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Storage Daybed

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diy storage daybed
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Can you build a box? What about three boxes? Then put some trim on the outside edges? Yes? Then you can build a storage bed like this one. The Storage Daybed is actually made up of three benches, very different benches than the Queen-Sized. These benches are much more simple. Thank you readers for the photos! Special thanks to Kara for sharing her amazing bed.

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diy storage daybed
diy storage daybed
diy storage daybed
diy storage daybed
diy storage daybed
Fits a standard twin bed mattress.

Preparation

Shopping List

3 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood 3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet 6 - 1x2 @ 8 feet 6 - 1x12 @ 8 feet (optional drawers) 6 sets of side mount drawer slides, 18″ long, designed to fit in a 3/4″ gap (optional drawers)

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
Cut List

Pieces to Frame 3Benches A) 6 – 3/4″ Plywood cut at 16″ X 39″ (Sides of Benches) B) 3 – 3/4″ Plywood cut at 23 1/2″ X 39″ (Bottoms of Benches) C) 3 – 3/4″ Plywood cut at 23 1/2″ X 12 1/2″ (Center Cubby Dividers) D) 3 – 3/4″ Plywood cut at 25 X 39″ (Top of the Benches) Trim Pieces for all three Benches E) 6 – 1×4 @ 25″ (Bottom Trim, Top 1 1/2″ upper corners mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams below) F) 6 – 1×2 @ 25″ (Top Trim, Ends mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams) G) 12 – 1×2 @ 14 3/4″ (Side Trim, ends mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams) Trim Pieces for the 2 Outer Benches, Exposed Edges H) 2 – 1×4 @ 40 1/2″ (Bottom Trim, top 1 1/2″ upper corners mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams) I) 2 – 1×2 @ 40 1/2″ (Top Trim, ends mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams) J) 4 – 1×2 @ 14 3/4 (Side Trim, ends mitered off at 45 degrees, see diagrams) K) 2 – 1x2s @ 11 3/4″ (Middle trim for the outside end benches) Optional Drawer Pieces L) 6 – 3/4″ Plywood cut at 20 1/4″ x 18 1/4″ (Drawer Bottoms) M) 6 – 1×12 @ 20 1/4″ (Backs of Drawers) N) 12 – 1×12 @ 19″ Sides of Drawers O) 6 – 1×12 @ 21 3/4″

Cutting Instructions

See more details for cutting diagrams at the bottom of the page in the additional photos. Special thanks to Jen!

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
General Instructions

Begin by cutting all your boards. Check the diagrams for exact measurements on the trim pieces that need to be mitered out on the corners at 45 degree angles. Use 2″ nails unless otherwise directed. Always use glue. If you expect your bed to take heavy abuse (for example, used daily in a children’s room) you may wish to use screws. Screws will prevent wiggling and make the bed last longer, but are more difficult to build with. For the trim pieces, you may wish to cut as you go to guarantee the most perfect fit. If you are adding drawers, it is crucial that you build a perfectly square box for the drawers. Make certain that you cut the plywood square and that you check for square as you go. Your drawers will not slide properly if your drawers or the drawer box is not square. Learn how to check for square in the HOW-TO section.

Instructions

Step 1

You will make 3 of the following benches: Start by nailing through the sides, A, into the bottom B. Use the measurements above to guide you.

Step 2

Then nail the center cubby divider, C, in place as shown above. Make sure you also nail from the bottom of the benches into the center cubby divider.

Step 3

Nail the top of the bench, D, to the benches, as shown above. Make sure you nail into the center cubby divider, C, from step 3.

Step 4

Cut trim piece E as shown above. Then nail to the bench on the top and ends, keeping all outside edges flush.

Step 5

Step 6

Cut pieces G as shown above and nail to the sides of the bench, keeping outside edges flush. Make sure you use 2″ nails to nail from the outside edges of G into the ends of the top and bottom trim pieces.

Step 7

Line the three benches up and on the outsides of the outer two benches, add the following trim pieces: Cut H and I as shown above. Then nail in place, keeping outside edges flush. Use 1 1/4″ nails.

Step 8

Cut J and K as shown above and nail in place. Use 1 1/4″ nails.

Step 9

Drawer Assembly If your bench openings are not perfectly square, your drawers will not slide right. Assemble the drawer by nailing the back of the drawer, M, to the bottom of the drawer, L, as shown above. Keep outside edges flush.

Step 10

Add the drawer sides, N, as shown above.

Step 11

My “trick” to getting the perfect drawer front is to mount the drawer box into the slides in the benches without the face. Then, with the faceless drawer pushed in, center the drawer face on the opening (and not the actual drawer). When you are happy with the gap around the drawer, nail the face to the sides and bottom of the drawer.

