DIY Build a Futon Platform
Futons are the traditional bedding of Japan, consisting of a mattress-sized case that has been stuffed with natural fibers—usually cotton batting. In Japan, futons are usually rolled away during the day and brought out at night, but futon platforms are also used to hold futons off the ground. The typical futon platform is a low lying frame with wooden planks laid across at right angles. A futon platform is not difficult to make.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 planks, 80 by 10 by 5 inches
- 12 planks, 70 by 5 by 1 inch
- 2 planks 60 by 10 by 1 inch
- 3 pieces 1-inch wide woven cotton ribbon, 80 inches long
- 36 nails, ½ inch
- Measuring tape
- Drill
- 12 bolts, 5 by ¼ inch
- 12 washers, ¼ inch
- 12 wing nuts, ¼ inch
- 4 wooden pegs, ¼ inch by 2 inches
- Pencil
Instructions
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1
Lay the three 80-inch planks equidistant apart, so that the two outer ones are 60 inches apart—this is a queen bed size.
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2
Place the two 60-inch planks horizontally on either end of the three planks, so that the ends and sides are flush and at right angles.
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3
Drill two holes through the two horizontal planks and each of the vertical planks approximately 1 inch from the bottom and top of each vertical plank. Drill twelve holes in all.
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4
Bolt this structure together using the twelve bolts, washers and wing nuts in the drilled holes; this allows you to assemble and disassemble your futon platform as needed.
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5
Lay the twelve planks out horizontally, leaving around 1 ½ inches between each plank, so that they measure 80 inches.
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6
Place the three pieces of woven cotton ribbon vertically along the twelve planks, 10 inches from the sides, and one in the middle.
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7
Nail in the woven cotton ribbon using the ½-inch nails, one in each plank on all three pieces of woven cotton ribbon—36 nails in all. These are the slats of the futon platform.
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8
Place the slats along the frame, so that the two end slats are flush with the end of the frame. Mark with a pencil the places on the frame on the inside of where the first and last slats finish.
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9
Drill 2 holes in the two side vertical planks of the frame, one on either end where you made the pencil mark. Make the hole 1 inch deep. Put the wooden peg in this hole, so that 1 inch of it remains above the hole. These pegs will keep the slats in place and stop them from moving.
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10
Put the planks back on the platform frame, the first and last planks hooked over the pegs, so that the slats are stretched and in place.
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