Ideas for a Wooden Platform for a Queen Size Mattress

Built-in Bookshelves

• With a queen-sized bed, it can be difficult to fit in other large pieces of furniture in your bedroom. To give extra storage without cluttering up your room, build bookshelves into the base of the bed platform. Create the platform so that the shelves are flush with the edges of the bed and leave a few inches between the bottom of the shelf and the floor to access the shelving even if you have thick carpeting. The bookshelves will add a touch of color and texture to an unexpected place in your bedroom, which can make your bed a focal point.

Hollow Interior

• A wooden bed platform offers the opportunity to build in hidden storage; with a queen-sized bed, you will have a good deal of empty space in the interior of the platform. Choose an option that has cross braces that offer support and divide the storage space for use with smaller items. You can either set the bed directly on top of the braces or build in a trap-door style opening. This is particularly effective if you live in a home with limited space because you can store unsightly items or things that you don't use often. The taller the bed platform, the more area you will have.

Sunken Bed

• For an unexpected touch, build your wooden platform so the mattress sits in the recessed area and the top is flush with the top of the platform. Depending on the style of your room, you might add padded upholstery to the top of the platform to avoid bumping your shins in the dark. The resulting look is luxurious and surprising, and is well suited to a more contemporary home.

Night Stands

• If you are working with limited space, turn the edges of your bed platform into night stands to give the room a streamlined effect. Build the platform with about an extra foot of space on either side and use the top area as a space for books, lamps or an alarm clock. You can also build night stands directly into the top of the bed platform to serve as bedside tables without requiring extra furniture pieces.