Good day,

I’m a complete beginner with woodworking (no tools yet), but I really want to build a simple, sturdy platform bed for myself. The most important thing is that it has about 13 inches of clearance underneath, so I can store suitcases and also be sturdy.

Here’s what I’m working with:

• Mattress size: Full

• Tools: none right now, but I can get a drill/driver. No saws.

• Store access: I can go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, and I’ve heard they can cut lumber for me.

• Comfort level: I’d prefer a beginner-friendly design (frame + legs + slats/panel).

My questions:

1. What’s the simplest design for a beginner that will give me 13" clearance?

2. How should I handle the legs/supports so it’s sturdy and doesn’t wobble?

3. Is there a standard cut list I can give Home Depot so they cut everything for me?

4. Any tips for doing this without owning a lot of tools?

Thanks in advance! I’d love to see photos or links if anyone has built something similar. 🙏

https://www.instructables.com/Cheap-easy-low-waste-platform-bed/?sort=ACTIVE&limit=40&offset=280

Pics are from users who posted to the instructables website.

The instructable is very clear and easy to follow with lots of pics. This was one of the first woodworking projects I ever did. Took a few hours to build as a novice. Total cost of materials was around $50 a few years back. My best guess is it would be around $60-$70 now, but certainly under $100 for all the wood and screws. Painting or staining it is optional. All I did was sand the wood smooth without applying any finish. With a blanket draping over the edges you'll hardly see the frame.

Benefits of this design:

1. The slats let it breathe well, meaning no mold, even without a box spring!

2. It does not squeak, even if you have a significant other ... giggity. Some cheap amazon beds will squeak a lot and may not be sturdy.

2a) Very sturdy/firm ... even during giggity. No unwanted bounce.

3) Storage space underneath.

4) Customize the height of the mattress for sitting on it and for ... giggity.

5) Frame is space efficient; the footprint of the frame is actually a little bit smaller than the size of the mattress, so it fits well in tight spaces, and you won't stub your toes walking around the bed.

6) After building this frame you'll feel like you can build anything. It's a simple, forgiving project with great instructions.

Side note: I actually built two half-length frames and put them next to each other to form one bed frame. This way I could easily carry each half in/out of the bedroom and up/down stairs without having to remove the legs. It's also a lot lighter and less bulky to carry. There's the added benefit that you'll have extra legs towards the middle of the mattress which gives extra support for ... giggity. The only downside is the extra legs get in the way a little bit when storing stuff underneath.