Queen Size Platform Bed Frame with Storage Drawers

Build this Queen sized platform bed frame with storage drawers. Pair it with your favorite headboard for an attractive AND functional storage piece. Material is 3/4″ plywood with a 2×4 base.

Queen Platform Bed Frame with Storage Drawers

Materials:

Use 3/4″ plywood or MDF
Wood glue
1 3/4″wood screws
3″ construction screws
2×4 lumber for base

Step 1: Build Drawer Boxes

Build 6 identical storage boxes.

Attach bottom to sides
The bottom is attached 3/4″ from the bottom of the sidepieces.

Attach a back to the box

Attach top

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.

Step 2: Build the Platform Base

Use 2×4’s and 3″ constructions screws to assemble as shown below.

Step 3: Secure Storage Compartments to Base

Attach a 2×4 cleat to bottom of each storage compartment

Each cleat should fit INSIDE the base.

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

Step 4: Head and Foot pieces

Add “head” and “foot” to the bed frame. These should be 64″ x 13 1/2″ if everything is perfect. However, things are almost never perfect. So adjust the dimensions of your head and foot pieces to fit your actual bed frame. The width should be exactly the same. The height of your head and foot pieces should be 1 3/4″ taller than your bed frame.

Use 3/4″ MDF or Plywood for your head and foot pieces
Attach using 1 1/4″ screws driving through from inside the cabinet compartments. (You might have to climb inside to get enough screws in there.
Each board extends above the platform by 1 3/4″

Step 5: 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
side face frames go on first
Footer faceframe extends to the edge of the side face frames

Step 6: Add filler strips

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”

Step 7: Add Top Face

Add another 1×2 to the top of the U-shaped bed platform

Phase 4: Drawers and Drawer Fronts

Build and install drawers and drawer fronts using relevant instructional posts

Finish with paint or poly and enjoy!

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

And if you REALLY like what you see here — I’d LOVE it if you share and pin my posts with ALL your friends! 😀

See other free woodworking plans for Beds

30 Comments

Meche says:

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I love the idea of this bed, but I have never done anything of this magnitude. Do you have the cutting diagram (I can’t remember what it’s called) available. Thank you very much.
1. Sallie says:
  
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  A cut list! Yes, please.
Robin H says:

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Could this be done with a trundle instead of drawers?
1. Sandra says:
  
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  Not this particular plan as the drawer boxes are what support the bed. If you took those out to put a trundle in, there wouldn’t be anything supporting the mattress.
CJ says:

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Love this. Are you going to shrink it one more time for a full size? My daughter wants one for her room and I would like to make it for her.
1. Sandra says:
  
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  I don’t have it in the works at the moment but I may.
  1. Jen L says:
    
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    I would also love to see one in a twin size! But I’m thinking maybe two rows of drawers…
Donna C. says:

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This is awesome! I’m studying the plans before attempting this and am wondering if the dimensions for the base in phase 2 step 1 are correct? The boxes built in phase 1 are only 64″ x 81″ and per the pictures, the base is much smaller than the box portion, but the dimensions for phase 2 step 1 show the base as 69.5″ x 85.5″ which would stick out from the bed on all sides! 🙂 Can you let us know what the correct dimensions should be for the 2×4 base?

Thanks in advance for your help clearing up my confusion on the dimensions and for sharing such great projects on your site! 🙂

I’d like to make this but have an idea to do an upholstered version to be similar to a Pottery Barn bed I saw. If I make this, I’ll definitely send you pics!
1. Sandra says:
  
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  Donna thanks for pointing that out. It looks like I inserted the photo from the Cal King base. Replaced it with the queen. Sorry about that and good job catching it!
  1. Donna C. says:
    
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    lol – that would explain it! I’ve never done a big project like this so I’m really going over all the details to make sure I know what I’m doing before I get started. Thanks for responding so quickly & changing the photo. Now it makes sense to me! 🙂 I’m excited to work on this! My poor mattress is sitting on the floor at the moment, so I desperately need to get working! Thanks again!
  2. Karl Hageman says:
    
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    If all your dimensions are correct for a queen size implementation, why is it 84-1/2 wide and 65-1/2 long when the queen size mattress is 80 x 60? I made it to your specifications and, to my chagrin, the platform sticks out way beyond mattress on all sides. Looks kinda weird, let alone scratching legs on wood getting in and out of bed. Really quite surprised and disappointed. Guess I should have done more math before starting the build – bad assumptions on my part.
    
    Karl. [email protected]
    1. Sandra says:
      
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      Yes the outside dimensions of the bed are 84 1/4 x 65 1/2 which creates a sort of ledge around the mattress. It’s a style – not for everyone. Sorry you’re disappointed.
Sara says:

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Has anyone built this queen-sized bed? I’m wondering about approximate cost. Thanks!!