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DIY Captain's Storage Beds

A captain's bed offers storage space beneath the mattress in the form of built-in drawers. The frame for a captain's bed consists of two main parts: the basic frame and the drawers. This design incorporates two drawers on each side of the bed for a total of four. It is built out of plywood and lumber available at hardware stores, along with a few basic tools and materials.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 boards, 2-by-10-inch, 73 1/2 inches long
  • 2 boards, 2-by-10-inch, 18 3/4 inches long
  • 39-by-75-inch piece of 1/2-inch plywood
  • Drill
  • 3-inch wood screws
  • Screwdriver
  • 39-by-75-inch piece of 3/4-inch plywood
  • 8 boards, 1-by-10-inch, 18 3/4 inches long
  • 8 boards 1-by-10-inch, 33 3/4 inches long
  • Wood glue
  • Bar clamps
  • 4d finishing nails
  • Hammer
  • 4 pieces of 1/4-inch plywood, 33 3/4-by-17
  • 4 screw-in knobs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place two 39-inch pieces of 2-by-10-inch board on the ground, standing on their 2-inch edges. Place a 73 1/2-inch piece between them, forming a long H.

    • 2

      Stand two 18 3/4-inch pieces of 2-by-10-inch board extending out from the center of the 73 1/2-inch board, creating a "∃E" shape.

    • 3

      Place a 39-by-75-inch sheet of 1/2-inch plywood on top of the boards. Have a friend help you to lower the plywood in place so that you do not knock the beards over.

    • 4

      Drill a 1/16-inch pilot hole every 4 inches through the plywood and into the edges of all boards. Join the pieces together with 3-inch wood screws inserted into the pilot holes.

    • 5

      Flip the assembly over so the plywood is on the ground.

    • 6

      Place a 39-by-75-inch sheet of 3/4-inch plywood on top of the boards. Screw it in place the same way you did the other piece. This forms the basic frame for the captain's bed.

    • 7

      Build a rectangle out of two 18 3/4-inch pieces of 1-by-10-inch board and two 33 3/4-inch pieces. Sandwich the longer pieces between the shorter ones, creating the frame for a drawer.

    • 8

      Glue the four corners of the box together with wood glue. Use bar clamps to hold them together.

    • 9

      Nail each corner of the box together with four 4d finishing nails to reinforce the glue.

    • 10

      Allow the glue to dry for the time recommended on the bottle.

    • 11

      Cut a 33 3/4-by-17 1/4-inch piece of 1/2-inch plywood. Glue and nail this plywood into the bottom of the box to form the drawer's bottom.

    • 12

      Build three more drawers following Steps 7 through 11.

    • 13

      Slide the four drawers into the bed frame.

    • 14

      Screw a knob into the face of each shelf to allow you to open it. Use knobs with attached screws that are no longer than 1/2-inch.