Building a Platform Bed

In this episode, I build a platform bed with a sheepskin headboard for a Colorado Springs custom furntiure 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!

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Dressing Vanity With A Swoosh

Headboard with a Swoosh