Last December, we featured AT regular, Lori2's Mom's fabulous Palm Springs home. Many people inquired about the platform bed that she made, and Lori2's mom just sent us detailed plans and an instructional on exactly how it was done. (thanks to Lori2 and her mom for sharing this!) See all the details for this project after the jump!
Here is a
link to a larger sized diagram.
To make the Platform Bed You will need:
- 2 30 x 80" primed hollow core doors (no holes)(Join these to make the platform.
- 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood (7" x 60") for long sides of base
- 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood (7" x 34.5") for short sides of base
- 4 metal straps (1 1/8" x 6"L) to bolt doors to each other
- 8 angles (1/2" x 5/8") to make box for platform base. Use 2 angles at each corner to fasten pieces of plywood to each other
- 12 angles (2 1/2"L x 5/8"W) to attatch base to platform
- 8 2" L screws to join pieces of plywood (use 2 screws at each corner)
- Screws for metal straps and angles (some angles are packaged with screws)
- fiberglass tape and joint compound
- Use a square to make sure base is square.
To Construct the Platform Bed:
- Purchase items listed.
- Build platform of bed by joining two 30 x 80 inch doors with 4 metal straps (6 x 1 1/8 inch). Space straps evenly divided along center of platform. Find substantial part of door to screw into.
- Cut 2 pieces of 3/4 inch plywood 7 x 34.5 inches
- Cut 2 pieces of 3/4 inch plywood 7 x 60 inches
- Make base of bed by creating a 4 sided box. Attatch the long plywood pieces to one short piece placing the edges of the long pieces on the outside of the short piece. Use 2 inch screws to join pieces.
- Attatch the second short piece by placing it between the ends of the two long pieces, thus creating a box. Use 2 inch screws to join pieces. Your box will measure 36 x 60.
- Screw 2 angles on each inside corner of box to add stability to box. Use a square to ensure that the box is square.
- Lay platform (two doors) on floor with the underside up. Place the box 7 inches from the head of the platform and 13 inches from the foot of the platform. Center the box leaving 12 inches from each side.
- Attach the underside of platform (side with metal straps) to the box with 12 angles. Evenly space 2 angles on each end and 4 angles on each side.
- Prime and paint the box.
- Turn the bed over and prime and paint the top and sides of the platform. Use fiberglass tape and joint compound to fill the seam between the two doors. This only needs to be done for three or four inches at the foot and the head of the platform (as the mattress will cover most of the platform). Sand this smooth and then paint.
Is this for a queen size bed? If so, does anyone magically know what adjustments you'd need to make for a king size?
Yay! This is exactly what I've been waiting for.
This is for a queen. they are 60x80
A standard king is 76 x 80.
I admired the bed the first time on AT: it looks even better the second time around. Thanks Lori2'mom
Anyone know the cost on the doors?
In the original post/slideshow Lori@ mentioned the total cost for material was less than $150... there wasn't a breakdown of the pricing for the doors.
I've done something similar, but with a metal base. What I did was use MDF - I had seen it stained and it looked rather nice.
Any how, with some of the left over, I cut 2" strips and applied them to the bottom of platform. I used mitered and glued/nailed to secure. What that does essentially is to give a double thickness (more solid look) to the platform without the weight AND without much work.
When I stained it, the MDF obviously sucked up more at the edges. The result, though, was a nice striation of stain. It looked really nice.
The other thing I wanted to do, but never got around to, was to cover it in a fabric using spray adhesive. I would have taken fabric strips about 18" wide and laid it on top and around the edges. I would have cut the the corners in a miter and then used fray check (like superglue, it stops the edges from fraying without discoloration). I think it would have made for a really crisp and unique platform (I wanted a colorful commercial weight fabric).
Those are good tips Tien, thanks! I think the beauty of this project is that it can be built without a lot of shop tools and assembled in the bedroom. I also wanted to point out that the original slideshow mentions MDF for the base instead of the plywood in the shopping list above. I was pricing the doors at Lowes and they are only $19.50 ea. Sweet!
Just a thought: after taping the seam where the doors meet, I wouldn't think the bed could be broken down and moved easily. No?
And what about for a full?
What about the perfect floating nightstands? Were those bought or made?
Hey Everyone-
Just got back into the country, sorry I wasn't here to comment when this was posted. Glad that other people have helped answer the questions!
Elizabeth:
You can use the standard doors for a full bed as well, and just center the mattress. The only difference is you will have an few inches of the platform visible, rather than hidden by the mattress.
Martha:
My mother made those nightstands with the left over plywood.
Let me know if there are other questions!
Wow this design is great, and exactly what I was looking for--amazingly stylish, modern and low priced! Thanks so much for sharing this! Out of curiosity, how easy is this to disassemble? Thanks very much!
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