MID CENTURY MODERN DIY PLATFORM BED

I have built a lot of furniture, but never have I ever, built a bed!! To walk into our newly remodeled master bedroom and know that I have literally built every single thing in there, is an amazing feeling of accomplishment!

This makeover has been so much fun! We finally have our very own retreat. I love it!!

Perusing Pinterest, I found several different platform beds that I loved. But this one stood out to me more than any other. However, as hard as I looked, I couldn’t find any plans for it.

So, I drew up my own plans and started building. My very own platform bed.

How to Build a DIY Platform Bed

The following plans are for a King Size Mattress (King mattress size is usually 76″x80″) 

We purchased a new mattress and love it! Great price and very comfortable!!    (Affiliate Link Included)

Heres another great DIY project:

Materials Needed:

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• 2X4X8 (Ripped to 3″ wide) (14)
• 2x4x8 (Ripped to 1.5″ wide) (2×2’s) (6)
• 4’x8′   3/4″ plywood  (2 sheets)
• 2 1/2″ Kreg Jig Screws
• 2 1/2″ GRK Wood screws (Spax screws are my other go-to)
• Paint (I chose Sherwin Williams Historic Charleston Green; Fun Fact: it’s actually black :)  )
• Stain (I chose Varathane Golden Oak)
• Poly
• Sanding sheets (220 and 60)
• Wood glue

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Power Tools Needed:

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• Miter saw
• Table saw or Circular saw (Optional) If not available, have Home Depot rip your boards for you
• Drill
• Kreg Jig (Or any pocket hole jig)
• Sander

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Note: I like to get rid of the manufactured edge on all of my 2x pieces of wood. Please check out this post to see how I do that. This is completely optional, but definitely gives a more finished furniture-quality look. I highly recommend taking the time to do this.

Step One: Build the footboard

Note: I cut all of my 2×2’s in this post from 2×4’s. Here’s how I did it:

1. The actual width of a 2×2 is 1.5″
2. Therefore, I ripped the manufactured edge off of my 2×4’s (See this post) making them 3″ wide,
3. I then ripped them in half to get approximately 1.5″ boards.
4. This makes this project a lot cheaper, however, if you prefer, you can purchase 2×2’s and achieve the same look.

Cut List:

Cut one 2×2 @ 73 1/4″ ….. Drill 1.5″ pocket holes on both ends

Cut one 2×4 @ 73 1/4″ ….. Drill 1.5″ pocket holes on both ends

Cut two 2×2’s @ 10″

Attach the long 2×2 to the two short 2×2’s using pocket hole screws (2.5″ p.h. screws).

Then attach the 2×4 to the other ends of the 2×2’s using p.h. screws. You should now have a rectangle. See the picture below….

Cut one 2×2 to fit on top of the 2×4 (approx. 76 1/4″). Attach using 2.5″ wood screws).

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture after I completed this step. Below is a picture of what the footboard should look like when finished. Minus the side rails, of course….

Sand this entire section, using 60 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper.

PRO TIP: I found it much easier to sand each section as I built my modern platform bed, rather than waiting til the end.

Step Two: Build the headboard

Cut List:

Cut two 2×2’s @ 51″

Cut three 2×2’s @ 73 1/4″ ….. Drill pocket holes on both ends of 2 of your boards. (You don’t need pocket holes on the third 2×2).

Cut eight 2×4’s @ 73 1/4″ ….. Drill pocket holes on both ends

Attach two 73 1/4″ 2x2s to each end of the 51″ 2x2s using p.h. screws….creating a square.

Mark 10″ up from the bottom of the square on both of the 51″ 2×2’s. And attach a 2×4 using p.h. screws, making sure the top of the 2×4 is flush with your 10″ pencil marks on both ends. See picture below for more details….

Measure 13 3/4″ up from the top of the 2×4 and mark on both 51″ 2×2’s. Attach the remaining seven 2x4s using 2.5″ p.h. screws.

The bottom of the first 2×4 should be flush with your 13 3/4″ marking. Each 2×4 should be tight up against one another and attached as you go.

See the picture below for more details….

Attach the remaining 2×2 (the one without pocket holes) (73 1/4″) to the top of the bottom 2×4 using 2.5″ screws. (Just like you did with the footboard–it should mirror the footboard)….

Note: At this point, you’ll want to move your project to the space where it will stay. It gets pretty bulky from this point on and will be very hard to move.

