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
USMCamp0811 (not verified)
Sat, 10/13/2012 - 06:48
2x4s for the frame
Would I lose any strength if I used 2x4s to build the bed frame for the mattress to sit on? I originally had not intended on using the frame as I have a box spring; however when I started to look and see how it was going to look height wise I am changing my mind. My mattress as is sits 21" high w/ boxspring just sitting on the floor. The footboard is only 24" high. If I do away with the boxspring and build a frame, I can gain some extra space. Basically I don't want the mattress towering over the footboard.
My solution was to use some extra 2x4s I have laying around and build a frame similar to above. I've got a pretty heavy memory foam mattress that I want to ensure has proper support and is not towering over my footboard.
What do y'all think?
Samamantha landsberg (not verified)
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 11:22
LOVE IT!!!
i found your site here and love everything about it.. it has really inspired me to play with wood..lol (not that way..hehe) i'm very crafty, but wasnt so sure about building.. my husdband had a customer that owned a mill. so i wrote my list and gave it to him for this bed.. and what i got back was absolutly beautiful raw red pine... Oh my is it beautiful.. it has been 6 months now it is planed and dried finally and this week we are working on building it.. I do have one question i have serched for as you stated ubove with using a box spring.. but i can't find what i need.. i have all the wood to build the middle but would it still work with using a box spring???
also if i knew how to post pictures i would lol with the scrap wood I built a potting bench always wanted one and i serched on here for one and was so excited although with no measurements, my husdband told me make a blue print.. so i did and you should see it.. absolutly beautiful... thanks for the site and look forward to hearing from you...
nicole123
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 19:23
I have gone to say to my
I have gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this website on regular basis to take updated from most recent reports.Mind Secrets Exposed
Monica P. (not verified)
Tue, 11/06/2012 - 07:42
Pocket Holes vs. 4.15 wood screws?
I have a question for anyone that would be kind enough to answer. I am in the process of making the queen farmhouse bed. I read through all the brags posts and plans and I believe I have made the right tweaks to get the bed will perfectly meet my needs.
There was a brag post that mentioned using pocket holes on the inside of the trim panels to screw into the post, I decided to use the pocket hole suggestion but to also use the 4.5 inch wood screws to screw into the panels from the post. I felt like that way I would have 2 screws going in both directions...so I would be covered. However, yesterday, I drilled pocket holes and used 2.5 inch pocket hole screws, two on each trim panel, for a total of 4 screws in each post. After I screwed them all in, my footboard felt STURDY. My question is: Am I okay just using the pocket holes? Or should I absolutely use the 4.5 inch woods screws through the posts?
My rationale is that I may be okay just using pocket holes screws, because the two screws in each panel, both penetrate the posts about 2 inches, whereas the original plan calls for 3 screws into the post, but would only penetrate the panel 1 inch per screws. So the inches penetrated by the pocket hole screws would be greater.
Any thoughts?
Thank you!
Ashlee (not verified)
Sun, 11/11/2012 - 19:35
King size plans?
Do you by any chance have plans for this bed, as a king size?
Wanda McLennan (not verified)
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 12:28
4x4 post
Can someone tell me what they used for the 4x4 post? I can only find pressure treated post. Any suggestions.
Flasinc (not verified)
Wed, 11/14/2012 - 16:42
4X 4
I too am having a hard time finding non-pressure treated 4x4's. Many comments say they paid $$ for fir or cedar. I have no options. I have called 5 lumberyards (forget the big box stores - they only have PT) and no one has any. I am in FL. I don't want to use 2 2x4's, but think I may have to. I have 2 panels waiting in my garage and my boys are getting inpatient as they want their new beds. I will try to call a few other places, but then will have to go with the 2 2x4's.
Rick R (not verified)
Tue, 11/27/2012 - 11:16
My Variations
I built this in King size and changes a few things. I made my posts 5 X 5 and raised the footboard to 31". I also wanted to have the ability to diassemble this so I flush mounteded the side rails to the front of the posts. Nice design. Thanks
Dave Peterson (not verified)
Sun, 12/02/2012 - 12:32
King size plans
Hi Ana! Can you provide me with the plans, cut list for the King size?
Thanks and love your style!!!
JulieH12 (not verified)
Sun, 12/16/2012 - 14:31
4x4's
I bought 4x4 cedar posts for $17/post at Lowes, but I found the 4x4 non treated pine for $8 each at Menards.