How to Build a Platform Bed Between Two Walls

Making the Under-Bed Storage Cubbies

• 1

  Measure your recess to help decide which way to orient the bed. Most recesses will be longer than deeper, so positioning the bed lengthwise will probably be the case for most bedrooms. Also, decide on the height you want the platform bed. For example, you may have a 79-inch-wide recess and want a 20-inch-high bed.

• 2

  Cut three pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to the length of the recess, by 20 inches. For example, you may have two pieces at 20 by 79 inches. These are the top and base of the storage cubby section of the bed, with the third plank for the back panel.

• 3

  Cut five pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to the desired bed height, minus 1 1/2 inches, by 20 inches. For example, cut five planks to 18 1/2 by 20 inches. These are the sides and the cubby dividers.

• 4

  Lay the base panel of plywood flat on the work surface. Glue the side two planks of 18 1/2-by-20-inch plywood upright on each end of the base to form right-angled corners, with the three cubby dividers evenly spaced between them. In this example, they will be approximately 19 inches apart.

• 5

  Glue the top panel on top of the upright side and cubby divider panels. Secure the side and cubby panels to the top and bottom panel with three 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the ends of each side and cubby panel. There will be four cubby holes for storage.

• 6

  Position the back panel on the back of one side of the cubbies and secure it with 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the back panel into the top, bottom, side and cubby panels every 5 to 6 inches. Paint the cubby, and let dry.

Installing the Wall Cleats

• 7

  Slide the cubby into the recess, so that the distance between the back of the recess and the front of the cubby is the desired width of the platform bed. For example, it may be 40 inches for a twin bed.

• 8

  Cut a length of 2-by-2-inch lumber to the length of the recess. This is the back cleat. Cut five lengths of 2-by-2 lumber to the distance between the back of the cubby and the back of the recess, minus 2 inches. These are the side cleats and three support planks. For example, cut the side cleats and support planks to 18 inches if the cubby is 20 inches deep and you want the bed to be 40 inches wide.

• 9

  Place the back cleat on the back of the recess at the height of the bed -- for example, 20 inches off the ground. Use a level to ensure it is straight. Secure the cleat to the wall by screwing two 3-inch screws through the cleat into the wall studs. Use a stud finder to locate the studs if necessary. Repeat this on the side wall with the two side cleats. They should abut the ends of the back cleat and the back panel of the cubby unit.

Installing the Supports and Platform

• 10

  Evenly space the three support planks between the side cleats. They should be positioned from the back cleat to the back of the cubby and be flush with the top of the cubby and back cleat. Secure the support planks to the back cleat and the back of the cubby with an angle bracket on each side of the support planks, fastened with 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the screw holes in the angle brackets.

• 11

  Fasten the cubby unit to the side walls with four 3-inch screws through the corners of the two end cubbies into the walls.

• 12

  Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood that together equal the width of the bed, by the length. For example, cut two planks to 39 1/2 by 20 inches to make a 79-by-40-inch platform. Paint the plywood and let dry.

• 13

  Place the two pieces of plywood over the cubby unit, cleats and support planks. You should now only be able to see the opening of the cubby unit and the plywood platform. Secure the platform to the cleats, cubbies and support planks with 1 1/2-inch screws through the perimeter of the platform, as well as into the support planks.