Fillman Platform Twin Platform Bed
February 23, 2012 |
33 Comments
posted by Ana White
PDF versionHow to build a platform bed for $30. Inspired by Pottery Barn Kids Fillmore Platform Bed.
Handmade from this plan >>
Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!
About Project
Author Notes:
$30.
Lunch CheckFor the cost of picking up lunch, your kids can be sleeping on real wood beds. Stylish platform real wood beds at that!
And if Whitney, a stay at home mother of five, yes that's right, 5 - can build TWO OF THESE beds, we can all find the time to get our kids off mattresses on the floor!
Time to Build!You can find the headboard plans here. And today's plan is for the bed frame itself, which can be used independent of a headboard. 
More Details and PhotosAnd make sure you check out Whitney's post here on the bed for lots more photos! Thanks Whitney!
Dimensions
Dimensions:
Dimensions:
Dimensions are shown above. Materials and Tools
Shopping List:
3 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 – 2x3 @ 2 feet long (or use 2x4)
2 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
3 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
1x2 or 1x3 slats or box spring
2 1/2" screws or 2 1/2" pocket hole screws
Tools:
measuring tape
square
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
circular saw
Cut List
Cut List:
2 – 2x4 @ 76 1/2"
2 – 2x4 @ 39”
4 – 2x3 @ 5 1/2" (can use 2x4s here as well)
2 – 2x2 @ 70 1/2"
2 – 1x3 @ 75”
1 – 1x3 @ 44”
1x3 @ 39” for slats (not accounted for in cut list)
General Instructions
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Step 1
So we just build a 2x4 box. Easy peasy!
Check to make sure the box is square by taking diagonals from opposite corners.
Step 2
Now add the legs. You can use 2x4s here in absence of 2x3s. You can also taper the legs if you want - or even use decorative feet.
Step 3
These are the cleats for supporting the slats. Attach with predrilled holes and 2 1/2" screws.
Step 4
Now we are going to start adding the lip to give the platform bed that platform feel. Make sure you glue and screw down.
Step 5
Then add the footer trim. Also - for those of you using a pocket hole jig, it may make sense to attach the side top trim to the footer top trim on underside first, then attach the entire piece to top of bed frame.
Step 6
And now just add the slats. Depending on your mattress quality, you may be able to get away with less slats.
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions:
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
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This is Awesome!
Ana, great plans! Whitney and Ana-what an inspiration! The bed turned out beautiful!!!!
clips
Avoiding pocket screws
There's nothing wrong with pocket screws, but looking at this plan there's no reason you couldn't build it without pocket screws. That would be a real salvation for somebody who didn't own one. I see it's mentioned in a note in the drawing, but worth calling out separately.
Instead of assembling the frame with pocket screws, attach the frame components to the legs with countersunk wood screws. As a tip, I've found that a drill is not the best tool for driving screws. I've had a lot better luck with a brace equipped with a screwdriver bit. I almost never strip a screw and it drives just as fast.
I'd also like to mention that there's no point in using wood glue on the end grain of the frame pieces, as the plan suggests. That won't hold under any kind of stress. If you glue the frame components to the legs though, it's going to be pretty strong.
posted by claydowling | on Fri, 2012-02-24 14:07
Platform Bed
Hi,I just made this bed yesterday in just a few short hours and did not use wood glue as you have mentioned not to do and instead of doing poketholes I used wood screws and just drilled them straight in using the screwdriver bit as you have metioned and that was a way better way to make this bed....I enjoy reading your comments on different ways to make different things......Thank You for the advice!! :).....And I love this bed,it is awesome for the exchange student that will be here in 2 days,BUT of course im going to be sleeping on it to see how comfortable it is to sleep on,hahaha
posted by Larryshandywife | on Wed, 2012-08-22 23:32
What about bigger beds?
Is there an easy modification for making this into a double, or even queen size bed? Or is it less practical with larger mattresses. Thanks!! :-)
Bedding?
Where is that gorgeous bedding from?
I love this bed!!! I also
I love this bed!!! I also want to make one for a full size bed. Also queen size bed.Can you please send me the plans to modifiy for both these sizes. Thank You.
Queen size bed
the length of a queen mattress is 4" bigger so you just need to add 4" to the length and if your sizes are the same as UK then add 36" to the width i would advise a center piece down the middle of the frame for support of the slats, I know this was over a year ago you asked the question but hope this helps
headborad
we are making this bed for my 2 daughters and not sure about the head borad! can you give more info on the headboard?
clips
Headboard
Hi! I'm excited for you! The plans for the matching headboard are here: http://ana-white.com/2012/02/plans/fillman-platform-headboard
Thanks for the plans for the
Thanks for the plans for the headboard and platform. 2 questions for ya- do you have dimensions for a full bed? And what type of wood/stain did you use? thanks!
Thanks for the plans for the
Thanks for the plans for the headboard and platform. 2 questions for ya- do you have dimensions for a full bed? And what type of wood/stain did you use? thanks!
I absolutely LOVE everything
I absolutely LOVE everything about this bed! Can you please let me know what type of wood you used & what brand/color/type of stain & if you had any tips to get it to look this way. This bed is beautiful & I am having my hubby make it for our little one very soon!! Thank you!
Stain???
I absolutely LOVE everything about this bed! Can you please let me know what type of wood you used & what brand/color/type of stain & if you had any tips to get it to look this way. This bed is beautiful & I am having my hubby make it for our little one very soon!! Thank you!
plans for queen size bed?
i love this bed and would like to make a queen size bed for us as well as the single for our ds,,,,, could you send plans for the queen six of it?
