How to Build a Poolside Bed

Make the base of the bed from two boards that are 75 inches long, 8 inches wide and an inch thick and two boards that are 39 inches long, 8 inches wide and an inch thick. Form a rectangle with the boards, with the 1-inch sides facing up and the 8-inch sides facing out. This is because your base will be 8 inches high. Apply glue to the edges of the boards where they meet, and let dry overnight. Use wood clamps to keep the boards secure while the glue dries.

Remove the clamps, and turn the base onto one side. Sink three 1½-inch wood screws into one corner, where two boards meet, firmly securing the boards together. Turn the base to the next corner, and sink three wood screws into that corner. Repeat with the last two corners.

Set the base down again, so that the top, which will eventually support the mattress, is facing up. Place the tip of the wood glue bottle against the top edge of the base, and squeeze. Work your way around the top edge, applying a bead of glue all along it.

Lay a plywood board on top of the base, and center it. Sink wood screws through the plywood and into the base. Turn the base over, and repeat on the bottom with a second plywood board. Covering the base on both the top and the bottom will help to keep critters from crawling inside.

Paint the base with one coat of primer, using a foam paintbrush. Let the primer dry, and rinse the paintbrush. Apply at least two coats of paint, using the foam paintbrush and letting the first coat dry before applying the second coat. After the paint dries, apply a coat of polyurethane or another clear sealant. Apply at least two coats of sealant, which will protect the bed from water damage.

Slide a mattress protector on an ordinary twin mattress, and zip it closed. Place the mattress on top of the bed, and center it on the plywood. Add a few pillows, and use the piece as an outdoor or poolside bed.