Tools and Materials

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

How to Build a Platform Bed

Project plans include dimensions for a twin-, full-, queen- or king-size mattress (there's no need for box springs with this platform bed). Size your bed from one of two plan options. Queen- and king-size beds require a center divider in the end case and longer side cases to support the larger mattress. For a light wood option, substitute birch plywood and edge tape for all of the plywood parts, and replace oak with maple or poplar. Or paint it to coordinate with your bedroom colors. To add a modern twist, use medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with no edge tape and apply a clear polyurethane finish. You can also choose a variety of stain colors or apply a clear finish to the oak.

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Build the Base

Cut the 3/4-inch plywood into smaller sections to create the side-case bottoms/tops (A), dividers (B), side backs (C), end-case top/bottom (D) and the end-case back (E) (Project Diagram, Cutting Diagram and Cutting List). If you're building the queen- or king-size bed, there's an extra divider that's used in the end case.

Good to Know

Each size platform bed with storage has a different Cutting List and Cutting Diagram. These photos and instructions are for a queen size; included in these instructions are the variations to build king, full and twin sizes.

A person using a DeWalt drill to secure the dividers to a platform bed bottom panel.

Apply glue to a divider (B), position it against the bottom (A) and clamp in position (Project Diagram, Drawing 1). Each divider will be secured with three screws and glue. To ensure a square assembly, drill a countersunk pilot hole and drive a screw 1 inch from the front edge of the panel and then use a square to ensure the dividers are 90 degrees to the front edge of the bottom (A); secure with the remaining two screws. Repeat for the other dividers.

Glue and screw the top (A) to the case (Project Diagram, Drawing 1). Secure the side back (C) to the dividers and top/bottom (A) using screws but no glue (when finishing the case, it'll be easier to remove the back to access the inside of the case). The case back attaches flush to the headboard and one end of the case; the remaining opening near the foot of the bed is covered by the end case. When the first case is complete, assemble the second side case and then build the end case using these same steps.

Build the Headboard and Mattress Support

Finish the Bed

A person securing the headboard to the platforms with connector bolts.

Move the components into the bedroom and position the cases at the bed location about a foot from the wall. Slip the headboard into position so it extends 1 inch beyond the side cases and 1/2 inch beyond the side rails (I) (Project Diagram, Drawing 4). Drill two 3/8-inch holes through the side case dividers (B) and the headboard assembly. Connect the headboard using 1/4-20 connector bolts and nuts tightened using two hex keys. Tightening the connector bolts will square the bed assembly.

Platform Bed FAQs

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How to Make a DIY Platform Bed

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