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.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
picinichml
Sun, 06/07/2015 - 20:51
Cal king measurements
Hi, this is a beautiful bed! We've got a Cal. King mattress and I would like to know if there are plans for that.
garzalesley
Mon, 09/14/2015 - 10:44
side rails?
are there measurements for the side rails? I didnt see any.
sydsogi120
Tue, 09/15/2015 - 07:59
squeaks??
We've made this bed and it squeaks. Does anyone have any advice to stop the squeaks? Thanks!!
erik83
Tue, 10/13/2015 - 10:40
Dimensions to European measurements
I saw this farmhouse bed on this website and would like to make it also for our bedroom.
But the problem is that live in the Netherlands and all the measurements here are in cm and meters but all the dimensions in the description are written in USA measurements. With Google I'm able to convert the feet and inches to cm, but what I don't understand are the numbers 1x8, 4x4, 1x3, 2x4, etc.
Can someone tell in what dimensions this is written...inches, feet, or ...
Thanks for your help,
Greetings,
Erik
ktqb
Tue, 01/05/2016 - 10:30
They are in inches :)
They are in inches :)
ktqb
Tue, 01/05/2016 - 10:29
Side rails
Hi Ana,
I can't seem to search your plans for the Queen Sized with Arch and the Queen sized farmhouse bed. Do you have the links to these plans so I can look up the plans to the side rails. Thank you!
In reply to Side rails by ktqb
Ana White
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 09:30
This one?http://www.ana-white
This one?
http://www.ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-love-farmhouse-bed-now-with-arch…
WWRookie
Tue, 01/19/2016 - 06:02
Farmhouse Storage Bed
Just a quick question about the Farmhouse storage bed, I'm about to start this project but when I noticed the storage boxes are made of plywood and the face of the drawers don't cover the entire side won't that leave the unfinished edge of the plywood exposed? I plan on staining this bed and not painting it, won't that look bad?
amspringer
Thu, 01/28/2016 - 09:39
Frame floor for King size
Hey! I am new to DIY projects and this will actually be my first project since our bed is currently on the floor. I want to do it this weekend but i am trying to figure out how many 2x4's i will need for the frame floor since we have the two box springs. also what was the size of the plywood that you put on top of the slats? TIA.
KansasDad12
Thu, 01/28/2016 - 19:41
box springs ?
I'm getting ready to build a variation of this bed, basically using the footboard and the side rails/frame. But where I'm kind of stuck, is I'm trying to figure out dimensions for incorporating my box springs without making them visible. Are most people not using box springs with their beds? We have a Tempurpedic and you have to use the box springs with them.