Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
PDF version
About Project
A trundle can add so much extra storage or even an additional sleeping space to a room. This trundle features a clever design that creates a solid bottom on the trundle.
Special thanks to Kayleen for her amazing photos.
Dimensions
Materials and Tools
1 sheet of 3/4″ Plywood or MDF
3 – 1x8s or 1x10s (depending on the height of your trundle)
2″ screws
wood glue
wood putty
sand paper
finishing supplies
6 Caster wheels, overall height at least 2 1/2″
Screws to attach caster wheels
Cut List
Please reference the instructional steps for cut list as this trundle is designed to custom fit to your bed.
General Instructions
The most important factor in building a trundle is ensuring it will fit under the bed. With this in mind, I am going to encourage you to build your trundle to the specifications of your bed. If you would like to use the trundle with a standard twin mattress, the overall clearnance length of your bed (the length between the legs on the sides) must be at least 77″. If you are building a bed, make note of this and build your bed so the side rails are 77″ long.
Step 1
You must also understand the overall height of the trundle. Make sure your trundle will fit under the bed. The trundle I designed uses 1x8s, and you will need at least 8″ of clearnance under the bed. If you have more clearance, you can use a 1×10.
Measurents you will need:
A) Overall height or clearance under the bed
B) Overall distance between the legs of the bed (or the length of the siderails)
C) Width of the bed. Overall width of the bed is approximately 39″ for a twin.
Subtract 2″ from the overall height (A). This is approximately the greatest height you could make your trundle at. Of course you could make the trundle shorter.
Subtract 1/2″ from the overall measurement (B). This is the greatest possible length of the trundle. Of course, you can make the trundle smaller.
Remember, a standard trundle mattress measures 75″ x 39″. I recommend staying close to these dimensions in order to use a standard twin mattress, standard twin sheets, etc. I will note, however, that I did make the top of my playhouse bed loft 72″ x 36″ and a mattress fit fine up there.
Step 2
Cut your plywood equal to the distance figured for C as the width of the plywood. Cut the length of your plywood the distance of A – 1 1/2″. In this example, B = 72, so the plan shows the trundle to be cut at 70 1/2″. C = 38 1/2″, and the plywood is cut at 38 1/2″. (Also note that these are the correct dimensions for a storage trundle for the Simple Daybed.)
Attach the ends, as shown above. This example shows the use of 1x8s. For a deeper trundle, you can use 1x10s (if your bed has at least 10″ of clearance). Leave a 2″ clearance under the plywood when attaching the trundle sides, this is shown above. Use the 2″ screws to predrill through the trundle sides and screw into the bottom. If you are using MDF, make sure you predrill the entire depth of the screw and use drywall screws NOT wood screws. Avoid screwing within 1″ of the end edges of the MDF.
Step 3
Attach the Trundle Sides. Attach the trundle sides in the same manner as step 1. However, make sure you also screw into the end edges of the trundle side ends.
Step 4
Caster Wheels. Worried about the middle of your trundle sagging? Don’t be. This trundle is not going to sag. Add trundle wheels to each of the four corners and two wheels in the center of the trundle, as shown above. The center trundle wheels will act as a support and prevent the center of the trundle from sagging.
- ‹ previous
- 555 of 625
- next ›
thank you so much for this
thank you so much for this ana! i think this would be better for my 3 and 2 year olds instead of bunk beds. something tells me one of them would break their leg trying to fly or something!
Yippee!!Thanks for listening,
Yippee!!
Thanks for listening, Ana! It's one of the next things on the list.... I am now thinking of maybe converting this plan to TODDLER size so that I can use a crib mattress! SO EXCITED!!
THANK YOU!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!
K in CA
We have 6 kids with 4 girls
We have 6 kids with 4 girls in one room. I was looking for something that would make their room feel more open and girly. This is it!
I can't wait to try this. I found you via Ucreate.
