How to Build a Trundle Bed Frame

For those who like the idea of making their own furniture, building a trundle bed frame is a possibility. Trundle beds, sometimes referred to as truckle beds (Old English) are smaller beds that can be pushed under a main bed. Trundle bed frames are usually made from wood, or they can be constructed on ready-made iron frames. Some are simply designed, and others are collapsible. With a trundle bed, you can either have a child's bed put away during the daytime, or you can have an extra bed ready for when you have guests.

To start your trundle bed frame, decide what size the mattress will be. Measure the width, length and height of the mattress exactly. You'll want to allow 4-6 inches of space between the top of the mattress and the bottom of the bed the trundle bed will be stored under. Also, you don't want your trundle bed frame to be too small.

Next, cut out the plywood base, the size of the mattress plus ½ of an inch on all sides. After that, cut four pieces of 2x4 board, two the length of the plywood you just cut and two its width. You need to match the sizes perfectly because these will be the trundle bed frame.

Now you need to join the 2x4 boards together. Use L-brackets on the inside corners and join the four 2x4 pieces to make an open rectangular platform for the plywood board with posts in each corner. Secure the posts to the rectangle with strong nails on both sides. Put the plywood sheet on top of the trundle bed frame.

If you want to, you can put wheels on the trundle bed frame. Always be sure the wheels don't increase the height of the trundle bed framed so significantly that it can't fit under the bed properly. Use wheels that are all the same size.

Once you're finished constructing the trundle bed frame, you can paint it. It can be the same color as the master bed, or it can be a slight variation, lighter or darker, to create a pleasant contrast. However you do it, the hardest part is over once you've constructed an evenly-situated trundle bed frame.

This trundle bed frame is generally the simplest construction. You can throw in as many twists as you want. You could add drawers, put another plywood board on the bottom to form a box bed, cross cuts of wood can be substituted for plywood, or you can put detachable shelves on the trundle bed frame. Several of these options would help you make use of your trundle bed even when no one is sleeping on it.

Although there are only a few steps to building a trundle bed frame, don't assume it's easy. This type of job is best left to the experts. For those who are experts, though, a handcrafted trundle bed frame is a great way to express your love for your kids or create a quickly accessible extra bed.