The blog favorite Farmhouse Bed, now in California King! This bed plan is a must read, as the construction is a tad different to accommodate no 4x4 posts and an easier method of joining the siderails with the headboard. Special thanks to JME Blog for their marvelous photos!
Preparation
9 – 1×8 boards, 8′ Long
1 – 1×3 board, 8′ Long
2 – 2×6 board, 8′ Long or Stud Length (doesn’t matter)
13 – 2×4 boards, 8′ Long or Stud Length (doesn’t matter, you may need more or less depending on if you have a box spring or not)
3″ self tapping wood screws
2 1/2″ self tapping wood screws
2″ self tapping wood screws
1 1/4″ nails for a brad nailer
Headboard
- 4 – 1×4 @ 72 1/2″ (Panel Trim)
- 2 – 1×3 @ 30″ (Ends of the Panel)
- 9 – 1×8 @ 30″ (Main boards in the Panel)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 34 1/2″ (Inner Leg for Headboard)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 54″ (Outer Leg for Headboard)
- 1 – 2×4 @ 78 1/2″ (Top of Legs and Panel for Headboard)
- 1 – 2×6 @ 80 1/2″ (Top of Headboard)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 10″ (Bottom Leg Piece for Headboard)
Footboard
- 4 – 1×4 @ 72 1/2″ (Panel Trim)
- 2 – 1×3 @ 15″ (Ends of Panel)
- 9 – 1×8 @ 15″ (Main Boards in the Panel)
- 4 – 2×4 @ 21″ (Legs)
- 1 – 2×4 @ 78 1/2″ (Top of Legs and Panel for Headboard)
- 1 – 1×6 @ 80 1/2″ (Top of Headboard)
Siderails and Frame
- 2 – 2×10 @ 87 1/2″ (Siderails)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 88 1/2″ (Side Cleats)
- 8 – 2×4 @ 69 1/2″ (Joists, you can use less if you have a box spring, may need more if your mattress is flimsy or you choose not to add plywood to top)
- Optional plywood on top of joists
Instructions
Step 1
Front of Headboard Panel. Lay out the panel pieces on a clean level surface. Take a measurement of the total length and cut your trim boards to this measurement (approximately 78 1/2″). Then fasten the trim pieces to the panel as shown above. Use the 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Attach from the back to hide your nail holes.
Step 2
Back of Headboard Panel. In the same manner as step 1, fasten the back trim pieces to the headboard. This is shown above. Use glue and 2″ nails. This will be the back of the headboard, as your nail holes are showing.
Step 3
Inner Leg. Predrill and countersink your screws, attaching the inner leg to the headboard panel as shown above. Use glue and the 3″ screws.
Step 4
Outer Leg. Fasten the outer leg to the inner leg, using the 3″ screws and glue. Again, use the countersink bit. Keep top and outside edges flush.
Step 5
Step 6
Bottom Leg Piece for Headboard. Use the 2″ screws and glue to attach the bottom leg piece. Countersink your screws. You may need to shorten or lengthen the bottom leg piece, depending on the thickness of your side rails. Take a measurement of your side rails before cutting this piece.
Step 7
Footboard. Except for the changes in the legs as shown above, the footboard will be assembled just like the headboard. The footboard leg pieces are identical in size and there is not bottom leg piece.
Step 8
Siderails and Frame. Begin by building the frame using 3″ screws and glue. The above joists are shown spaced every 12″. You may need to add more if you are not using a box spring (standard maximum slat spacings is 6″), and you could possibly get away with less if you have a good box spring. Remember, king beds often have 2 box springs.
After you have built the frame, attach the side rails to the frame. Keep the front edges flush. The bottom edge of the frame will overhang the siderails by 5/8″. Please note that you can adjust the height of the frame to suit your needs, higher for no boxspring, lower to accomodate a box spring.
Step 9
Attaching the siderails to the Headboard. You will only need a few screws on each side rail to attach the siderails to the frame because the bottom leg piece holds the weight. Predrill and countersink your screws, using 2 1/2″ screws. Do not use glue here.
Step 10
Attaching to the Footboard. Fasten the bottom frame joists directly to the footboard panel as shown here. Use the 2″ screws, but no glue.
Comments
banananutmeg (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 03:51
Every mother needs an outlet.
Every mother needs an outlet. Let yours be furniture. Buy the paper plates! :)
Have you posted plans for a twin size farmhouse bed yet? I searched and didn't find one, but I could have missed it.
The Snyder Family (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 05:08
banananutmeg here is the twin
banananutmeg here is the twin sized one...I am making this right now! Yay!
http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2010/01/plans-how-to-modify-farmhouse-…
I also think you should buy the paper plates...and think I will start using them on my more stressful days...Great idea actually! I wish my bed was Cali King so I could make this one...mostly for the size, but I guess it will be the queen version for me! Thanks for the great plans!
Kiama Dawson (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 05:12
I love paper plates! It
I love paper plates! It doesn't matter how busy your day is, I believe a just having a child entitles you to a break from dishes now and then. What you do on this blog inspires so many people! I only discovered your blog about a week ago, and already, I have a list of the top ten projects that I want to make. I admire your knowledge that you have with wood, and appreciate the time that you put into these plans that make it possible for people like me to make these amazing things that you have created! I hope you never stop!
Christy (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 05:16
I would lean towards the
I would lean towards the paper plates. It doesn't make you less of a housewife, or less of a mom, it makes you a paper plate consumer. And if you recycle them, rather than throw them away, you're doing the environment a favor by #1, recycling and #2, conserving water by not needing to wash dishes. ;o) Just my $.02 - take it for what it's worth.
Rayna (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 06:00
I agree with everyone else.
I agree with everyone else. Buy the paper plates. I am an atrocious housewife because I can't seem to keep on top of things like the dishes and laundry (though I do try.) I didn't decide to be a stay at home mom so I could keep the house clean, I decided to be one because we wanted one of us to be home when the girls were little. That decision had nothing to do with other 'housewife' duties.
I am the one that does the cleaning,etc, but it's always been that way (he simply doesn't care.) He doesn't hold the messes against me, and he would be the first one to suggest paper plates to give me a break.
Give yourself a break and make things a little easier. You deserve it.
RuthAnne (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 06:33
I can't wait to get started
I can't wait to get started on this bed! Am I missing something? Are the 1x4's missing from the shopping list?
In reply to I can't wait to get started by RuthAnne (not verified)
Luvahog2
Mon, 12/05/2016 - 10:59
The 1x4's, 2x10's, and 2inch
The 1x4's, 2x10's, and 2inch nails are also missing
TCK (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 06:39
I vote for the paper plates.
I vote for the paper plates. It doesnt change the taste of the food. It makes it easier on you and less of a mess. Dishes...I hate them. I am a stay at home mom of 3 and we use them. Husband actually buys then. Sometimes he even gets the bowls and spoons for easy clean up in the mornings.
I LOVE YOUR site. I found it about a month ago. I have not got up the courage to try anything yet but I do have a list. I will get there.
Danielle (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 06:40
If you don't mind eating off
If you don't mind eating off paperplates, buy them. I can't stand eating off them. :shrug: But since there are just the two of us I have plenty of dishes to get us through a few days if I don't feel like doing dishes.
Love your plans and think you are amazing.
WestSacHoney (not verified)
Mon, 03/01/2010 - 07:14
Oh this made my Monday.. My
Oh this made my Monday.. My boyfriend said he would make something... But he didn't say how big! =) We just scored some 4x4 posts for CHEAP and they are clear redwood!