I've been scouring craigslist
I've been scouring craigslist for a bed I can afford, but you are a genius and saved the day.I can't wait to get started!!
I love this. We are moving
I love this. We are moving our daughter into a twin bed pretty soon and I was dreading shopping for a decent bed frame. Now we might just have to try one of your plans and this trundle would be perfect storage for now and as a bed in the future.
This is exactly what I was
This is exactly what I was looking for. We have a twin bed with plenty of room for a trundle. I can't wait to make this and surprise my husband! He will be so proud of me!
Ana, Do I have to make the
Ana, Do I have to make the daybed to use the trundle or could I just make the simple bed?
Thanks you are amazing!!! I am so excited I found your blog.
Thanks,
Ana Williams
Hi Ana, the trundle can be
Hi Ana, the trundle can be used with any bed. Just make sure you build the trundle to fit under your bed by measuring the length of the bed and the clearance under the bed, as shown the plan.
We are going to get the wood
We are going to get the wood for the day bed and trundle today!!! I will definitely let you know how it all turns out! Thank you for such a fun website!
Question - is the trundle
Question - is the trundle only supported by the side walls? Is there a weight capacity? It just seems like you would get bending wood in the middle if you have a larger person on it.
Rae, the last step says to
Rae, the last step says to add caster wheels in the middle to keep it from sagging. ;)
This is the perfect solution
This is the perfect solution for me. I am headed home to measure the length of my mattress. Just want to post some encouragement because I LOVE your blog.
I just found your website
I just found your website last week and I am SOOO thrilled to try out some of your projects! You are such an inspiration!
The trundle bed in particular is going to be very exciting for me to try out, as I have been wanting to buy one for a LONG time for my daughter's bedroom. Since my mother already bought the bed set (and dresser, armoire, vanity, & night stand!), I will just match this trundle to her existing bed set. And I might even make some shelving for her from your plans! :)
I just found your website
I just found your website yesterday and spent hours searching all the plans. I can honestly say I don't think I'll be buying furniture ever again. I get to buy power tools with the savings right?
I would love it if you could make plans for the West Elm Daybed here http://www.westelm.com/products/overlapping-squares-daybed-p054/?pkey=cd... I love the look of it and it would be great in a den for those unexpected guests. I took a look at it and thought it was possible to build but I would have no idea how. Might be a little too intricate but any modern daybed would be a great addition to your plans
Love the site and I cant wait to build something!
I am really looking forward
I am really looking forward to this and the bed x2 lol this is what I've had in my head this whole time and mine will definatly be for storage!
[...] And this bed also
[...] And this bed also boasts a trundle. Would you like to make this room too? Kayleen used plans for the twin Farmhouse bed, but made the headboard and footboard the same heights. Then she added this trundle plan. [...]
This is perfect, I'm
This is perfect, I'm definitely going to plan this all out and hopefully I can afford to make it :)
I'm thinking I may even get an extra piece to make an inset of sorts so I can use the trundle for storage but add a board on top when someone comes to visit so all we have to do is set the extra mattress over it without having to take the stuff out from the drawer!
Now is that ever smart,
Now is that ever smart, April!!! storage AND a bed...
[...]
[...] http://ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-trundle-bed-or-storage-pottery.html [...]
Picture Size
Is there someway to enlarge the pictures? I'm finding it difficult to see what is written on them, notes, sizes etc...
Trundle full size specs?
I've looked at the project plans and wondering if there's a modification for a full size trundle?
I'm looking to do this like Room and Board's example but using a wood base.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19579&cat...
I think I would need 2 pieces of plywood and possibly use a piano hinge.
Do you have a recommendation?
Thanks!
Adding Storage?
Hi, I love this design! I think I'm going to have to build my own trundle b/c we bought a twin xl mattress and finding a trundle to fit has been impossible! I'm wondering if you could help me figure out how to/where to add enough height underneath the trundle portion for a set of drawers?
thanks!
Bedding
Would you mind sharing where the bedding is from?
Post new comment