DIY Storage bed with drawers, covered in scrap wood pieces. You can use pallet wood or any scrap wood, or use regular drawer faces for a more refined finish.
This plan is also available in a King version.

Preparation
You will need to add pallet or scrap wood for the "siding" - drawer faces can also be 1x12s
- 2 full sheets of 3/4" plywood ripped into strips
- 15-3/4" wide (very important that all rips are the exact same width)
- 1 full sheet of 1/4" plywood (rip into strips 15-3/4" wide for drawer bottoms)
- 11 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
- 4 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long (for slats)
- 4 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long (for drawer boxes)*
- 3 - 1x8 @ 10 feet long (for drawer boxes)*
- 6 - 16" Euro Drawer Slides (the white bottom corner mount ones)
- 6 knobs or handles
*Drawer boxes could also be made of plywood ripped into strips 7-3/4" wide (1/2" or 3/4") (could save money and would be more structurally sound and square than pine boards
END BENCH (for building 1 bench)
- 1 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 58-1/2""
- 3 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 15-3/4"
- 4 - 1x4 @ 28-1/8"
- 2 - 1x2 @ 16-1/2"
- 1 - 1x2 @ 57"
- 1 - 1x4 @ 57"
End Bench Drawers - Cut to fit opening and drawer slides
- 4 - 1x8 @ 15-3/4"
- 4 - 1x8 @ 25-5/8"
- 2 - 1/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 27-1/8"
SIDE BENCHES (for building 2 benches)
- 2 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 62-1/2""
- 6 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 15-3/4"
- 8 - 1x4 @ 30-1/8"
- 4 - 1x2 @ 16-1/2"
- 2 - 1x2 @ 61"
- 2 - 1x4 @ 61"
Side Bench Drawers - Cut to fit opening and drawer slides
- 8 - 1x8 @ 15-3/4"
- 8 - 1x8 @ 27-5/8"
- 4 - 1/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 29-1/8"
TIE-IN PIECES
- 4 - 1x4s or 1x3s @ 58-1/2"
- 2 - 1x4s or 1x3s @ 62-1/2"
- 12 - 1x3s @ 26-1/2" (can be any scrap wood or plywood)
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
Step 1
END BENCH (BUILD ONE) - Attach the side panels and middle panel to the top plywood piece. Make sure that center piece is exactly centered (we used the 1x4 pieces from the next step as guides). Attach with pocket holes. We also drilled 3/4" pocket holes facing forward on the end panels (outside) and top panel (on top) for attach the face frame in later steps. Remember that the entire bed gets "sided" so place pocket holes on the outsides.
Step 2
Step 3
END BENCH (BUILD ONE) - Build the face frame separately, then attach the completed face frame to the bench. Insides will be flush on the sides, top will be flush to top, bottom 1x4 boards will match up. Use the pocket holes you drilled in earlier steps to attach at the top and sides. Nail to the bottom 1x4 board with 1-1/4" nails and glue.
Step 4
Step 6
Tie in the two side benches with 1x4s or 1x3s (we actually used scrap strips of plywood - anything will work here, these boards are just to keep the two benches lined up. We actually did this in the room after finishing the entire bed in the garage and then carrying all the pieces into the room for final assembly.
Step 7
Step 8
There's alot of drawers, so this is where much of the time and money was spent. We also built our drawers out of 1x10s so the front face would be easy to nail scraps too but that is an added cost. The measurements given are for the perfect build - make sure you measure each and every opening, and build to fit your drawer slides and openings. I actually number each drawer box and custom make to fit each opening.
I build drawers by placing 3/4" pocket holes on outsides of front and back and attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. The pocket holes then get covered up by the drawer face.
Step 9
Install drawers inset 3/4" from face frame (or flush with front edge of plywood). To make installing drawers easier, I cut a spacer block and rest the drawer slides on top -
That way I knew all my drawer slides were installed at the same height, and it took alot of measuring and marking out of the build process.
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Comments
zoeormsby
Thu, 03/12/2015 - 10:14
Pulls?
Could you share a link for the pulls? Thanks!
thedoad
Wed, 03/18/2015 - 14:20
King Plans
Awesome plans! I second the request for a King version! Great job as always!
bbowers3
Fri, 03/20/2015 - 19:02
Cali King
Can I get the dimensions for this for a Cali King bed? Please!! Thanks!!
Shyam Sundar Naik
Tue, 04/14/2015 - 03:29
Disassembleing the bed cot in case of changing houses.
My heartiest thanks to both Ana and Brandy for sharing their ideas in building a storage bed using various scraps.
Can I know as to how the cut will be dissembled and if it is possible at which points/portions?. I am planing to build one bed cut according to this plan. But, in my case, being government{transferable job) servant, I am supposed to be transferred to different places for which I need to relocate my all furniture accordingly. I solicit your help in this regard.
TaylorCrawford
Wed, 07/22/2015 - 07:10
King size measurements
Hi! I love this bed idea and my fiancé and I are in the process of buying a house and we want to build this bed but we are buying a king size bed! Is there any way you could email me the measurements and info on how to do this in a king size? Thank you!!
lindsee
Sun, 08/23/2015 - 09:43
twin and king sized plans
Would love plans for a twin and king size plans for this bed. Could you please post or email to me. Want to build for my son. Thank you
Kindaclever1
Fri, 01/01/2016 - 18:02
How about some matching night stands for this one?
Hey Ana, please consider doing some night stand plans for this project. This project is to perfect to not receive a matching night stand.
llangan
Mon, 03/14/2016 - 08:20
Drawers
Is there a step by step for the drawer slides? Are these on the bottom of the drawers or the sides?
I can't wait to start this project!
SarahB907
Tue, 03/22/2016 - 07:22
Measurements for a Full size bed
I am so in love with this!! I am headed to the Home Depot this morning so id love to price this for my Full size bed.
SarahB907
Tue, 03/22/2016 - 07:22
Measurements for a Full size bed
I am so in love with this!! I am headed to the Home Depot this morning so id love to price this for my Full size bed.