Bunk Bed Trouble -- To Do List!

In January, we picked up this great bunk bed in Las Vegas.  I'd been looking for one for a long time, but they are seriously expensive, so I didn't think I'd ever find one we could afford.  It's a floor model, so if we could live with the navy blue/purple color, we could have it for half price.   Hmm.  Half price.  I'll admit.  I didn't have to think about it for very long!

Now that we've lived with the bed for a few months (and added an twin-size mattress to replace the toddler mattress on the bottom bunk), I'm finding that a few changes need to be made.

After I put the girls to bed, I frequently hear, "Mommy, help!" and step into the room to find this:

Or this  (She's dropped something off the bed, tried to reach for it, and gotten stuck!):

And look what's hiding in that space under Lu's bookshelf!  That pile must be at least 1 ½ feet deep!

I'll admit it . . . my kids are kind of like pack rats when it comes to their beds.  If one book to read is good, 10 is better.  One stuffed animal is nice, but 6 are more fun.  If I made it in school today, I probably should sleep with it so that I can make sure it's okay.  Yes, they often cover their beds with junk, and in Lu's case, that junk (and sometimes she) slides off the bed and into this great little pocket of wasted space.  (There's one on each side of the bed.)

I am on a mission to fix it!  Think of all the storage space I could have if I enclosed those spaces?  If I added a little pocket on the sides, Lu would even have a place to store her books (instead of letting them slide to the floor).  I have a great plan, but I'm very intimidated to start!

• It involves installing hidden hinges
• It involves making my own cupboard doors
• It involves cutting a huge piece of wainscoating/bead board -- did you know that if you save money by buying wainscoating at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, not only do you save money, but you also lose the opportunity to have Home Depot or Lowes cut the wood for you.  They only cut wood purchased at their store.  Ahhh!  How will I do this?

Let's just say that I have never done anything like this, but I really want to do it!  I thought maybe if I posted the idea I would be more likely to dive in.  Wish me luck.

Here's my before and after plan, using photoshop.  No, it's not done--not even started.  Just photoshopped into an idea.

If anyone has any helpful hints (or ideas on where I can have my wood cut), I'd love to hear them!