How to Build a Platform in Your Room

Build a platform in your room to add architectural interest instantly and define a space. A raised platform gives a seating area importance, makes a stylish foundation for a mattress or provides a child with her own bedroom stage. Making a platform yourself is more budget friendly than having one installed by a professional. You can have your wood cut to size at the lumberyard so when you get home it is ready to assemble, and have your project finished in a weekend.

44-inch long 2-by-6-inch boards, 9
96-inch long 2-by-6 inch boards, 2
Drill
1/32 pilot hole drill bit
Retractable ruler
Countersink hole drill bit
3-inch wood screws, 18
4-by-8 sheet of 3/4-inch plywood
1-3/4 inch wood screws
Wood filler
Putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Hold one 44-inch long 2-by-6-inch board and one 96-inch long 2-by-6 inch board at a right angle to create one corner of the platform. The end of the shorter board should be flat against the side of the longer board. The end of the longer board should be flush with the side of the shorter board.
- 2
  Drill a pilot hole through the 96-inch board and into the 44-inch board. The hole should be 3 inches down from the top edge of the boards.
- 3
  Drill a countersink hole centered over the pilot hole. Make the countersink hole slightly larger than the diameter of the head of your 3-inch long wood screw.
  Screw a 3-inch wood screw into the pilot hole. The head of the screw should sink in lower than the side of the board.
- 4
  On the opposite end of the 96-inch board, place another 44-inch board at a right angle. Drill a pilot and countersink hole then screw in another 3-inch wood screw to create the second corner of the frame.
- 5
  Align a second 96-inch long board with the opposite end of the 2 shorter boards to form the final side of the frame. Make sure the corners are squared. Drill pilot holes and countersink holes on each side, and screw the board in on each side so you have a 96-by-48 inch rectangular frame.
- 6
  Stretch a retractable ruler across the first 96-inch board and lock it so it sits in place on the board. Make a pencil mark every 12 inches across the 96-inch board. These marks are where the studs will go. Repeat the process on the second 96-inch board. Each pencil mark should line up with another pencil mark on the board directly across the frame.
- 7
  Position a 44-inch board between two longer sides, aligning it with the pencil marks. The marks should line up with the center of the 2-inch wide stud. Repeat this process by putting a 44-inch board at each set of pencil marks.
- 8
  Drill pilot and countersink holes along the sides of the frame. The holes should line up with the pencil marks, which are lining up with the center of the support studs. Screw them in place.
- 9
  Cover the frame with a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. Screw the plywood down to the frame. Drill a pilot hole and countersink hole in each corner, then secure it with a 1-3/4 inch wood screw.
- 10
  Continue drilling pilot holes and countersink holes and securing the plywood to the frame with 1-3/4 inch screws around the platform, about 1 inch from the edges, placing a screw approximately every 24 inches.
- 11
  Place your ruler across the top of the platform and mark every 12 inches. This mark represents the support studs below. Countersink screws into the studs every 24 inches for more stability.
- 12
  Fill the countersink holes with wood filler using a putty knife. Let the wood filler dry.

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