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This is a twin platform bed built as a low, divided storage box: two sheets of 3/4" plywood sandwich a run of 1x12 dividers, creating open cubbies along the sides under the mattress. It's a lot of trim work, but every cut is straight and every joint is a nail or screw, so it's more tedious than difficult.
The structural logic is a plywood-and-divider torsion box. The bottom plywood carries 2x2 cleats underneath that the whole bed rests on; the 1x12 dividers stand between the two plywood sheets; the top plywood caps them. Then layers of 1x6, 1x3, and 1x2 trim wrap the exterior — and here's the key theme, repeated at nearly every step: fasten the trim into the dividers, not just the plywood edges, so every trim piece reinforces a joint. The whole thing gets its rigidity from that overlapping trim tying the box together.
The legs are built up from a 1x2 and a 1x3 wrapped around each corner and nailed into both the trim boards and each other, so they read as solid and reinforce the corners. Watch nail length near the top plywood — the plan calls for 1-1/4" nails there specifically to avoid punching through. This is the twin; it's designed to bolt directly to a matching headboard by screwing through the headboard legs. Paint or stain to taste.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Plywood, 3/4 in, 4x8 sheet (AC)Top and bottom platforms and side legs. | 2 each |
| 2x2, 8 ftUnder-bed supports/cleats. | 2 each |
| 1x12, 10 ftDividers. | 1 each |
| 1x6, 16 ftSide and foot rail trim. | 1 each |
| 1x3, 8 ftLeg fronts and footer trim. | 1 each |
| 1x2, 8 ftBottom shelf trim, legs, top trim. | 5 each |
| Wood screws, 2 in | 1 box |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle |
| Finish or paint | 1 quart |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Under-bed supports (A)2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 70" |
| Platforms (B)3/4 in plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 39" × 75 3/4" |
| Dividers (C)1x12 | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 39" |
| Small dividers (D)1x12 | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 11 1/4" |
| Side rail trim (E)1x6 | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 75 3/4" |
| Foot rail trim (F)1x6 | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 40 1/2" |
| Bottom shelf side trim (G)1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 75 3/4" |
| Bottom shelf foot trim (H)1x2 | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 40 1/2" |
| Legs (1x2) (I)1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18 1/4" |
| Legs (1x3) (J)1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 18 1/4" |
| Footer trim (K)1x3 | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 42" |
| Side top trim (L)1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 75" |
Buy 15 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
2 boards
2 boards
On the underside of the bottom plywood platform, attach the two 2x2 supports with 2" screws. Only a few screws are needed — the bed rests on top of these cleats, so the screws just hold them in position rather than carrying load.
Build the divider unit from the 1x12s with 2" finish nails and glue. The small dividers are 11-1/4" long. This unit stands between the two plywood sheets and creates the storage cubbies.
Attach the dividers to the bottom plywood with nails and glue. Then attach the top plywood the same way — the measurements are to the sides of the dividers, not their centers, so nail into the centers of the dividers to land your fasteners cleanly.
Attach the 1x6 side rail trim and 1x6 foot rail to the bed frame with 2" finish nails and glue. Fasten into the dividers as well as the plywood edges — every trim piece here is also reinforcing a joint, which is where the bed gets its rigidity.
Keeping edges flush with the top of the bottom plywood, attach the 1x2 bottom shelf trim (sides and foot) with 2" finish nails and glue. This trims the lower edge of the cubbies to a clean line.
Attach the 1x2 leg pieces to the sides, outside edges flush, reinforcing all trim joints — use 1-1/4" nails where needed so you don't overshoot into open space. Then add the 1x3 leg pieces, nailing into both the 1x2 leg and the 1x6/1x2 trim to reinforce every joint. Minimize the gap between the two leg boards so the leg reads as a solid board.
Attach the 1x3 footer trim with 2" finish nails and glue, nailing into both leg pieces. Then attach the 1x2 side top trim flush to the inside of the bed with glue and 2" nails.
Sand, fill holes, and finish or paint. To join the bed to a matching headboard, drill pilot holes and screw directly through the headboard legs into the frame.
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3 boards
1 board
5 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →