Create a backyard retreat by building your own outdoor daybed with canopy designed to fit a standard twin mattress. This plan uses standard off the shelf lumber and basic tools to construct. Check out the step by step diagrams and materials list below.
Preparation
13 - 2x4 @ 10 feet long
2 - 2x6 @ 10 feet long
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
Use leftover 2x4s, 2x2s and 2x6s for the mattress slats @ 39" (cut to fit)
4 - 2x4 @ 80" - legs
6 - 2x4 @ 36-1/2" - ends
2 - 2x6 @ 36-1/2" - ends
2 - 2x6 @ 75" - front/back
9 - 2x4 @ 75" - front/back and cleats
4 - 2x2 @ 31-1/2" - back trim
Use leftover 2x4s, 2x2s and 2x6s for the mattress slats @ 39" (cut to fit)
Instructions
Step 1
SIDE PANELS
Build your side panels as shown above. Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on both ends of all horizontal boards shown. Attach to the legs with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws. Build 2 side panels.
Pocket holes can be filled with plugs or exterior appropriate wood filler.
Step 2
Drill two pocket holes on each end of all the horizontal boards shown. Drill three per end for 2x6 boards.
Attach to the legs with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws. Keep pocket holes on insides to keep hidden.
Step 3
Attach 2x2s to back side of daybed with 2-1/2" self tapping exterior screws, flush to back edge.
Step 4
Attach back slats to the 2x2 with 2-1/2" screws.
You can also attach from outside of leg with 2-1/2" screws.
Step 5
Complete the trim out of the back by adding 2x2s and 2x4 cap with the 2-1/2" screws.
Step 6
Attach 2x4 cleats inside the 2x6 bed aprons with 2-1/2" screws every 8" approximately.
Measure and cut the slats to fit. Lay on the cleats and screw down with 2-1/2" screws.
Comments
ainhoa vega (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 02:05
Love it!! I kept seeing the
Love it!! I kept seeing the facebook picture and thinking, I hope Ana's posting plans for that sometime soon.
Marti (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 04:32
This looks great! I thought
This looks great! I thought it was going to have screen cloth around the ends and thought that would be a great idea too.
Jennifer Doherty (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 04:36
Oooooh, pretty! I'm so
Oooooh, pretty! I'm so excited about this! Thank you Ana!
Natalie (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 07:25
Thank you!!!
Thank you!!!
the mama monster (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 12:21
ohhh thank you, thank you
ohhh thank you, thank you thank you! i have been wanting a day bed but even the target and walmart ones are $400-700. thank you sooooo much!
LouAnn (not verified)
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 15:32
I love this. I think I would
I love this. I think I would use it as a daybed in our guest room - it's my fave of all the ones you've posted so far!
Kilobelle (not verified)
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 07:10
Yes, I've been waiting on
Yes, I've been waiting on this one. Building as I type can't wait to post pictures of this and my finished saw horse table. Thank you ANA :)
erin (not verified)
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 09:05
This is so beautiful! I wish
This is so beautiful! I wish my back yard were a little more private.
Meredith (not verified)
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:48
am i correct in assuming that
am i correct in assuming that if i just shorten the sides and bottom slats this could be a bench?
Ana White (not verified)
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 11:31
Meredith, that's actually a
Meredith, that's actually a fabulous idea. I would make the bench seat not so deep (it's 39" deep for the twin mattress) but it would work perfect for a bench with an arbor over it! Can't wait to see what you come up with!