A DIY Bed Box Platform Instantly Adds Tons Of Storage Space To Your Bedroom

Finding sensible storage solutions is a common struggle in the modern home. Household space doesn't typically grow and keep pace with our ever-expanding collections of stuff, eventually reaching a breaking point that forces tough compromises. Over ⅓ of Americans now use self-storage to manage their overflow, preferring the extra investment over culling their possessions. With a few clever fixes, though, you can save money and effort by keeping everything tidy in your home. And if you aren't using the space under your bed, you're missing out on an enormous opportunity for effective organization.

Every king mattress covers 42 square feet of floor space, meaning you're only a platform bed away from solving a massive chunk of your storage woes with under-bed space. While you can find all kinds of storage beds at your local furniture store, this is an excellent time to flex some DIY muscle and build a simple yet practical bed box platform. You'll max out your space to suit your storage needs and even save some money in the process. The best part is that it can be as easy or complex as you like. All you need to start are some 2x4s to build the platform and legs, leaving a cavity underneath that can fit your gear. Instagram user Joseph Morrison shows just how straightforward it can be to make a sturdy, spacious box with hinged panels that hide items. From there, you can customize the bed any way you like to get the form and function you want.

A DIY bed box should provide ample storage while suiting your comfort and style needs. You could make your bed box extra high to store bulky items underneath. But if it's too tall, you may struggle to get in and out of bed. Focus on making your bed the proper height before figuring out your storage. Storage options exist for any height, so the bed can be shorter if needed. While taller beds offer more possibilities, solutions like wrapping paper storage containers work well as under-bed storage for a low bed.

A final consideration is accessibility. As Joseph Morrison explains in his tutorial, bolting the bed box frame into the wall ensures stability. But this limits access to two sides of the bed. Rather than crawl under the platform to reach items under the far end, use trundles to make everything easy to pull out. Products like the wheeled Sterilite Storage Box ($20 at Walmart) make convenient solutions. Or, you can maximize the bed box's storage by building a rolling platform with custom-cut plywood to fit between your bed's supports. Add fixed casters like Richelieu 4-pack casters ($12 at The Home Depot) and a handle to move the piece in and out. Ana White shows how to go a step further with a stylish three-drawer trundle plan, though this isn't necessary if you add hinged side panels. With movable compartments for your new bed box, all that's left is to fill your storage area and enjoy your clutter-free space!