Use your browser's Print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) and choose Save as PDF. This page works offline once you've opened it with a signal.

2x4 Captain's Bed with Flip-Down Storage

A low platform bed with two hinged flip-down panels on the side, opening into storage bins underneath — built almost entirely from 2x4s.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Frame top and bottom rails	4	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 70 1/2"	2x4	☐
Frame verticals	6	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 11 1/2"	2x4	☐
Headboard/footboard panels	2	3/4" × 14 1/2" × 36"	3/4" plywood	☐
Flip-down drawer faces Add two more if the bed will be exposed and open on both sides.	2	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 32 3/4"	1x12	☐
Mattress slat trim	2	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 72 1/2"	1x2	☐
End slat trim	2	3/4" × 3 1/2" × 33 1/2"	1x4	☐
Mattress slats Space about 4" apart; adjust count to your mattress maker's recommendation.	8	3/4" × 3 1/2" × 33 1/2"	1x3 or 1x4 scrap	☐

Item	Qty	✓
2x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) Pine is easier to work with and paint than fir.	4 each	☐
3/4" plywood, 14-1/2" x 36" (or 3 - 1x8 @ 72") Headboard and footboard panels.	2 each	☐
1x2 board, 8 ft (Pine)	2 each	☐
1x4 board, 6 ft (Pine)	1 each	☐
1x12 board, 6 ft (Pine) Drawer/flip-down faces.	2 each	☐
1x material or 3/4" plywood, for mattress slats	20 sq ft	☐
Hinges for flip-down panels	2 set	☐
Self-tapping wood screws, 2-1/2" to 3"	60 each	☐
Self-tapping wood screws, 2"	30 each	☐
Wood glue	4 oz	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

Drill / Driver
Miter Saw
Pencil
Random Orbit Sander
Speed Square
Squaring the two main frames is the single most important check in this build.
Table Saw
Rips plywood or 1x8 stock to the headboard/footboard and drawer-face widths.
Tape Measure
Hearing Protection — optional
Safety Glasses — optional

1. Build the two main frames
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 2x4 board, 8 ft
Build two 2x4 frames from the rails and verticals with 2-1/2" to 3" self-tapping screws (a screw type that doesn't need pre-drilling saves real time here), or pocket holes set to 1-1/2". Square is critical — the drawer/flip-down faces need to fit inside these frame openings, and an out-of-square frame will show as an uneven gap once the panels are hung.
2. Build the ends
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 3/4" plywood, 14-1/2" x 36" (or 3 - 1x8 @ 72"), Wood glue
Build the headboard and footboard panels from plywood or stacked 1x boards, and screw them onto the ends of the two main frames with 2" screws and wood glue.
3. Hang the flip-down faces
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x12 board, 6 ft, Hinges for flip-down panels
Attach hinges to mount the drawer faces to the frames as flip-down panels. Mount the handles higher on the face than dead-center — a centered handle gives poor leverage when you flip the panel open standing up.
4. Add top trim and finish
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x2 board, 8 ft, 1x4 board, 6 ft, Wood glue
Stain the 1x2 and 1x4 trim boards before attaching them (much easier than masking off assembled parts), then screw the 1x2s to the top of the bed with 2" screws and glue, overhanging 1/4" on the outside edges. Screw the 1x4 end trim to the ends the same way, matching the 1/4" overhang.