If you want your bed to sit near the floor, try building your own wooden platform. This allows you to choose the exact height of the bed, along with the color. If you prefer a natural look, you can use a clear waterproof sealer that allows the grain of the wood to show through instead of covering it with paint. Building your own bed platform will also save you money when buying a pre-fabricated one from a furniture store.
45MinST 14 Inch Reinforced Platform Bed Frame/3500lbs Heavy Duty/Easy Assembly Mattress Foundation/Steel Slat/Noise Free/No Box Spring Needed, Twin/Full/Queen/King/Cal King(Full)
Instructions
1 Decide how high you want the bed to sit off the ground. Buy the right size of the wood for your desired bed height. For example, if you want a bed that is four inches off the ground, use 2 by 4 wood to build the platform. If you want a 12-inch high bed, use 2-by-12 instead of lumber.
2 Measure the mattress that is placed on the top of the wooden bed frame. Subtract one or two inches of measurement from each side so the mattress will hang over the edge of the frame. This will prevent you from hitting your legs in the frame when entering and leaving the bed.
3 Cut two side pieces of wood and two pieces of the ends with an electric saw, following the measurements you made in step two. Set the four cut pieces of wood on the floor in the shape of a box. Connect the joints of the corners with wood glue. Use clamps to hold the ends of the wood together until the wood dries. Allow the glue to dry overnight, and then remove the clamps. Insert three large wood screws through each corner to reinforce the joint.
4 Cut a piece of wood the same length as the pieces at the ends of your box. Set this piece in the box so that it sits in the support center. You may have to use additional support pieces for large mattresses. If this is the case, space the support pieces evenly inside the box.
5 Measure and cut a piece of half-inch thick wood so that it covers the box-shaped frame you just built. You may have to use two panels of plywood to cover the frame for a large mattress. If you are using unfinished plywood, sand the top so you do not stick splinters in your mattress. Place the plywood to the structure with wood screws.
6 Cover the entire bed platform and frame with the finish of your choice. This can be paint, wood stain, or simply a clear polyurethane sealer that allows the natural wood grain to show through.
Tips and warnings
- Always wear safety glasses and a mask when working with power tools such as electric saws and sanders.