How to Make a Bed Drawer

Sit down beside the be so you are facing one of the sides. Use the measuring tape to get the height, depth and width for the bed drawer. The height of the drawer must be at least 2 inches shorter than the total height between the floor and the bed frame to avoid scratches on the floor. In other words, a bed frame height of 7 inches reques an ideal drawer height of 5 inches. The depth and the width of the drawer depend on the space available. The width is measured by placing the measuring tape parallel to the bed frame's edge, while the depth is collected by placing the measuring tape perpendicular to the bed frame's edge. Write the three measurements down on paper.

Lay the plywood sheets down to draw the drawer panels required for the project. Use the pencil, measurements and the ruler to create even rectangular panels. For example, draw the required panels using a total width of 10 inches, a total depth of 15 inches and a height of 5 inches. In this case, the front and back panels measure 5 inches by 10 inches and the two side panels measure 5 by 14 inches to make room for the thickness of the back and front panels. The drawer bottom measures the full 10-inch width by the total 15-inch depth.

Cut the five plywood pieces for drawer with the table saw. Sand the cut sides of the five panels with medium-grit sandpaper. Place the two side panels across from one another on their sides. Take the front and back panel and place them by the sides' ends to create a full rectangle. The side panels must be in between the end and front panels. Attach the cabinet clamp to the rectangle, so it is held in place. Hammer at least two nails through the end and front panels in each corner to create the drawer frame.

Place the bottom panel on top of the frame. Attach it to the frame using nails and the hammer. The nails must be at least 1 inch apart around the bottom panel's perimeter. Turn the drawer right side up. Install the drawer knob or handle on the front panel using a screwdriver and the knob or handle's installation screws.

Stain or paint the entire drawer using a paintbrush, so the drawer matches your existing bedroom décor. Paint or stain the drawer the same color or shade as the bed frame, if the drawer must appear as part of the bed frame.

Separate the sliding base from the sliding track on both sets. Place the drawer underneath the bed and line the sliding bases on the bottom of the bed frame, where the drawer will be installed. Remove the drawer and install the sliding bases using the installation screws and screwdriver. Check the evenness of the tracks using the level as you attach the bases. Place the two sliding tracks on the top of the drawer's side panels and attach them in the same manner as the sliding bases. Insert the drawer to the bed frame by sliding the tracks into the bases.