Modern Platform Bed Frame [All Mattress Sizes]

Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Build your own modern platform bed frame. Paint or stain any color you like. Easy to build with free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

UPDATE: We have added a plan with store bought legs that is easier to build - plans here.

diy bed frame plans

My youngest daughter's bedroom has had a mattress on the floor since we moved into our new house two years ago. It hasn't been a pressing need since she's still a baby, and the bed only gets used when we have extra guests (that's why it's a full size). But the room just felt messy and unorganized with the mattress on the floor, blankets and pillows spilling off on to the floor. Beds are essential for grounding a room.

The good news is you can build your own bed frame starting at around $50 - and that's a solid wood bed frame that is stainable or paintable.

For my daughter Everly's room, we went with a modern style platform bed frame, it turned out so great!

modern platform bed

Building this bed changed everything about this room. We love how it turned out. The adorable legs inset on the bed frame give it a fun, modern feel.

Leg Options

For the legs on this bed, we used 2" wood dowels from Home Depot (about $14 for 3 feet). There is hidden legs under the bed, so I felt the 2" dowels were plenty good. But you could also use 3" round fence posts for a bigger leg at a reasonable price, or buy store bought mid-century legs or hairpin legs. This bed is very adaptable.

Video Tutorial

For those of you who are visual learners, check out the video tutorial of this bed build. We go through all the basic steps.

Modern Platform Bed Frame Plans

The plans for this modern platform bed are below. We would LOVE to see this bed built in different sizes, so we included all the different sizes in this plan.

Dimensions

11-1/2" tall, 3" wider and longer than mattress size

Preparation

Shopping List

Twin - Mattress Size 38" wide x 75" long

3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2" diameter or larger round wood dowels @ 30"
6 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (about 50)
1-1/2" self tapping screws (for attaching the mattress slats) (about 25)
4 - 4-1/2" or longer lag screws (for attaching legs to the bed)

Full - Mattress Size 54" wide x 75" long

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2" diameter or larger round wood dowels @ 30"
8 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (about 50)
1-1/2" self tapping screws (for attaching the mattress slats) (about 25)
4 - 4-1/2" or longer lag screws (for attaching legs to the bed)

Queen - Mattress Size 60" wide x 80" long

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2" diameter or larger round wood dowels @ 30"
8 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (about 50)
1-1/2" self tapping screws (for attaching the mattress slats) (about 25)
4 - 4-1/2" or longer lag screws (for attaching legs to the bed)

Standard King - Mattress Size 76" wide x 80" long

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
3 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2" diameter or larger round wood dowels @ 30"
12 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (about 75)
1-1/2" self tapping screws (for attaching the mattress slats) (about 25)
4 - 4-1/2" or longer lag screws (for attaching legs to the bed)

California King - Mattress Size 72" wide x 84" long

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
3 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2" diameter or larger round wood dowels @ 30"
12 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (about 75)
1-1/2" self tapping screws (for attaching the mattress slats) (about 25)
4 - 4-1/2" or longer lag screws (for attaching legs to the bed)

Cut List

Twin - Mattress Size 38" wide x 75" long

2 - 2x6 @ 75" - siderails
2 - 2x2 @ 75" - cleats
2 - 2x6 @ 41" - top and bottom rails
4 - 2x6 @ 11-1/2" - long point to long point measurement, both ends cut at 45 degrees, ends NOT parallel - inside cross supports
1 - 2x4 @ 75" - center support
4 - 2" round wood dowels or similar @ 7-1/4" - legs
2 - 2x4 @ 10-1/4" - center legs
12 - 1x3 @ 38" - mattress slats

Full - Mattress Size 54" wide x 75" long

2 - 2x6 @ 75" - siderails
2 - 2x2 @ 75" - cleats
2 - 2x6 @ 57" - top and bottom rails
4 - 2x6 @ 11-1/2" - long point to long point measurement, both ends cut at 45 degrees, ends NOT parallel - inside cross supports
2 - 2x4 @ 75" - center support
4 - 2" round wood dowels or similar @ 7-1/4" - legs
4 - 2x4 @ 10-1/4" - center legs
8 - 1x3 @ 54" - mattress slats - use remaining scrap pieces as half slats

Queen - Mattress Size 60" wide x 80" long

2 - 2x6 @ 80" - siderails
2 - 2x2 @ 80" - cleats
2 - 2x6 @ 63" - top and bottom rails
4 - 2x6 @ 11-1/2" - long point to long point measurement, both ends cut at 45 degrees, ends NOT parallel - inside cross supports
2 - 2x4 @ 80" - center support
4 - 2" round wood dowels or similar @ 7-1/4" - legs
4 - 2x4 OR 2x6 @ 10-1/4" - center legs
8 - 1x3 @ 60" - mattress slats - use remaining scrap pieces as half slats

Standard King - Mattress Size 76" wide x 80" long

2 - 2x6 @ 80" - siderails
2 - 2x2 @ 80" - cleats
2 - 2x6 @ 79" - top and bottom rails
4 - 2x6 @ 11-1/2" - long point to long point measurement, both ends cut at 45 degrees, ends NOT parallel - inside cross supports
2 - 2x4 @ 80" - center support
4 - 2" round wood dowels or similar @ 7-1/4" - legs
6 - 2x4 OR 2x6 @ 10-1/4" - center legs
12 - 1x3 @ 76" - mattress slats

California King - Mattress Size 72" wide x 84" long

2 - 2x6 @ 84" - siderails
2 - 2x2 @ 84" - cleats
2 - 2x6 @ 75" - top and bottom rails
4 - 2x6 @ 11-1/2" - long point to long point measurement, both ends cut at 45 degrees, ends NOT parallel - inside cross supports
2 - 2x4 @ 84" - center support
4 - 2" round wood dowels or similar @ 7-1/4" - legs
6 - 2x4 OR 2x6 @ 10-1/4" - center legs
12 - 1x3 @ 72" - mattress slats

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x6 siderails, with the pocket holes within 1" of the top or bottom edge of the 2x6 (so the 2x2 cleat shown in diagram won't cover it).

Glue and screw 2x2 cleats to inside of the 2x6 siderails with 2-1/2" screws. You can use Kreg pocket hole screws. About one screw every 8-12".

Build two identical.

Step 2

Attach siderails to the ends with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws and glue. Image is shown upside down.

Step 3

Set miter saw to a 45 degree angle cut.

Cut from scrap 2x6s four angled corners for the bed.

It is best to cut the small pieces off of a longer piece for safety, or clamp small pieces to the saw deck with and cut - avoid fingers close to the saw blade, especially when cutting angles.

Drill 1-1/2" pocket holes as shown.

Predrill and install the legs on to the 2x6 board with the 4" lag screws and glue.

Step 4

Install cross supports with legs attached inside bed frame with the pocket holes.

Add additional screws through the small angled ends into the 2x6 bed frame with 2-1/2" screws.

Step 5

Cut 2x4 center supports.

Drill 1-1/2" pocket holes, two per end, on each of the center supports.

Add legs with 2-1/2" screws and glue.

Place inside the bed frame and attach with pocket hole screws to the top and bottom of the bed.

Step 6

Lay slats in the bed frame with about 4" gap in between (for most standard mattresses - you may need more support depending on your mattress requirements).

Attach with the shorter screws.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames