How to Make a Trundle

Sleeping space for guests is limited, in most homes, to a guest bedroom with a full-size bed. When friends or family visit and bring along children, they may have to share beds or sleep on the floor. Similarly, when children host sleepovers, their friends may have to sleep on the floor or far away in the guest room. You can quickly and easily increase sleeping space in your home by building a trundle bed to store under an existing bed.

Twin mattress
3/4-inch plywood
1-inch by 8-inch (or 10-inch) lumber
Circular saw
2-inch wood screws
Drill with countersink and screwdriver bits
6 - locking casters (height 3 inches)
Wood putty
Sandpaper
Paint
Paint rollers and brushes

Instructions

- 1
  Measure to ensure that the mattress will fit easily under the bed with no obstructions. The clearance under the bed should be at least two inches greater than the height of the mattress, and should be at least an inch greater than the width of your lumber.
- 2
  Cut the 3/4-inch plywood to 40 inches-by-76 inches to form the base of the trundle.
- 3
  Attach a caster to each corner of the plywood sheet, and attach two casters along the lengthwise center line of the plywood to provide additional support.
- 4
  Cut two, 40-inch lengths of 1 inch-by-8 inch lumber. Attach a piece of lumber to each end of the trundle base, so that there is approximately 1-inch clearance between the end boards and the floor. Countersink drill holes for each screw before attaching the end boards.
- 5
  Cut two, 72-inch lengths of 1 inch-by-8 inch lumber. Attach a piece of lumber to each side of the trundle base at the same height as the end boards. Countersink drill the holes for each screw.
- 6
  Fill screw holes with wood putty, and allow to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sand putty smooth and finish the trundle bed with paint. Allow to dry thoroughly before adding the mattress.

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