Build your own simple bed frame with our step by step tutorial and off the shelf lumber and minimal tools. We love the classic mission style, the easy construction, and the sturdy final product, sure to last and last. Boxsprings are optional. Free woodworking plans by Ana-White.com
Preparation
3 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long
4 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long (for headboard posts)
1 - 4x4 @ 6 feet long (for footboard posts)
4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
7 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long (or similar for bed slats)
1 - 1/4" long brad nails (a couple hundred)
16 - 5" long self tapping wood screws OR 2-1/2" pocket hole screws if you have a Kreg Jig
40 - 2-1/2" long self tapping wood screws
HEADBOARD
- 2 - 1x6 @ 38-1/2"
- 14 - 1x6 @ 2-1/2"
- 6 - 1x4 @ 30"
- 2 - 4x4 @ 45"
- 1 - 2x6 @ 47-1/2"
FOOTBOARD
- 3 - 1x6 @ 38-1/2"
- 14 - 1x6 @ 2-1/2"
- 6 - 1x4 @ 23-1/2"
- 2 - 4x4 @ 32"
- 1 - 2x6 @ 47-1/2"
BED FRAME
- 2 - 2x4 @ 79-3/4"
- 2 - 2x6 @ 75" (cut to fit)
- 14 - 1x3 @ 38-1/2" - slats
Cut boards with a compound miter saw (preferred) or a circular saw with straight edge.
Avoid cutting very small pieces - instead, cut a small piece from a larger piece.
Instructions
Step 1
Headboard Construction
Lay out headboard panel as shown in diagram.
Glue and nail from the back side to hide nail holes.
The final small piece should be cut to fit for a perfect fit.
NOTE: If you plan to join the headboard panel to the legs with pocket holes, carefully place nails at the outer edges of the board to allow room for drilling pocket holes in next step.
Step 2
Headboard Construction
Attach the headboard panel to the legs with either 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws (most recommended since holes will be hidden) or use screws from outside of 4x4 legs drilled into panel (fill with wood filler for final finish).
Step 3
Headboard Construction
Attach top 2x6 to headboad with 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws and glue.
Step 4
Footboard Construction
Build the footboard as you did the headboard, but finish the back side of the top of the footboard with remaining 1x6 as this will be exposed in the final product.
Step 5
Siderail Construction
Attach 2x4 siderail cleats to the 4x4 legs with 2-1/2" screws. The green blocks shown in the diagram can be used to help assemble the bed but are NOT attached to the bed.
Step 6
Add the siderails to the cleats to finish the bed.
Step 7
Slats should be per mattress recommendations. You can use scrap wood, plywood or other materials. As shown, we use 1x3s cut to fit.
Step 8
Fill all holes with putty and sand and finish as desired. You can choose to assemble the bed (as in step 6) after the bed is finished and moved into the room. Just make sure you do a test fit first.
Comments
In reply to Suggestion... Baby crib! by PedroAA
spiceylg
Tue, 03/27/2012 - 12:37
crib
Hi Pedro. I believe she chooses not to post plans for a baby crib because of liability issues. It was mentioned quite a while ago so I'm not sure where to find that comment to verify.
Guest (not verified)
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 07:07
4X4s
Menards has 4 X 4s. They actually have them in different woods (pine, oak, and something else too!) Very reasonable. We got enough material to made 2 beds (all pine) but we spend less than $100 on both beds.
hunter (not verified)
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 15:39
dimensions
Hi I am interested to build this bed.
However I am having a hard time to understand the dimension of this bed.
As an example, on the headboard, we use 7C+6B, which is 7 x 2.5" + 6x 4" = 41.5", which is greater than board A(38.5").
So how can sandwich those by A?
Also on step 3, "Then use long screws (at least 4") to screw into the center panel where it is sandwiched between the header boards." I think the center panel is not strong enough considering they are spacers?
Are those pictures available in bigger size? It is really hard to read those notes.
Thanks. Just want to make sure before I purchase the material and start working.
