This DIY platform bed is made out of 2x8s, 2x4s and pine boards. I made this one for a full-sized mattress, but the design can be scaled up or down for different sized mattresses. This modern bed also has storage underneath it. I did a more complicated platform bed with lift up storage bins for my book, but it took about twice as long to make. I used 1x7 pine boards for the deck, but wider boards such as 1x10s would have been better. Click here to preview the more complicated platform bed that I did for my book.

SUPPLIES:

2x4s
Available at the Home Depot
I selected nice, straight, premium 2x4s from the Home Depot, but also incorporated some scrap pieces of 2x4 that I had leftover from other projects. Not all 2x4s are equal, so it pays off to take the time to pick out nice ones from the pile.

2x8s
Available at the Home Depot
I selected four nice, straight, premium 8 foot long 2x8s from the Home Depot.

Screws
Available at the Home Depot
I used 1.5”, 2.5” and 3” deck screws.

Pine Boards
Available at the Home Depot
I used 1x7 pine boards for the deck and a 1x10 pine board for the headboard. I should've used all 1x10 pine boards. 2x6s or 2x8s could also be used for the deck if you want a heavy duty bed.

TOOLS:

RYOBI ONE+ 18-Volt Orbital Jig Saw
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI Compound Miter Saw
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI ONE+ 18-Volt Compact Drill
Available at Home Depot

INSTRUCTIONS:

Download the Platform Bed Plan »





STEP 1: Cut pieces to length
I used my compound miter saw to cut the boards to length (reference the diagram above). I had to cut a bunch of 5.75” long pieces of 2x4, so I set up a stop block on the miter saw.





STEP 2: Assemble the base supports
I made the base supports out of 2x8s with the 5.75” pieces of 2x4 sandwhiched in-between them. I made two base supports for a full sized 54” wide mattress. If I made this bed for a wider queen or king sized mattress, I would've added a third base support in the middle.





STEP 3: Add temporary supports
I cut two pieces of 2x4 54” long, which is the same width as the mattress. I screwed them to the ends of the base supports. These are there to temporarily hold the base supports in place while I screw the pine boards to them. I'll remove these temporary supports later.







STEP 4: Screw in top 2x4s
I placed pieces of 2x4 on top of the 5.75” long pieces of 2x4s in-between the 2x8s and then screwed them to the 2x8s. I placed the 2x4s so that they hung out past the 2x8s by 1.5 inches.





STEP 5: Screw on pine boards
I screwed through the pine boards and into the base supports. Then I placed the first one so that it stuck out past the top 2x4s by 1”. I added more pieces of 2x4 between the 2x8s so that I could screw the pine boards and into the 2x4s in the base supports.











STEP 6: Add the headboard supports
After screwing in all but the last three pine deck boards, I placed the 2x4 headboard supports between the 2x8s but did not screw them in-place. Then I filled in 2x4s in front of them.





STEP 7: Screw on the headboard
I screwed a 1x10 pine board to the 2x4 headboard supports and then was able to set the angle of the headboard. I picked an angle that looked comfortable before screwing through the 2x8s and into the 2x4 headboard supports. I used six 3” long screws to screw the 2x4s in place. That's three screws through each of the 2x8s and into the angled 2x4 supports.











STEP 8: Add final pine boards
I marked the second to the last pine board so that I could cut out notches for the 2x4 headboard supports. I used my jigsaw to cut the 2x4 sized notches. Then I placed the last few pine boards and screwed them in-place.











STEP 9: Add more screws
I added more screws so that there were at least six screws going through each pine board and into the supports.



 Optional steps: 

Substituting wider or thicker boards would also work. If you're worried about the matress not getting air, you can drill holes through the pine boards.

You could stain or add a clear coat to the bed, but I prefer not to have chemical-based finishes off-gassing near where I sleep.





Good luck building your own platform bed and please email or tweet photos to @benuyeda or ben@homemade-modern.com.

If you want to see what we're working on next, follow us on Instagram @benjaminuyeda.

Also check out our book for additional projects, DIY tips and guides.

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