Step Three: Attach side bed rails

Cut List:

Cut two 2×4’s @ 80″ ….. Drill 1.5″ p.h.”s on each end

Attach to headboard and footboard using 2.5″ p.h. screws.

The top of the side rail will be flush with the top of the footboard and the top of the 2×2 on the headboard.

See picture below for the placement of the side rails…

Once attached, it’s a good idea to use a square to ensure that it is square in each corner.

Step Four: Attach the side rail supports

Now you’re ready to build your side rail supports. These supports will hold the mattress. They are also called cleats.

You’ll want your cleats to be 3/4″ less wide than your side rails. This allows space for the cross supports, that the mattress will sit on top of.

So, for example, my cross supports are 3″ wide, so my cleats will be 2 1/4″ wide.

Cut List: 

Cut your cleats (2) @ 80″ or a little shorter.

Attach to side support, using 2.5″ screws. The bottom of the cleat needs to be flush with the bottom of the side rail. See picture below for further clarification…

Step Five: Build center support

Cut List: 

Cut two 2x4s @ 80″ ….. Drill p.h.’s on each end

Cut four 2x4s @ 7 3/4″ …. Drill p.h.’s on one end

Center one 80″ 2×4 in the middle of the bed (on the floor). Attach to the frame with 2.5″ p.h. screws. This is the bottom support board.

Space out the four 7 3/4″ 2×4’s and attach them to the bottom support board, using 2.5″ p.h. screws.

Attach the remaining 80″ 2×4 to the top of the four 7 3/4″ 2×4’s, using 2.5″ wood screws.

For extra support attach to the frame on both ends, using 2.5″ p.h. screws.

Your center support should measure 10 3/4″ tall and should look like the picture below…

Step Six: Add bed hinges

Your platform bed should be very sturdy, but just for extra support, it’s a good idea to add these hinges in each corner (4).

I got these heavy duty bed hinges from Amazon and found them very easy to attach…

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At this stage, your DIY platform bed should look like this….

Step Seven: Add cross supports

The last thing we’ll need to do, is cut our cross supports. Also called, bed slats.

Rip nineteen 3.5″ wide strips @ 8ft from a 4 ft x 8 ft, 3/4″ thick, sheet of plywood.

Cut these boards to fit across your bed. And attach to the side rail support/cleats. Attach using 2.5″ wood screws.

Leave about a 1/2″ space between each support.

Be sure to not only attach them to the side rail supports but also the support in the middle…

And here’s where we are now….

Step Eight: Paint/Stain…Finish

I found it easiest to stain first, let it dry, and then tape it off before painting.

I used Varathane Golden Oak Premium Wood Stain and Sherwin Williams Historic Charleston Green paint.  (Affiliate Link Included)

I still can’t get over how easy it was to build this beautiful platform bed. Doesn’t it look amazing in our primary bedroom?!

Benefits of a DIY Platform Bed Design

• No box spring needed. One of the best benefits of this bed design is the fact that it doesn’t require a box spring. That cost savings is huge! Simply purchase your mattress, place it on top of the DIY platform bed, and that’s it!
• Lots of storage. Lots of space for storage boxes underneath. Which in turn, helps keep the room tidy and organized. Platform beds are a great fit for large or small spaces.
• Improved airflow. The slatted platform helps promote better airflow around the mattress. This helps keep the mattress cooler. Which can improve sleep quality and mattress longevity.

I’ll be honest, having never built a bed before, I was a bit nervous crawling into this one for the first time. What if it doesn’t hold and we end up on the floor in the middle of the night!? But this thing is solid! She is not going anywhere!

Are you ready to build your own bed frame? I hope my step-by-step tutorial has shown you just how achievable this easy DIY platform bed plan is.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below. I love helping people build things they never imagined they could build!

Be sure to check out these mid-century modern nightstands donning both sides of the bed. Another super easy build!

Designer Tip: When It Might Be Time to Bring in Help

If you’re working on your home and things still don’t feel quite right, you’re not alone. Many of our clients start exactly where you are now. They’ve gathered ideas, saved inspiration photos, and maybe even purchased a few pieces, but the space still doesn’t feel cohesive. That’s often the moment when having a designer can make all the difference. We help homeowners create a clear plan so every decision works together. From layout and furniture placement to finishes and lighting, the goal is a space that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and complete.

If you’d like a little guidance with your space, you can learn more about our interior design services below.

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Let’s go beyond the design to build something beautiful together!

Until next week,

Happy Building, Friend!!

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