Storage Bed

This custom-built piece adds style and storage to a child’s bedroom.

Photography by Howard Lee Puckett

Storage Bed
Instructions: General

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List as a guide and adjusting for fit.

  1. Build the base. (See Figure 1.)
    • Position two (01) struts flush with the ends of the (02) base sides to form a frame as shown in the base assembly top view. Attach using glue and 6d nails.
    • Position the remaining (01) struts equally spaced between the (02) base sides, and attach using glue and 6d nails.
    • Position one (03) bottom 3/4 inch from one end of the base assembly and flush with the sides. Attach using glue and 6d nails. This is the front end of the base assembly.
    • Butt the remaining (03) bottom against the first (03) bottom as shown1. Attach using glue and 6d nails. This (03) bottom should overhang the other end of the base assembly.
  2. Build the bed cubbies, and attach the top. (See Figure 2.)
    • Using glue and 3d nails, attach the (04) bed cubby sides to the (05) bed cubby ends. Repeat to create five more cubby assemblies.
    • Attach the (06) bed cubby backs to the cubby assemblies using glue and wire brads.
    • Position one cubby assembly flush with the side of the front (03) bottom and 2 inches from the front of the base assembly. Attach using glue and 3d nails. Repeat to attach a cubby assembly to the other front side.
    • Position the remaining cubby assemblies with 2 inches between them as shown. Attach using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position one (07) top flush with the outer sides of the cubby assemblies and aligned with the front (03) bottom. Attach using glue and 6d nails.
    • Butt the remaining (07) top against the first (07) top. Attach using glue and 6d nails.
  3. Attach the footboard and trim. (See Figure 3.)
    • Attach the (08) footboard to the front edges of the (03) bottom and (07) top using glue and 3d nails.
    • Using a router fitted with a 45-degree chamfer bit, cut a 1/4-inch chamfer on one long edge of each (09) bottom side trim, (10) bottom end trim, (11) top side trim, and (12) top end trim.
    • Miter cut one end of each (09) bottom side trim. With the chamfer edge up, position the short point of the miter flush with the front of the bed assembly. Attach the pieces to the (02) base sides using glue and 3d nails.
    • Miter cut both ends of the (10) bottom end trim, and attach it to the front (01) strut using glue and 3d nails.
    • Miter cut one end of each (11) top side trim. With the chamfer edge down, position the short point of the miter flush with the front of the bed assembly. Attach the pieces to the (07) tops using glue and 3d nails.
    • Miter cut both ends of the (12) top end trim, and attach it to the front (08) footboard using glue and 3d nails.
    • Plane each (13) cubby trim, (14) end cubby trim, and (15) footboard trim to 1/2-inch thick.
    • Position a long edge of one (13) cubby trim flush with the inside of the front edge of the front cubby assembly and covering the edge of the (08) footboard. Attach using glue and 3d nails. Repeat for the front cubby assembly on the other side.
    • Position the remaining (13) cubby trim parts flush with the inside edges of the remaining cubby assemblies, and attach them using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position each (14) end cubby trim flush with the inside edge of the back section of each back cubby assembly, and attach using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position one (15) footboard trim flush to one end of the (08) footboard and attach using glue and 3d nails. Repeat for the other end of the (08) footboard.
    • Position the remaining two (15) footboard trim parts equally spaced on the footboard, and attach using glue and 3d nails.
  4. Build the headboard cubbies. (See Figure 4.)
    • Attach the (16) headboard cubby ends to the (17) headboard cubby sides with the edges flush as shown. Attach using glue and 3d nails. Repeat to create the remaining headboard cubby assembly.
    • Attach the (18) headboard cubby backs to the headboard cubby assemblies using glue and wire brads.
