How to Build Under-Bed Storage Drawers

Cost: Low
Skill Level: Easy
Time: A few hours

Step 1: Cut List

To start, cut your boards to the following sizes:

• Piece A: Cut (4) pieces of 1x8 @ 17-3/4” for the short sides of the drawers
• Piece B: Cut (4) pieces of 1x8 pieces @ 25” for the long sides of the drawers
• Piece C: Cut (2) pieces of 1/4” plywood @ 25” x 19” for the drawer bottoms

Step 2: Pre-Drill Short Sides of Drawers

Use a pocket-hole jig to create pocket holes at both ends of the flat sides of your A Pieces. Attach the pocket-hole jig using a C-clamp then either use a second clamp to attach the board to a work table or have another person hold the board while you drill the holes. Repeat for the top and bottom of each side of the boards. (For each drawer you should have eight sets of pocket holes.)

Step 3: Assemble Drawer Boxes

Apply a bead of wood glue along the end of one Piece B; hold a Piece A perpendicular with the pocket holes facing inward and the use 1-1/4 pocket-hole screws to attach the two pieces. Repeat for the other side to form a box. If successful, your screws should be completed hidden.

Step 4: Attach Drawer Bottom

Line the bottom of the box with a strip of wood glue. Then place Piece C onto the box and secure it in place using a brad nailer and 2” brad nails.

TIP: If your wood glue starts to squeeze out, simply wipe it off using a wet rag or let it partially dry and remove it using a putty knife.

Step 5: Prep the Casters

We choose to paint our casters gold. We covered the wheels with painter’s tape and spray painted only the bracket sections of the casters. Set them aside and let them dry.

Step 6: Smooth Rough Spots

Use sandpaper or an orbital sander to smooth over any rough spots or splits in the wood. Wipe away sanding dust with a rag or even a hairdryer.

Step 7: Paint Front Panel

Use chalkboard paint on the front of the drawer so you can label it with its contents. Use painter’s tape to outline a rectangle on one end of the drawer (the side you plan to have visible) and paint the area inside the tape with chalkboard paint. Let it dry.

Step 8: Attach Casters

Use 1/2” wood screws to attach the casters to all four corners. If you painted the casters, remove the painter’s tape.

Step 9: Add Decorative Leather

Line up a strip of leather with the bottom edge of the box. Use a hammer to nail in the upholstery tacks across the leather to hold it in place.

Step 10: Attach Pull Tabs

To make it easy to pull the drawers out from underneath the bed, add two leather pull tabs to each corner. Cut two pieces of leather the same size. Fold them over and use the upholstery tacks to secure to the top front corner of each side.

Step 11: Decorate and Fill

Use chalk to label the drawers then have fun organizing your new storage.