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
Gloria (not verified)
Fri, 02/18/2011 - 15:19
btw...that is for a standard
btw...that is for a standard king right? please respond at glphil4131@yahoo.com
Cameron Mathews (not verified)
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 07:12
To convert to standard king measurements
You could replace the 1x3s on the end with 1x2s This would shrink it from 80 inches to 78 inches. Standard King width is 76 inches.
Then take 2 inches off of everything else that goes width-wise, as follows:
Trim panels - 78"
2x4 top - 85"
2x6 top - 87"
ANOTHER option is to replace the 1x8 panels with 1x6 panels. You will need 13 of them instead of 10 - this will equal 71.5" (if your 1x6 is 5.5 inches each). Then use 2 - 1x3 pieces for the ends (at 2.5" each) to total 76.5". Then, same as above, you would take 3.5" off of each as follows:
Trim panels - 76.5"
2x4 top - 83.5"
2x6 top - 85.5"
Hope this helps!
Another option (that I am thinking about) is replacing all the paneled pieces with a single sheet of 3/4" furniture-grade plywood to avoid the paneled look and just get a solid piece of wood. Going to be evaluating cost on that one.
Enjoy!
Kevin MARCUS (not verified)
Wed, 04/20/2011 - 17:32
shopping list for fh king
You need (5) 1x8 8' long i'm making this bed and followed the cut pattern and found out i came up short when it came to the footboard. you need for the headboard 10 1x8@30" Thats 300" that totals 25' .The footboard you need 10 1x8@15" that totals 150" thattotals 12.5' for a total of 37.5' so 4@ 8' only totals 32' so you need a fifth 1x8
lynsrealm
Thu, 06/16/2011 - 21:31
Beautiful!
I'm so glad I found your site. Thanks to HGTV for sending me your way! There are so many wonderful plans, I don't know where to start!
Guest (not verified)
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 08:12
paint color
A bit off topic, but can you tell me what the lovely color on the walls is? Just the shade I'm looking for!
Guest (not verified)
Wed, 08/24/2011 - 14:36
Modify for California King?
I love this plan and am wondering if it can be modified for a California King mattress?
Guest (not verified)
Tue, 09/20/2011 - 16:08
bedspread
can you share where the bedspread is from? thank you!
mebohn
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 06:48
4x4 posts
I'm having a REALLY hard time finding untreated 4x4's. Even private lumber companies in my area do not carry them. I don't want to stack 2x4's. Any suggestions? Am I looking in the wrong spots in the store?
In reply to 4x4 posts by mebohn
Pswag
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 16:53
We are in the process of
We are in the process of making this. We also had a hard time finding 4 x 4's. We glued 2x4's together and then filled the sides with stainable wood filler. I just finish sanding and staining them and they look great. Hope this helps.
chordjezter
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 11:03
King Box Spring Question
I'm getting ready to make this bed soon and I have one question. I'm wanting to use the box springs. However since there are two twin size box-springs for my bed is it best to use slats on the cleats to support them? Is there a better way to support them? I was thinking of using 1 x 3's spaced 1 - 1.5" apart. Any reccomendations? (Also, is it necessary to attach the slats to the cleats? It seems like it would make it a lot harder when it's time to move the bed. I was thinking of maybe just attaching the head-most slat with screws to make sure the slats don't slide off the head-end)