DIY Loft Storage Bed Using Cabinets

Locate the studs in the wall of your loft where you plan to install the cabinets. Use a stud finder or use a long, thin nail to hammer across the wall until you hit a stud. Mark the position of the studs with a pencil so you can erase the marks later.

Position the cabinets in place against the wall and drill pilot holes through the framework of the cabinets into the studs in the wall. Screw the cabinets into place using 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Screw the cabinets to each other if there are no studs for anchoring behind a cabinet. Drill pilot holes through the adjacent cabinet’s framework and screw 3/4-inch wood screws into the holes.

Measure the length and width of the top of the cabinets. Since the standard depth of a base cabinet is 24 inches, you will need to add some extra width to the top of the cabinets with plywood to support a standard twin mattress.

Measure and cut a section of 3/4-inch plywood to 36 inches wide and 75 inches long. This will be approximately 6 inches longer than your cabinet base and 12 inches wider.

Position the plywood over the cabinets. Drill pilot holes through the plywood into the framework of the cabinets to keep the wood from splitting. Drill at least two holes per cabinet along the back, one screw every 6 inches along the joints of the cabinets and at least two along the fronts of each of the cabinets.

Screw the plywood to the cabinets using the 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the pilot holes.

Position the mattress on top of the plywood platform and add bed linens for a cozy loft bed.