I followed the plans pretty closely. I added dividers to make 3 drawer units but I didn't find it necessary to have the top shelf go all the way to the back since it would never function as a shelf. I used scrap pieces for that and they weren't big enough to be full shelves.
I used 1/2" MDF for the bottom, sides, and backs of the drawers to cut down on weight, cost, and general bulkiness. I used this free app called Cut List to figure out the easiest way to have the guys at Home Depot cut all the drawer panels after I learned I'm not that good with a circular saw. I used a hack saw to cut aluminum bars for hanging files and used scrap wood to make the little brackets to hold the bars upright in the drawer. The full extension drawer slides are functionally and asthetically better but it would have been so much easier to put in basic bottom mount slides.
I wanted a wood grain top and ended up with common pine boards over more expensive poplar or oak and I would use pine again without hesitation. I used Google SketchUp to figure out the widths of boards I needed to make the top with minimal cuts. Then joined them with glue and mending plates and sanded the hell out of them. I altered the dimensions slightly to make it the same size desktop as the Bedford desk. My two wing sections are 23" x 23" but I should have made them 23" deep by more like 24" or 25" long. I had to hack the bottom bracing to make a spot for the drawer units to slide into. If you alter the dimensions make sure you can secure a brace between the main body and the wing of the desktop and still have room for the brace at the edge of the wing.
My cost includes things like a Kreg jig, saw blade, clamps, paint brushes etc. so you may be able to do this for less. I could have gone with a middle of the line paint I think. This project was a beast for me because a) I'm not a furniture maker b) I don't own a table saw which would have been amazing c) I picked the hardest way to make the desktop and d) I modified some of the dimensions from the basic plans. I worked on this thing for weeks (granted sometimes I didn't touch it for several days or a week). But it was a fun and rewarding project.
Comments
Neatha (not verified)
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:04
Plans
Do you have your modified plans still? I don't know where to begin with editing the originals. I am moving and we have limited space I need to place a desk under and queen sized bed but my ceilings are only 8ft.
unckrm1
Wed, 02/09/2022 - 15:31
We’ve been looking for…
We’ve been looking for exactly this!! Can you share your modified plans and the list of lumber and supplies needed?
Lindsay (not verified)
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 12:45
Modified Queen Size
I think it's great that you modified it to a queen! I live a studio and NEED something like this. Could you share the modifications? It looks beautiful = )
christy
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 20:58
The changes I made were: End
The changes I made were:
End planks cut to 63"
Top back guard and front and back rails cut to 87"
The top guard rails on ends cut to 66"
I measured for the mattress supports and the front guard rail after the rest was completed.
You should also measure for the bookcases after the rest is completed, but each of mine wound up being about 31" wide.
Everything else was pretty much the same.
Hope that helps.
dbai (not verified)
Thu, 11/01/2012 - 08:24
Thank you!
This is wonderful - I've been looking to make something like this for an urban efficiency (adult) apartment! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications!
gmur589
Mon, 07/29/2013 - 14:08
queen loft for adults
Will the height of the bed allow for adults to stand under it? If not what modifications should be made to make the height fit a standing adult? (the highest being 6'1" male) Thanks! =D
etb1999
Sun, 10/06/2013 - 08:23
$$$$$
Hello, about how much did it cost you to make this?
THANKS
NicoleLance0826
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:30
Plans
Hey Christy I was wondering if you could send the plans for upgrade to queen size. I cannot pull up the changes. Thank You. Im sure its not to many changes.
pretty-prima
Thu, 03/24/2016 - 16:52
Cost?
Hello! I would like to build this queen sized bed, could you give me a cost estimate? I don't have any wooden planks sitting around so I would have to buy them all new.