Save Money And Create Extra Storage With TikTok's Beginner-Friendly Bed Frame DIY
Are you dealing with a small bedroom and insufficient space to stash all your stuff? You're not alone. This is a frequent issue, especially in rooms other than the master bedroom, which often has more space. Fortunately, there are tons of bed frames on the market that maximize your space with must-have under-bed storage solutions. It's like killing two birds with one stone; you don't need extra space since it fits right where your bed goes. The catch? Well, these fancy bed frames can be a bit pricey. That said, why not save money by DIYing a beginner-friendly bed frame, like what TikTok user buildwith_em did for her son's room?
Instead of buying a bed frame, she DIYed an easy-to-make bed frame with some basic 2x4s, 2x10s, and a few IKEA drawers she snagged on clearance. To put it all together, you'll need your usual DIY woodworking tools — think a drill, screws, primer, and paint. Chances are, you've already got these in your garage, so you're all set without having to shell out extra dough for your bed project!
How to do a beginner-friendly DIY bed frame
Before diving into your DIY bed frame project, planning is key. It's important to note that while the TikTok user constructed her bed frame before fitting the IKEA drawers, it's a good idea to have the measurements of the drawers you plan to use beforehand. This ensures they'll fit seamlessly into your bed frame. Construct the rectangular bed frame to your desired size using 2x4 furring strips. Place furring strips across the middle to act as bed slats. Securely clamp and screw these in place. Also, add several supports in the middle for extra stability. Be mindful of the positioning of these supports so they don't obstruct the placement of your bed drawers later on.
Opt for a durable piece of wood for your DIY bed's footboard or base. In her video, buildwith_em joined two 2x10 lumber pieces to create the base. Alternatively, repurpose any scrap wood you have: sand it, cut it to your bed's size, and fix it to the frame. Remember, this footboard doubles as the bed's legs, so it needs to be sturdy. The DIY's design doesn't have a plank on the head of the bed to serve as legs. Instead, she used two 2x4s at the front to match the footboard's height. For a simple under-bed storage solution, assemble and slide in the IKEA drawers at the sides, and after assembling all parts, prime and paint for a sleek finish. Your DIY bed frame is now ready!
Ways you can improve your DIY bed frame
This DIY bed frame project, inspired by buildwith_em, is very beginner-friendly. However, there are ways to refine the design and potentially save more money. While buildwith_em found IKEA drawers on clearance, purchasing new IKEA Malm drawers can be costly, around $100 for two. DIYing your drawers can be a more economical choice. As demonstrated by Household How To, you can cut several planks of 1/2" plywood to your desired size, customizing the height and depth of the drawers to your preference. Since the bed frame design doesn't include side panels and supports, ensure the two DIY drawers adequately cover the sides of the bed frame. If not, you'll have gaps between the drawers showing your frame's interior.
If you plan to use IKEA's Malm drawers, these come with wheels, eliminating the need for sliders. However, adding wheels can facilitate more effortless movement if you're making your own drawers. Alternatively, you can install sliders or glides, but to accommodate these, you'll need to add side support made of furring strips or planks inside the frame where the glides will attach. To add, buildwith_em chose not to add a wood slab for the headboard. However, you can include one and extend it upwards for aesthetics!