Beach House Guest Bed

This project requires advanced carpentry skills. Because measurements vary according to the bed and room sizes, only general directions are given. This demo is from the Weekend V.I.P. show.

Materials:

• 3/4-inch-thick Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
• 1/4-inch-thick luan
• Wood screws
• Wood glue
• Finish nails
• Upholstery fabric
• Quilt batting
• Can-style recessed lighting (two or three)
• Dimmer switch
• Piano hinge
• Four caster wheels
• Four stainless-steel drawer handles
• Tape measure and marker
• Staple gun and staples
• Power drill and screwdriver
• Power saw
• Safety glasses

1. The bed surround is constructed of various-sized boxes made of MDF. Beginning with the head of the bed, construct two columns the desired height with indentations (finished squares) at mattress height to hold bedside accessories. Leave the front of each column off until the columns have been secured to the wall.

2. Construct another box spanning the width of the bed plus the measurements of the columns. At the bottom of the header, create openings for two or three recessed can-style lights. Install the lighting according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Assemble the columns and header as pictured around the mattress. Attach four pieces of MDF to the wall from the floor to the top of the header to secure the bed surround to the wall. Secure the columns to the wall, then attach the front boards.

4. Cut four pieces of luan the dimensions of the opening between the columns and from the top of the mattress to the top of the header. Adhere quilt batting to each piece of luan, then staple decorator fabric to the back.

5. The quilted fabric panels will be attached to the wall supports between the columns.

6. Cut a piece of MDF for the footboard and place it at the foot of the mattress.

7. Construct two boxes for each side of the footboard and place them at each end of the footboard.

8. Construct a box to be placed on top of the footboard boxes the correct dimensions to reach the top of the footboard. Attach the top box to the side footboard boxes. Construct another box to fit between the footboard boxes and underneath the footboard header. Add a top for the storage box using a piano hinge for opening.

9. Attach four casters to the bottom of the box so it will slide in and out. The finished header surround and footboard construction are pictured here. The header surround is secured to the wall. The footboard is free-standing.

10. Finish the slide-out storage bench by stapling fabric over batting as described in step 4, using only two panels. Attach four stainless-steel drawer pulls to the front.