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Classic Storage Bed (King)

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Submitted by Ana White on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 12:56
Difficulty
Intermediate
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If you can build a bench, you can build this storage bed.  It's simply three benches!  Optional drawers can add functionality.  Features six oversized cubbies, no box spring is required.  Our step by step plans are easy to follow and include a full shopping list and cut list.

This plan is also available in a Queen version.

platform style diy king storage bed easy to build

Reader submitted photo by Twenty Six 2 Life

storage bed pieces

Dimensions
wood storage bed frame dimensions
Standard king dimensions, sized for mattress 76" wide x 80" long

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 2 - sheets of 3/4" thick cabinet grade plywood, you can also use MDF or AC plywood for painted finishes
  • 1 - 4x8 sheet of 1/4" thick plywood 
  • 5 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long

*For a stained finish, cabinet grade plywood is recommended.  For a painted finish you can use MDF (not fun to work with but inexpensive) or AC Plywood (will need more sanding but also less expensive)

 

OPTIONAL DRAWERS SHOPPING LIST

  • 3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 6 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - sheet of 1/4" thick plywood
  • 6 - 18" drawer slides
  • 2 - 1x12 @ 8 feet long - cut two drawer shorter and one longer drawer face from each board to fit everything on the boards
Common Materials
3/4 inch finish nails
1 1/4 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Cut List

SIDE BENCHES (BUILD 2 - Follow Queen Plans)

  • 2 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 60"
  • 6 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 14-3/4"
  • 4 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 28-7/8"
  • 2 - 1/4" plywood @ 15-1/2" x 60"
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 60"
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 60"
  • 9 - 1x2 @ 11-1/4"
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 60" - back cleats

END BENCH (BUILD 1)

  • 1 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 76"
  • 3 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 14-3/4"
  • 2 - 3/4" plywood @ 19-3/4" x 36-7/8"
  • 1 - 1/4" plywood @ 15-1/2" x 76"
  • 1 - 1x2 @ 76"
  • 3 - 1x2 @ 11-1/4"
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 76"
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 20-3/4"
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 20-3/4"
  • 4 - 1x2 @ 11-1/4"

 

OPTIONAL DRAWERS FOR KING END BENCH - measure and cut drawers to fit openings and drawer slides

  • 4 - 1x4 @ 18"
  • 4 - 1x6 @ 18"
  • 4 - 1x6 @ 32-7/8"
  • 2 - 1/4" plywood @ 34-3/8" x 18"
  • 2 - 1x12 @ ~35-1/2" 

OPTIONAL DRAWERS FOR QUEEN SIDE BENCHES - measure and cut to fit openings and drawer slides

  • 8 - 1x4 @ 18"
  • 8 - 1x6 @ 18"
  • 8 - 1x6 @ 24-7/8"
  • 4 - 1/4" plywood @ 36-3/8" x 18"
Cutting Instructions

For three sheets of 3/4" plywood:

  • Rip lengthwise into 6 strips, 8 feet long by 19-3/4" wide
  • From these strips, first cut the 60" long pieces
  • From scraps, cut remaining pieces
  • There will be three scraps, 8 feet long by about 7-1/2" wide.  Save this scrap piece and use as the cleat at the back of the side benches

For the 1/4" plywood

  • Rip plywood into strips, 8 feet long x 15-1/2" wide
  • From these strips, cut the backs for the three benches

For the trim and face frame pieces, a compound miter saw is recommended for nice cuts.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

This bed is made up of three benches.

The two side benches are identical to the queen bed.  Follow the instructions in the queen bed to build two side benches.  Add the cleats for the mattress slats to the backs of the side benches.

The end bench for the king only differs in overall length from the queen.  The steps are listed below for your convenience.

 

Step 2

Build the end bench with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.  Three screws per joint is sufficient.

Step 3

Attach back with 3/4" brad nails and glue.

Step 4

Build the face frame first with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Nail completed face frame to front of bench with 1-1/4" brad nails.

Step 5

Build the end bench trim face frame first with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Attach with 1-1/4" brad nails to sides of end bench.

Step 6

Assemble the three benches in the room.  You can screw benches together if necessary.

Cut scrap plywood pieces to fit in cavity and screw to slats on backs of side benches.

Step 7

OPTIONAL DRAWERS:

Drawers are optional.  

Draw a line on 1x4s, 1" up from bottom edge of 1x4.

Attach drawer slides to the 1x4, with front edge of drawer slide cabinet member flush with front edge of 1x4.

