Learn how to build a DIY full size captain’s bed with tons of visible storage drawers, but also a hidden storage space plus tons of other features that any kid will love.
Years ago, I was a baker and had my own cake decorating business. As my boys got older and my abilities grew, their requests for more and more elaborate cakes also grew. I mean, what kid for his 4th birthday says “mommy, I want you to make me a Gravedigger (monster truck) cake for my birthday and I want it to be made out of modeling chocolate.”??? My kids, that’s who. The same goes for the projects that I build for them. They have very strong opinions about every detail and this DIY captain’s storage bed was no exception. My youngest son and I spent months working through so many designs and looking for inspiration until we finally came up with this full-sized captain’s bed with storage that you can not only see, but also storage you can’t!
I’ve partnered with Rockler Woodworking and Hardware to show you how you can build your own storage bed that will have your kids thinking you’re the coolest parent ever! At least for a little while. When bedtime comes around and they have to shut off FortNite, I’m definitely NOT the cool mom.
Watch The YouTube Video
PURCHASE THE FULL-SIZE PRINTABLE PLANS
I’m going to start by saying that you shouldn’t let the length of these plans intimidate you in the slightest. I broke down all of the details of these plans to include the steps for building the pieces as well as the steps for assembly. This way there’s no guesswork on your end of where a piece should fit or what a measurement needs to be. The plans also include a full cut list and shopping list for your lumber and materials.
UPDATE: You can now purchase the plans for the twin size version of this bed.
PURCHASE THE TWIN SIZE PRINTABLE PLANS
How To Build a DIY Storage Bed:
Step 1 – Milling The Lumber:
I chose to build this bed out of poplar that I milled down into dimensional lumber (1x2s and 2x2s). You can do this, or you can simply purchase dimensional pine from Home Depot. I also used my circular saw to cut my plywood down into manageable sizes and then finished my cuts on the table saw.
Step 2 – Building the Headboard and Footboard
To build the headboard and footboard, you’ll want to drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into the 2×2 boards and 3/4″ pocket holes into the plywood. Assemble all of the pieces with wood glue and 1 1/4″ and 2 1/2″ pocket screws.
Step 3 – Building the Desk, Nightstand, and Support Panels
For the desk and nightstand, I ripped poplar down to 2″ wide boards to make up the frames. This is necessary for the drawer slides to fit properly in their openings. You can rip down a 1×3 board if you aren’t using a lumber such as poplar.
For the large plywood pieces that make up the support panels of the bed, I used my Kreg R3 pocket hole jig to drill the 3/4″ pocket holes. It’s small size makes it easy to drill the holes into large pieces such as these.
Step 4 – Build the Drawers
To build the drawers, I ripped 1/2″ plywood down into 8 1/2″ wide strips, then cut the pieces down to size on my miter saw. These drawers have a 1/4″ plywood bottom. I used my router to add a 1/4″ dado groove to the drawer pieces, then rounded off the top edges of the drawer pieces with a 1/8″ router bit. Another option is to sand them to round them off a bit. This helps prevent any splintering of the plywood. I inserted the plywood panels, glued up the sides, and attached all of the pieces with 1″ pocket screws.
Step 5 – Build the Steps
Two of the drawers are serving as steps for my son to climb up onto his bed. This step is totally optional and you can just build regular drawers if you like. If building steps, the drawers must have 3/4″ clearance on each side to accommodate the heavy duty drawer slides, so it is not a decision that can be made after the fact.
For the steps, I ripped down a board to make 3/4″ square dowels that act as cleats to hold the 1/2″ plywood tread for the step. I drilled a hole in the plywood so that it was easily removable so the drawers can still be used for storage. As with the drawers, I rounded off the edges of the step to prevent splintering, then sanded it down smooth. Don’t worry, the 1/2″ plywood is sturdy. I stood on the drawers and they held me, so….
Step 6 – Build the Drawer Faces and Cabinet Doors
To build the drawer faces and cabinet doors, I used tongue and groove joinery. You can easily just use pocket joinery; however, you will still want to add a dado groove to the rails and stiles for the plywood face. The tongue and groove router bit from Rockler was a cinch to use, though and I really loved the clean look of the finished drawers and doors.
Step 7 – Finishing the Bed
The bed must be built in parts, then fully assembled in it’s final location. This means that the staining or painting must also be done to the individual parts before final assembly. Fill any desired pocket holes with wood filler then use the stain or paint of your choosing to finish the bed. I stained this in Varathane Special Walnut, then finished it off with 3-4 coats of satin polycrylic, which I applied with my paint sprayer.
