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A twin-size 2x4 platform bed — square box, tapered legs, a raised lip for that platform look, no box spring needed.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box sides | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 76 1/2" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Box ends | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 39" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Leg blocks 2x4 works as a substitute. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 2 1/2" × 5 1/2" | Pine 2x3 | ☐ |
| Legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 70 1/2" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Platform lip, sides | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 75" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Platform lip, footboard | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 44" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Mattress slats Space evenly across the box; add more for a heavier mattress. | 8 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 39" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft Main box frame. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x3, 2 ft Leg blocking — 2x4 offcuts work too. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft Legs. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft 3 for the platform lip and footboard trim, 6 for mattress support slats — scraps work fine for the slats as long as the thickness matches. | 9 each | ☐ |
| 2-1/2" screws or pocket hole screws | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft, Wood glue
Screw the 2x4 sides and ends together into a rectangle. Check it's square by measuring the two diagonals — when they match, it's square. Easy peasy, but don't skip it: this shape is what every later piece registers against.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x3, 2 ft, Pine, 2x2, 8 ft
Attach a leg block to each corner, then screw the leg to it. 2x4 works fine in place of 2x3 for the blocks. Taper the legs or add decorative feet here if you want — it's purely cosmetic at this stage.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2-1/2" screws or pocket hole screws
Attach cleats along the inside of the box to carry the mattress slats, using predrilled holes and 2-1/2" screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft, Wood glue
Glue and screw the 1x3 lip pieces around the top outside edge of the box on the head and side rails, standing proud of the box top — this raised edge is what gives a platform bed its look and keeps the mattress from sliding off sideways.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft, Wood glue
Screw the footboard lip piece to the bottom rail with 2-1/2" screws and glue, completing the raised edge around the box.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft
Lay the slats across the cleats, evenly spaced, and screw each one down so it can't shift. A firmer mattress can get away with fewer, wider-spaced slats; a softer one needs them closer together.