The holes in the center of the drawer slide should line up with your pencil mark, 1" up from bottom edge of 1x4 - so you know your slides are being installed level.

Remember that the opposing drawer slide needs to be installed in mirror.

Set the 1x4s inside the cubbies and nail to the sides of the cubbies with 1-1/4" brad nails.  The front edge should be lined up with the front edge of your plywood carcasses.

Step 8

Build drawer boxes to fit drawer slide width.  Measure the distance between the 1x4s, subtract the drawer slide clearances (usually 1" for 1/2" on each drawer slide) and build drawers to this size.

If your opening is true - 35-3/8" - AND your drawer slides require 1/2" clearance (1" overall) AND your drawer box material is 3/4" thick, you can follow the dimensions shown.

Step 9

Install drawers into the slides.

Cut 1x12 faces and adjust to fit.  You may need to sand down edges for a perfect fit, or cut drawer faces down with a table saw.  There should be an even gap around all edges, about 1/8" on all sides.

Project Type
Cubby Project Plans
Beds
Room
storage and organization
Bedroom

Comments

Darlene - Our … (not verified)

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 12:37

If you know of where to buy the baskets that would fit the spaces in the queen size bed...please let me know.

cottagewish (not verified)

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 17:26

So very excited to have found your site. You ROCK! I just spent the last couple years installing all new trim in my home and now am ready to tackle more...can't wait to hone in on a project and mirror your plans.

ScrappinAway (not verified)

Fri, 01/08/2010 - 05:43

I am sooo excited to try this, I have been wanting new bedroom furniture but didn't think I could afford what I wanted but this looks like a great solution!!!
Wow, that was a really long sentence, lol!

Celina (not verified)

Sat, 01/09/2010 - 14:43

I have wanted this bed for so long and couldn't bring myself to splurge. I am dying to get started on this project! Love,Love,Love your site!

Jeanne (not verified)

Sat, 01/16/2010 - 02:38

I just discovered your blog and am doing the happy dance!!

I have wanted a copy of the stratton bed for 2-3 years and hubby refuses to help me build anything without a detailed set of plans. However, After reviewing your plans it looks like you have plans for every size except a full size bed. We have a full size bed in our guest room and don't have any room for anything larger. Can you tell me what the best way to modify one of your sets of plans for a full sized bed would be? Or send a link to point me in the right direction if you have already posted it and I have missed it.

Thank you so much for posting the plans that you work on free for us to use on your blog!

Ana White (not verified)

Sat, 01/16/2010 - 20:23

Hi Jeanne, I'm so happy you stopped by! BUT I'm so sorry to let you know that there most likely will not be plans posted for the full size Stratton anytime soon. This is because the differenc in mattress sizes is only 5" on the height and 6" on the width. Pottery Barn does not sell a full sized Stratton because of the similarity in size. They actually consider the queen a full/queen.

The easiest way to modify the plans for a full size would be to make the daybed version, but wider. If you made the Daybed version you would just need to make each of the benches 15" wider.

Melissa Padgett (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 18:03

My husband and I are getting ready to build this bed. I'm contemplating doing drawers or baskets. I was reading through the plans for the building the drawers(flipping between these plans and the plans for the drawers for the queen size bed) - You use 1x10s in the construction of each but in the queen size bed drawer plans you say 1x10s measure 9.5 inches wide - but in the plans to make the drawers for the king size bed your measurement for the 1x10s are 10.5 inches wide...I might be reading the plans wrong...can you tell me which is correct for the king bed drawers?

Hope this makes sense! And we absolutely LOVE your blog. I've shared it with everyone that will listen :) :)

Ana White (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 20:13

DRAWER SIDES are made of 1x10s that measure 9 1/2" high, not 10 1/2" high as shown in the diagrams.

The king drawers are the same as the queen, just a little wider to accomodated the longer bench on the bottom.

Sorry for the typo in the diagrams - too many late nights!

BigKahunaFSU

Sun, 05/01/2016 - 17:49

Hey, for your cut list. D & E for the king size end bench correct?

Retorical i guess. Shouldn't it be

D) 1 - 3/4" Plywood @ 22" x 74 1/2"

E) 1 - 3/4" Plywood @22" x 12 1/2"

I'm making my bed and had to fix those.

 

Callie (not verified)

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 12:01

I love your Blog! Amazing notes. I was looking at the picture for the stratton bed and there are some hutches to the left and right of the bed. Do you have plans for those hutches? I think they are awesome--I would love to use them in my place :)!

Thanks!