two sets (four panels) of 36" length, grommet top, kitchen curtains are needed to enclose the bottom bunk. Use shower curtain (or 2" binder) rings to attach the curtains so as to be able to easily remove them for laundering.

Entire set up with trundle and trundle tent stowed

View inside the lower bunk

3. I found it most challenging to tent the pull-out bed. We needed a solution that would not prevent stowing the trundle under the bunk daily. I settled on a 54" x 80" tablecloth on which I installed five grommets along the short sides.

Use binder rings to connect the tablecloth to the side rails of the top bunk (my shower curtain rings were a bit too thick) and cable ties to attach the other side to the the trundle. The binder rings allow for the tent to be disconnected and stowed under the bed with the trundle.

Trundle pulled out

Trundle and tent stowed

Cable tie attachment on trundle

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