If you’ve been planning to build a small single bed with storage—without spending a lot, his guide is perfect for you.
A 3×6 ft mattress is common in kids’ rooms, guest rooms, hostels, rentals, and compact bedrooms. Instead of buying an expensive ready-made bed, you can build a strong plywood bed frame with storage for less than ₹6,000. And don’t worry, this is beginner-friendly. You don’t need fancy tools or professional skills. With basic plywood, a simple cut-list, and a little patience, you can create a sturdy, long-lasting bed.

Why Choose Plywood for a DIY Bed Frame?

People often underestimate plywood, but for bed frames, it’s one of the best materials.

Reasons:

• Strong and stable
• Easy to cut and assemble
• Lasts for years
• Cheaper than solid wood
• No termite issues if you choose treated plywood
• Lightweight but sturdy

For single beds, even 16 mm or 18 mm plywood works beautifully.

 What Size Are We Building?

We’re making a bed for a 3 ft × 6 ft mattress.

So the inner size (mattress area) must be:

• 36 inches wide
• 72 inches long

The outer frame will be slightly bigger once we add plywood thickness.

This design also includes bottom storage compartments, perfect for:

• Bedsheets
• Blankets
• Toys
• Off-season clothes
• Books

Plywood Required (Affordable Option)

To stay under ₹6,000, use:

• 18 mm Commercial Plywood (IS 303) for structure
• 12 mm plywood for internal partitions
• 6 mm plywood for the base bottom sheet

This combination keeps the bed strong and budget-friendly.

How many sheets?

You need:

• 2 sheets of 18 mm plywood (8×4 ft)
• 1 sheet of 12 mm plywood (8×4 ft)
• 1 sheet of 6 mm plywood (8×4 ft)

Total: 4 sheets, but you’ll have leftover pieces for future DIY projects.

Step-by-Step Assembly (Beginner-Friendly)

Step 1: Build the Outer Box

Take the two long side panels (72×16″).
Attach the head and foot panels (36×16″).

Use:

• 1.5” screws
• Fevicol SR or SH
• Corner clamps (optional)

The goal is to form a strong rectangular frame.

Step 2: Install the Middle Support Divider

Place the 72×10″ divider exactly in the center.

This divider carries the bed’s weight and stops sagging.
Screw it to the:

• Headboard
• Footboard
• Base sheet (later)

Step 3: Add Internal Partitions

Add the 12 mm partitions to create 2–3 storage compartments.

Step 4: Fix the Bottom Sheet (6 mm)

Lay the 6 mm sheet at the bottom.
Screw or nail it every 5–6 inches for stability.

This makes the entire bed feel solid.

Step 5: Install the Mattress Top Frame

Use the 3-inch strips to build a simple top frame.

This stops the mattress from slipping.

Your DIY plywood bed is now ready!

Why This DIY Bed Costs Under ₹6,000

You save money because:

• No labour charges
• No factory overheads
• No fancy materials
• Minimum hardware
• Optimized cut list with little wastage

This is one of the most affordable strong bed designs you can build yourself.

A Strong, Affordable Bed That Anyone Can Build**

Building your own plywood bed is not just cost-effective ,  it’s satisfying.
With the cut list above, you can build a stable, long-lasting 3×6 ft bed with storage in just a few hours.

You get:

• A strong frame
• Functional storage
• Clean, modern look
• Less than ₹6,000 total cost
• Leftover plywood for future DIY projects