Finishing Instructions
Finish Used
Fill all holes with putty and sand and finish as desired.
Project Type
Beds and Bed Frames
Room
Bedroom
Storage Solutions

Comments

shay3311 (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 08:42

Any thoughts on how to make some sides and back for this? Kinda like the "Straton Sectional" from PB?

Audra (not verified)

Sat, 01/08/2011 - 19:43

I was looking for the two corner bed plans, I can't find it on here? Am I missing the link?? Thanks, Audra

Bowen 6

Thu, 05/12/2011 - 13:09

Is there a way I could attach some industrial looking wheels to the day bed? I think it would make it easier to move, as I will be putting it up against the wall and would like to get to the cubbies in the back at times.

angiemicn

Sat, 06/25/2011 - 23:16

d/t tiny house, i have to change the depth of the cubbies from 39 to 30, which i will be attaching to 2x4s in nook area...at 30 will I still need center divider? Because the back cubby will be lost space once its put into place....Can anyone think of something I could use instead of the divider so I can access the back cubby?
thanks in advance, I'm putting it together with my Kreg so I'm wondering if that will make it sturdy enough, any help is appreciated.

Alexander, great idea 2 3/4's I put the same 1 X 2 in , thx

angie

JCPGVILLE

Tue, 07/19/2011 - 14:24

I am so excited about this website and all the ideas I'm getting! I'm especially excited about the information on the this day bed, but I'm having a hard time getting large enough diagram images that clearly show the dimensions. Are their better images? When I click on the diagrams the browser opens them in another window but the images are even smaller.

Has anyone else had better luck with this?

Help?

Loft beds (not verified)

Tue, 08/16/2011 - 16:22

I want to make a loft bed in addition to having 3 layers of drawers, one stacked on top of the other. Do you think this is safe for teens though? I know already that this doesn't work for young kids. We are working with very limited space...

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 08/18/2011 - 09:07

I am having a really hard time reading the dimensions in the pictures, has anyone else had this problem? Any advice would be great. I have tried zooming in but they just get blurry. I can't wait to make this bed for my daughter, but it will be my first building project and I don't want to mess it up!

Sahmamma

Thu, 08/18/2011 - 14:49

Hi! I have a question, has anyone actually made the drawers for this bed? I really want drawers and I am determined to make them. Hopefully I don't mess up my first project? The drawers call for 18" long slides that fit in a gap of 3/4". what does this mean? The only ones that have a side clearance of this 3/4" on Rocker are over $40 each and I can't spend that. What about 1/2" side clearance? Would the drawer sizes need to be adjusted? Thank you so much for the help, I want to get at least one bed made before we travel to China to pick up our adopted daughter.

smallquiltpieces

Wed, 08/31/2011 - 11:10

the internet lost my first post.

Anyway, i love this site. I see many items I want to build.

The question I have is on the materials list for this project. How much can i take off of the materials list if I just want to build the bed to look like the green ones in the picture above ( no miters and no drawers). We are on a very tight budget and with very narrow stairs and two floors the easier, cheaper the better!!

Thanks

Laura

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 09/15/2011 - 15:06

To the above poster, it looks like you could buy just the plywood and build just the boxes with no trim or drawers. You would still need, nails or screws, glue, etc though. The plywood runs about $20 per sheet at the large home improvement stores.

claydowling

Fri, 09/16/2011 - 09:10

Don't pick your plywood up at a home center. Plywood must be stored flat and fully supported. The major home centers don't do this, and it causes their plywood to warp. You will have nothing but misery trying to build with it. Lumber yards will sell the same plywood but store it properly, and you will have a much happier experience.

Some home centers do store their sheet goods properly, and that's usually a fine buying experience. If you live in the midwest, check out Menards. I find they usually have their plywood and MDF resting flat and fully supported.

Call your local lumber yards up and ask them for the price of 3/4" plywood sanded two sides, you can see what it will cost.

Whitney T. (not verified)

Mon, 09/26/2011 - 17:51

Ana,
Love your site & would love to try, but I think the expense of purchase all the power tools would outweigh me trying to save by building myself. Any suggestions on sites to find someone to build it for me? Thanks!

Ulmcrew (not verified)

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 22:40

My understanding is that it's 16 3/4" tall and just barely wider/longer than a standard twin mattress. Hope this helps!

Cindy (not verified)

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 10:43

I really like this bed..but i want it to fit my existing matress which is a queen size mattress...can someone please help me with the measurements...thank you

aldaisy17 (at) yahoo (dot) com

any suggestions will be gladly appreciated thank you..

