How to Build a Platform Bed

The great thing about building your own platform bed is that it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. This can also be an enjoyable project that will leave you with a nice sense of pride at your achievement. The plans for building platform beds can be easy or slightly less easy depending on what you want it to look like at the end.

The Process of Building a Platform Bed

This type of bed is actually fairly straightforward to make and you end up with something that is very practical. Let's take a look at how to build a platform bed step-by-step.

Step 1 - Measure the mattress

Measure the mattress that you will be putting on the platform bed. It is important that you do this first of all because it will help you decide on the material you are going to need to buy. You are also going to need to decide if you want the platform to be slightly bigger than the mattress; this is down to personal preferences but make sure you take it into account when buying materials.

Step 2 - Have the right materials

The second step you need to make when trying to build your own platform bed is to get the right materials. You are going to need –

• A few sheets of a material such as MDF (the exact number will depend on the size of your mattress)
• 5 planks of wood (2x4s) (the size of these is also going to depend on the size of your mattress)
• Wood screws
• A power drill

Step 3 - Create your platform bed frame

Now it is time to get into action and actually start making the bed – this is the fun part. The first step is to create your frame and you do this using the planks of wood. Use four of these to make up a square and you will have the fifth one going down the middle of the bed. Pre drill holes into the ends of the planks of wood so that you can easily join them together with wood screws. Once your frame is sturdy you are ready to move onto step 4.

Step 4 - Lay the base

Your next step involves putting the sheets of MDF (or similar sheet of wood) and laying them across the base of the bed – make sure that everything fits snugly. Once you are satisfied that the sheets are where you want them you can then drill holes to screw the sheets of wood onto the frame. Make sure that the screws fit into the wood snugly so that you don’t end up damaging your mattress.

Step 5 - Position the mattress

Place your mattress on top and you are now ready to enjoy your platform bed that you have built with your own hands.

Some Final Thoughts on How to Build a Platform Bed

Above is just the easiest way to build a platform bed but you can be a bit more adventurous if you so desire. There are plenty of variations on this simple theme and it is possible to come up with something that is actually quite fancy. For most of us though this simple platform bed is going to be ample and we will be satisfied that it is such a simple DIY project.