Learn how to build a DIY Platform Bed with free woodworking plans! This is a great build for beginners, you only need 3 basic tools and about $50 in lumber.
I’m back to share the Easy DIY Platform Bed that I made for my son 🙂 If you missed the Free Plans for the Planked Headboard, you can check them out HERE! I saw a platform bed in a West Elm catalog and loved how chunky the base and platform were, so that was my inspiration and I built it for about $55!!!
CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THE FREE Platform Bed Plan
This is a very simple build so it is perfect if you are a beginner! You can follow along in the instructions below! This plan is for a full size bed but it is very easy to adjust the measurements to accommodate another size 🙂
Table of Contents
How to Build an Easy DIY Platform Bed
Supplies
- 8 – 1x3x10 Furring Strips for Slats
- 1 – 2x8x10 Pine Boards or Common Boards
- 2 – 2x8x8 Framing Boards
- 3 – 2x6x8 Framing Boards
- 1 – 2x4x8 Framing Boards
- 3 – 2x2x8 Pine Boards or Common Boards (I ripped from 2×4’s)
- 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4″ Screws (to attach the slats if you don’t use a brad nailer)
- 2 1/2″ Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
Tools:
- Miter Saw
- Drill
- Kreg Jig
- Sander
- Brad Nailer (optional)
Step 1: Assembling the DIY Platform Bed Frame
I started by making all of my cuts for my top and bottom frame. You can find the cut list diagrams in the fee plans. Watch our How to Use a Miter Saw video HERE!
Then, I drilled all of my pocket holes with my Kreg Jig pocket hole jig set for 1 1/2″ thick boards. (You can find the Kreg Jig HERE on Amazon) and check out our How to Use a Kreg Jig Video HERE!
I attached the top frame with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.
I followed up and did the same for the bottom frame.
Next, I flipped the top frame over and attached the bottom frame to the side rails with 2 1/2″ wood screws and wood glue.
Step 2: Attaching the Supports to the Platform Bed
I flipped it back over and attached the center support with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws to the headboard and footboard. You may need help flipping the bed back over, at this point, because it is heavy.
Finally, I attached the 2×3 cleats, to the sides of the bed, with 2 1/2″ wood screws (I call for 2×2 in the plans because 2×3’s are not available in every region. If you do use 2×2’s for the cleats, get furring strips to save money). I like to use the Spax self-tapping screws. I find them at Home Depot and they are pricey but you don’t need to pre-drill with them! If you use regular wood screws, make sure to pre-drill first to prevent the wood from splitting.
Step 3: Adding a Finish to the Modern Platform Bed
After sanding the entire Platform Bed down, I applied one-coat of Rust-Oleum Dark Walnut Stain (you can find it HERE on Amazon). If you are buying your supplies at Home Depot, get the Varathane brand in Dark Walnut (it’s the same stain).
Step 4: Attaching the Slats for the Mattress Support
When the bed was dry, I took it inside and into my little man’s room! I used my brad nailer, with 1 1/4″ brad nails to attach the 1×3 slats. I just spaced them out evenly and attached them to both cleats and the center support. You can use the cheap furring strips (douglas fir) for this part, Just make sure they are smooth so they don’t tear-up your mattress. Note: you can also use 1 1/4″ wood screws to attach the bed slats.
Step 5: Attaching the DIY Headboard to the Platform Bed
To attach the headboard to the bed, I drilled 2 1/2″ spax screws from the backside of the headboard legs into the bottom and top frames of the platform.
I just love this DIY Platform Bed so much! It’s the perfect combination of rustic and modern farmhouse and it’s so sturdy! I know my son loves it just as much. I’ve overheard him bragging to his friends (on a few occasions) that his mom built his bed – which is the best part for me 😉
Don’t forget to check out the headboard plans HERE and if you like the wall color in his room (I’m obsessed!) you can read about it HERE! I have received a lot of questions about the quilt on his bed, it is from Pottery Barn Teen but, I bought it a couple of years ago so I’m not sure that it is still available.
Modification Measurments
We always get questions on how to modify the measurments to fit other mattress dimensions. This DIY Bed Frame is easy to modify to fit any mattress size.
- Twin Size Mattress – Subtract 15″ from the width.
- Queen Size Mattress – Add 7″ to the width and 5″ to the length
- King Size Mattress – Add 23″ to the width and 5″ to the length.
