How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create double the sleeping space and even more style. This DIY trundle bed adds extra sleeping space and offers a cozy nook for reading or a small desk.

Build Your Own Trundle Bed

How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create a Trundle Bed with a Platform

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Tools and Materials

  • (7) 2x4 x12' boards
  • (4) 2x4 x 8' boards
  • (7) 1x6 x 12' boards
  • (2) 4' x 8' 1/2" MDF
  • (3) 4' x 12' 1/2" MDF baseboard trim
  • measuring tape
  • pencil
  • carpenter's square
  • saw
  • sander and sandpaper
  • paint and/or stain and sealant as desired
  • 2-1/2" wood screws
  • 1-1/2" finishing nails
  • 1" finishing nails
  • hammer
  • (4) 3" fixed casters, at least 3-3/4" from top of plate to bottom of wheel
  • 1/4" nuts and bolts for attaching casters and handle
  • (2) 3/4" galvanized rail supports
  • (1) 3/4" galvanized pipe, 24" long
  • (2) 3/4" galvanized caps

Build the Platform Base

Cut List:

  • (3) 2x4 x 124-3/4"
  • (1) 2x4 x 44-1/4"
  • (11) 2x4 x 35-7/8"
  • (8) 2x4 x 14-1/2"
  • (7) 1x6 x 124-3/4"
  • (2) 2x4 x 75-1/2"
  • (2) 2x4 x 32"
  • (1) 1/2” x 38-3/8” x 75-1/2” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 13” x 75-1/2” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 9-1/2” x 75-1/2” MDF
  • (2) 1/2” x 13” x 39-3/8” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 4-1/2” x 80-1/2” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 18-1/2” x 20-1/2” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 3-1/2” x 20-1/4” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 4-1/2” x 20-1/4” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 3-1/2” x 18-1/2” MDF
  • (3) 1/2” x 11-1/2” x 20-1/2” MDF
  • (2) 1/2” x 11-1/2” x 10-1/2” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 3-1/2” x 14” MDF
  • (1) 1/2” x 4” x 124-3/4” MDF trim
  • (2) 1/2” x 4” x 76-1/2” MDF trim
  • (2) 1/2” x 4” x 6-3/4” MDF trim
  • (1) 1/2” x 4” x 44-3/8” MDF trim
  • (2) 1/2” x 4” x 11-1/2” MDF trim
  • (1) 1/2” x 4” x 15” MDF trim

Build four rectangles with (2) 2x4 x 35-7/8 boards on the outside of (2) 2x4 x 14-1/2” boards. Secure the corners together and flush with two 2-1/2” wood screws at each corner (Image 1). Stand the rectangles on their long ends and attach one of them to each end of two of the 2x4 x 124-3/4” boards with the long 2x4 boards flush with the outside edges and the top and bottom of one of the short sides of the boxes (Image 2). Attach another box with the inside edge 20-1/2” from the inside edge of the box on far left. Attach the last box with the outside edge 44-1/4” away from the outside edge of the box on the far left. Lay the platform frame down with the two long 2x4 boards to the back. Attach the last long 2x4 board to the front of the boxes on the top. Attach the 2x4 x 44-1/4” board to the front bottom with the ends flush with the outside edges of the first and third box. Attach three more 2x4 x 35-7/8” boards between the third and fourth box leaving about 18-1/2” between each (Image 3). Attach them to the two long 2x4 boards on the top of the front and back of the platform frame. Stain and seal or paint the 1x6 x 124-3/4” boards as desired and then space them out evenly on top of the platform leaving just a tiny amount of space between each(Image 4). Attach the boards at each of the spots where 2x4s cross the platform using 1-1/2” finishing nails.

Build the Drawer

Make a box with the two 2x4 x 75-1/2” boards on the outside of the two 32” boards. Secure them at each corner with two 2-1/2” wood screws (Image 1). Lay the box on the floor and add the 1/2” x 38-3/8” x 75-1/2” MDF piece on top of it, with one long edge flush with one long edge of the box. This will be the front side. The back side of the MDF will hang over the other long edge of the box. Secure the MDF to the box with 2-1/2” wood screws (Image 2). Add the 1/2” x 13” x 75-1/2” MDF piece to the front side of the 2x4 box and 1/2”  x38-3/8” x 75-1/2” MDF piece with a long edge of the 1/2” x 13” x 75-1/2” MDF piece flush with the bottom of the 2x4. Secure at the bottom with wood screws (Image 3). Cut a notch in one corner of each of the 1/2” x 13” x 39-3/8” MDF pieces that is 4-1/2” in from the short edge and 3-1/2” up from the long edge. Position each of these pieces on the sides of the drawer base with the notches at the back bottom. The front edge of the pieces should be flush with the front side. Attach at the bottom with wood screws. Secure the sides to the edge of the front piece of MDF using 1-1/2” finishing nails. Add the (1) 1/2” x 9-1/2” x 75-1/2” MDF piece to the back. Secure it to the bottom with wood screws. Secure it to the sides with finishing nails.

Add the Casters

Turn the base up with the front edge facing down. Use a caster to mark where holes must be drilled in each of the corners, lining the casters up to go front and back. Drill holes at each of these marks with a 1/4” drill bit. Secure the casters to the base using 1/4” nuts and bolts.

Finish the Base

Build Your Own Trundle Bed

How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create a Trundle Bed with a Platform

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Cover the front of the platform with MDF pieces (Image 1). The long 4-1/2” piece should go over the drawer and stick up above the top of the finished platform boards by 1/2”. The 1/2” x 18-1/2” x 20-1/2” MDF piece should go just to the left of the drawer. Build a box with two of the 1/2” x 11-1/2” x 20-1/2” MDF pieces on the outside of the two 1/2” x 11-1/2” x 10-1/2” MDF pieces (Image 2). Attach the pieces with 1-1/2” finishing nails. Attach the last 1/2” x 11-1/2” x 20-1/2” MDF piece to the back of the box with 1-1/2” finishing nails. Insert the box into the cavity and secure it with wood screws through the 2x4 frame.

Add the Trim

Add the MDF trim to the front of the drawer and the front of the platform using 1" finishing nails (Image 1). The first piece of long drawer trim should be flush with the bottom of the drawer. Next add the two side pieces (1/2” x 4” x 6-3/4”) above the bottom piece and finally add the top long piece of trim, which should put the top of the trim about 3/4” above the top of the drawer (Image 2).

Add Finishing Touches

Paint the entire surface of the MDF, taping off the finished platform boards to prevent painting them. Install the rail supports 24-1/2” from the inside edges of the side trim and 2” from the inside edge of the top trim on the drawer. Add the pipe to the rail supports, center it, and secure it in place. Add the galvanized caps to the pipe. 

Build Your Own Trundle Bed

How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create a Trundle Bed with a Platform

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Build Your Own Trundle Bed

How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create a Trundle Bed with a Platform

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Build Your Own Trundle Bed

How to Build a Trundle Bed

Create a Trundle Bed with a Platform

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

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