Ulmcrew (not verified)

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 22:37

CDX? Or is that too rough? AC? Will that work better? I'm hoping CDX will do the job cause it's $20/sheet compared to $36/per sheet for the AC grade. Anyone have any insight? Also, can I use 1/2" thick rather than 3/4"?
Thanks!!!

claydowling

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 04:34

You want the AC for the bed. The quality of the surface of the plywood will be the quality of the surface of the bed. Also from experience the 1/2" plywood will flex too much.

cinnsation

Tue, 12/13/2011 - 17:37

The General Instructions state:
" Learn how to check for square in the HOW-TO section."

Where is the "How-To Section"? I checked out the "Get Started Guide' but there isn't anything there about "Make certain that you cut the plywood square and that you check for square as you go. Your drawers will not slide properly if your drawers or the drawer box is not square."

Is there any other information on the site about this? Or where is the how-to section you refer to.

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 12/19/2011 - 10:55

I have seen that people have wanted plans for this bed in a queen. Me too!! Has anyone heard/found anything to accommodate?

Karen Kraus (not verified)

Fri, 02/03/2012 - 03:08

I was wondering if I could create a daybed without the need for power tools. I am happy to purchase things from Ikea and put things together that way, but do not have the tools, skll, or time to attempt to build boxes. I love the look- it is perfect for my space. Also, could I use a full size bed? Help greatly appreciated.

SARA SELLA (not verified)

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 13:22

I would love to try and build this bed for my teenage son. However he has a Full size bed.

Can anyone help me? The idea of building is challenge enough for me... I can't possibly do math too!

SARA SELLA (not verified)

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 13:22

I would love to try and build this bed for my teenage son. However he has a Full size bed.

Can anyone help me? The idea of building is challenge enough for me... I can't possibly do math too!

judy rohr (not verified)

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 02:46

I was wondering if you could use yhe storage boxes for a mattress so you could open it up for a bed?

Hann Stephens-Smith (not verified)

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 15:16

I'm the mother of a soon to be two year old and i would like to buil him a day bed. i love the storage design and versatility but is there any way to add "arms" or sides to this particular design, after all he is only 2. if not i was wondering if you had a design plan to match this description. i have looked many many places for plans for a particular "look" i have in mind. i thoroughly enjoy your site and am rather excited to use many of your plans in the future. thank you in advance for any help and/or advice you may be able to give!

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 09:33

This may be a silly question but is there a way to make this bed with the storage baskets and still use a box spring and mattress? I hate to sell the box spring but unless we can use it we really don't have a place to store it for future use. Thought I'd ask. This is very cute and I think it would look better than the twin bed frame we are using with a daybed cover for just a sitting area to watch tv and etc in my daughter's room. Thx!

Lauren Jarrold (not verified)

Sun, 06/03/2012 - 13:05

Has anyone made this for a full size mattress? If so, do you have a revised cut list? Thought I should ask before reinventing the wheel. Thanks!

loriley10

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 18:33

I would like to build these beds with the storage corner unit but I'm trying to figure out how I could make one of the beds with a trundle, so when one of my boys has a friend over they also have a bed. Any ideas???

Jeannie B (not verified)

Wed, 08/22/2012 - 11:18

I love your website! Thank you Ana.

How long can I make the drawer space and still have enough support for the mattress? I am pushing mine against the wall, and don't want to "waste" the other side of the storage.

Thanks,
Jeannie

JMC (not verified)

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 20:22

Hi Ana,
I LOVE your site! I also love the PB Stratton Sectional Sofa, but they discontinued it...before I could scrape together the dollars! :) I wonder if you can make plans for something like that? They are basically boxes with backs and they can be bracketed together or left separate to use as stand-alone chairs. Also, I think there is a corner piece...I would LOVE plans to make this since I cannot buy it anymore. I bet the hand-made version would be better and definitely cost less...
Thanks, J

Aaron (not verified)

Thu, 11/22/2012 - 20:31

We are going to build this to set against a wall on the long end. Is the divider in the middle meant as a "load bearing" support or can it be disregarded to make the drawers deeper? Thanks!

Mrs. Simpson (not verified)

Wed, 12/19/2012 - 11:12

Our house is over 100 years old and the upstairs has the angled ceiling from the roof. The bedroom for our twin girls is long and narrow, I like the picture of the green daybeds in the corner, but would like it converted into one long bed with the storage in between and at the ends. Is this something you could help us with? If we have the plans, I may be able to have my dad and husband get this one done! (perhaps within the next 4 years before the girls are old enough to need it)

Linnette (not verified)

Thu, 01/03/2013 - 10:17

Thank you for sharing with the public! I, too, like to build stuff. My husband thought I was insane.... until I built him a corner entertainment center to go with his new flat screen TV! I really enjoyed making it. I have made other things too, like a tree house for my kids and other things. I feel that I get better with each project I do. Thank you again! God has truly blessed you!!!

