How to Build a Storage Bedframe

Purchase two storage cubby towers that are approximately 79 inches tall and 20 inches wide and deep. These will form the base for a twin-size storage bed frame.

Lay the two towers down on the ground, back to back. The cubbies will be exposed on either side, giving ample storage space under the bed. Glue the backs of the storage towers together.

Lay two planks of 30-inch 2-by-6 lumber 28 inches apart on your work surface. These are the legs for the end of the bed. Their 6-inch faces should be flat against the work surface. Glue a plank of 2-by-8 lumber measuring 28 inches between the bed legs, 10 inches down from the end of the legs. This should form an “H” shape.

Lay two planks of 40-inch 2-by-6 lumber 28 inches apart on your work surface. These are the legs for the head of the bed. Glue a 28-inch plank of 2-by-8 lumber 2 inches down from the end of the legs, and a second plank of 2-by-8 lumber 2 inches down from the end of the first. This is the headboard.

Secure the headboard planks to the legs by toe-screwing – or screwing at an angle – through the ends of the headboard planks into the sides of the legs and fastening with 2-inch wood screws. Three screws per plank end will suffice.

Place the H-shaped end legs over one end of the glued storage towers. The legs should be flush at the sides with the front of each cubby tower and extend 10 inches above the tops of the cubby towers. Glue them in place, then secure them with 2-inch screws driven from the inside of the cubby towers into the legs and footboard plank on 6-inch centers.

Place the headboard over the other end of the cubby towers. The headboard should extend 20 inches above the top of the cubby towers. Glue and screw it in place as you did the end legs.

Fit two planks of 79-inch-long 1-by-4 lumber over the top edge of the cubby towers. These are the side rails of the beds. The ends of the side rails should be flush against the legs, and the side rails should rise 2 inches above the top of the cubbies, which means they will cover the first inch or so of the top of the cubby holes.

Glue the side rails in place, then secure them with two 2-1/2-inch wood screws through the legs into the abutting ends of the side rails.

Paint the bed in whatever color you desire. Position the bed with access from both sides to maximize the storage access.