Age appropriate?
We're moving next month, into a much smaller space. We have a spare twin mattress in storage. Is it advisable to transition my 22 month old onto a twin bed like this now, or do I need to wait longer? This sits low enough, that Id think she would be ok, even if she rolled off, right?
clips
My advice to you is that if
My advice to you is that if there is a concern that your daughter could hurt herself, why not build a "guard rail" that you can use for added safety while she transitions into a bigger bed, then when you're sure she will be okay, simply remove the rail. Just a thought ;-)
The rail doesn't have to run the length of the bed either, just a smaller one closer to the head of the bed, I'm sure you know what I'm referring to, but if not, let me know and I'll draw one up for you in sketch up. :-)
posted by tracysmith | on Fri, 2012-05-18 10:12
Hi! I'm a mother of a two
Hi! I'm a mother of a two year old that we transferring into a Montessori floor bed. This platform would be perfect for her. Seeing I've heard simply laying a mattress on the floor is bad for the mattress and someone spine. I was told to keep it on a platform. So this tutorial is perfect I'd just love for it to have either short half sides or a rail on one side to keep her from falling out. I see u mentioned this and offered to draw something up. I'd be so appreciate if you could for me.
Thank you!
Sturdiness
My husband just finished building this bed for our 2-year-old son and it turned out beautifully! Our current question is whether or not the bed plus a mattress alone is sturdy enough to stand up to a toddler jumping on it (as he inevitably will, let's face it)? We have several (13-16) slats to go into the platform, but we're still a little concerned about him jumping on and snapping one slat at a time. Is this a valid concern? Should we buy a piece of plywood to put down instead of the slats? We'd really like to avoid the box spring since the real draw of this bed was how low it was for him, but if he's going to break something - either the bed or himself! - then it's worth it to us.
Bottom line: Is the mattress plus the slats a sturdy enough system to stand up to a rowdy little boy?
Thanks!
clips
Bed Sturdiness
If you are worried about making the strong, there's a lot you can accomplish by choosing the correct wood. Make sure the slats are without any knots or cracks. That's where they'll crack.
If that isn't secure enough, you can make a torsion box for the base. You'll turn the slats on edge, sandwich them between sheets of plywood, secured with glue and nails, then wrap the sides with boards secured the same way. It's way overkill though unless the slats have already failed.
posted by claydowling | on Wed, 2012-05-23 20:17
I am making this bed now, for
I am making this bed now, for my 4yo daughter, and am so excited to finish and hopefully get some good pics of the finished bed soon. I raised mine 12" for storage space underneath so it'll be a slight twist on the original. Thank you so very much for these plans, Ana, you have made it possible for us to have furniture that we otherwise would not be able to - and kind of not even want to - afford.
Fillman platform bed
Hi ,
This bed is beautiful. I was hoping you could send me the plans/dimensions to make this a full size bed? Thank you,
Bethany
Platform Bed
I made this bed yesterday in just a few short hours,it didnt take me long at all to make it. I love it!! I made it for the exchange student that will be staying with us for the next year and when she leaves it will be an extra bed for company or for when hubby is in the dog house LOL......Theres only one thing I wanted to point out....I got all the wood exactly how the plans said and I put the bed together of course and I had one piece of wood left and it was a 1x3 8" so you will only need 2 1x3's NOT 3 1x3's other than that the bed is AMAZING!!!!
posted by Larryshandywife | on Wed, 2012-08-22 23:42
Platform Bed
OH YEA and instead of putting the legs at 5 1/2"s I raised them to 7"s
posted by Larryshandywife | on Wed, 2012-08-22 23:45
size variation
Hi!! Love Love LOVE the BED FRAME and HEADBOARD!! I see I am not the only one asking, but I would love it if you could send me a variation for a full size bed. I cannot wait to make this!!! You did a wonderful job!! Thank you so much!
size variation
Hi!! Love Love LOVE the BED FRAME and HEADBOARD!! I see I am not the only one asking, but I would love it if you could send me a variation for a full size bed. I cannot wait to make this!!! You did a wonderful job!! Thank you so much!
size variation
Hi!! Love Love LOVE the BED FRAME and HEADBOARD!! I see I am not the only one asking, but I would love it if you could send me a variation for a full size bed. I cannot wait to make this!!! You did a wonderful job!! Thank you so much!
Platform Bed
Love this bed. I'd really like to make 2 of them for my almost 2 yr old twins. Would you be able to send me the plans/dimensions to make this a toddler bed?
Thank you,
Becky
King Size
LOVE this bed! I feel like i have all the same questions as everyone else. What type of wood and stain did you use? Also where can i find the dimensions for a king sized bed.
clips
queen
could you please post the dimensions for making a queen sized bed frame? I saw someone said add 4" to length but that wouldn't make since because a queen bed is wider not longer.
posted by kenziedoll90 | on Fri, 2013-02-01 03:00
Your site contains useful
Your site contains useful information on this topic as I am working on a school project. Thank you posting relative information and its now becoming easier to complete this topic.
To find out more about Linkvana click here
Dimensions for a Full bed?
Did anyone ever get dimensions for a full sized bed? I'd love to make this for my daughter but she has a full.
Cjmiksch
king size dimensions
New to your site, love all the plans! Are you able to post the dimensions for a king size version of this. Thank you so much.
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