Build Your Own King-Size Platform Bed – A Step-By-Step DIY Guide

Introduction: DIY for beginners

Platform beds of any size are great projects for beginner DIYers. The simple concept and craftsmanship of a platform bed frame means that even a novice woodworker can imagine the various parts, pieces, and overall construction required when following a DIY platform bed plan.

This plan, in particular, looks like something you could buy from your local home store but you can build it for a fraction of the cost. You can even take your platform bed a step further and design your own using MakebyMe which is ideal for DIY furniture design. You can even see your own design in your space before building it with the HomeByMe 3D Home Planner.

First, to get ready for building the platform bed.

You can also view the plans for this bed directly in MakeByMe where you can interact with the 3D model and 3D steps. Give it a try!

Part 1: Tools and Materials Needed

The Right Tools for the Job

• Power Drill
• Circular Saw or Miter Saw
• Measuring Tape
• Kreg Jig
• Square
• Pencil
• Clamps

Materials needed for a platform bed design

Lumber:

• (6) 1 x 4 x 96 in.
• (3) 2 x 4 x 96 in.
• (5) 2 x 2 x 96 in.
• (1) ¾” Ply 48 x 96 in.

Screws:

• #8 x 2 ¾ in. Wood Screws
• #6 x 1 ½ in. Pocket Hole Screws

Stain or Paint

Lumber Cut List

¾” Ply 48 x 96 in

• (26) cut to 1 ½ in wide and a length of 69 ⅝ in.

1 x 4 x 96 in.

• (6) cut to a length of 69 ⅝ in.

2 x 4 x 96 in.

• (2) cut to a length of 78 in.
• (2) cut to a length of 69 ⅝ in.

2 x 2 x 96 in.

• (2) cut to a length of 78 in.
• (2) cut to a length of 10 in.
• (2) cut to a length of 31 in.

Part 2: Key Steps to Build Your Platform Bed

Step 1: Make All Lumber Measurements, Marks, and Cuts

Using the above cut list, measure and mark the required length of all lumber accordingly. Use a miter saw or circular saw to make marked cuts

Step 2: Drill Your Pocket Holes

On the widest part of each board, drill 2 pocket holes at either end of the same side for a total of four pocket holes. Repeat for each 2×4 piece.

Step 3: Assemble the Main Bed Frame

The 2×4 lumber is used to create the main bed frame. The longest 2×4 cuts are the left and right panels. The shorter 2×4 cuts are the head and foot panels. The 10” 2×2 cuts will be the legs at the foot of the bed and the 31” 2×2 cuts will act as both the headboard frame and the legs at the head of the bed as shown below.

Using your pocket hole screws, attach a 78” 2×4 to a 10” 2×2 so that the top of both the 2×4 and the 2×2 are flush. You can use a stool, stack of spare lumber, or any other object to hold the unsupported end of the 2×4 if needed. Attach a 69 ⅝” panel to the adjacent side of the 2×2 to form an “L” shape. Then, proceed to attach the “L” assembly to the second 10” 2×2 at the unattached end of the shortest piece, again ensuring that the tops of all pieces are flush.

Step 4: Assemble the Headboard

The headboard is comprised of two 31” 2x2s and six 69 ⅝” 1x4s. On the widest part of each board, drill two pocket holes on the same side but at each end for a total of four pocket holes per board.

Beginning at what will be the top of the headboard, attach one of the 1x4s to one of the 31” 2×2 pieces, ensuring that the top of the 2×2 and the top of the 1×4 are flush. Do the same with the remaining 31” 2×2 piece and the opposite end of the 1×4.

Do the same with the second 1×4, placing it so that the top of the second 1×4 and the bottom of the first 1×4 are tightly pressed against one another. Repeat for the remaining four 1×4 pieces until it looks like the image below:

Step 5: Attach the Headboard Assembly to the Rest of the Frame

Ensuring the entire bed frame is level, attach the headboard to the unsupported ends of the left and right bed frame panels.

Step 6: Attach Each Slat Ledge to Both the Left and Right Frame Panels

Some of the 2×2 lumber you’ve prepared will attach to the left and right frame panels and ultimately act as a sill for the cross-slats (the thin, horizontal pieces of wood that your mattress is placed on top of) to screw into as shown.

The slats are ¾” in thickness and should be flush with the top of the 2×4 frame panels when all assembly is completed. For this to be possible, you will need to attach the slat sill so that the top of the sill is exactly ¾” below the top of the 2×4 as shown above.

Pre-drill pilot holes and use 10 screws spaced evenly across the entire panel to attach a 78” 2×2 to both the left and right frame panels, using clamps if needed.

Step 7: Attach All Slats to Sill

Pre-drill and use one screw to attach all 26 1×2 slats evenly across the entire length of the bed frame.

Conclusion: why bother buying it? Just do it yourself!

Building your own furniture or designing your own space doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

MakebyMe is here to help the designer and woodworker in all of us. Complete with cut lists and material lists, MakebyMe makes your DIY projects easier by saving you time and keeping you organized. They even offer project and design inspiration when you need it. Try these plans or try designing your own project in MakeByMe.