How to Build a Queen Platform Bed

You can build a very sturdy platform bed for around $100 in materials, that will last a lifetime. Here are the exact instructions for completing the project in about 4 to 6 hours, or quicker if you're really good.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eight 8-foot two-by-four inch boards, straight
• One 6-foot four-by-four inch beam
• Two 4-by-8-foot 3/4-inch plywood sheets A/B grade
• (36) 3 1/2-inch Phillips-flat-head wood screws, #6
• (28) 1 1/2-inch Phillips-flat-head wood screws, #6
• Power drill
• Circular power saw
• #6 countersink bit
• Phillips screwdriver bit

1. Cut seven two-by-fours into the following lengths:(2) 76 ¾ inches,(2) 60 inches and (3) 56 ¾ inches.

2. Form outside frame of platform by laying out the two 60-inch and two 76 ¾-inch two-by fours in a rectangle, standing up on their narrow sides. Mark two drill hole locations one above the other, at 7/8-inch from the ends of each 60-inch end board. Drill pilot holes into the side rails and screw 3 ½-inch #6 Phillips-flat-head screws at each of four corner locations.

3. Position three 56 ¾-inch two-by-four cross rails at 20, 40 and 60 inches from the end rail. The middle cross rail should be laid flat on the wide side, while the other two cross rails can stand up on the narrow side.

4. Mark two drill hole locations one above the other, on the 76 ¾-inch side rails, at ends of the upper and lower cross rails. Mark drill hole locations side-by-side on the middle flat-lying cross rail. Drill pilot holes through side rails into the cross rails and screw two 3 ½-inch #6 Phillips-flat-head screws at each of six locations.

5. Set four four-by-four pieces into the corners of the frame and drill two pilot holes on two sides of each leg, through the frame and into the legs. Screw frame members to the legs using 3 ½-inch #6 wood screws.

6. Get a pal to help you turn the frame and leg assembly over, so you can attach the plywood top. Lay the two 40 by 60-inch ¾-inch thick plywood panels on the frame to form the 60 by 80-inch platform. Mark and drill countersunk pilot holes in each of eight panel corners and attach to frame with 1 ½-inch #6 wood screws.

7. Countersink drill holes around perimeter of frame and center cross rail at 13 to 15-inch spacing. Each plywood panel will have 14 screws around the perimeter. Screw panels in place with 1 ½-inch #6 wood screws. A headboard and footboard can be directly bolted or screwed into the end rails.

Tips & Warnings

• You can screw decorative wood side rails onto the two-by-four frame, to make a more finished look and keep your mattress from moving around.
• Buy a five or six inch thick piece of medium dense polyurethane foam cut to 60 by 80 inches and cover with a high-end mattress cover to make a perfect mattress.