    • Position the (19) headboard cubby stiles on the headboard cubby assemblies so that they extend 1/4 inch beyond the assembly on both sides, 3/4 inch beyond the bottom end, and 1/4 inch beyond the top end of the assembly. Attach the stiles using glue and 3d nails.
    • Attach the (20) headboard cubby rails to the headboard cubby assemblies using glue and 3d nails.
  5. Attach the headboard cubby assemblies to the cabinets.
    • To create a nailing board for the cubby assemblies, scribe to fit (21) filler strips to fit within the top cavity of the unfinished cabinets. Attach the (21) filler strips to the cabinet top cavities using glue only, and allow to dry.
    • Attach (21) filler strips to the bottom of the cubby assemblies using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position the cubby assemblies on top of the cabinets making the sides flush. Attach the cubby assemblies to the cabinets using glue and 6d nails.
  6. Build the headboard assembly. (See Figure 5.)
    • Position one long side of the (22) headboard bottom flush with one long side of the (23) headboard front, and attach using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position one long side of the end (24) headboard strut flush with the short end of the (23) headboard front, and attach using glue and 3d nails. Repeat for the other short end of the (23) headboard front.
    • Position the remaining (24) headboard struts equally spaced between the end (24) headboard struts, and attach using glue and 3d nails.
    • Position the (25) headboard top flush with the front edge of the (23) headboard front, and attach it to the (23) headboard front and the (24) headboard struts using glue and 3d nails.
  7. Assemble the headboard. (See Figure 6.)
    • Position the cubby cabinet assemblies so that the 1/4 offset overlays the sides of the headboard assembly and the top of the headboard assembly is flush with the top of the ends of the cubby assemblies. Attach by driving eight 1-inch screws through the end (24) headboard struts and into the sides of the cubby cabinet assemblies.
    • Using a router fitted with a 45-degree chamfer bit, cut a 1/4-inch chamfer on one long edge of the (26) headboard long trim and each (27) headboard short trim.
    • Miter cut one end of the (27) headboard short trim parts so that they are mirror images of each other.
    • Position the (27) headboard short trim parts, with the chamfer facing in and the mitered end up, butted against the stiles on the cubby cabinet assemblies. Attach the trim pieces to the (23) headboard front using glue and 3d nails.
    • Miter cut to fit both ends of the (26) headboard long trim, and attach to the (23) headboard front using glue and 3d nails. The trim should be flush with the top of the cubby assemblies.
    • Attach the (28) cubby cabinet skin to the sides of the cubby cabinet assemblies using glue and wire brads.
    • Attach the (29) headboard skin to the top of the assembly using glue and wire brads.
  8. Attach the bed assembly to the headboard assembly. (See Figure 7.)
    • Position the headboard assembly against the wall in the desired location. You may need to cut any base trim for the assembly to be flush against the wall.
    • Attach the headboard assembly to the wall by driving 2 1/2-inch countersunk screws through the back of the cubby cabinet assemblies and into wall studs.
    • Position the bed assembly centered against the headboard assembly. Scribe a line marking the position of the bed assembly.
    • Scribe a second line 3/4 inch below the first line.
    • Position the (30) mounting strip along the bottom line as shown. Attach it to the headboard assembly using glue and six 1 1/2-inch screws.
    • Reposition the bed assembly against the headboard assembly, and attach to the (30) mounting strip using six 1 1/2-inch screws.
  9. Apply finishing touches.
    • Fill all nail holes, sand, prime, and paint.
    • If desired, attach quarter-round moulding around the edges of the headboard.
Tools You’ll Use
  • table saw (or circular saw with a straightedge guide)
  • planer
  • miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • drill/driver with various bits and #10 countersink bits
  • router with a 45-degree chamfer bit
  • power sander and various grits of sandpaper
  • pneumatic nailer (or hammer with nail set)
  • clamps
  • tape measure
  • paintbrush
  • pencil
Illustrations

