How to Make Your Own Storage Bed

Making a storage bed may seem like a lot of work, given all the draws and handles and cupboards to think of. However, you can make your own storage bed relatively easily if you re-purpose storage cubbies to make the bed frame-cum-storage area. There's no fancy joinery required, no complex cuts, not much of anything that would cause even the most rookie woodworker any sweat.

Things You'll Need

• 3 lengths lumber, 1-by-30-by-90 inches
• 2 storage cubbies, 20-by-20-by-80 inches
• 2 storage cube cubbies, 20-by-20-by-20 inches
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Drill
• Wood screws, 2-inch
• Queen mattress

Instructions

1. Sand the cubbies and lumber, then paint them in the desired color of the bed. If the cubbies are already painted in the color you want them, then just sand and paint the three planks. Use long, even strokes of the paintbrush and if applying multiple coats, lightly sand in between.

2. Position the two 80-inch cubbies on their sides, with the cubby holes facing outward. Position the cube cubbies in between the ends of the 80-inch cubbies, with their cubby holes facing out as well. This will create a rectangle, 60-by-80 inches for a queen-sized storage bed.

3. Drive four wood screws through the back of each end in the 80-inch cubbies into the sides of the cubby cubes to secure the cubbies together for the frame of the storage bed.

4. Lay the 90-inch planks lengthwise on top of the cubby frame. The two end planks will have an overhang of 15-inches on the side of the 80-inch cubbies and the ends of all three planks will overhang 5-inches on the end.

5. Drive wood screws through the top of the planks into the cubbies every 6 to 8 inches around the perimeter of the cubby frame then place the queen mattress centered on top to finish the storage bed.

References

• Ana White; Twin Storage Headboard Base Plans; 2010