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Classic Storage Bed (Queen)

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Submitted by Ana White on Fri, 08/02/2019 - 13:09
Difficulty
Intermediate
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It's simple to build a storage bed!  Just build three benches.  Our free plans show you exactly how.  

This plan is also available in a Standard King version.

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Storage Bed Collection
diy storage bed with drawers painted white

Reader submitted photo by Twenty Six 2 Life

diy storage bed

We love this simple to build storage bed!  It's simply three benches that are easy to move into the room.  The cubbies are nice and deep and oversized, perfect for baskets or bins.  

This is an updated plan.  The old plans are still available here.

Dimensions
Dimensions for storage bed, cubbies are 20" deep
Fits a standard Queen Mattress, cubbies are 20" deep

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 3 - 4x8 Sheets of 3/4" Cabinet Grade Plywood, MDF or AC Plywood*
  • 1 - 4x8 Sheet of 1/4" thick plywood 
  • 4 - 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 
Common Materials
3/4 inch finish nails
1 1/4 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Carcasses

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

Face Frames

  • 3 - 1x2 @ 60"
  • 3 - 1x4 @ 60"
  • 9 - 1x2 @ 11-1/4"

End Bench

  • 2 - 1x4 @ 20-3/4"
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 20-3/4"
  • 4 - 1x2 @ 11-1/4"

Center Support

  • 2 - Scrap plywood strip @ 60" x ~7-1/2"
  • Scrap plywood pieces 20" long 

 

OPTIONAL DRAWERS - Should be built to fit openings and drawer slides

  • 12 - 1x4 @ 18" - drawer slide cleats
  • 12 - 1x6 @ 18" - drawer box sides 
  • 12 - 1x6 @ ~24-7/8" - drawer box front and back - ADJUST TO FIT YOUR OPENINGS AND DRAWER SLIDES
  • 6 - 1/4" plywood @ 18" x ~26-3/8" - drawer bottoms - cut to fit the drawer bottom
  • 6 - 1x12 @ 27-1/2" - Drawer Faces
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

  • Cut 60" x 48" piece
  • From this piece, rip into three pieces, 60" x 15-1/2"

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

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

When fastening, you can use 2" nails or 2" screws, unless otherwise directed. Always use glue. Remember, you need to make 3 benches.

Instructions

Step 1

Attach the bench ends and divider to the bench top with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.  Pocket holes should be placed about an inch from each edge and centered, three per joint is plenty.

TIP: Use the shelf boards (attached in next step) as a spacer to guide placing the divider perfectly centered.

BUILD THREE BENCHES.

Step 2

Drill 3/4" pocket holes on each end of the shelves.

Attach to the sides and dividers.

Scrap wood blocks can be cut to help with assembly as shown in diagram.

CONTINUE FOR ALL THREE BENCHES

Step 3

Nail and glue 1/4" plywood backs to all three benches.

CONTINUE FOR ALL THREE BENCHES

Step 4

Cut the 1x boards with a miter saw.  Build face frames on a flat workbench.

Nail completed face frames to all three benches.

Step 5

END BENCH ONLY

For just the end bench, build two face frames to trim out ends.  Nail and glue to the ends of the end bench only.

Step 6

SIDE BENCHES ONLY

Attach 1x4 cleat to the back of the SIDE BENCHES ONLY, held down 3/4" from top of bed.  Nail into the divider and end backs with glue.

Step 7

Arrange the three benches in room.

You can screw together if desired.

Lay scrap wood plywood (can be random sized) in the opening in the center of the bed.  We recommend screwing down (so it's easy to disassemble the bed at a later time).  You can use 1-1/4" pocket hole screws, 1-1/2" self tapping screws would be less expensive.

Step 8

OPTIONAL DRAWERS

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.

Build the drawer boxes from 1x6s as shown.  The sides should always be 18" to match your drawer slides.  The fronts and backs may need to be altered in length to fit your openings and your drawer slides.

Build the boxes with 3/4" pocket holes on the outsides and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
 

Nail 1/4" plywood to bottom of drawer box with glue and 3/4" brad nails.

Install the drawer member slides on the drawer boxes.

Fit drawers inside the drawer slides.

Step 9

Measure and cut the drawer faces to fit.

You may need to cut the drawer down in size with a table saw.

Nail drawer face in a few places to front of drawer box with even gap around all four sides. Avoid nailing where hardware will be placed.

Remove drawer and further secure with 1-1/4" screws (you can use pocket hole screws) from inside of drawer.  Avoid screws where hardware will be placed.

Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type
Beds and Bed Frames
Queen
Room
Bedroom
storage and organization
Teens
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Ana White (not verified)

Sat, 11/14/2009 - 15:36

I'm really in trouble now! My sister has been looking at my site and asked if we could build a Stratton Bed together for her. I might be building this too . . . !

diy_lover

Sun, 08/07/2016 - 18:43

Wanting it taller and doubling the storage, do I make two separate frames and stack them or is there another way? If I stack them how do I keep them stuck together to they don't move apart?

Ana White (not verified)

Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:21

For those of you building this bed - I've done some research on the Pottery Barn Stratton bed, and many people have complained that it can create mildew under the mattress because the mattress sits on the benches. I am sure this is true for most captain beds. Might be wise to pick up a rug pad (very cheap) to add a small air gap. That is what Pottery Barn recommends.

mrspeldo

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 15:50

When I built this bed over a year ago, I went to a local furniture store and the sales lady told me that she has never heard of a mildew problem on mattresses used on platform beds. They sell platform beds at their store and haven't had any complaints. So I didn't buy a rug pad and I haven't had any problems with mildew or mold yet...

Kevin L. Nault (not verified)

Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:52

It depends where you live – I used to live in Juneau, AK, where everything mildewed, and now live in Albuquerque, NM, where it's almost unheard of.