Matthew Haynes of Alton, Illinois wasn't keen on spending big bucks on a bedframe. So instead, he took matters into his own hands and built his own. Click through the jump to read more about how he accomplished it for just under $200 instead of the $1500 it could have been.
How To: DIY "Case Study DWR" Platform Bed
Matthew loved the look of the Case Study DWR Platform Bed. The only thing he wasn't in love with was the price tag. So he hit the hardware store and Salvage Stores and got to work.
If you would like to recreate this look at home, take your measurements from the DWR Case Study Bed (be it in person or online). They will come in handy for things like headboard sizing as well as the distance between the headboard and the platform.
Here's his notes on how the job came to completion:
"I used two hollow core doors (size 32"x80") and attached them in the middle with wood glue. I then supported them underneath with a 2'x4'. Then I cut to size a piece of plywood for the headboard and sealed it.
I used metal strips, found at Lowes, that were approximately 1/4" thick and 2.5" wide, to attach the headboard to the doors-platform. A drill press is suggested to make the holes for the screws.
I added a 2'x4' across the bottom of the doors in order to add thickness (and stability) to attach the headboard to the platform.
I purchased 7 furniture legs from Lowes, which I used around the 4 corners, plus 3 down the middle for support. The middle legs must be shorter to allow for the 2'x4' supports along the bottom. I have ordered hairpin legs from www.hairpinlegs.com and they should be arriving shortly. I will switch the legs out and save the old ones for a new project! (I did need to sand and stain the legs purchased to match the rest of the bed)"
Building a bed frame isn't as daunting as it may seem. Don't be afraid to pick the brains of your local hardware store employee (at least those who look like they have a head on their shoulders) for information on the durability of the items and the best way to go about things. A bed can be as simple as two doors, some plywood and a few metal strips, or it can be as complicated as your wildest dreams can imagine. Either way, it's something that is totally within reach with a little hard work.
Thanks Matthew!
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wow, that's awesome
view fischbowl's profile
I think it's brilliant - and not too different from the way these things were originally made either.
view bepsf's profile
Todd Oldham's "Handmade Modern" has another version of this sorta bed. It's almost entirely plywood, which I feel would me more sturdy and lasting that hollow-core doors.
view jon's profile
It looks fantastic!
I actually did make the platform bed in Todd Oldham's book. It was completely sturdy, and cost about 170 bucks. I agree that the plywood seems more sturdy than hollow doors, but I guess time will tell....Matt, will you update us if you fall through? ;o)
view shupenko's profile
shupenko, i was wondering if it would be possible to have you take some detailed pics of how your todd oldham bed turned out.
ive been meaning to make this for some time now and i have a feeling seeing yours would be exactly the kick in the pants i need.
my email address is hanseano@hotmail.com
itd probably be better to correspond via email since this thread will be knocked off the first 5 pages by tomorrow.
thanks!
view quidproquo's profile
Yeah for Alton IL!
view kgoodman80's profile
Fantastic! Wanna make something like this for a daybed. I am in Brazil and it kind of hard to get supplies for DIY. I will try though.
Great job!
view Brazilian's profile
It's great, and I love it, but I'm wondering where all the design police constantly spouting about "stealing" creativity are hiding.
view elvedon's profile
http://www.ianmaclean.com/
and, i found him on apt therapy!
he has the hardware for the beds...i don't know him, i'm not a relative, but he responds very quickly to e-mails.
view maude's profile
looks fantastico!!
Further inspiration for my daybed/sofa storage copied from the Michigan State university dorms build in the 1960's... the 12 story one, biggest on campus at the time started with an H...anybody?
view DahliaCactus's profile
i bet the hollow core doors are plenty sturdy, plus he re-enforced them!! PLUS, it's probably a lot lighter that way should it ever need to be moved.
THIS is what i like to see on A.T.
view antimatt's profile
I made a copy of CB2's sleepy hollow platform bed for around $200 last year - I love the finished product but how I will ever move it...well, I'm not worrying about that yet. I didn't think of using doors, but if I did it again I would see if they'd work.
view nwu's profile
Hollow-core doors can be really sturdy, depending on how they're built. A huge advantage for apartment dwellers - who tend to move around a bit - is that they're much, much lighter than solid wood or plywood. Also, cheap!
view sunspot42's profile
this is awesome.
I've been trying to come up with a way to make myself this bed but have felt limited by my lack of power saws, sawhorses, and workspace.
I could put this together on my roof with my drill and some glue.
thanks a ton!
view Shilo's profile
DahliaCactus, that would be Hubbard Hall.
view LaughingSara's profile