Underbed storage space - mod/improvement
Underbed storage space is nice to have, but the problem is it's hard to organize stuff in it and find it when you need it. I ended up modifying it by adding drawers on one side and two trays on the top.
I started by cutting openings in the front of the box.
Made up a couple of drawer fronts (maple, stained to match the faux "smart cherry" paneling then varathaned) and 2 drawer boxes. I used the luan pieces I cut out for inset panels in the drawer fronts.
The lid on the storage box was made from 1/2" OSB and badly warped and I replaced it with plywood. The lid, box and struts were poorly put together at the factory and I had to some repairs. The gas strut on the left side was in the way on the left side so moved it towards the middle (had to reduce tension on the RH strut so the plywood wouldn't twist)
The finished drawers and fixed tray on the left side. The drawers and right side of the box are lined with yoga mat material - it's 1/4" thick and cushions well. I used heavy duty latches (10 lb JR Products) to keep the drawers sliding out due to the heavy weight of tools. I made removable dividers for the tray.
I made a removable tray for the right hand side. It can also slide left/right. I dressed up the exposed plywood edges on the lid with a bit of additional trim wood and ran a router over the edges to make it easier on the fingers and not catch on the linen.
It sure was a challenge getting the drawers and everything else properly aligned and fitted up. Nothing in a TT ever seems to be plumb, level, square or straight and on top of that is the poor workmanship at the factory. Had to do a lot of trial and error fitting, reinforcing and fixing of badly done original work. The only decent reference to work from was the floor.
I started by cutting openings in the front of the box.
Made up a couple of drawer fronts (maple, stained to match the faux "smart cherry" paneling then varathaned) and 2 drawer boxes. I used the luan pieces I cut out for inset panels in the drawer fronts.
The lid on the storage box was made from 1/2" OSB and badly warped and I replaced it with plywood. The lid, box and struts were poorly put together at the factory and I had to some repairs. The gas strut on the left side was in the way on the left side so moved it towards the middle (had to reduce tension on the RH strut so the plywood wouldn't twist)
The finished drawers and fixed tray on the left side. The drawers and right side of the box are lined with yoga mat material - it's 1/4" thick and cushions well. I used heavy duty latches (10 lb JR Products) to keep the drawers sliding out due to the heavy weight of tools. I made removable dividers for the tray.
I made a removable tray for the right hand side. It can also slide left/right. I dressed up the exposed plywood edges on the lid with a bit of additional trim wood and ran a router over the edges to make it easier on the fingers and not catch on the linen.
It sure was a challenge getting the drawers and everything else properly aligned and fitted up. Nothing in a TT ever seems to be plumb, level, square or straight and on top of that is the poor workmanship at the factory. Had to do a lot of trial and error fitting, reinforcing and fixing of badly done original work. The only decent reference to work from was the floor.
