Huge Under Bed Storage Drawers

If you read my Clothing Storage Unit (CSU) Instructable, you saw where I removed my Dresser from my Bedroom for something more functional. I also mentioned I used under bed storage drawers. Well, here is how I constructed them.

I started with a new platform bed, 18" high, so I would have plenty of clearance (16") for the drawers and I could make them long and deep. I chose an Olee Sleep, Platform bed because there are fewer leg supports to get in the way of these huge drawers.

Supplies

1 sheet of 3/4" sanded plywood (Why 3/4"? Because these drawers are going to be 5 ft. long!)

2 sets of Soft Touch Appliance Rollers

Pocket screw kit

Wood glue

Drill and bits

Optional: Shellac for sealing the drawers

Start With the Instructions

I downloaded these instructions where they showed how to use appliance rollers instead of conventional casters. These are low profile and are designed to roll in two directions only, for and aft.

Install the Appliance Roller Supports on the Cut Plywood

The width of your bed will determine the maximum width of your drawer bases. Mine were 2 ft. wide. The distance to the first obstruction beyond the bed is the length of the drawer base. Mine were 5 ft. long.

I used 1 x 3 scrap lumber for the appliance roller supports as shown.

Install the Appliance Rollers

Separate the Appliance roller sections. One goes on each end of the drawer base on the same side. I drilled new holes and used screws to attach the roller arm to the 1 x 3 wood.

Appliance Rollers Installed

When installed correctly, this is what you should have at this point.

Test Fit the Drawer Base Under the Bed.

Check for side clearance, ease of rolling and most important, measure the vertical clearance to the bottom of the platform bed. Take this figure and deduct 1-1/2". This will give you plenty of clearance plus a little overfill room!

Construct the Sides of the Drawer

Taking your clearance figure from the last step and cut out the sides and ends. I glued and pocket screwed them together. Then sealed the insides of each drawer with Shellac.

Insert the Completed Drawer Under the Bed

If you did everything right, this is what you should have.

Now Construct Another!

Repeat what you just did for the second drawer.

Handles Are a Nice Touch!

While not absolutely necessary because the drawers roll out and in so easily, a nice pair of wooden handles or pulls, is a nice touch.

Now go fill those huge drawers and dump your dresser!