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A full-size platform bed built on a torsion-box-style 2x4 frame, with a divided storage tower attached down one side in place of a nightstand.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner frame ends | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 64 1/2" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Inner frame center supports | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 14 1/4" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Inner frame joists (sides) | 5 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 72" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Storage support piece | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 26" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Outer frame side trim Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 75" | Pine 1x6 | ☐ |
| Outer frame end trim Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 66" | Pine 1x6 | ☐ |
| Storage top and bottom | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 75" | Pine 1x12 | ☐ |
| Storage sides | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 20 1/2" | Pine 1x12 | ☐ |
| Storage dividers | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 19" | Pine 1x10 | ☐ |
| Storage shelves | 3 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 24 1/2" | Pine 1x10 | ☐ |
| Storage planked back | 3 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 75" | Pine 1x6 | ☐ |
| Storage planked back filler | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 75" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Mattress slats Measure and cut to fit — ripped plywood or 1x4s also work. | 11 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 77" | Pine 2x4 | ☐ |
| Platform base (plywood) | 1 | 1/2" × 48" × 75" | Plywood | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine, 1x6, 12 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x6, 8 ft | 3 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x12, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x10, 10 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft | 7 each | ☐ |
| Furniture feet or caster wheels, 4"–6" | 4 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping wood screws, 3" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Self-tapping wood screws, 2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 6 oz | ☐ |
| Plywood, 1/2", 4x8 sheet Platform base under the mattress; scrap material also works. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Sandpaper, assorted grit | 4 sheet | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft
Using 3" self-tapping wood screws, build the inner frame from the 2x4 pieces. Check for square by measuring diagonals corner to corner and adjusting until they match.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft
Add the remaining joists to the inner frame, attaching with 3" self-tapping wood screws.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Pine, 1x6, 12 ft
Measure and cut the side trim to fit. Apply glue to the 2x4 frame and use 1-1/4" brad nails to attach the trim, leaving a 1-1/2" gap along the top edge.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Pine, 1x6, 12 ft
Repeat the previous step for the end trim.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft
Attach the storage support piece to the top of the inner frame with 3" self-tapping wood screws. This completes the platform.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x12, 8 ft
Cut the storage top and bottom pieces and attach at the corners with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, or with 2" screws or 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square.
Set the dividers inside the top and bottom panels, inset 3/4", and attach with 1-1/4" nails and glue using a square as a guide.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Pine, 1x10, 10 ft
Cut two 9-1/4"-long blocks and use them inside the box as a spacing guide for the shelves. Attach the two outer shelves with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails. For the middle shelf, toenail from the front at an angle into the vertical dividers.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Pine, 1x6, 8 ft, Pine, 1x3, 8 ft
Mark the location of every divider and shelf on the inside lip of the box. Dry-fit the back boards to check the fit, then remove, apply glue to all edges, and reattach one board at a time, nailing through the outer sides into each back board's side and top edges.
Tools: Drill / Driver
It's easiest to finish the platform and storage piece separately before assembling, since the bed is large and difficult to move fully assembled. Use 2" self-tapping screws through the storage base into the frame, and into the storage support piece on the mattress side.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft, Furniture feet or caster wheels, 4"–6"
Install furniture feet or caster wheels per the manufacturer's instructions. If additional support is desired, add center legs cut from 2x4, spaced about a third of the way down, and attach with 3" self-tapping wood screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft, Plywood, 1/2", 4x8 sheet, Sandpaper, assorted grit
Cut the plywood platform base to fit, leaving a gap on the storage side, and screw down with 2" screws — drilling a few ventilation holes so the mattress can breathe. Cut the mattress slats and space them about 4" apart across the bed, screwing down with 2-1/2" screws.