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🔨 Build: How to Build a Queen Japanese Style Platform Storage Bed

by Jacquelinn Kai
(IC: homeowner)
4 Materials
$70
6 Hours
Medium
Yesterday for my 52nd birthday I spent the bulk of the day in methodical silence building the Japanese style Queen size platform storage bed of my dreams. It took building plans popped into my head as God thoughts, four shelving units I purchased almost ten years ago for this purpose, two 2x6 80" boards, eleven 2x4 62" boards, 58 2 1/2 " screws and my body's pain
, ..to create strength and purpose for lumber.

First I placed the five shelving units in aesthetically pleasing positions to fit my organization style, the way I utilize and move about my room and of course to serve as the legs and base of the bed. I also attempted to screw the bottom units together to discourage shifting of the shelves. Then I screwed down the first 2x6x80 " board by measuring and spacing the screws to fit the pattern of the shelving units. Two screws at the top for the small front end shelving unit and four for the larger side shelving unit.
Next, I finally removed the mattress and other items I should have already gotten out of the way and I laid down the second 2x6x80 " board. Same spacing on screws.
Note: The headboard and medal rod in the middle are the only items remaining from my original IKEA bed. Neither item is needed as the mid rod is too low to provide any support for the new bed and the headboard is basically being held up by the wall and the mid rod. I only kept it for looks and attempted to stabilize it by screwing two extra screws (I found in my junk draw) thru the back of the front shelving units into the headboard, one on each side.
Next step was to start laying out the eleven 2x4 62" boards with almost 4 1/4 inch spacing in between. I placed one screw in the middle, 2" from the end on both sides of each board.
Finally I was almost ready to put the mattress back on. So I used my remaining lumber (the pieces they cut off for me at Lowes) to create a wider, longer and more attractive look for the attached end tables and bench on the bed. I placed one screw in the middle, 4" from the end on both sides of each board.
Until I had...
The final product!!
Later I may come back with another article on staining and sealing the wood but for now I am really loving the unfinished wood look.
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Suggested materials:
- Five shelving units purchased ten years ago for this purpose. two small 15x15x15 cube shelfs at the front of the bed, two 15 h x 15 w x 29 1/2 L and one 15 h x 15 w x 59 L. (Purchased online. You can use old ones around the house or purchase something that fits your style.)
- Two 2x6 80" boards (Lowes - Cost about $5.56 each and)
- Eleven 2x4 62" boards (Lowes - Cost about $3.29 each)
- 58, 2 1/2 " screws (Lowes - Cost about $6.97 for a 1 lb box of 86 course thread exterior screws)
Published May 8th, 2017 9:26 AM
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4 of 45 comments
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Hb on May 30, 2017
Love this however , the only thing I would absolutely NOT want under my bed is a place for my dog to do its business. That to me would be gross.-
Jacquelinn Kai on May 30, 2017
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Maude LaFountain on Jul 10, 2017
I love what you did ....but I'm still trying to figure out your Board Dimensions....I have never heard of a 2x4x6 80 inches long ....its either 2x4 or 2x6.. I just figured you wrote down the size of the board wrong ....other than that I love the extra storage Idea and the place for your little doggy ...i have a small dog and she goes under my bed all the time but this would be better for her to have a pillow bed and potty pad under there ....love it-
Jacquelinn Kai on Jul 11, 2017
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