hunter (not verified)
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 15:53
material cost
I am in Ontario Canada and the material is really expensive if I want to avoid using Pressure-Treated Wood(contains harmful materials):
most expensive:
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length CDR 4 IN. X 4 IN. X 16 FT. D4S GENERIQUE 4x4x16 52.99 1 52.99
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x8 8.13 2 16.26
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x8 13.19 2 26.38
subtotal: 174.88
tax 22.73
total 197.61
medium:
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 4x4x8 20.43 2 40.86
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 136.21
tax 17.71
total 153.92
Cheapest(Pressure-Treated Wood)
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA 1x6x8 3.55 4 14.2
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 1x4x8 2.95 4 11.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 4x4x6 8.99 2 17.98
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 2.13 3 6.39
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 66.47
tax 8.64
total 75.11
hunter (not verified)
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 15:54
material cost
I am in Ontario Canada and the material is really expensive if I want to avoid using Pressure-Treated Wood(contains harmful materials):
most expensive:
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length CDR 4 IN. X 4 IN. X 16 FT. D4S GENERIQUE 4x4x16 52.99 1 52.99
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x8 8.13 2 16.26
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x8 13.19 2 26.38
subtotal: 174.88
tax 22.73
total 197.61
medium:
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 4x4x8 20.43 2 40.86
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 136.21
tax 17.71
total 153.92
Cheapest(Pressure-Treated Wood)
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA 1x6x8 3.55 4 14.2
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 1x4x8 2.95 4 11.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 4x4x6 8.99 2 17.98
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 2.13 3 6.39
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 66.47
tax 8.64
total 75.11
hunter (not verified)
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 15:56
material cost
I am in Ontario Canada and the material is really expensive if I want to avoid using Pressure-Treated Wood(contains harmful materials):
most expensive:
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length CDR 4 IN. X 4 IN. X 16 FT. D4S GENERIQUE 4x4x16 52.99 1 52.99
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x8 8.13 2 16.26
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x8 13.19 2 26.38
subtotal: 174.88
tax 22.73
total 197.61
medium:
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE, NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA. 1x6x8 7.17 4 28.68
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 1x4x8 6.95 4 27.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 4x4x8 20.43 2 40.86
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Lumber - Premium Knotty Cedar Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 7.59 3 22.77
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 136.21
tax 17.71
total 153.92
Cheapest(Pressure-Treated Wood)
dimension unit price quantity subtotal
4 - 1x6 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT NOT AVAILABLE IN WESTERN CANADA 1x6x8 3.55 4 14.2
4 - 1x4 Boards 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 1x4x8 2.95 4 11.8
2 - 4x4 Posts 8' Length Wood - Pressure-Treated Wood SELECT 4x4x6 8.99 2 17.98
2 - 2x4 Board 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x4x10 3.49 2 6.98
3 - 2x2 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x2x8 2.13 3 6.39
2 - 2x6 Boards 8' Length Spruce - Kiln-Dried Spruce Lumber GENERIQUE 2x6x16 9.12 1 9.12
subtotal: 66.47
tax 8.64
total 75.11
hunter (not verified)
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 17:04
sorry for duplicate post
Please delete duplicates.
claydowling
Sun, 04/15/2012 - 19:10
Canadian lumber prices
I just checked a few classified ads around Toronto. The prices are about 2/3 of U.S. lumber prices to buy direct from the suppliers. You'll just need to shop around more to find better pricing. Check lumber yards in your area. My experience matches Ana's: the small mom and pop places have better material for the price.
Although I think I wouldn't mind taking a trip to Toronto to get some cheap lumber. $1.75/bdft for white oak is not a price I'm used to seeing.
hunter (not verified)
Mon, 04/16/2012 - 14:59
cost is not a major concern
Thanks I will go to check out local lumber yard.
But I am a newbie and do not have many tools, so maybe going to a store like HD is better option for me as they can cut for me.
My bigger concern is on the various size of each parts:
1. on step 2, 7C+6B = 7 x2.5 + 6x4 = 41.5", which is > board A (38.5")
2. on step 3, the space between the outside edge of the post/leg and the header board on both sides should be (4" - (1+1+1)) = 1/2", not 5/8";
3. on step 4, overhang = (board E 50.5" -(board A 38.5" + two legs 4" x2) ) / 2 = 2" , not 2.5"
4. on step 5, the width is board G 35.5 + F 2 + F 2 = 39.5"
5. on step 6, the width is 39.5 from above + H 2x2 = 43.5"
6. on step 7, frame is 43.5", headboard is 38.5(board A) + 4x2(two legs) = 46.5", so we have 1.5" on each side
So I guess we should change size of board C from 2.5" to 2.
Did I understand it correctly and the numbers do not add up in the plan, or I was totally wrong?
Thanks.
claydowling
Mon, 04/16/2012 - 19:23
Cutting Wood
The single most skill you need to learn is how to cut your own lumber. The lumber dealer isn't equipped to make cuts accurate enough for building furniture, and it's not fair to ask them to.
The good news is that you can make each of these cuts with a hand saw. Hand saws have a number of important properties for a beginner:
1. It's cheap. You can pick up a decent hand saw for under $20.
2. They're safe. You can't accidentally cut off a finger with a hand saw.
3. They are easy to use. There are good videos for free on the Internet about using hand saws.
4. Excellent for accuracy. A cheap saw from Lowes is good enough for fine joinery.