How to Build a Bed With a Computer Desk Underneath

Prepare Lumber

• 1

  Using a drill bit the same diameter as your 8-inch bolts, drill two holes in each end of the 75-inch beams. Drill 3 inches from the end, in a line 3/4 inches apart.
  Lightly sand all surfaces of your lumber. It doesn't have to be polish-smooth but should be smooth enough to avoid splinters.

• 2

  Drill two holes in one end of each of the 66-inch posts, using the same drill bit you did in step one. Drill the holes on center 12 inches and 12 3/4 inches from the end.

• 3

  Sand all faces of your lumber. Sand the plywood sheets twice.

Build the Bed

• 4

  Set the two 75-inch beams and the two 36-inch beams in a rectangle with the 36-inch beams inside the 75-inch beams. All beams should rest on their narrow (2-inch-wide) sides.

• 5

  Connect the rectangle with two wood screws at each joint. Drive the screws in through the side of the long beam and into the end of the shorter beam.

• 6

  Set the 39-inch by 75-inch plywood sheet on the frame so that all sides of the sheet are flush with all sides of the frame.

• 7

  Attach the plywood sheet with one wood screw per corner, drilled through the plywood sheet and into the beam beneath.

• 8

  Set the four posts, drilled sides up, in a rectangle about the size of your rectangular frame.

• 9

  Hoist up the frame and attach it to the posts by sliding bolts through the drilled holes. This step is much easier with assistance.

• 10

  Connect two posts on one of the narrow ends of the frame using one 50-inch plank. Position the plank 3 feet above the floor. Attach it using three wood screws per post, set diagonally in the rectangle formed by the overlapping plank and post. Drill through the plank into the side of the post.

• 11

  Attach a second 50-inch plank directly opposite the one you've just installed.

• 12

  Repeat steps seven and eight to reinforce the other short end.

Build the Desk

• 13

  Form a rectangle using the two 39-inch beams and the two 24-inch beams. Assemble and connect the rectangle just as you did for the bed frame.

• 14

  Lay the 39-inch by 24-inch plywood sheet on top of the frame and screw it in place as you did with the bed frame.

• 15

  Set one 30-inch post in the corner of the frame, set in the angle formed by two beams.

• 16

  Screw the post in place with four wood screws set in a square. Drill through the plywood and into the end of the post. Sink the screws deeply enough that the heads won't snag on any work.

• 17

  Repeat steps three and four for the other three posts.

• 18

  Use the auger bit to drill a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole in the center of one long side of the desk, positioned 1 1/2 inches from the edge. Use this hole for cords when installing your computer.