How to Make a Slatted Pedestal Frame for a Platform Bed

The clean lines of a platform bed enhance the decor of your bedroom. The solid base of the standard bed platform may not allow your mattress to breathe properly, however, allowing mold and mildew to develop in and under the mattress. The simplest solution is to use a slatted system to support your mattress. The slats allow air circulation under your mattress, yet still provide solid support for your back.

2 boards, 2-by-8-by-83-inch
2 boards, 2-by-8-by-60-inch
Sandpaper, 180-grit
Tack cloth
Wood stain
Rags
Paintbrush
Polyurethane, satin-finish
Tape measure
Pencil
Yardstick
2 boards, 2-by-4-by-78-inch
Electric drill
Screwdriver bit
Wood screws, 2 1/2-inch
1/4-inch drill bit
8 lag screws, 1/4-by-4-inch
Socket set
16 boards, 1-by-3-by-60-inch
Wood screws, 1 1/2-inch
4 felt glides, nail-on

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the 2-by-8-inch boards with 180-grit sandpaper until smooth. Wipe the boards with a tack cloth to remove the wood dust.
- 2
  Wipe stain over the boards with a rag. Allow to soak into the wood for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag. Allow the stain to dry completely.
- 3
  Brush a coat of satin-finish polyurethane over the boards. Allow the polyurethane to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Lightly sand the boards and add a second coat of polyurethane. Allow it to dry completely before proceeding.
- 4
  Place the two 83-inch-long boards on a flat surface. Mark a horizontal line on the 8-inch side, 1-inch from the edge.
- 5
  Align the edge of a 2-by-4 board on the line, with the 4-inch side against the 8-inch side of the 2-by-8 board. Center the 2-by-4 board on the length of the 2-by-8 board.
- 6
  Predrill a screw hole every 6 inches, through the 2-by-4 and into the 2-by-8. Screw the two boards together with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat with the second set of boards.
- 7
  Stand the 2-by-8 boards on edge and parallel to each other, with the 2-by-4 boards on the inside. Place the 60-inch boards at each end, butted to the sides of the 80-inch boards.
- 8
  Predrill two 1/4-inch holes through each side of the longer board and into the ends of the shorter boards. Screw the boards together with 4-inch lag screws to make a rectangle.
- 9
  Arrange the 1-by-3-inch boards 2 inches apart on top of the 2-by-4 supports. Screw two 1 1/2-inch wood screws down through each slat and into the supports.
- 10
  Turn the platform bed frame over. Nail a felt glide onto each corner of the frame. This permits you to move or slide the bed without damaging your bed frame or flooring. Turn the bed frame right side up.
- 11
  Place the mattress on top of the 1-by-3 boards and make the bed.

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