- California King Size Mattress – Add 19″ to the width and 9″ to the length.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Ashley
Check Out Our Other DIY Bed Tutorials
- DIY Modern Farmhouse Platform Bed
- Free Platform Bed Plan with Headboard
- DIY Twin Platform Bed with Chevron Headboard
- Platform Bed on Wheels
- How to Build a Platform Bed with Storage
DIY Platform Bed
Supply List
- 8 1x3x10
- 1 2x8x10
- 2 2x8x8
- 3 2x6x8
- 1 2x4x8
- 3 2x2x8
- 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 2 1/2″ Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
- Finish of Choice
Instructions
- Cut List
- Assemble the bed upside down. Start with the top frame. Use glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws at each connection.
- Assemble the lower frame. Make sure the edge pocket holes are facing the same direction.
- Lay the top frame on the floor with the pocket holes facing up and stack the lower frame on top. Secure them together with pocket hole screws.
- Attach the 2×2 cleats to the sides and the center 2×4 support in the middle. The 2×2 cleats are just screwed into the bed frame with wood screws and the 2×4 support is secured with pocket hole screws on each end. All three of these pieces should be 3/4″ lower than the top of the top frame.
- Add your slats and the construction is done! Now, all you have to do is sand and finish as you wish and enjoy your new platform bed. This platform bed was made for a previous headboard that I also made. Search our site for “Planked Headboard” to see it. As always, if you decide to make this bed be sure share it on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share it too!
I cannot locate any 2x in pine or whitewood in my area what other wood do you recommend
Douglas Fir/Fur is the typical type of lumber found at many Lowes/Home Depots and I’d believe will work fine. I’ve seen other plans for tables and such that called for whatever white construction grade lumber you can find.
California King dimensions ?
I was wondering the same for a regular king but figured I would just measure the mattress myself and add an additional 2 to 3 inches for the part that sticks out but I also plan to add legs to mine to elevate it.
Are these Plans for a queen?
Just as a friendly reminder to those of you who are going to try this with the queen or kind sized dimensions. DO NOT forget that you will need to replace the 2x8x10 sized board with a 2x8x12. This is very important, because you will not be able to cut your 2x8x10 piece into 2 61″ lengths and you will end up having to purchase another piece.
So to
Make this a queen just replace 2x8x10 with 2x8x12? Do I need to replace any other boards with bigger ones?
Did those measurement work for you?
I might be confused, but are there box springs on the bed? Are they not needed? I’ve never had a bed without them…
You can use box springs if you want but our platform beds do not use them. The cleats and slats inside the frame take the place of a box spring. Hope this helps 🙂
It does indeed! Thank you for your reply – and your constant inspiration!
Dimensions for a California King Size bed? 🙂
72″ wide by 84″ long but all mattresses can vary by an inch or two
So I’m pretty good at following directions and I think I could put the bed together but not so much for figuring out the plans. My boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE this bed frame and headboard and are going to build it next week! What would be the dimensions for a king size mattress? Thank you! Love your site!!
Thanks Ashley!
Add 22″ to the width and 5 inches to the length 🙂
Thank you!!! 😀
Yes I too would love if you could post the dimensions for the King size, I know nothing about building but if I had the plans to give my husband then he could do it for us, thank you!
do you need to use slats or can you just continue across (2’x8′) with the wide boards and make it a solid piece?
If you are not using a box spring you really need slats to let your mattress breathe.
Here is my shot at the bed. The instructions were great! I have been INSPIRED!!
Here is another one I’m working on. I added the handmade woodart to jazz it up a bit. Still working of the bed now that head board is done!
HI there,
We are looking forward to building this bed as well! Any chance you could post the dimensions for a california king? 🙂
It turned out absolutely AMAZING!!!! We are soo happy with it!! Thanks again for adjusting the measurements for me! I can’t wait to make more project from your site!!! Night stands will be our next one I think 😉
What where the dimensions you used!? Please help 😀
For example the 2x8x10 is the yellow piece. And it is 52″ in is that in length or width? The directions say add 22″ to the width and 5″ to the length, how would I do that?
Is it 52+22=74 (is that the width)??
then where do i add the 5??
Sorry not good at geometry apparently!
Jeka
Yes, you are correct. So add 22″ to all of the measurements following the direction of the yellow board – that is the width. And then add 5″ to the length which would be the green board. I don’t have the paper where I did all the math to each board but just follow the colors. Green, pink and red are length. Teal, dark blue, yellow and white are the width.
did you change the height from the original plans for the headboard? what color stain did you use for the platform?
Do I add that amount to every piece? Or which ones only?
How would you adjust these plans for a twin size bed? Trying to make Christmas present for my sister!
