How to Build Kids' Beds Yourself?
It can be expensive to buy beds for kids. Sometimes it's more cost effective, not to mention fun, to build one yourself. Even if you have only basic woodworking skills, you can put together a simple platform bed frame and upholster it. This easy project can be adjusted to fit toddlers, teenagers and anyone in between. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Plywood
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Cotton batting
- Fabric
- Staple gun
- Staples
Instructions
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Make the Frame
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1
Measure your kid's mattress. These measurements, plus 1/2 inch on each side, will dictate the size of the platform bed frame you're going to build.
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2
Cut the pieces for a rectangular frame out of 3/8-inch-thick plywood, using the dimensions you measured. You can cut the plywood yourself or get it cut at a hardware store. Cut two shorter pieces for the top and bottom ends, two longer pieces for the left and right sides, and one large rectangular piece for the top, where the mattress will rest. Also cut two 2-inch-wide pieces that are 1 inch shorter than your left- and right-side pieces. These are rails for the top piece to rest on.
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3
Decide the height of your platform bed frame based on how high you want the bed to be off the ground. If you're making a bed for a toddler, keep it low in case he isn't quite used to a big-boy bed yet -- he might roll out.
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4
Mark 2 inches down on the inside and outside of the side frame pieces. Using these marks, screw the 2-inch-wide wooden rails to the inside of the side frame pieces. Use five screws for each rail. Space them evenly.
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5
Screw the frame together with three screws on each side.
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6
Put the top plywood piece on top of the rails. It will be slightly inset, which will let the mattress fit snugly into the frame. Attach it to the rails with two screws on each side.
Upholstery
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7
Fold the cotton batting into a double thickness. Cut strips of it to fit around the frame's sides, adding a little extra so it will overlap at the top and bottom of the frame.
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8
Fold the batting over the top and bottom of the frame. Pull it snugly against the frame and staple it down.
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9
Cut strips of fabric the same size as your strips of batting were. Starting on the bottom of the frame, fold the fabric over the edge of the frame and staple it over the batting. When you reach the end of a strip, fold its end over so the raw edge is hidden, and put the next strip's raw edge under this finished strip. Pull the two strips taut over the frame, and staple them over the batting. When you finish the bottom of the frame, turn the bed over. Fold the fabric over the top edge of the frame and staple it over the batting. Treat the raw ends of each strip the same way you did on the bottom.
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10
Fold the fabric at the corners so it lies flat and staple it so it's tight.
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11
Put the mattress on top of your upholstered frame. Add bedding.
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