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.
Having a beautiful bed can transform any bedroom. It's the most important piece in your bedroom, but can also be the most expensive.
Over a decade ago, I built my first farmhouse bed (pictured above). We still use it today, it's still as strong and sturdy and beautiful as ever. And it only cost about $120 to build then - thousands less than buying!
Farmhouse Bed Plans
We updated the original farmhouse bed plans to use less tools, less materials, but be just as beautiful! You won't need a pocket hole jig - just a drill, nailer and a saw, to tackle this project.
The plans are below. Please let us know in the comments or add a brag post on how your farmhouse bed turned out. Thank you for using our plans.
NOTE: This bed plan has been updated and improved. If you need the original plans, we have created a printable PDF for your convenience.
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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
Attach the longest 2x2s to the longest 4x4s, flush to the back edge with 2-1/2" self tapping screws.
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.
Step 3
Attach the headboard panel to the 2x2s on the legs with 2-1/2" screws. Only screw to the headboard panel at the top and bottom portion backed by the 1x4s.
Also attach the panel from the front 1x6s to the 2x2s with 1-1/4" brad nails.
Step 4
Measure and cut the 2x4 for the top. Attach with 2-1/2" screws.
Step 5
Repeat steps for the 2x6 top, leaving a 1" overhang on all four sides.
This completes the headboard build.
Step 6
The footboard is constructed exactly as the headboard, with the exception of the 2x2 cleats and the overall height.
Attach the 2x2 cleats with 2-1/2" screws. The smaller cleat may split on you since the wood piece is so small. You can predrill holes to help prevent wood from splitting.
Step 7
Build the panel and attach to the 2x2 cleats.
Step 8
Attach top 2x4 and 2x6 to the footboard with 2-1/2" screws.
Step 9
Attach the 2x4 cleat to the footboard, set in the 2x2 cleats, resting on the bottom cleat. Use 2-1/2" screws to attach the 2x4 to the 4x4 legs.
Mark the headboard legs as shown in the diagram, and attach 2x4 cleat to the 4x4 legs with 2-1/2" screws.
Step 10
Use 2-1/2" screws to attach the headboard support between the cleats.
Step 11
Center legs add a ton of support and strength to the bed.
First attach the shorter 2x4 "legs" to the center 2x4. Then place the center 2x4 in place inside the bed, and attach to the footboard and the headboard 2x4.
Step 12
Measure and cut to fit the 1x10 siderails.
Attach with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.
NOTE: If you find your 1x10s need to be attached at the top, you can buy small L brackets and use to attach
Step 13
Cut the wood slats from remaining 2x4s and set inside the bed with about a 1/2" gap in between each slat. You only need one screw on the siderail cleat to attach - but you can also add screws to the center support.
Comments
1ofeach (not verified)
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 06:58
King size?
I know I'm missing it. Surely, the instructions to adapt this for king size (and king size WITH box springs) is here, and I'm just missing it. So, will someone hold my hand and show me where those are? Please?
Love your site!
Myn Nowell (not verified)
Thu, 08/25/2011 - 09:16
Kins Size Bed Plans
Hi Ana!!! I stumbled upon this bed and LOVE it!!!! My son is taking furniture making this year in school and has agreed to make this bed for me!!!! I am SO excited! Can you please tell me if you have the plans in King Size? If you could email them to me that would be AWESOME! I love all your work!
Thanks!
Myn
sara (not verified)
Fri, 09/02/2011 - 11:02
black look
I heard about your site from my sister and I love it. I am going to build a queen and was wondering what would you recommend for wood and what do I need to use for the black look cause I was looking at something someone else posted and she said it did not turn out so I am a little worried.
Sara
yogashell
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 11:51
We built 2
We are almost done with our second farmhouse queen - one for us and one for the guest bedroom. This was my first woodworking project ever, and my husband's first big project. I plan to make a brag post when we get them stained. I just wanted to echo others' suggestions about reading all the comments and ideally, all of the plans for the various sizes before diving in.
We did come up with a great solution for making the bed easier to take apart for moving. We used Rockler Heavy Duty Wrought Steel Bed Fasteners to attach the frame to the headboard. However, this added a few hours to the construction time of the first bed (including brainstorming) and we expect it to add about 2-3 hours to the construction of the second bed, now that we've done it before. We had to borrow a router and learn to use that, and it takes a lot of precise measurements. However it seems very sturdy, we've been sleeping on ours for about a month without concern, and it comes apart relatively easily.
Thank you, Ana, for the great plans! We love how these have come out and are already starting on our next project!
webjunkie3437
Mon, 11/21/2011 - 00:46
Thank you for your plans
We were looking around for a set of headboard/footboards, but I think I'm going to be building this one in the King size since we're upgrading. Thanks so much for your site!
Jason
Guest (not verified)
Tue, 11/22/2011 - 17:36
Queen Farmhouse bed
I just finished making the queen bed and I had to say Im impressed! Very sturdy! I did run into a problem with the length of the 1x8 making the headboard, and them not being long enough or in the case wide enough. I quickly solved the problem by using pencils to create a gap between the boards on the headboard to make up that space. Turned out pretty good! There is one that is off but you can only tell if you built the bed. No one will notice! Hope this helps!
Guest (not verified)
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 08:24
Newbies
I don't know how else to contact the wonderful Ana, so I will simply comment here.
I think this is a wonderful site. The plans are simply to follow and give newbies like me the confidence to try new things. Do you have a section, or you could create a section that explains/ shows how to do some of the basics or explains the terms. Things like counter sink and butt (terms I do not know) are the only things keeping me from making any of these amazing projects . . . . :D
In reply to Newbies by Guest (not verified)
spiceylg
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 10:07
Info
Hello. She responds more readily on Facebook under her page called Knock-Off Wood which this website used to be called. On this site, go under Community for answers to a bunch of your questions. There are also some articles listed under "Also of Interest" in the left column. Jump right in. I hesitated for quite some time and then once I started, was sorry I waited so long! Happy building!
Guest (not verified)
Sun, 12/18/2011 - 21:28
Farmhouse Bed
Ana,
Thank You So Very Very Much for these plans!! I printed them out and asked for this to be my Christmas present. Hubby had already made the bedside table for my birthday..
My bed is now finished and I'm just waiting for Christmas!! The bed is absolutely beautiful and I want to thank you for making my Christmas extra Special this year! Love your site!! Hubby also made your wrapping station for me :)
You are a very Special Lady :) Thanks for sharing :)
Jason Steele (not verified)
Wed, 12/21/2011 - 09:27
Frame help
Ana,
I am done with my Headboard and the footer for my king bed that you have here. However, do you have any plans for how to make the frame for the box springs and mattress? I see them for the queen but not for the king. I don't wanna just "wing it" and try to come up with something. any help would RULE! LOVE the site and can't wait to build more stuff.