Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/23/2006

Question
I would like to know how to build a platform california king  size bed? how do I support it in the middle? What would I need?

Thank you

Monica

Answer
Hi Monica,

When I read your question, the first thing that came to mind is the book about bed building - I'm pretty sure it's just called "Beds" by Jeff Miller. I would love to look in my copy right now and tell you specifically if there is a plan for a platform bed, but....I recently loaned it to someone!  The good news is that your local Border's or Barnes and Noble bookstore probably has a copy, so maybe you can visit a store and check out that specific book. I believe there is a plan similar to what you want to build, but I am not certain. It is complicated, though, so I will try to talk you through a simpler design.

Next- I built a bed like this about 2 years ago. Exactly the same bed I think you have in mind. It was a California King platform bed, and it turned out quite nice. I ended up making mine a little more detailed, with four corner posts, and a low headboard, but the basic design of a platform is still the same.  Let me give you a few starting points, and then you can take it from there.

First- a platform bed is basically a (well, this sounds redundant!) a base, with a platform on top of it. In the simplest of designs, you could build a simple out of 5 pieces of 2 x 8 or 2 x 10 material. The reason you need 5 pieces is simple- you will make a large frame (box) out of it, with the pieces turned on edge, using 4 of the pieces. With the fifth piece, you will attach it in the middle; make it a tight fit so nothing wobbles or moves. I would run the center board head to toe, but I've seen it run side to side. With this 5 piece base, you can simply add a top platform and you're done. It might be the simplest of all beds to make.

Remember, the platform is going to overhang the base, so plan your measurements accordingly. How much of an overhang? That's up to you, but I like simple dimensions, so I overhung mine 5" on both sides and the foot end. The top (headboard area) I made flush with each other, meaning NO overhang.

Now sure, you can make it fancier, and you probably would like to, but basically - a platform bed simply consists of the base and the top platform. You can use some good quality 3" screws to screw the base together so it won't move, and a few screws on the platform (going down into the base) to ensure that the top platform boards don't move on you. You're probably going to need two boards to compose your platform, since a California King is 72" x 84". Well, at least mine was that dimension. Make sure you measure yours and make your platform the same size as the mattress. I made another platform bed once and the customer asked me to make the platform bigger than the mattress, so that the mattress wouldn't hang over. They were constantly hitting their knees on the corners, and later asked me to cut the platform down to the exact size. So that's what I recommend- a platform the same size as the mattress, or a hair smaller.

OK- you know you can use simple 2 x material for the base, but what do you use for the platform? I recommend using a plywood, rather than particle board or MDF board. You would have to really work hard to break a corner of the plywood off, but it's possible to break a corner off the particle board. So that's why I recommend it. And as far as what sort of plywood- if you can find it in your area, I recommend a Baltic Birch plywood, which has more plies and less voids than regular plywood. It's a little tough to find, and true Baltic Birch plywood comes in a 5' x 5' piece, but if you're lucky, you'll find a 4 x 8 sheet. You'll need two, and they'll have to be cut down.


There are quite a few places to find plans for platform beds, if you don't like what I'm suggesting here. The hard part (I think) is locating the hardware you need to go along with other designs. So the first place I would start is Rockler.com, which is a woodworking company that not only sells plans, but a complete line of supplies like bed fasteners, drawer glides, hinges, knobs and pulls, screws, etc. It's a retail site best known for it's "one stop" shopping. They are a little pricey, but if you visit their site and find out what you need, you might be able to purchase the exact same hardware at your local hardware store.

For plans, next, I would look into the sites of the various woodworking magazines. My favorites are: Taunton.com (home of Fine Woodworking magazine), WoodSmith.com, Wood.com and Woodweb.com.....the last one is more like a wood resource site, but should give you a lot of background information.

Here's a few other sites:  WWforum.com is a woodworking site called Badger Pond....it's for the wood hobbyist, and is really pretty good. It also has MANY links to other sites. Another decent site is "theoak.com" -it has a lot to offer. I find free plans all the time with the help of Google, by the way.

Last thing...as a custom furniture maker, I am often asked to build pieces for which there are no plans available. I know this takes experience and an understanding of joinery, but it's possible to simplify your task by using some stock components. For example, I am currently working on a design for a local veterinarian who wants storage under her bed as you do. We are planning on using Rubbermaid rolling storage boxes that are designed to roll under beds. It's a simple, effective and decent solution for her needs and budget. So you might want to look at those, and then sketch a simple bed frame plan based on those storage boxes.


Good luck, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any other questions you might have after reading this. And - if this response was helpful (or even if it wasn't!)- please feel free to rate my response. It's nice to hear if I have helped out or not.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
www.wooditis.com
Las Vegas, NV