How to Build a Platform King Bed

A platform bed frame is the simplest design available; it consists of a simple sheet of wood, low to the ground, on which you can rest the mattress. Platform beds can be placed atop shelves and drawers to create storage space, placed upon pedestals to achieve a certain height or built with short legs to achieve both goals. The plans for a standard king mattress can be used for a California king simply by changing lumber dimensions.

Things You'll Need

• 2 two-by-fours, 80 inches long
• 6 two-by-fours, 73 inches long
• ½-inch plywood, 80-by-75-inch sheet
• Box of at least 100 wood screws, 3 inches long
• Power saw
• Power drill
• Drill bits
• Screwdriver bits
• Measuring tape
• Sandpaper, 60 to 80 grit

Instructions

1. Lay out a rectangle using the 80-inch beams as the sides and two 73-inch beams, set inside the 80-inch beams, as the top and bottom edges. All beams should rest on the narrow (2 inch wide) sides.

2. Secure the rectangle shape with two screws per corner, drilling the screws through the face of an 80-inch beam and into the end of a 73-inch beam.

3. Set the four remaining 73-inch beams inside the rectangular frame to form ribs. These beams, also laid on their narrow sides, should be aligned parallel to the other 73-inch beams and spaced approximately 15 inches from each other and the frame ends.

4. Screw the four beams in place as you did the original frame, using two screws per point of attachment.

5. Lay the plywood sheet on top of the frame so the edges of the sheet are flush with the edges of the frame.

6. Screw the plywood sheet in place with one screw per corner, drilled through the plywood and into the beams. Drill an additional screw on center of each short side and two screws, evenly spaced, on each long side.

7. Sand the flat surface of the plywood and the outside face of the rectangular frame.

References

• Gene Brick, Furniture Hobbyist, Hillsboro, OR
• Better Sleep: Mattress Sizes