This beautiful farmhouse bed can be made for just a fraction of the cost to buy - all from standard, off the shelf lumber! You won't need a pocket hole jig or any special tools to build.
This bed has been built thousands of times and is a reader favorite. You can also find the twin version, king version, and all our farmhouse bed plans here.

Preparation
12 - 2x4 8 feet long
2 - 2x6 8 feet long
2 - 1x10 8 feet long
2 - 4x4 8 feet long
1 - 2x2 8 feet long
6 - 1x6 8 feet long
4 - 1x4 8 feet long
100 - 1-1/4" long brad nails
75 - 2-1/2" long self tapping wood screws
HEADBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 54"
2 - 2x2 @ 30"
11 - 1x6 @ 30"
2 - 1x4 @ about 60-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4@ 67-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ 69-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
FOOTBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 21"
2 - 2x2 @ 8"
2 - 2x2 @ 3"
11 - 1x6 @ 15"
2 - 1x4 @ about 60-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4@ 67-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ 69-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
MATTRESS SUPPORT FRAME/SIDERAILS
3 - 2x4 @ 83-1/2"
1 - 2x4 @ 60-1/2"
2 - 2x4 @ 12-1/2"
2 - 1x10 @ 80"
20 - 2x4 @ 32" - can be as short as 30" if you need to burn up scraps
Cut all boards except as noted to measure and cut. We recommend using a compound miter saw for the straightest cuts, but you can also use a circular saw and a carpenter's square - just make sure your cut ends are nice and straight.
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Layout the 30" 1x6 boards flat, side by side. Measure the overall width of all the 1x6 boards. Cut two 1x4s to this measurement.
Nail the 1x6 boards with glue to the 1x4s. Apply glue between the 1x6 boards as you go.
Make sure the panel is built square by measuring opposite diagonals (outside top corner of 1x4 to outside bottom corner of opposite 1x4) and adjusting so the opposite diagonals match.
Comments
Brad D (not verified)
Fri, 12/28/2012 - 17:38
Box Spring
I love your site, I am a first time home buyer and am planning on trying a bunch of your plans. A couple of questions though. First, how do you know at what hight to attach the frame to the posts? Second, I don't have a box spring so I plan on building the frame. Does a piece of plywood go over the frame to form the box spring? Thank you so much for your help!
Charles Fogel (not verified)
Thu, 01/03/2013 - 21:27
Headboard panels not 7 1/2"
My headboard panels don't measure 7 1/2" as Ana warned and I'm not sure what she means about adding 1 by 2 trim. I'm a real newbie so I'm hoping somebody can explain in detail what she means by adding the trim on the headboard. Thanks in advance.
Charles Fogel (not verified)
Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:26
Making the queen assembleable.
I did most of the work on the headboard today and found it to be rather heavy. I would like to make it so I could hang the frame on the head and baseboards or visa versa so we could easily disassemble the bed when we move. Has anybody done anything like that? Also should I attach the 4x4s to the headboard with screws in a vertical line or horizontal or what. Or maybe it doesn't matter. I'm pretty new to this. And thanks to Ana for her excellent blog and getting me going!
Charles Fogel (not verified)
Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:32
Making the queen assembleable.
I did most of the work on the headboard today and found it to be rather heavy. I would like to make it so I could hang the frame on the head and baseboards or visa versa so we could easily disassemble the bed when we move. Has anybody done anything like that? Also should I attach the 4x4s to the headboard with screws in a vertical line or horizontal or what. Or maybe it doesn't matter. I'm pretty new to this. And thanks to Ana for her excellent blog and getting me going!
Charles Fogel (not verified)
Sat, 01/05/2013 - 12:22
Making the queen assembleable.
I did most of the work on the headboard today and found it to be rather heavy. I would like to make it so I could hang the frame on the head and baseboards or visa versa so we could easily disassemble the bed when we move. Has anybody done anything like that? Also should I attach the 4x4s to the headboard with screws in a vertical line or horizontal or what. Or maybe it doesn't matter. I'm pretty new to this. And thanks to Ana for her excellent blog and getting me going!
Charles Fogel (not verified)
Sat, 01/05/2013 - 12:24
oops
sorry for the repeated comments...
Katie Jackson (not verified)
Mon, 01/14/2013 - 12:29
Hello, How far is the bottom
Hello,
How far is the bottom of the mattress from the floor? I have a 12" thick mattress and don't want to make it too far off the ground.
Also, is there a way to make this to take apart for moving and storage? Perhaps with bolts connecting the siderails to the headboard and footboard?
Thanks so much! I can't wait to get started!
kenziedoll90
Thu, 01/31/2013 - 21:15
skipping a step
If I go ahead and get the wood pre-cut for the "cutlist" at the hardware store can I skip the circular saw?
bibbitbear89
Mon, 02/11/2013 - 07:46
I am looking for
I am looking for a dresser and a chest of drawers that match this bed. I have already found a night stand. Please help.
bibbitbear89
Wed, 02/13/2013 - 08:01
love this bed
Hi my name Bridgette Iam a newly single mom. I am looking for a dresser and a chest of drawers to match this bed i already found a night stand.