Build Your Own Platform Bed

You’re good with your hands? Love the saw, drills, and quality wood? Try this for your next home improvement workshop: build a platform bed. The satisfaction that comes from using something you’ve created with your own two capable hands will find expression in something you use on a continuous basis. People spend a large part of their lives sleeping and seeking better sleep. Now it can be in your hands.

Why platform beds? They’re simple to build. Since the mattress lies on slats, the sturdy “spring” or the box spring becomes moot. A large part of the consumers’ love for platform beds is their sleek design. You can build platform bed frames with or without siding, with or without a headboard, and it will still be straightforward and cheap.

Getting your hands on platform bed plans is just a quick surf on the net. Any plan can be converted into a full, queen, or king size platform bed with a little adjustment to measurements. Adding a headboard is usually an easy maneuver. Even the cheapest plans provide for storage space beneath the bed; since space isn’t taken by a box spring, you get a bed with sleek, low height and still plenty of room for storage containers underneath.

This should all be clear from any plans you buy, but to give a short rundown: The full size platform bed needs to support a mattress of 54” by 75”. The queen size frame supports a 60” by 80” mattress, and the king platform bed needs to measure 76” by 80” for a regular king size, and 72” by 84” for a California king. Designs for headboards, footboards, and storage compartments should be modifiable from size to size. Look for plans that minimize waste. The less you saw off into the waste pile, the happier you and the forests will be.

Any sturdy wood is suitable for. White oak is the least expensive. It’s also easy to stain different shades for the pieces that will be seen. Red woods are also easy to work with. With enough confidence, you can even invest in the more pricey woods to make it really stylish.

Building a platform bed allows you to decide its design down to the last detail. No need to compromise your style. The simple beauty and satisfaction you’ll be left with is an added bonus to the money you’ll save. So get yourself over to that lumberyard!

If you’ve never owned a platform bed, you may be wondering why they’re such a great piece of bedroom furniture.  They are.  The main difference between platform beds and other beds is that they do not have a box spring.  The single mattress lays on… you guessed it: a platform!  The platform is made of wooden slats or solid panels.  Since that box spring is not necessary, platform beds actually provide more storage underneath than other beds.  The platform can rest higher from the floor while the mattress remains at a remarkably comfortable height.  Not only that, but they achieve a uniquely sleek, clean look.

Platform beds come with or without built in storage compartments.  Platform beds with storage compartments built in, usually drawers, complete the smoothness of the look.  The messiness of free drawers or containers is avoided.

Price differences will depend on the material your platform bed frame is made of, and its size.  Metal will often be less expensive than wooden frames, but this also depends on the quality of wood and how decorative the design is.  Comparing a twin size versus full size platform bed, the full size will be more expensive by a small variable; perhaps $10 to $50 difference.  A queen size will follow as a close third.  The king size platform bed, however, will be more expensive than a queen by $90 or more.  Your cheap platform beds are generally a very basic frame with no headboard whatsoever, and no built in storage.  These may be half the price of a typical twin size.

Believe it or not, you can even create your own platform bed plans.  You can design the lines and looks, the storage options, perhaps even put in a trundle frame beneath.  This will usually be less expensive than buying one at your local furniture business, but obviously requires skill or an adventurous streak.  Build it yourself or have it built by specialists, the options are endless.

So, platform bed frames can be found and made in all styles and variations, just like traditional bed frames.  Perhaps even more.  Wooden bed frames or metal, a modern platform bed or a more traditional look; with or without headboards, and headboards of all kinds, storage or trundles underneath.  They even make canopy platform beds.  Don’t limit yourself in your search for the appropriate bed for your room!  A bed is a pivotal piece in your living space.