How to raise a platform bed more than 2 feet?

Question

For space-saving reasons, I would like a bed that has about 34" of clearance underneath for storage. I considered high-rise beds but they were too expensive, so I'd like to find some way to raise my current platform bed (with slats) up high enough. Normal bed raisers are either too short or only attach to metal frames which won't work for me since my bed is a wooden platform bed.

Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, we need some more details....

How did you arrive at 34"?  

Is the bed in a 'traditional' setting, with the headboard against the wall, or is it turned sideways to the wall?

How big is the bed?

I can think of a few ways to do this, but which would be best, would be determined by more details that are missing here.

One option is to use steel pipe to make a framework to support the existing bed frame.  This would have to be some rather heavy duty pipe and connectors, such as you would find at an industrial supply.  This might give you the most clearance under the frame, but would also limit your ability to build storage into the support structure.

Another option is to use lumber to build a frame... just as if you were building a deck outside.  Heavy timbers for the legs, and literally, a set of floor joists and decking material (decking could be plywood) to support the bed.

A third option would be to build actual storage that is strong enough to support the bed, or even replace some of the bed frame, with the new structure.  I would probably opt for this choice myself, and make the storage out of modular 'blocks' with a frame that would sit on top...either the original, or a new support frame.  The modular 'blocks', or 'boxes', could be designed complete with pull out drawers, or doors.  Making the whole thing 'modular', will make it easier to move at some point in the future.  For example, you could make the whole structure out of 4 to 6 boxes.  It would depend on what you want to store underneath the bed.

You can get very plain, or very fancy, with the design of the exposed face of the new storage/platform.. just depends on how much work you want to put into it.

That's about as good a start as I can think of, without knowing more details.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions.  While I don't build anymore, I have put together a few projects like this over the years, hehe.  If you can provide some more details, then I can point you to hardware providers, etc.

Have Fun