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!
The finished bed
what size bed is this for? Queen?
This was a king size. 2 years later and it still looks great and very sturdy.
Be sure to make sure it fits in the bedroom doorway. I learned the hard way, as I assembled it outside then realized it wouldn’t fit through the door. Had to partially disassemble then reassemble in the bedroom.
Do you happen to have the measurements?
I built a King Platform bed from your Plans and I couldn’t be happier how it came out. Thank you for the inspiration.
My suggestion for anyone building the king size is to make sure you assemble it in the room you plan to use it. I realized after assembly round #1 that it was too big put together to fill in the door frame.
My husband and I would love to build this bed but add drawers underneath, any recommendations.
We actually recently posted a bed that is a platform with drawers!
Thanks soooo much for the inspiration! My daughter bought her first house recently. There was a potting bench made of beautifully weathered pallets left in the back yard…she wanted a bed for her birthday…I saw this post…voila! The universes collided!
She and I tore the pallets apart. Hubby and I built it with your directions while making a few minor mods (altering the size to queen and making the headboard to hang from the wall using French cleats…to keep the headboard from banging the wall every time “Baby” jumps on the bed ????) I used three colors of stain and combinations of the three to get the interesting boards. I also painted the plywood backer black so the gaps between the irregular boards would disappear.
Beautiful bed, happy daughter! Thank you!
So pretty and great use of pallets! Thank you for sharing:))))
So to make sure I have the mathi right. Can someone verify? This is for a king.
Scott – Did your measurements work? I’m planning on building the king size today. Thanks in advance!!
can someone convert me the lenghts in centimers? please!!
Most smart phones can convert the values for you
We did two of these and we are totally 2 novices. This was a great first project… and we did them in twin size taking 15″ off of the width.
Does anyone know if the 2 by 8 by 10 foot if both pieces of the 10 foot,are cut at 52 inches ( is there 2 pieces at 52inches)of the 10foot 2by 8
Did you sand the wood before staining it?
Do you happen to have the headboard instructions?
I had several screws come out through the other side of my wood. I had my KREG set at 1 1/2 and I used 2 1/2 inch screws, so not sure what I did wrong 🙁
Did you set the depth collar on the bit?
Yes, I did
After constructing this bed and reading some of the comments, I think if you included dimensions, instead of leaving it to a lot of guess work, the project would not be so challenging for some folks. Just sayin. Anyway the bed turned out great. Thanks.
I don’t have a nail gun. Should I use wood screws or just regular nails with a hammer? Thanks!
I am new to diy, but I’m looking for easy projects to take on to save money for when me and my boyfriend get our own place. I love your plans and they are so easy to follow and of course turn out incredible. I have been desperately looking for a bed frame for my bed. It is a queen tempurpedic on an adjustable motorized frame. So there is a motor located vertically in the center supported by a 40″ by 58″ metal frame. The upholstered outer frame is currently 4″ from the ground with the metal frame being 8″ front the ground. would love a wood frame for our bed to sit in. Storage is not a necessity but I do want it to have the platform framed in wood look. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
If I were modifying the plan for a California King, would I use the same dimensions as a King by adding 22″ to the width and 5″ to the length?
Yes, but a Cali King is longer. You can google mattress dimensions and see the exact measurements.
Wouldn’t the length to increase be, 18″ to the width and 9″ to the length, being a Cal King is 72×84? I am about to start on this platform for my Cal King and just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something here. Awesome job on the platform and plans btw!! Thank you sooo much for posting all the pictures and plans. I can’t wait to get this thing built.
Yes, you will make it wider and longer based on a Cal King measurement. The plans are for a full size mattress 🙂
Thank You again Shanty2Chic; YOU ROCK!!!