Introduction: Storage Bed

About: I made this account when I was 12 and am just using it now to enter a contest. I'll probably never use it again.

this is a bed I made recently to try to maximize the space in my tiny apartment bedroom. Instead of making a wardrobe or buying a similar storage bed at Ikea (that I know will fall apart relatively quickly and would cost me more) I decided to make one. Now most of these instructions aren't going to have pictures - I didn't think to take any while working, and a lot of the measurements and technical stuff is dependent upon the size of your mattress (mine is an old, oddly shaped one kind of in between a full and a queen). I hope you can get an idea of how to build a similar bed that works for you by my picture.

Step 1: Step 1: Get Supplies

  • you'll need access to powertools - drills, electric sanders, and a circular saw will be helpful
  • any old plywood you like
  • an accent wood (optional)
  • drawer rollers
  • wood stain (I just got the clear/natural kind as a finish)
  • natural/clear wood filler
  • a measuring tape
  • door knobs for the drawers

Step 2: Step 2: Measure Your Mattress

and add about an inch to each direction

Step 3: Step 3: Measure Any Plywood You Already Have

it'd be easier to just make a rectangular cube with a beam or two down the middle for support as the framework, but I personally had some plywood lying around. So instead of buying any more than I needed I divided my measurement for the mattress frame in half lengthwise to create two long pieces.

There are no connectors connecting these two pieces.

I also used a big flat piece of scrap wood to place on top of those two pieces so the mattress doesn't sag through over time. It's not nailed down or anything, it just sits there.

Step 4: Step 4: Add Drawers

  • get drawer rollers and build half-cube drawers that will fit in the measurements of your mattress frame
  • leave a teeny-tiny bit of space around the edges so you can actually open and close your drawers
  • don't skimp on the drawer rollers and get the kind that won't be frustrating later one because they stick too tight
  • a full size mattress should fit about three medium size drawers along the side. Unfortunately this is a thing that you just have to use your best judgement based off your own measurements.
  • Just make sure however deep your drawer is doesn't conflict with the back pole holding together the C shape half of the half-bed-frame (my halves of the bed looked like a digital C shape with one bar holding the two ends together, just be wary of that bar when you make the drawers if you're trying to make them deep)

Make sure to leave holes/room for drawers in your original frame. If you forget you can always saw it away later, but don't do that if you don't have to.

Step 5: Step 5: Fill Holes With Wood Filler

just rub it in the holes with your finger

Step 6: Step 6: Sand

sand it all

Step 7: Step 7: Seal/laminate

seal/gloss/laminate the whole thing to give it a nice finish

Step 8: Step 8: Wheel Your Bed Pieces In, Place Them Down Where You Want Them, and Tah-dah!

place down the two halves where you want them and then put a spare piece of board on top of them (doesn't need to be 100% covered but it'll keep your mattress from sinking down.

Put your mattress on top!

Mine was enough to bypass a wardrobe in my apartment. I don't have a ton of clothes, but my closet is small and only holds a few jackets/dresses (things that really can't be folded) and a shoe rack, so my 3 drawers on the side held literally all of my clothes and bathroom stuff (if you fold your shirts and place them sideways instead of stacked on top of each other you can fit more in one drawer too), and the one spare drawer on the side holds all my art and school supplies).

Small Spaces Contest

Participated in the
Small Spaces Contest