Chipwvu (not verified)

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 07:20

Ana, I saw a few requests for a queen sized version of this bed and was wondering if you ever adjusted the plans for a queen mattress? I am trying to do the math, but am getting hung up. I was also wondering if you could leave the "ends" open to allow access to the. Sides, or if that would be too weak. I was thinking maybe putting a 1x4 vertically on the head and foot of the bed where the divider is and leaving the sides open. Any help in these ideas would be greatly appreciated. You're definitely better at adapting these plans than me!!!

Alicia Lott (not verified)

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 14:32

Hi Ana,

I am new to your blog and just love it! I am interested in making this day bed sized a little smaller for a toddler mattress (52.2"x27.5"). I am super intimidated making the adjustments myself considering I have never built anything in my life. Do you happen to know what the dims are for a smaller bed?

sarmstrong5339

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 08:43

First of all, this blog is amazing!! I am about to tackle my first project (storage daybed), but would really like to change dimensions of cubbies (and possibly have 4 cubbies??). The bins that I want to use in the bed measure 11 H x 12 1/8 W x 17 1/8 D, so I would want my spaces to be slightly larger than this. I am nervous to change the dimensions on my own! Would anyone be willing to help me with this?? Thanks!

cilusmc1

Sat, 04/20/2013 - 08:28

Hello! Please forgive me if someone has already asked this question...if so I missed it. Two of my girls share a room and due to space constraints, their beds must be on different walls if they don't want a bunk bed. Both beds are in corners so they touch two walls. I understand that the divider in the cubbies is for stability but is there any way to modify the plans so that they are still structurally sound, but the full depth of each cubby is still useable? Because storage space is at such a premium, I am really trying to have as little wasted space as possible. Thanks!

Did it my self

Sun, 06/16/2013 - 10:21

I am a new to building, but have really enjoyed it SO fare. I want to make this bed for my daughters room, but have a few questions.
My Daughter is 5 and well not always easy on her things. I have my worries about this bed being made from 3 small peaces. I can just see her so how shifting one of them and getting stuck between it and the wall.
So I am looking for advice. Do you think it would be better to make it so that the top and bottom are make from on sheet of plywood with the dividers and supports running down the insides? Or would it be better to make the 3 smaller "benches" and then screw them all together?
Any help would be great!!
Thanks!!

kaylw

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 23:54

I had tried making my own plans for a twin xl bed. We wanted storage like this one has and we like the look. We plan to add a head board and she'd also like sides too to make it look more like a daybed or sofa (I also feel this will help hold the mattress in place). We plan to place the x frame desk we're hoping to build ourselves on the other side of the headboard. I'm having some trouble though with it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I want the head board to be secure while also being tall enough to hopefully hide the desk but low enough that she can turn on and off the lamps and have the light for them while on the bed. Not sure if I can upload my sketches or not here, that might help. But if you have any ideas I'd greatly appreciate it. If not I'm still going to try it and just hope for the best, but since I'm on a budget I really want to get it right the first time. Also can anyone say how much the original bed here costs for supplies? It would help me know how much my project may run me. First time trying to build anything, so which us luck please.
Love your site and ideas. So happy I found it!
Thank you
One thought on a bed like this without a lip on it...to keep the mattress from sliding around. Would be to place the no slip under rug place holders (have no idea what they're really called)under the mattress. They're cheap and should work well enough.

Aubrey

Mon, 01/06/2014 - 13:49

Any chance anyone has shrunk this down to fit a crib mattress. This would be perfect to make a couch in my kids playhouse. Help!

joeny1980

Sun, 01/12/2014 - 08:45

As always, great and simple straightforward plan, I'm anxious to make this. I need tips on choosing plywood for this sort of project. I swear I'm at Home Depot many hours a week, and I've become a pretty experienced DIY'er, but I've never worked with plywood other than OSB on a garage project. What is the correct plywood to choose? Is there something its called, what is the rough price per sheet you're paying for this (to help narrow down which one)? I see a bunch of different grades, but the one that looked right wasnt even 3/4". Any tips or links, or exact wording that can help me find the right one.

mommyto4

Thu, 06/12/2014 - 12:00

Would anyone happen to have this for a twin size frame? I would love to do it as a platform type bed for my son. Thanks!