This stunning (and extra sturdy!) Farmhouse King Bed frame costs just a fraction to build vs buy. It's made of solid wood and you won't need a ton of tools to whip it out. You'll love the step by step diagrams, shopping list and cut list.
We also have Queen Farmhouse Bed Plans, and check out our full room build with this bed and matching nightstands.
The very first real project that I ever tackled all by myself was this EXACT Farmhouse Bed in King size.
I remember being stunned at how well the project turned out. And here we are, over a decade later, and it's still just as beautiful, just as sturdy, and I'm just as stunned.
The farmhouse beds have been built thousands of times and is a reader favorite.
What Wood Do You Use
We use standard off the shelf lumber to build - just framing lumber and common boards. You can of course build with any type of wood, just make sure your material dimensions match dimensional lumber sizes (for example a 2x4 is actually 1-1/2" x 3-1/2").
Matching Nightstands
This bed is quite substantial and deserves matching nightstands. I have put together nightstand plans that are designed to match - so you can get a full bedroom furniture set!
Updated Farmhouse King Bed Plans
We have updated these plans to be easier to build and not require pocket holes. You can still access the old plans here.
If you need a different sized farmhouse bed, check out all our farmhouse bed plans here.
Preparation
2 - 4x4, 8 feet long
1 - 2x2, 8 feet long
7 - 1x6, 8 feet long
4 - 1x4, 8 feet long
2 - 2x6, 8 feet long OR stud length
2 - 1x10 OR 2x10 @ 8 feet long
18* - 2x4, 8 feet long OR stud length
2 small L brackets (1-1/2" wings)
2 straight brackets (6" overall length)
150 - 1-1/4" brad nails
150 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws (try SPAX or similar)
*Includes 11 2x4s for the mattress slats. You can substitute 1x4s, 1x3s, ripped plywood etc for the slats if you have other materials on hand
HEADBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 54" - headboard legs
2 - 2x2 @ 30" - headboard cleats
14 - 1x6 @ 30" - headboard panel
2 - 1x4 @ about 77" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4 @ about 84" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ about 86" - measure and cut to fit
FOOTBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 21" - footboard legs
2 - 2x2 @ 8" - footboard cleats
2 - 2x2 @ 3" - footboard cleats
14 - 1x6 @ 15" - footboard panel
2 - 1x4 @ about 77" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4 @ about 84" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ about 86" - measure and cut to fit
MATTRESS SUPPORT FRAME/SIDERAILS
4 - 2x4 @ 83-1/2" - mattress supports
1 - 2x4 @ ~77" - headboard tie in - cut to fit
4 - 2x4 @ 12-1/2" - center legs
2 - 1x10 or 2x10 @ 80"
11 - 2x4 @ ~77" cut to fit - mattress slats
Instructions
Step 1
Attach 2x2 cleats flush to the back of the legs, with 2-1/2" screws
NOTE: Pocket hole users can skip this step
Step 2
Layout the 1x6 headboard panels, and measure the overall width.
Cut 1x4 boards to this measurement.
Attach 1x6 boards to the 1x4s with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails from the back side to hide nail holes.
Make sure you apply glue between the 1x6 boards as you go.
Check to make sure that the panel is constructed square (NOT a parallelogram)
POCKET HOLE USERS: Attach 1x4s to the 4x4 legs with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Then nail the 1x6s to the 1x4s inside the headboard panel.
Step 3
Attach panel to the 2x2 cleats with 2-1/2" screws and glue. Also attach with a few 1-1/4" nails through front side into the 2x2 cleat where there is no 1x4.
POCKET HOLE USERS can skip this step
Step 4
Measure the top overall width. Cut a 2x4 to this width. Attach with glue and screws to top of headboard.
Step 5
Cut a 2x6 2" longer than the 2x4.
Attach with 1" overhang on all sides with 2-1/2" screws and glue.
This completes the headboard build.
Step 6
The footboard is constructed the same as the headboard, with the exception of the 2x2 cleats on the back so that the siderail cleats can notch in.
