Sizing Furniture: Beds

I’m often amazed at the extreme differences in the cost of beds, especially when going from a queen to a king. That’s why I think that making your own bed can be extremely rewarding.

The number one factor in making your own bed is sizing the project to allow for your mattress. Listed below are standard mattress sizes:

Twin: 39″ x 75″

College Dorm Twin (Twin Extra-Long): 39″ x 80″

Double: 54″ x 75″

Queen: 60″ x 80″

King: 76″ x 80″

California King: 72″ x 84″

Use these dimensions when planning the interior space of the bed frame. I like to add 2 inches to each dimension, which will give 1 inch around all sides, to allow for bedding. Notice this example for a twin mattress below.

For platform beds, I like to allow a bit more space than that.

Height can vary dramatically and is up to your preference. I’ve designed platform beds as low as 10 inches. I like to aim for a height that will allow the mattress to rest at 16 to 26 inches above the floor.

Here’s a platform bed project I created for DIY Network – Modern-Style Platform Bed. Notice that it has a center support leg underneath.

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Plan of the Week: Cabin Side Table

The Chief’s Shop Cabin Side Table is a companion piece for my Cabin Chair. Use it as an accent table, next to a seat, or bedside. Tools needed include a miter saw/circular saw, jig saw, drill/driver, and a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig.

Click the image below to download the plan.

Be sure to e-mail me with any questions and let me know what you think – chief@chiefs-shop.com.

Don’t forget to like Chief’s Shop on Facebook! At 750 likes someone will be selected to receive a custom woodworking plan of their choosing.

Make Some Sawdust!

Chief

Sketch of the Day: Outdoor Conversation Bench

I started off just trying to design a piece of outdoor structural art, but I decided to add the benches. The outdoor conversation bench would work well in a courtyard where entertaining was key. The central vertical pieces create some definition between the benches, yet folks could turn around and chat with others seated behind them.

Don’t forget to like Chief’s Shop on Facebook! At 750 likes someone will be selected to receive a custom woodworking plan of their choosing.

Make Some Sawdust!

Chief