Farmhouse Bed (Twin Size)

Difficulty

Intermediate

If you are looking for a classic farmhouse style bed for your child's room, this is the project for you. Featuring simple styling, large headboard and footboard tops, substantial legs, sturdy siderails, and the option to go with or without a boxspring, this beautiful bed is definitely worth your sweat!

Step by step plans with diagrams and lots of readers submitted photos. Check out all our Farmhouse Bed plans here.

Collections

No Pocket Hole Plans

farmhouse bed twin sized boy room painted blue

Reader submitted photo by KELLI224

This plan has been updated. If you need the old plans, we have them available here.

Dimensions

Fits twin sized mattress

Preparation

Shopping List

3 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long

1 - 1x6 @ 4 feet long

2 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long

2 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long

1 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long

4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long

2 - 1x10 @ 8 feet long

6 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long

2 - 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" L brackets

2 - 3" long straight mending plate brackets

Common Materials

2 1/2 inch screws

1 1/4 inch finish nails

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

Cut List

HEADBOARD

7 - 1x6 @ 30"
2 - 1x4 @ ~38-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
2 - 4x4 @ 54"
2 - 2x2 @ 30"
2 - 2x4 @ ~45-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
2 - 2x6 @ 47-1/2"

FOOTBOARD

7 - 1x6 @ 15"
2 - 1x4 @ ~38-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
2 - 4x4 @ 21"
4 - 2x2 @ 5-1/2"
2 - 2x4 @ ~45-1/2" - measure and cut to fit
2 - 2x6 @ 47-1/2"

BED FRAME & SIDERAILS

2 - 2x4 @ 80"
2 - 2x4 @ 8-1/2"
2 - 1x10 @ 75"
12 - 1x3 @ 38-1/2" - measure and cut to fit

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Cut the 1x6 headboard boards with a miter saw (preferred) or circular saw with straight edge.

Lay out as shown in diagram.

Measure the overall width.

POCKET HOLE USERS: You can join the 1x6 boards together edge to edge with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Step 2

Attach 1x4 on top and bottom, with all outside edges flush, with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.

Make sure the panel is square (not a parallelogram) by taking outside corner diagonal measurements and adjusting until the two opposite diagonals measurements match.

POCKET HOLE USERS: Drill two 3/4" pocket holes on each end of the 1x4 boards. Attach to the 4x4 legs with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Then nail the 1x6 boards to the 1x4s.

Step 3

Use 2-1/2" screws to attach the 2x2 cleats to the inside back edge of the 4x4 legs.

POCKET HOLE USERS: Skip this step.

Step 4

Attach panels to the 2x2 cleats with 2-1/2" screws and 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.

POCKET HOLE USERS: Skip this step.

Step 5

Measure and cut the top 2x4. Attach with 2-1/2" screws and glue.

Step 6

Place 2x6 on top of 2x4. Make sure all outside edge overhangs are even.

Screw on with 2-1/2" screws and glue.

Step 7

Repeat the same steps for building the footboard panel.

Step 8

If using the cleats for attaching, leave a space in the cleats as shown for accepting the bed frame in later steps.

Step 9

Attach footboard panel as you did the headboard panel to the legs.

Step 10

Repeat steps to finish top of footboard.

Step 11

Attach 2x4 cleats to the 4x4 legs with 2-1/2" screws.

The spacer blocks are not attached and are just used as guides for setting up the bed.

Step 12

Place sidreails on cleats and attach with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.

Also recommended is attaching with an L bracket and a straight bracket at tops. Pocket hole users can use a 3/4" pocket hole and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Step 13

Lay slats in bed frame, space evenly. Screw down with 2" screws or 1-1/4" brad nails.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames

Twin

Room

Bedroom

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Saadia (not verified)

Sun, 03/25/2012 - 12:33

Rockler Brackets and Cleats

Hello Everyone!

I am in the process of building this bed and am planning on using the Rockler brackets to attach the siderails to the legs of the bed. I was wondering how everyone adjusted the cleats to make this work. It seems like I would have to make the cleats a bit shorter than the length of the siderail to leave room to attach the brackets on the edges of the siderail. Just wondering if that's what everyone did!

Thanks!

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 04/06/2012 - 17:11

Cost

How much do you think this will cost to build?

CristinaCS (not verified)

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 16:08

Also wondering about cost...

Anybody out there able to comment on how much it cost to build this bed? Trying to figure out whether the cost of all that lumber will save me much in the long run...I think we already have most of the tools. ALso, how long did it take most of you to build? (another factor to consider) DH is pretty handy, but hasn't done anything with his tools in awhile.

Rob (not verified)

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 17:40

2 Questions Before I Start This Project

1. Twin size mattresses are 39" wide and these plans look like they are made for a 38 1/2" width. How is everyone fitting their twin mattress into this or what am I missing.

2. The plans call for 3" screws only. How do I attached the 2x4 frame to the 1x10 bed rails? If I use the 3" screws here it would go through both pieces of wood.

Thanks.

Rob (not verified)

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 19:10

Sorry, did some more research

Sorry, did some more research and found plenty of twin mattresses at 38". Shouldn't have trusted wikipedia.

The second question still stands.

sambenedetto7@…

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 05:54

bed height

i want to adjust the height of the bed. my goal is to be able to use under bed space for storage( maybe a 10" high basket) . I also do not want the mattress( i will be using a box spring) to "sit" above the end of footboard. please Ana , help! i want specific measurements prior to going to buy supplies. I have one week to get the details down . thank you

Michela (not verified)

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 15:09

Ciao a tutti, cerco questo

Ciao a tutti, cerco questo letto ma le cifre qui in Italia sono esorbitanti, poi lo vedo qui proprio come lo vorrei....
Il tutorial però riporta misure che non riesco a tradurre in centimetri qualcuno potrebbe aiutarmi?
Grazie in anticipo!!

bethanysmom

Mon, 10/08/2012 - 16:44