If your bedroom’s crying out for more storage, building a DIY bed lift on a frame might be exactly the solution you didn’t know you needed. Especially in smaller homes or rented spaces where floor space is precious, converting the void under your bed into accessible storage makes practical – and frankly, design – sense. You’re not sacrificing aesthetics, either. This is a clean, smart-looking solution that neatly tucks clutter away. Done well, it can absolutely look and feel as polished as anything you’d pay to have built.

The Carpenter’s Daughter recently shared a step-by-step process that’s spot on for DIYers with basic tools and resolve. The key feature here is the use of pneumatic gas struts, which hugely improve usability by making it genuinely easy to lift even a heavy mattress platform. If you’ve ever had a storage bed that’s hard to open, you’ll understand why this makes all the difference.

Let’s get into how it’s done, what to watch out for, and which corners not to cut (because there are a few).

Gather your gear the right way

You can’t make a good bed frame with bad tools. Start with the obvious: wood screws, nuts, bolts, a couple of gas strut lift kits (easy enough to find online), and heavy-duty joining plates if your timber’s on the lighter side. There’s no need to overspend, but I always recommend checking that your lift mechanism is rated for the weight of your mattress platform. Lifting should feel smooth and reliable, not like you’re wrestling with a stubborn attic hatch.

Tool-wise, you’ll want a solid combi drill with several drill bits, and a hand saw or mitre saw for clean cuts. Have a torch or good work light on standby – assuming you don’t enjoy drilling blind in shadowy corners of a frame.

Build a frame that’ll last

Whether modifying an existing frame or building from scratch, structure matters. A bed frame under mechanical load takes more stress than you think, so don’t skimp. If it’s a new build, use proper 2×3 timber, and make sure your corners are square. Fix the frame solidly with screws and, if needed, beef it up with joining plates. Wobble now means failure later. If you’re retrofitting, add a horizontal timber piece just below the top rim to create a secure mount for the gas struts – a common oversight that’ll bite you if you leave it out.

Install the strut base securely

Now’s the clever bit: hold the top bracket of the gas strut flush with the top edge of your side frame section. Then screw the bottom part of the bracket into the frame side. This lines up the hinge point so the platform pivots naturally and doesn’t catch or twist. Do both sides identically – symmetry here isn’t just aesthetic, it keeps the lift action balanced.

Time for the bed top (and a bit of kneeling)

Once the strut bases are secured, position your mattress platform over the frame and mark through the mounting holes. Drill slowly – splitting timber at this stage is a headache you don’t need – and bolt the platform onto the lift arms. It helps if you can kneel inside the frame while doing this, so have your light ready. Tighten everything with care.

Reinforce or regret it

This is your last chance to add strength if needed. If you used lighter wood or notice any joints flexing slightly, now’s the time to fix heavy-duty metal plates into those connections. Over-reinforcing is rarely a bad move when weight and repeat motion are involved. Think of it as your insurance policy.

Fit the gas struts

Finally, click in the gas struts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. These usually slot right between the pre-installed bracket pivots. If you’ve measured and fixed things properly, the lift should feel light and clean, even with a mattress on top. At this point, test the mechanism repeatedly – make sure it tracks true and doesn’t bind. If it’s off, now’s the time to tweak it.

Final thought from a long-time renovator

Storage should never come at the expense of durability, especially in pieces of furniture you interact with daily. I’ve seen too many botched DIY storage beds fall apart – or worse, jam shut – because the frames weren’t up to the structural challenge. Done properly, a DIY bed lift with gas struts gives you room to breathe without adding clutter or sacrificing style.

Remember: measure twice, reinforce once, and invest in quality struts. Your bedroom – and your knees – will thank you every time you lift the lid.