Storage Bed - Figure 1-3 Storage Bed - Figure 4-7

Cut List

#

PART NAME

QUANTITY

MATERIAL

SIZE (in inches)

Bed
01 struts 8 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 50 1/2
02 base sides 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 70 1/2
03 bottoms 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 36 3/4 x 52
04 bed cubby sides 12 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 14 x 21 3/4
05 bed cubby ends 12 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 14 x 10
06 bed cubby backs 6 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 11 5/16 x 21 3/4
07 tops 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 36 3/4 x 52
08 footboard 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 13 x 52
09 bottom side trim 2 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 75
10 bottom end trim 1 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 52
11 top side trim 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 75
12 top end trim 1 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 53 1/2
13 cubby trim 6 1 x 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 10 1/2
14 end cubby trim 2 1 x 4 1/2 x 3 x 10 1/2
15 footboard trim 4 1 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 10 1/2
Headboard
16 headboard cubby ends 4 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 14 1/2
17 headboard cubby sides 4 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 16 3/8
18 headboard cubby backs 2 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 14 1/2 x 17 7/8
19 headboard cubby stiles 4 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 18 7/8
20 headboard cubby rails 4 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 12
21 filler strips * 3/4-inch plywood scribe to fit
22 headboard bottom 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 60
23 headboard front 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 48 x 60
24 headboard struts 6 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 47 1/4
25 headboard top 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 60
26 headboard long trim 1 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 59 1/2
27 headboard short trim 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 48 7/8
28 cubby cabinet skin 2 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 48 3/4
29 headboard skin 1 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 90
30 mounting strip 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 2 x 48

*As needed.

Bed Finished Dimensions:
Height: 16 1/4 inches
Depth: 75 inches
Width: 53 1/2 inches

Headboard Finished Dimensions:
Height: 48 3/4 inches
Depth: 12 inches
Width: 90 inches

Queen Size

Cut List

#

PART NAME

QUANTITY

MATERIAL

SIZE (in inches)

Bed
01 struts 8 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 58 1/2
02 base sides 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 76 1/2
03 bottoms 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 39 1/4 x 60
04 bed cubby sides 12 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 14 x 23 7/16
05 bed cubby ends 12 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 14 x 10
06 bed cubby backs 6 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 115/16 x 23 7/16
07 tops 2 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 39 1/4 x 60
08 footboard 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 13 x 60
09 bottom side trim 2 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 80
10 bottom end trim 1 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 60
11 top side trim 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 80
12 top end trim 1 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 61 1/2
13 cubby trim 6 1 x 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 10 1/2
14 end cubby trim 2 1 x 4 1/2 x 3 x 10 1/2
15 footboard trim 4 1 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 10 1/2
Headboard
16 headboard cubby ends 4 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 14 1/2
17 headboard cubby sides 4 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 16 3/8
18 headboard cubby backs 2 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 14 1/2 x 17 7/8
19 headboard cubby stiles 4 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 18 7/8
20 headboard cubby rails 4 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 12
21 filler strips * 3/4-inch plywood scribe to fit
22 headboard bottom 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 65
23 headboard front 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 48 x 65
24 headboard struts 6 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 47 1/4
25 headboard top 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 65
26 headboard long trim 1 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 64 1/2
27 headboard short trim 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 48 7/8
28 cubby cabinet skin 2 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 48 3/4
29 headboard skin 1 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 95
30 mounting strip 1 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 2 x 56

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Project Details
Lumber*
  • 3 boards, 1 x 6 x 8
  • 2 boards, 1 x 4 x 8
  • 6 boards, 1 x 2 x 8
  • 8 sheets of plywood, 3/4-inch x 4- x 8-foot
  • 2 sheets of plywood, 1/4-inch x 4- x 8-foot
Hardware & Supplies
  • 2 (15- x 30-inch) wall cabinets
  • 1 box (2 1/2-inch) screws
  • 1 box (1 1/2-inch) screws
  • 1 box (1-inch) screws
  • 1 box of 6d finishing nails
  • 1 box of 3d finishing nails
  • 1 box (#18 x 3/4-inch) wire brads
  • wood glue (Titebond II)
  • paintable wood filler (PL)
  • 1 quart of primer (Valspar Interior Latex High-Hiding Primer)
  • 1 quart of paint (Valspar Ultra Premium, Homestead Resort Tea Room Cream 3004-4C, semi-gloss)

*Availability varies by market.

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