How to Build a Storage Bed

If you have friends or family over during the holidays you will need more sleeping space.  A great idea is to have a bed that can slide under and existing bed.  These types of beds are called storage beds or trundles.  This type of furniture can be stored away until you need it.

Things you will need to build a storage bed:

• Circular saw                                         


• Hammer


• Table saw


• Drill and bits


• Cut wood pieces:


• (2) 1 x 6 x 37 5/8 hardwood


• (2) 1 x 6 x 76 1/8 hardwood


• (1) 74 3/8 x 37 3/8 x 23/32 plywood


• 4 (2") appliance casters


• 100 #8 x ¾" wood screws


• (Phillips head, steel)


• 20 1-¼" wood screws (Phillips head, steel)


• 4 (5/16" x 1 1/4") fender washers


• 4 (5/16") hex lock nuts


• 16 (7") angle stops


• 4 (3 1/4") gusset angles


• 4 (1") plastic super slides


• 2 drawer pulls

1. Get you hardware together and begin to cut wood pieces.  You will then do a basic layout of four outer pieces of wood.  After that lay the two smaller pieces on either end and put the two larger pieces on the sides.


2. Take the four boards and screw them together.  The shorter ones should be at either end.  You will then predrill and sink three 1 ¼” screws at all the corners.  The end pieces should sit on the inside.  If you prefer a finished look, you will countersink pilot holes so the screws sit in the wood.  Next you will square off the bed frame and measure from corner to corner.  Be sure to match the measurements by shifting the wood.  Secure the frame with some 12 inch sections of wood that is screwed from side to side and across the corners.


3. Use the #8 ¾” screws to install the four gusset angles in the corners.  You will then screw in eight of the angle stops and make sure they are even with the floor.  One will be on either end and two will be on each side.  Use some more of the #8 ¾ “ screws to join them.  This will create the base for the plywood to be on.  You will then trim the plywood on the corners about a ¼ inch so it will fit over the angles of the gusset.


4. Put the plywood in the frame onto the angle stops.  You will then lay the other eight angle stops in at the sides of the corners and two inches back from the corner.  Be sure to screw them in with #8 ¾ inch screws.  Turn the whole frame over and screw in the other angle stops that were applied before.  Take the casters and put them in each corner.  Next you will drill holes that are three inches in from all the sides and join the casters using the hex nuts and fender washers.


5. Use some paint and put it on the frame to match the bed it will be under.  If it is a wood finish bed, match the finish with a polyurethane coating.  Once it’s dried, join the plastic super slides to all of the sides.  The optional drawer will pull out on the side and will face front from beneath the bed.


6. Put in a standard size twin mattress and so it will slide underneath the bed.  There won’t be any need for a box spring because the space is very limited.