Hi Emily,
Subtract 15″ from the width!
Hi there!
I was just wondering if you would have plans for a twin sized bed? It looks like I would have a lot of wasted material if I’m subtracting 15″. Is this true? Do you have a rough estimate as to what the total material cost was for this entire platform and headboard?
Thank you!
-Brian
Dimensions for queen size bed???
Add 6″ to the width and 5″ to the length 🙂
How would I go about changing the dimensions to fit a king size mattress?
Is this plan for a Full sized mattress?
So excited that I saw this on pinterest! I’ve been wanting a bed like this and trying to convince hubby that we can build it, so I’m so glad that you posted a plan! I’m not quite sure how to convert the measurements to queen size but I’m excited to try!!
Could you please share the dimensions to fit a twin size bed?
i see you used 52″ for the slats. Is that the width of your son’s full size bed? I’m converting the plans to fit a queen size bed and the standard full size mattress measures out to 54″x 75″ so I wanted to make sure that was what you were working with. Thanks!
How would you convert the plans to a queen sized bed?
Hey Megan. I may be a little late here, but the “standard” size for most queen size mattresses is 60″ X 80,” which is 6″ wider and 5″ longer than a standard full size. Therefore, you can adjust these plans by adding an additional 6 inches to all of the width cuts and an additional 5 inches to all of the length cuts.
For example:
The dimension cuts for the bottom support width piece (yellow in the free plans) is 55 inches. To achieve the desired queen size you are looking for, increase this cut to 61 inches. So-on and so-forth for the rest of the cuts.
Hope this helps!
Did anyone take a stab at translating all the measurements into Queen? I feel like some pieces stay the same while others change and if you don’t get them all right, you will have to buy all of them all over again.
I working on a queen right now. I’m making it 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer.
So far it is going well. The 2x8x10 will not be able to long enough to produce two pieces. I had to go back to the store. Same with the1x3x10 slats.
This is my first ever attempt at a woodwork project. Could someone please help to decipher what I’ll need as a supply list to build a queen bed? It’s currently at:
1 x 3 x 10’ 8 Furring strips for the slats
2 x 8 x 10’ 1 Pine or whitewood board
2 x 8 x 8’ 2 Pine or whitewood board
2 x 6 x 8’ 3 Pine or whitewood board
2 x 4 x 8’ 1 Pine or whitewood board
2 x 2 x 8’ 3 Pine or whitewood board
Thanks in advance! Just want to make sure that I get the right amount of wood. 🙂
lmao i was looking at this thinking “that looks just like megan’s bed… i bet she used this site”
What kind of wood did you use? Was it treated?
It calls for whitewood or pine, but I think she used pine.
Oh, I love that your son told his friends that you built the bed. My sister is a general contractor and I always get a kick of pride when I tell people. And, here comes the boast, she lives in Florida which has an extremely difficult test to pass for the license. When she took the test, she was the only woman among 700 men. You go, Girl!
My other sister was the second woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, with a degree in agronomy.
I enjoy being proud of them…because….I haven’t done a damn thing.
Are you the middle child? lol! I am the middle of three girls and though I’ve had and still have a great life, I did not have the ‘recognized’ accomplishments as did my sisters. (I also live stress free!?)
Would really like to see the king plans
We simply added 16″ to the width and kept the length boards the same as the plan for our king mattress. This resulted (because I thought the plan was for a queen) in less platform protruding from the sides of the mattress. I also added another 2″x4″ down the center to compensate for the additional width (as seen in the picture) Personally, I like it better.
This plan would be great modified to have a storage space below, either with drawers or maybe even with the bed on hinges to lift it up. Hmmm…
I was wondering…….do you absolultely have to use a Kreg Jig to build this platform bed?
Nope! You sure do not. You could put this together MANY different ways, including screws, brackets, and other corner hardware. You could use corner hardware externally to give it a unique industrial look, or just hide it on the inside.
Do u have any ideas what it would be for a king size bed?? lol. I always seem to get it wrong when I get to measuring things I am not sure of. 🙂
She said to “Add 22″ to the width and 5 inches to the length :)”
Wouldn’t the length to increase by be, 18″ to the width and 9″ to the length, being a Cal King is 72×84?
Did you attach to the headboard by drilling 2.5″ pocket holes on the underside of the frame on the platform bed or where did you drill in the screws?
I’m sorry, I wasn’t very clear on that! I drilled from the backside of the headboard legs into the bottom base and top frame of the platform:)
Perfect, thanks! You girls are SO inspiring!