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Fancy Arch Bed

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About Project

This fancy arched bed will make a glamorous statement in your bedroom! Full bed plans.

I'm just going to give you the plans today.  No chatter.
This bed doesn't need any words.  It's simply beautiful.
A bed like this could wear color well
Whether it's a weathered finish in turquoise
Or a weathered finish in green, this bed is a room maker.   This bed was inspired by this bed.  An easy way of getting that distressed finish is to use pallets or other reclaimed wood for your headboard panel.
Dimensions
Fits Queen, 58" to the center

Preparation

Shopping List

14 – 1×4 Boards, 8′ Long Furring Strips are the cheapest, but select good straight boards
12 – 1×3 Boards, 8′ Long Furring Strips are cheapest
2 – 1×2 Boards, 8′ Long Furrning Strips are cheapest
2 – 1×10, 8′ Length
1 – 1×10, 6′ Length
1 – 1×8, 6′ Length
2×6, 8′ or Stud Length
1 1/4″ Screws
2″ Screws
Wood Glue
Wood Filler

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

CUT LIST for the HEADBOARD
10 – 1×4 @ 57 3/4″ (Panel Pieces)
8 – 1×4 @ 47 34″ (Legs)
2 – 1×2 @ 8″ (Leg Support Pieces)

CUT LIST FOR THE BED FRAME
2 – 1×10 @ 81 1/2″ (Side Rails)
1 – 1×10 @ 60″ (Foot Rail)
1 – 1×8 @ 60″ (Headboard Rail)
2 – 1×4 @ 17 1/2″ (Outer Leg)
2 – 1×2 @ 8″ (Inner support leg)

CUT LIST FOR THE PLATFORM
1 – 2×6 @ 60″ (Center Support)
12 – 1×3 @ 60″ (Slats)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a clean level surface with straight boards (especially important for the headboard panel). Predrill and countersink yours screws. Use glue for every joint, unless the joint is a disassembly point. Be safe, have fun!

Instructions

Step 1

PANEL
With a Kreg Jig™, join all of the panel board together, starting in the middle and working your way out. Make sure you alternate the grain of the boards (look at the end edges and alternate bark side up, bark side down) so that the panel doesn’t warp to one side. Try to keep the bottoms flush as you create this panel. But when you put the final two boards on (the green boards) check for square by taking a square from the outermost corners of the green boards to the opposite dimensional on the opposite green board.

For those of you who do not have a Kreg Jig™, it is possible to use 1x2s glued and nailed to the back in a perpendicular direction to hold your boards together (use 1 1/4″ nails) but you will run into an issue of not being able to keep the boards connected at the top edges (where the top curves, see below diagram).

Step 2

SCALLOPED PATTERN
Using the Measurements shown above, mark the points listed from the coordinates shown. Then from each point draw an arch between those points (alternating up and down as shown in the pattern). You can use a variety or round objects, I use lids, buckets, and even take to freehand when necessary.

When you are happy with the pattern, carefully cut one side, SAVING YOUR PIECES. Then take the scraps and use them to draw the pattern on the other side of the headboard. Cut the other side of the headboard to match.

Step 3

BED FRAME
You can click images for a larger view. Begin by building your box of 1x10s and the 1×8 for the front. Keep top edges flush (simply build the box upside down, with the 1×8 coming up shy 2″ on it’s end). Use 2″ screws and glue. Flip over and add the cleats. If you have a box spring, fasten the cleats flush with the bottom edge of the siderails). If you DO NOT have a box spring, build as shown above, fastening your cleats 1″ from the tops of the siderails, and also the center support (the 2×6 board) 1″ from the top of the top and bottom boards, as shown above. The above view is a TOP VIEW for platform installation. Use 2″ screws and glue for the 2×6, 1 1/4″ screws and glue for the cleats.

Step 4

LEGS
Cut an arch shape out of the legs as shown above. Then fasten with 1 1/4″ screws and glue to the end of the bed, as shown above, keeping outside and top edges flush.

Step 5

Step 6

HEADBOARD LEG SUPPORTS
Use 1 1/4″ screws or nails to fasten the headboard leg support sin place as shown above.

Step 7

ASSEMBLY
Assembly is super simple. Simply place the bed frame in line with the headboard, lining up the 1×8 frame board with the headboard leg supports. You can use 1 1/4″ screws, but you could also purchase bolts, nuts and washers to make the bed super easy to disassemble.

Step 8

SLATS
If you choose the platform installation, lay the slats on top of the side rails and screw down. Do not use glue in this step.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
You may wish to disassemble the bed to finish pieces individually. Use wood filler to fill any exposed holes. Let dry completely. Then sand starting with a coarse, then medium, and finally fine, sand paper. For a painted finish, begin by priming. Paint with several coats of paint. You can see this post for step-by-step instructions on getting a multicolor distressed finish.
Project Type
Beds
Room
Bedroom
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans

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