If you have trouble with your smaller 2x2 splitting try predrilling holes.
Step 7
Finish construction of the footboard exactly as you did the headboard.
Step 8
Attach siderail cleats inside the footboard and to the headboard legs. Use 2-1/2" screws to secure.
This completes the footboard.
Consider painting or staining your footboards and headboards and siderails now - then move all the pieces into the room for final assembly.
Step 9
Attach headboard support piece between the siderail cleats.
Step 10
Build the center legs - space the legs about 1/3 the way down - you don't have to be exact here.
Step 11
Attach the center legs inside the bed, splitting the spacing by about 1/3
Step 12
Attach siderails to the siderail cleats.
We recommend using brackets to attach siderails at the top to the headboard and footboard.
POCKET HOLE USERS: Drill a pocket hole at the top and attach.
Step 13
Cut slats and lay about 4" apart in the bed.
Screw down with 2-1/2" screws.
Comments
Alexandria~~Th… (not verified)
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 17:55
I love, love, love your blog!
I love, love, love your blog! I stumbled upon you from The Graphics Fairy and love everything.
My husband better get ready because we're about to become carpenters!
sleepyhead des… (not verified)
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 18:18
Just amazing! I need a
Just amazing! I need a husband like you!
Hillary (not verified)
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 18:49
We are planning on upgrading
We are planning on upgrading to a king bed and I have been drooling over this bed since I found your blog! Thanks!
Proud Daddy (not verified)
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 19:34
Ana quick question are you
Ana quick question are you using the treated 4x4's from like a lowes or homedepot?
Funky Junk Interiors (not verified)
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 11:06
I LOVE this bed, Ana! But
I LOVE this bed, Ana! But then I love everything you do. Your style is so classic.
Thanks for being the incredible inspiration that you are. YOU are encouraging women to build. And to me, that is a very good thing.
Thanks for linking up yet again to SNS! Now go back and pick what print you'd like if you won and comment on it. I'd love to qualify you in the giveaway. ;)
FJ Donna
Ana White (not verified)
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 11:25
DO NOT USE TREATED
DO NOT USE TREATED LUMBER
Sorry for the caps, but I just do not want anyone to put toxins in their homes.
Untreated 4x4 Posts should be readily available at Home Depot or Lowes. In our stores, the 4x4 posts are in a weird location. Perhaps ask an associate for their location. They are also cheap, like $6 for an 8' post. The more "distressed" the better!
Proud Daddy (not verified)
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 11:47
Ana that's why I asked the
Ana that's why I asked the question. I wanted to make sure that wasn't the case. Some of the Lowes depending on where you are at don't have the untreated 4x4's, I am going to check out Home Depot to see if they have them. If not then I will stack 2x4's Thanks for the plans I had planned on building a bed similar to this but was going Wainscoting for the center of the head and foot boards but I actually like the way you are doing it much better and it will be a HECK of alot cheaper.
Ana White (not verified)
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 13:24
Proud Daddy,Thank you so much
Proud Daddy,
Thank you so much for asking the question in a comment. I have actually had tons of emails with the same question, and I wanted to make sure everyone saw it.
You are much appreciated!
Thank you!
Ana
Proud Daddy (not verified)
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 14:00
You are welcome. I am a
You are welcome. I am a fairly new woodworker about a year now and that was one of the things that I learned early on. I love the fact that you are using sketchup, I have been modeling some of my thoughts in that. It's a great program. Anyway.. Thanks for the plans and for finally getting my wife interested in woodworking she asked me this afternoon if she could build something. I just finished one of the Hyde end tables and we are going to build the coffee table I made a few changes to the table. I used pocket hole joinery and Used dowls to join the top to the base. I will shoot you over a pic after while. I am going to let her attack the coffee table if she is up to it.
Thanks,
Kevin
jdreier (not verified)
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 08:19
I love this bed! What is the
I love this bed! What is the ballpark on what it cost to make?