Inside: Learn how to make this DIY bed frame with storage for toys. This easy step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make a platform bed with storage using IKEA shelves and a little DIY.
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Hunting for the perfect twin bed with storage
Who knew kids came with so many little things that seem to jump out and stab the bottom of your foot?!? Trying to keep them all organized so that they can actually be played with is a constant struggle.
So when I was searching for a big boy bed for my little big boy, I set out on a serious hunt for a twin bed with storage so he could easily get to his toys AND put them away. — One can dream right?
But I just couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. So instead I decided to come up with my own DIY platform bed with storage plans to make my own.
I’d seen some toy storage solutions at IKEA that were perfect, so I came up with a way to incorporate them into the design of my DIY platform bed with storage…..and the result is better than I ever could have imagined.
The best part is, I had all of the wood cut at The Home Depot, which means you don’t need a saw to complete this project. Which also means less time, and less mess for you! –You’re welcome. (Check out the supplies list for a list of cuts from each piece of wood.)
I designed and made this DIY platform bed with storage using the standard dimensions for a twin mattress ( 39 x 75 inches). The final dimensions of the bed frame are 42 x 78 inches and 30 1/2 inches tall, including an 8 inch mattress.
Supply List: What Do You Need to Make a Bed?
- two IKEA TROFAST 37 x 17 storage shelves
- I bought the pine finish (even though they are more expensive) and lightly sanded them and painted them myself. It was more expensive to do so, but I wanted the color to match perfectly. The pine ones are made of solid wood, not particle board.
- TROFAST bins in colors and sizes of your choice
- one 48 x 96 inch pine plywood (see cut list below)
- Have the following cuts made from this sheet of plywood (they do this for free at Home Depot which means that this project does not require you to own or know how to use a saw!)
- A- two 2 1/2 x 20 1/2 inch strips
- B- one 78 1/2 x 2 inch strip
- C- two 22 1/2 x 42 1/2 inch pieces
- Have the following cuts made from this sheet of plywood (they do this for free at Home Depot which means that this project does not require you to own or know how to use a saw!)
- one 12 ft. 2 x 4 (see cut list below)
- D- three 19 inch pieces
- E- one 77 inch piece
- one 96 x 48 melamine (white) board (see cut list below)
- F- two 38 x 42 pieces
- four 1 1/4 inch binding screws
- twelve 2 inch wood screws
- Kreg Jig
- The Kreg jig is one of the easiest tools to use and allows you to make really strong joints without a ton of know-how. I highly recommend using this tool for this project.
- 1 1/4 inch Kreg screws
- two rock climbing holds
- one twin mattress: we went with this cool gel memory foam mattress from my friends at Overstock.com
- Paint: the color is up to you (I used bright white.) It is best if you use a gloss finish so that you will be able to dust and wipe it clean.
Tip: If you order all of your supplies at HomeDepot.com they will pull all of your items and have them waiting at the store for you so you don’t have to walk around with your twin bed with storage plans in hand. Once you pay, you can take your wood to the back of the store and they will make your cuts free of charge. This has saved me so much time.
How To Make A Platform Bed With Storage
To make things easy, mark each piece with the letters you see above (or on the cut list) cause I will be referring to each piece with the letters.
Step 1: Build your 2 IKEA TROFAST shelves
The Trofast shelves are the base of the DIY platform bed and will give you a ton of storage. We will build around these shelves to create the platform for the mattress.
Build your Trofast shelves according to the instructions.
If you’re using the pine TROFAST you’ll need to give it a light sanding so your paint will stick properly. Sanding the wood before you put it together will save you time and make it easier. Wipe it down with a damp cloth after sanding to remove any dust.
Step 2: Lightly sand the edges of your plywood pieces.
Step 3: Paint All The Pieces Of Your Platform Bed
Paint the inside and just one outer side of both of your TROFAST shelves. Using a small foam roller will give you nice coverage and make for a really nice finish without brush marks.
I did 2 coats, letting the first coat dry for about an hour before applying the second coat.
You’ll also paint one side and the edges of all of your pine plywood pieces. (You will not need to paint the 2 x 4 pieces.)
Assemble The Side Panels Of The Raised DIY Platform Bed
Set your Kreg jig to 3/4 of an inch (because that’s the thickness of the plywood that we’re using.)
Build The Side Panels Of The Raised Platform Bed Frame
STEP 4: Lay piece C (just one of them) painted side down. Lay one A piece along the short edge of piece C, lining up the bottom edges. Then mark where the A piece stops with a pencil. Remove the A piece.