Step 8 – Begin Assembly
Once the bed is finished and ready for assembly, bring all of the pieces inside as well as various sizes of bar clamps (24″ to 8′). I built the face frame after finishing all of the pieces; however, it can be built prior to staining and then brought inside. Avoid gluing up the bed components when assembling unless you don’t ever plan to take it apart again.
For the support panel that is attached in the middle of the bed, one side is being attached to the plywood on the headboard. Do not use 2 1/2″ pocket screws to attach the 2×2 to the plywood. The screws are too long and you’ll end up driving them straight through the plywood (don’t ask me how I know that). Instead, use 1 1/4″ pocket screws for that one end of the top 2×2 (top right photo).
Step 9 – Install the Drawers
Once the bed is assembled, the drawers can be installed. I used 100lb, 18″ side mount drawer slides for the three “regular” drawers, as well as the desk and nightstand. I used 220lb, heavy duty drawer slides for the drawers that double as steps.
Once the drawers are installed, center the drawer faces within the face frame. Even stacks of playing cards are a great way to do this. Once they are centered, reach over to the inside of the drawer and nail 1″ brad nails into the upper and lower corners of the drawer box, making sure to drive the nails into the frame of the drawer face. They will be further secured once the drawer hardware is installed.
Step 10 – Install Pegboard and Mattress Slats
Once the drawers are installed, the mattress slats and pegboard can be installed. Attach 3/4″ square dowel cleats to the 2x2s to support the mattress slats. Make sure they are 3/4″ down from the top of the 2x2s so that the 1×4 slats are flush with the tops of the 2x2s. Attach with 2″ wood screws.
If desired, install pegboard to the walls of the open compartment for hanging storage. Using a brad nailer, nail a 1×2 to the top of the plywood panel (just under the top 2x2s) to act as a spacer for the pegboard. Install the pegboard with 1″ wood screws and washers.
Install the mattress slats approx. 3″ apart, drill pilot holes through the slats into the cleats, then attach with 1 1/4″ wood screws.
Step 11 – Install the Hinges and Hardware
Install the door hinges on the cabinets as well as magnetic catches in the centers of the frames where the doors close. Install drawer and door hardware.
I could not be happier with how this bed turned out and my son absolutely LOVES it! He can’t wait to show everyone that comes over his new storage bed, plus the hidden compartment underneath. He also couldn’t wait to load up the pegboard with his Nerf gun arsenal. There’s so much storage in this bed, which means we can finally get some of the things in his room under control, though he still won’t let me touch his stuffed animal collection.
If you’d like to build this Full Size Captain’s Bed with storage, you can purchase the printable plans, which include all of the details you need including the materials list and cut list.
If you need the twin size plans, you can find those HERE.
If you’d like the plans to the matching dresser I built for him, you can find that here.
Also, don’t forget to pin this to your project boards on Pinterest if you plan to build it later.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided product and compensation for this post. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own.
Fabulous job, fabulous idea. I love, love, love this post. I want this to.
This is one wise bed. Excellent idea! Kids would love this for sure, especially with that hidden space. Would love to have that kind of bed.
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Hello! We would love to build this for our son. Do you happen to have a guesstimate of what the finished cost of everything would be?
Hi Laura,
My best guess is around $500 or so. I added up the receipts at one point, but it was months ago. Lumber prices vary so much depending on what you use and where you live.
This maybe a dumb question but When you say to use 1×2 boards for the face frame are these 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ dimensional lumber? Or should these be actual 1″x 2″ boards. You also say to us 4/4 and 8/4 lumber? Thanks.
Yes, it is dimensional lumber sizing. 3/4″ x 1 1/2″. I like to purchase rough cut lumber and mill it down myself. I always draw up my plans to reflect dimensional lumber sizing for people to either purchase dimensional lumber or mill it down themselves.
One thing everyone needs to remember if you use dimensional lumber the 2×2 probably wont be 1 1/2″ sq. You will have to compensate the 9.5″× 53″ by 3/16″. That’s what I had to do because I was that much short at the bottom of the footboard. I didnt have any extra 3/4 wood so I had to rip an extra 2×2 down to make a shim. We are going to paint the bed so we will use some filler to hide the mishap. Also I am making a full XL bed. I have had to make some measurement adjustments to make the bed longer. A full XL is 80″
I’m using pine and so far the wood has been $230ish, pocket screws kit(I used an off brand from Amazon) they were $20, I found drawer rails from Lowes for $18 a pair. I wont have a cubby. So I will have 6 drawers. I also bought a kreg accu cut jig and that was $39. It starts to add up. It’s still cheaper than buying something even close to this at a store. They would probably have this bed close to $1000. Its alot of fun if you enjoy working with wood.
