How to Make an Underbed Storage Drawer

Using the space under the bed for extra storage can be a huge bonus but can often look messy. To create a solution that was both effective and tidy, I built a wide pull-out drawer to house extra clothes and blankets. 

With a box frame and a drawer with extra-long drawer slides, I was able to capture an incredible amount of storage space—so much that I might make a second drawer for the other side of the bed. This wide drawer could even double as great toy storage in a kid’s room.

If you’re planning storage for under a large bed, you should note where there might be additional support legs under the bed—you might opt to make two drawers instead of one extra-wide drawer. 

Cut list

• ½-inch Plywood Box Top – 1 @ 48” L x 24” W
• 1 x 8 Box Sides – 2 @ 23 ¼ inches
• 1 x 8 Box Back – 1 @ 46 ½ inches
• 1×6 Box Support – 1 @ 46 ½ inches
• 1×8 Box Support – 2 @ 46 ½ inches
• 1×6 Drawer Sides – 2 @ 21 ½ inches
• 1×6 Drawer Back – 1 @ 44 inches
• 1×8 Drawer Front – 1 @ 6 ½”H  x 48”L
• ¾-inch Plywood Drawer Floor – 1 @ 44” W x 20 ¾” L

Steps for Building Underbed Storage

Cut the boards to length

Using a miter saw, cut the 1×6 and 1×8 boards to length. 

Cut the plywood

Use a circular saw and a straightedge as a guide to trim the ¾-inch plywood that will become the base of the slide out drawer. Next trim ¾-inch from the height of the 1×8 drawer front so it can close without binding between the floor and box top. 

Prep the boards with pocket holes

Now use a jig to drill pocket holes in the boards as noted on the drawing. Note that while some pocket holes are positioned along the ends of the boards, others fall along the edge of the boards to connect adjoining pieces. Additionally, drill pocket holes along all edges of the plywood drawer base.

Assemble the box sides

To start assembling the box, apply glue and then join the back wall to the side walls using 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws. Now set the U-shaped assembly onto the underside of the ½-inch-thick plywood top. Use 1-inch pocket hole screws to join the walls to the plywood flush with its edge.  

Add the box supports

Now add the 1×8 and 1×6 supports to the underside of the assembled box flush with the bottom of the walls using 1 ¼-inch pocket holes screws. Note: the only reason these are different widths is to use the leftover material from the and avoid buying another board. 

Assemble the drawer 

To assemble the drawer, apply glue and attach the plywood drawer bottom to the back wall flush with its bottom edge. Now attach the side walls to drawer bottom and back wall to create the drawer.  

Add the drawer slides

Attach one part of each drawer slide to the sides of the drawer centered on its height, and the other part of the drawer slide to each inside wall of the box. Join the parts.

Attach the drawer front and drawer pull

Now position the drawer front centered on the assembled drawer. Apply glue and then drive 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws through the drawer sides and bottom to attach the drawer front. Drill holes through the drawer front at the spacing of the drawer pull and then drive the pull’s provided screws through the inside of the drawer front and into the pull to secure it in place.

Materials

• (2) 1 x 6 x 8’ Boards
• (2) 1 x 8 x 8’ Boards
• ½” x 2’ x 4’ Plywood 
• ¾” x 2’ x 4’ Plywood 
• 1 inch Pocket Hole Screws
• 1 ¼-inch Pocket Hole Screws
• (2) 20-inch Drawer Slides 
• Drawer Pull
• Wood Glue

Tools