STEP 5: Drill 3 pocket holes with your Kreg jig. You will have 1 pocket hole at each edge (one edge being the mark you just made) and one in the middle.
STEP 6: Place piece C up against something heavy with one A piece sandwiched between them so they create an L shape and the painted sides are facing out. The bottom edges of the boards will line up on one end and piece A will go up to the mark you made on the other end.
You’ll want to put this up against something heavy so that as you push to drill in your screw, your boards don’t move.
STEP 7: Insert a Kreg screw into each pocket hole to attach the 2 pieces (A and C) together.
STEP 8: On the opposite short side of piece C, place one D piece, 4 inch side down, so that the side of the 2 x 4 lines up with the edge of the plywood, and the bottom of piece D lines up with the bottom edge of piece C on the same side as the board you attached in the last step.
STEP 9: Predrill 3 holes, then attach the boards using wood screws.
STEP 10: Repeat steps 4-8 with the other C piece, but place the A and D pieces on opposite sides this time.
Assembling The Platform Storage Bed
Take all of your pieces into the room where your finished platform storage bed will be.
Place the TROFAST shelves so that they’re next to each other, end to end, painted side facing out.
(You’ll need a buddy for this.) Line up the edges of the shelves on all sides and have a buddy hold them together.
STEP 11: Predrill holes for the binding screws from the inside of one of the shelves so that your drill goes through both shelves end pieces. Your binding screws will be near each of the 4 corners.
Then place your binding screws in each predrilled hole and tighten them so that the two shelves are held together tightly with no gap between them.
Step 12: Find the center of piece E and predrill 2 holes from the top (4 inch side) along the center line. Then attach piece D to create a T shape.
Step 13: Place each side panel that you assembled at each end of your TROFAST shelves so that the white finished piece (A) is facing outward and is touching the ground.
Step 14: Now, place the long 2 x 4 (E) so that each end sits on top of the 2 x 4’s (D) you attached to the side panels. Predrill holes and attach with 2 screws.
Step 15: Predrill holes from the inside of the TROFAST shelves so that the holes go into the center of the side panel boards (A). Then attach with screws.
Your DIY platform bed should look like this at this point.
Step 16: Using your Kreg jig (still set for 3/4 inch), drill a pocket hole on the inside of your side panel about an inch from the top of piece C.
Repeat this step on the other side.
Step 17: Drill a pocket hole in the center minus one inch of the back side of piece B.
Step 18: Place piece B along the front of your twin bed frame and using the pocket holes you drilled at each end (on piece C) attach piece B to the bed frame.
Step 19: Add one more Kreg screw in the center pocket hole that you drilled to give this front piece extra support.
Step 20: Place your white melamine boards (F) on your twin bed frame and use wood screws to attach them on both sides.
Step 21: Attach the rock climbing holds at the end of the bed according to the package instructions.
Time to add the mattress to your platform bed frame!
Once we had the platform bed frame put together my little mister was really excited and couldn’t wait to open the mattress my friends at Overstock.com sent us.
This amazing cool gel mattress came in this small (for a mattress) box, but once you take it out and remove the plastic covering, it expands into a twin mattress and then…
instant fun and excitement! A bonus of going with a foam mattress is that it isn’t very bouncy – but they don’t seem to mind!
He finally has a big boy bed!
And the best part is all that storage for all kinds of toys!
There will be many years ahead of us filled with all sorts of little toys and this platform storage bed accomplishes my number one goal for my little guy’s room: toy storage and organization.
He now has a spot for all of his Legos, cars, train set, costumes, and action figures. He can easily get them in and out and keep them organized (which is a work in progress).
The storage bed design does sit a bit higher than a standard twin bed, but this just adds to the fun! The 2 rock climbing holds act as steps without taking up any physical space and are a really fun way to climb into bed.
I have to say, I’m really proud of this project. Who knew making a platform bed was this easy?
I had the idea swirling around in my head for awhile, and it came out better than I imagined and feels really sturdy and like it will last.
And I just can’t get over all of the storage that we created in a really fun way that he can actually use!
So I guess it’s official, my little boy is now a little big boy (tear).
I’ve got just a few more projects to finish this room for him so stay tuned!
If you loved this idea, I’d love for you to pin it to your decorating board on Pinterest!
Shop My Son’s Room
Click Each Photo for Sources!
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