I’m wanting to convert this and make a twin xl as well. Do you happen to know what size cuts I would need? I sat and tried to do the math but honestly I’m not good at that kind of stuff.
@ MIKE D HOBACK
Do you have the plans for the twin xl captains bed and would you mind sharing? This bed is actually $1799 at pottery barn. So I too have been looking at ways to build it myself because I need 2. My husband isn’t a builder so he doesn’t know how to convert and I’m certainly not a builder. I’m hoping to follow these instructions tho and make two beautiful beds. Any help you can offer would be great!
Hi Jennifer,
I don’t have twin xl plans, but I do have standard twin plans that I have put together. I will email those to you.
do you mind sending me the twin plans too
Hi Caitlynn,
I’ve just recently published the twin size plans for sale as well as the full-size bed plans. You can purchase the twin size bed plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Can you send me the twin plans as well? I would really appreciate it.
Addicted 2 DIY could I please get the twin size plans as well. I have been looking for something like this for awhile now. Thank you
Hi Sara,
I’ve just recently published the twin size plans for sale as well as the full-size bed plans. You can purchase the twin size bed plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Could you send me the Standard Twin plans??? THANK YOU! Love the desk and end table.
I’ve just published these plans for sale along with the full-size bed plans. You can find the link to purchase the twin size plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Would you be so kind as to also email me your DIY plans for a standard twin bed. My husband is eager to make two of these beds for our granddaughters. Thank you so much!
Hi Paula,
I’ve just published these plans for sale along with the full-size bed plans. You can find the link to purchase the twin size plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Can I have the standard twin size plans??
Hi Carla,
I’ve just published these plans for sale along with the full-size bed plans. You can find the link to purchase the twin size plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Hi katie and Mike
@ Katie, thank you for sharing your plans, you are awesome.
@ Mike
Mike, I have never build anything in my life and never used saws. I am going to try and tackle this one. I would like to use your modified sizing of the full XL. Would you be willing to share your lists or modifications? Or, If you write down the modifications you made as per katies supply list, I can jote them down and head to home depot for the cuts.
Also, what size of 2×2 should I get to avoid the issue you had with sizing?
Regards
I loved watching you build this bed. I have a 16 year old that wants a queen but wants this plan modified to fit a queen and if I can figure out the modifications I will also make it to fit a king which I have. The storage space under it will be incredibly useful. Thank you for creating this bed and plans it really is beautiful work.
Thank you so much! I haven’t modified the plans to fit a queen size bed yet. I’ve modified it down to twin size and it was quite a bit of work to completely redraw the plans. It’s certainly easy enough to modify yourself if you factor in all of the increases in mattress size.
Did you happen to post the twin size modifications? That is actually what I was looking for. This bed is the exact bed that my daughter picked out when she went searching online for a new bed! It was at a name brand store, and way out of her budget, but I told her if we could find plans, it would be a great quarantine project!
Hi Lindsey,
I’ve just recently published the plans for sale for the twin-size bed as well as the full-size bed. You can purchase the plans for the twin size bed here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Do you have the twin size plans that you could share? I could spend the time converting it but if you have already done it would you mind sharing? Thanks.
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Hi Karen,
I’ve just recently published the plans for sale for the twin-size bed as well as the full-size bed. You can purchase the plans for the twin size bed here: https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
Can you share the twin plan with me please?
Hi Janeen,
I’ve just put the twin size plans up for sale along with the full-size bed plans. You can find the link to purchase the plans here: https://gum.co/raweo
Can you share the plans for the twin size?
Hi Janeen,
If I haven’t shared them with you yet, here is a link where you can purchase them. So sorry, I’m trying to get caught up on answering comments. https://gum.co/raweo
Thank you!
Katie
my dad is currently putting the bed tgether and he cant get the middle cubby t fit in do you have any tips of how to make it eaiser when putting it together
Hi Bella,
My apologies on the delayed response. Were you able to figure it out?
My husband is about to embark on building two of these beds for our granddaughters. Would you be so kind as to email the plans for the twin size bed? Thank you so much.
Best regards,
Paula M. Grant
paulamgrant@gmail.com
Hello! Thank you for publishing the Twin plans. I just purchased them. However, I am finding the dimensions on the diagrams to be very blurred and difficult to read which make them rather useless. The free version is so much more clear. Could you assist?
Of course! That’s so strange that they are blurred. Let me take a look at those and get back with you.
Hi Charlene,
I just fixed that issue and saved them in a higher quality format. Thank you for bringing that to my attention! I have emailed you the updated plans.
How wide is the crawl space under the bed for a twin size bed?
Hi Derek, it is 19 1/2″ wide. Not really big enough to store nerf guns AND hang out under there, but definitely big enough to hang out in.