How to Build a Base for a Bed

A base is an alternative support for a mattress. It is different from a typical bed frame because it is a simple cube that sits underneath the mattress, with no headboard or footboard. A bed base is useful as part of a minimalist or modernist decorating scheme because it displays the mattress with no added visual complications.

4-by-8 foot sheet of plywood
8-foot-long 2-by-4s, 5 each
Drill
3-inch-long screws
Skilsaw
Measuring tape
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the plywood to the size of your mattress. These instructions are written for a standard queen size mattress, which is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.
- 2
  Cut four pieces of the 2-by-4 to make a square frame that attaches to the bottom side of the plywood. This requires two pieces 80 inches long and two pieces 57 inches long. Note that the actual dimensions of a 2-by-4 are 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.
- 3
  Drive screws through the 80-inch 2-by-4s and into the ends of the 57-inch 2-by-4s to create a rectangular shape. The 3 1/2 inch dimension of the 2-by-4s should be vertical, and the 1 1/2 inch dimension should be horizontal. The outside dimensions of this rectangle will be 60 inches by 80 inches, the same as the piece of plywood.
- 4
  Position the piece of plywood on top of the 60-by-80 rectangle and drive screws down through the plywood and into the 2-by-4s. A screw every 12 inches will make the construction sufficiently strong.
- 5
  Turn the construction over so the plywood is on the bottom. Fit three more 57-inch pieces of 2-by-4s in between the original end pieces, spaced at 2-foot intervals. This will make the platform much stronger for supporting the mattress. Screw them in by driving screws through the outside face of the 80-inch side pieces and into the ends of the 57-inch pieces.
- 6
  Cut four pieces of the 2-by-4s to a length that equals the distance you want your mattress from the floor, minus the thickness of the mattress and the 3/4-inch piece of plywood.
- 7
  Fit one of these pieces of 2-by-4 into each corner of your construction so that the outside faces of the 2-by-4s press against the inside corners created by the 57-inch 2-by-4s and the 80-inch 2-by-4s. You should now have a platform sitting upside down on the floor with four legs pointing vertically out of it.
- 8
  Screw the legs onto the construction by driving screws through the outside faces of the 57- and 80-inch 2-by-4s and into the 2-by-4s that make the legs. Driving screws in from two directions will make the legs stronger.
- 9
  Turn the entire construction over so that it is standing on its legs. Place the mattress on top of it.

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