Modern Platform Bed Frame [All Sizes]

Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Get that mattress up off the floor in style, for about the cost of buying a box spring. Our free plans make it easy. Step by step diagrams, shopping list and cut list from Ana White

Can be used without a headboard, or pair the king sizes with our Modern Geo Headboard.

modern platform bed frame with modern geo headboard

Do I need a box spring?

No, with the slatted system, you do NOT need a box spring.

You can use a box spring with this plan, just make sure the box spring dimensions fit the dimensions of the bed.

How do I cut the boards?

You can cut the boards using a circular saw with an all purpose or wood blade. The blade that comes with a circular saw is usually designed for cutting wood. It is very important to get nice straight cuts - use a straight edge or carpenter's square as a guide. A miter saw (if you have one) would be a better alternative than a circular saw.

What type of screws do I need?

We recommend a self tapping wood screw, with a torque head (like these from Amazon (affiliate link) with included torque head bit). Look for a #9 or #8 in a 2-1/2" to 3" length for the longer screws.

For screwing down slats, you can use a much smaller screw. Try a #7 or #8 in a 1-1/2" or 2" length (example from Amazon (affiliate link) in the #7 size)

Dimensions

Dimensions diagram shown above - 3" larger in width and length than your mattress

Preparation

Shopping List

TWIN BED FRAME SHOPPING LIST (38" x 75")

3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long or 92-5/8" stud length
3 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
6 - 1x3 furring strips
40 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
25 - 2" self tapping wood screws (for screwing mattress slats down
6" or 8" hairpin legs with screws for attaching (Amazon affiliate link to 6" hairpin legs)

FULL BED FRAME SHOPPING LIST (54" x 75")

2 - 2x6 @ 12 feet long (can cut into 5' and 7' pieces to transport)
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
7 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
50 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
50 - 2" self tapping wood screws (for screwing mattress slats down
6" or 8" hairpin legs with screws for attaching (Amazon affiliate link to 6" hairpin legs)

QUEEN BED FRAME SHOPPING LIST (60" x 80")

2 - 2x6 @ 12 feet long (can cut into 80" and 64" pieces to transport)
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
7 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
50 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
50 - 2" self tapping wood screws (for screwing mattress slats down
6" or 8" hairpin legs with screws for attaching (Amazon affiliate link to 6" hairpin legs)

STANDARD KING BED FRAME SHOPPING LIST (76" x 80")

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet or 92-5/8" stud length
5 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
13 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
60 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
50 - 2" self tapping wood screws (for screwing mattress slats down
6" or 8" hairpin legs with screws for attaching (Amazon affiliate link to 6" hairpin legs)

CALIFORNIA KING BED FRAME SHOPPING LIST (72" x 84")

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet or 92-5/8" stud length
5 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
14 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
60 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
50 - 2" self tapping wood screws (for screwing mattress slats down
6" or 8" hairpin legs with screws for attaching (Amazon affiliate link to 6" hairpin legs)

Cut List

TWIN BED FRAME CUT LIST (38" x 75")

2 - 2x6 @ 75" - Siderails
2 - 2x4 @ 75" - Center Supports
2 - 2x6 @ 41" - Top and Bottom
4 - 2x4 @ 24" - Ends cut at 45 degrees bevel, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (optional)
12 - 1x3 @ 38" - slats

FULL BED FRAME CUT LIST (54" x 75")

2 - 2x6 @ 75" - Siderails
3 - 2x4 @ 75" - Center Supports
2 - 2x6 @ 57" - Top and Bottom
4 - 2x4 @ 24" - Ends cut at 45 degrees bevel, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (optional)
2 - 2x4 @ 9-1/2" (center legs) for 6" hairpin legs (for 8" hairpin legs, cut at 11-1/2" long
21 - 1x3 @ 32" - slats

QUEEN BED FRAME CUT LIST (60" x 80")

2 - 2x6 @ 80" - Siderails
3 - 2x4 @ 80" - Center Supports
2 - 2x6 @ 63" - Top and Bottom
4 - 2x4 @ 24" - Ends cut at 45 degrees bevel, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (optional)
2 - 2x4 @ 9-1/2" (center legs) for 6" hairpin legs (for 8" hairpin legs, cut at 11-1/2" long
21 - 1x3 @ 32" - slats

STANDARD KING BED FRAME CUT LIST (76" x 80")

2 - 2x6 @ 80" - Siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 80" - Center Supports
2 - 2x6 @ 79" - Top and Bottom
4 - 2x4 @ 24" - Ends cut at 45 degrees bevel, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (optional)
2 - 2x4 @ 9-1/2" (center legs) for 6" hairpin legs (for 8" hairpin legs, cut at 11-1/2" long
13 - 1x3 @ 76" - slats

CALIFORNIA KING BED FRAME CUT LIST (72" x 84")

2 - 2x6 @ 84" - Siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 84" - Center Supports
2 - 2x6 @ 75" - Top and Bottom
4 - 2x4 @ 24" - Ends cut at 45 degrees bevel, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (optional)
2 - 2x4 @ 9-1/2" (center legs) for 6" hairpin legs (for 8" hairpin legs, cut at 11-1/2" long
14 - 1x3 @ 72" - slats

Tools

General Instructions

TIP: Paint or stain the 2x6 boards prior to assembly. They are the only boards that need a finish.

Instructions

Step 1

Lay the 2x6, best side down, on your work surface of the floor.

Place a 2x4 on top, bottom and end edges flush.

Attach with 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws.

Step 2

Screw the remaining 2x6s to the ends of your siderails, with the 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws.

Step 3

Add center supports -

none needed for twin
one for full and queen
two for kings

Use 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws to attach

Step 4

Attached the hairpin legs to the bottom of the bed.

Step 5

Angled supports can help strengthen up your bed and will help it last longer (but not required)

Cut the angles at 45 degrees with either a miter saw or setting your circular saw blade to 45 degree bevel and cutting.

Make sure your bed frame is square by taking opposite diagonals, and adjusting the bed until the diagonals match.

Attach with 2-1/2" self tapping screws.

Step 6

Add center legs to the center supports. You may wish to measure and cut to height - as the hairpin legs may be slightly taller or shorter than advertised.

Step 7

Lay slats down in the bed, about 4" apart.

For the full and queen slats, alternate as done here (this reduces waste and conserves lumber)

Screw down with the shorter screws.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames

Twin Beds and Twin Bed Frames

King Size Beds and King Bed Frames

Full Size Beds and Full Bed Frames

Queen Beds and Bed Frames

Room

Bedroom

Style

Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Skaterdawn

Wed, 01/01/2020 - 19:16

Wish we hadn’t cut our slat…

Wish we hadn’t cut our slat boards before putting the bed together. The full size plans call for 21 32” slats. It’s totally wrong. Maybe this was for the twin? We’ll stagger the boards until we go back to the lumber yard. Bummer, since this was our first build from your plans.

Andi2347

Tue, 01/07/2020 - 17:03

It says that for a full or…

It says that for a full or queen size bed that you put one support down the middle and stagger the slats. Unfortunately it has a link to what that is supposed to look like but the link doesn't work. From what I understand from reading the plans and your comment, you did it the correct way. I'm going to try building this bed frame pretty soon as well.