Make simple wooden under bed drawers to add storage space to a bedroom.
Storage space in a bedroom is minimal and can be quickly filled to capacity. Take advantage of the space under the bed to store toys, stow away seasonal items or extend limited closet and dresser space. Make wooden under bed storage drawers to accommodate organizing and storage solutions for the bedroom. Wooden storage drawers are sturdy and can be made to look as though they are part of the bed. Create customized under bed drawers to match the style of the bed they are beneath and to fit the space available to ensure ample storage space is efficiently utilized. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Instructions
1. Measure the height and length of the space available under the bed to determine clearance. Record the measurements and if necessary adjust these instructions accordingly to ensure a custom fit.
2. Cut the plywood to 70 1/2 inches long and 38 1/2 inches wide to create the base. Cut two 7 1/2 inch by 38 1/2 inch side boards from one of the 1 inch by 8 inch by 8 foot pine boards. Cut one 7 1/2 inch by 72 inch front board and one 7 1/2 inch by 72 inch back board from the each of the remaining 1 inch by 8 inch by 8 foot pine boards.
3. Examine the side boards and select the board surface that will face toward the interior of the drawer. Use the pocket hole jig to prepare joint connections for only the interior width end of the side boards. Determine placement of three pocket holes with one at the center and both outer edges of the side boards using the jig as a guide. Attach the jig to the width end of a side board on the interior board face. Use a drill and pocket hole jig bit to create pocket holes. Repeat for the opposite end and for the other side board. Measure and mark a 2 inch line guide on the interior board face to accommodate the clearance for the caster wheels along the length of each side board and front and back boards. Repeat the exact measurement on the exterior board face as a guide to mark screw placement to attach the plywood base. Measure and mark a line 3/8 of an inch above the 2 inch guide on the exterior board face of the side boards to pre-drill and countersink 6 pilot holes, approximately 5 inches apart. Repeat the same measurements for the front and back boards, creating 14 pilot holes evenly spaced about 5 inches apart on the exterior surface.
4. Create a rectangular box to surround the plywood base with a 2 inch clearance to accommodate the caster wheels. Align the 38 1/2 inch side of the plywood against the 2 inch interior guide on a side board. Use a drill to drive 2 inch screws into the pre-drilled holes from the exterior surface of the side board. Attach the other side board to the opposite end of the plywood repeating the same steps. Align the plywood against the front board along the interior guide and secure from the exterior with 2 inch screws through the pilot holes. Follow the same procedure for the back board. Stabilize the box by aligning the side boards flush with the front and back boards using clamps. Drive 1 1/4 inch pocket hole screws into the prepared pocket holes to secure the boards together.
5. Turn the box over with the bottom side facing up and fasten the caster wheels to the plywood at each of the 4 corners of the box using 3/4 inch screws. Measure and mark line guides along the center of the plywood base in each direction to identify an intersection. Measure 9 inches between the front and back boards from the intersection along the guide line and mark caster placements. Attach the remaining two caster wheels for added support. Flip the box back over onto the wheels. Fill and cover screw holes with wood filler. Sand, paint and finish as desired. Fasten drawer handles and roll the wooden under bed storage drawer beneath the bed.
Tags: side board, side boards, inch inch, back boards, board face, caster wheels, front back
