Building a Platform Bed

In this episode, I build a platform bed with a sheepskin headboard for a Colorado Springs Client. The bed is made from walnut and features four floating shelves attached to the headboard. Each side of the bed has an integrated reading light. Headboard Construction: Precision Mitered Corners The headboard frame required tight mitered corners, so I took extra care prepping the material. I started by ripping rough walnut stock slightly wider than needed, allowing room for any warping that might occur. After joining and planing the boards square, I ripped them to the final width using a feather board to keep them tight against the table saw fence. For the miters, I clamped the long boards to the miter gauge to prevent wobbling during the cut. A test fit confirmed the corners lined up perfectly. To reinforce the joints, I: Added pine clamping blocks with CA glue for extra clamping surface. Used Dominos in each corner for strength. Applied slow-setting epoxy for ample adjustment time during glue-up. Bed Rail & Hidden Supports Since the bed rail (which supports the mattress) would be hidden, I used cost-effective alder. After milling it flat and square, I centered it on the walnut frame, marked Domino locations, and glued it in place. To enhance the frame’s visual appeal, I added a walnut filler strip where the mattress and lower shelf would sit. Parallel clamps kept everything aligned during glue-up. Mattress Support & Knockdown Hardware The mattress support rails (also alder) attach to the side skirts and footboard. I cut them to fit knockdown hardware, ensuring they sat just below the walnut platform to hold the mattress securely. For the knockdown hardware, I: Built a plywood jig matching the hardware dimensions. Used a router with a pattern bit to notch out recesses. Hand-routed relief slots for the hooks. Once installed, the hardware allowed for easy assembly and disassembly. Side Skirts & Footboard Assembly The walnut side skirts were ripped to width, milled to thickness, and cut to length using the same clamped-miter-gauge method for square cuts. To hide the alder end grain on the headboard, I notched the side skirts for a seamless fit. The footboard consisted of a walnut skirt with an alder support rail glued in place. After glue-up, I sanded off excess squeeze-out and test-fitted the hardware. Mattress Platform & Slats To support the mattress without a box spring (and avoid voiding the warranty), I ripped and beveled slats so they could be rolled up for shipping. A center support, using the same knockdown hardware, added extra stability. Nylon strapping kept the slats bundled together. Floating Shelves: Veneer & Perfect Miters The modern floating shelves required no visible end grain, so I used walnut veneer and mitered all corners. Steps included: Resawing veneer at the band saw and planing it smooth. Cutting to size and taping seams for glue-up. Use a vacuum bag for even pressure. After drying, I cut the pieces to exact lengths with stop blocks for consistency. Domino’s helped align the miters during glue-up, and slow-setting epoxy allowed fine adjustments. Sheepskin Headboard & Lighting A plywood panel, drilled for reading lights, was upholstered with synthetic sheepskin (no real sheep were harmed!). I installed cleats inside the frame to secure the panel from the back. For the floating shelves, I fabricated custom steel brackets: Cut and drilled flat bar for mounting. Welded round bar supports using a plywood jig. Attached brackets to the headboard and shelves with lag bolts. Installing the lights was straightforward—just feeding wires through pre-drilled holes and securing the fixtures. Final Assembly With all components complete, the bed came together beautifully. The walnut’s rich tones, paired with the soft sheepskin and integrated lighting, created a luxurious yet functional design. Key Takeaways Precision is key—tight miters require careful milling and alignment. Dominos & slow-setting epoxy make complex glue-ups manageable. Custom hardware solutions (like knockdown fittings and welded brackets) add strength and functionality. This project was a rewarding challenge, blending fine woodworking with modern design. Now, it’s time to enjoy a good night’s sleep!