Cal King Platform Storage Bed

So many people have been asking how to modify Kristy’s platform storage bed to be build without the daybed/bench aspect that I decided just to make up some plans for a “normal” platform storage bed.  This post has plans for a Cal King Platform Storage Bed. I also drew up a  Queen Storage Bed plan. You might also like my other free woodworking plans for Beds

King storage bed plans

California King Platform Storage Bed – free plans

Materials
  • Use 3/4″ plywood or MDF
  • Wood glue
  • Wood screws in these lengths:  3″, 1 3/4″, 1 1/4″
Phase 1:  Build 6 storage boxes as shown below
Step 1: Attach bottom to sides
  • Use a scrap of 3/4″ material to ensure correct placement of the bottom.

Cal King Platform Storage Bed - Free Plans

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Step 2: Attach back

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Step 3: Attach top

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

 

Yeah!  You’re done with Phase 1!  If you put all the compartments together this is what you should have.  If your measurements are slightly different, adjust the next steps to fit YOUR compartments.

 

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

 

Phase 2:  Build the Platform Base
Step 1:  Build the 2×4 base
  • Use 2×4’s and 3″ wood screws to assemble as shown below.

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Step 2:  Secure Storage Compartments to Base
  • Attach a 2×4 cleat to bottom of each storage compartment

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

  • Each cleat should fit INSIDE the base.

Platform bed

  • Set the storage compartment inside the base and secure the compartments together by driving 1 1/4″ screws into the sides.

Platform Storage Bed --free plans

 

Phase 3:  Faceframe and Surround
Step 1:  Add “head” and “foot”
  • 3/4″ MDF or Plywood
  • If you plan on doing an upholstered headboard you COULD upholster the footboard too.
  • Attach using 1 1/4″ screws driving through from inside the cabinet compartments.  (You might might have to climb inside to get enough screws in there.
  • Each board extends above the platform by 1 3/4″

Build a platform bed with drawers - free plans!

Step 2:  Build and attach Faceframes
  • Use 1×2 and 1×3 poplar.
  • Build and attach with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.
  • refer to post on building and attaching face frames for basic instructions
  • Faceframes match height of head and foot

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plansBed frame with drawers-free plans

  • If you are NOT doing an upholstered footboard you add a face frame over the footer and skip adding a filler strip to the footboard area in step 3.

footboard frame

Step 3:  Add filler
  • Add a 1×2 to the inside of the two sides and then the foot
  • Glue and nail (from the inside)  the 1×2 flush with the TOP of the face frame and “foot”
  • If you added a face frame to the footboard skip adding filler strip to the footboard area as that will already be doubled up.

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Step 4:  Add Top Face
  • Add another 1×2 to the top of the “U” shaped bed platform

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Phase 4:  Drawers and Drawer Fronts

Build and install drawers and drawer fronts using relevant instructional posts

CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans CA King Platform Storage Bed --free plans

Finish then build an awesome Headboard and enjoy!
  • sand everything and paint or stain

You might find my Cabinet Making 101 and Painting Tips helpful too.

Cal King platform storage bed plans from Sawdust Girl.

 

Build a platform storage bed with free plans!

You Might ALso Like

16 Comments

  1. If you aren’t planning on adding a pull, you can make the drawers 1 1/2-2″ shorter or cut out a hand pull. If you are planning to add pulls, painters tape makes a good temporary pull.

Comments are closed.