Rustic Modern Farmhouse Bed (All Mattress Sizes)

Difficulty

Intermediate

This gorgeous solid wood bed is all style and structure! Very sturdy, with an updated rustic modern farmhouse vibe. Build it yourself for a couple hundred dollars. Free plans with step by step diagrams and video tutorial from Ana-White.com

RELATED: Rustic Modern Nightstand Plans

rustic modern bed diy plans ana white

Rustic wood paired with a modern form updates the farmhouse bed into a beautiful and functional focal point to your bedroom.

This plan covers all mattress sizes, the bed I built for reference is a standard king.

Thoughtful Design Features

You might not know it, but we are thinking of you when we design plans - here's a few details that you'll love:

Headboard sized so you won't need a ton of decorative pillows, no expensive euro pillows needed!
Headboard sized for artwork above
Headboard panel is inset, which helps keep pillows on the bed
Comfortable finished mattress height even paired with today's extra deep mattresses
Footboard is enclosed but siderails are not - so you can stand next to the bedside and not stub your toe
Easy to change sheets with mattress slightly embeded on the siderails
Panel boards sized to conserve materials and save you money

Sister Plan - Traditional Farmhouse Bed Plans

This bed is built very similar to our traditional farmhouse bed plan.

If you love this but want something a little more classic, check out this free plan.

Matching Plans in this Collection

I loved this bed plan so much, I had to make more matching plans:

Plan Notes:

Mattress depth - This headboard works well with a 10" or deeper mattress. For a shorter mattress, an open gap below the headboard panel may be visible. You can also increase the length of the panel boards to account for this.
Twin size - the twin size does not need the center support structure.
Modifying to Traditional Farmhouse Bed - Very easy to do, plans coming soon
Planking Cuts - note that the planking is right at 12" and 24" - if your 1x8s are exactly 8' or 12' - you may wish to cut boards 1/8" less so all your cuts fit with the saw blade waste accounted for
Other materials for planking - yes, you can use just about any material instead of the 1x8 planking

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Want even more DIY Bed Projects? Here's a round-up of some of our favorites!

Pin For Later!

Dimensions

Preparation

Shopping List

Twin Size (38" x 75")

1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
5 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
18 linear feet of 1x8 boards
2 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long
5 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
40 - 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
1-1/4" brad nails
20 - 1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (Spax or similar)
wood glue
120 grit sand paper

Full size (54" x 75")

1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
3 - 2x4 @ 10 feet long
24 linear feet of 1x8 boards
2 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long
5 - 1x4 @ 10 feet long
40 - 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
1-1/4" brad nails
30 - 1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (Spax or similar)
wood glue
120 grit sand paper

Queen Size (60" x 80")

1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
3 - 2x4 @ 12 feet long
27 linear feet of 1x8 boards
2 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long
6 - 1x4 @ 10 feet long
40 - 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
1-1/4" brad nails
33 - 1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (Spax or similar)
wood glue
120 grit sand paper

Standard King (76" x 80")

1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
10 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
33 linear feet of 1x8 boards
2 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long
11 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
40 - 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
1-1/4" brad nails
33 - 1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (Spax or similar)
wood glue
120 grit sand paper

California King (72" x 84")

1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
10 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
30 linear feet of 1x8 boards
2 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long
11 - 1x4 @ 6 feet long
40 - 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
1-1/4" brad nails
33 - 1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (Spax or similar)
wood glue
120 grit sand paper

Cut List

Twin Size (38" x 75")

2 - 4x4 @ 46-1/2" - headboard legs
2 - 4x4 @ 12" - footboard legs
4 - 2x4 @ 38" - headboard/footboard back supports
2 - 2x4 @ 45" - headboard/footboard tops
6 - 1x8 @ 24" - headboard panel boards
6 - 1x8 @ 12" - footboard panel boards
2 - 2x8 @ 75"- siderails
2 - 2x4 @ 78-1/2" - cleats and inner support
10 - 1x4 @ 38" - slats
Twin size does not require inner support system

Full size (54" x 75")

2 - 4x4 @ 46-1/2" - headboard legs
2 - 4x4 @ 12" - footboard legs
4 - 2x4 @ 54" - headboard/footboard back supports
2 - 2x4 @ 61" - headboard/footboard tops
8 - 1x8 @ 24" - headboard panel boards
8 - 1x8 @ 12" - footboard panel boards
2 - 2x8 @ 75" - siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 78-1/2" - cleats and inner support
6 - 2x4 @ 8" - inner support
10 - 1x4 @ 54" - slats

Queen Size (60" x 80")

2 - 4x4 @ 46-1/2" - headboard legs
2 - 4x4 @ 12" - footboard legs
4 - 2x4 @ 60" - headboard/footboard back supports
2 - 2x4 @ 67" - headboard/footboard tops
9 - 1x8 @ 24" - headboard panel boards
9 - 1x8 @ 12" - footboard panel boards
2 - 2x8 @ 80"- siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 83-1/2" - cleats and inner support
6 - 2x4 @ 8" - inner support
11 - 1x4 @ 60" - slats

Standard King (76" x 80")

2 - 4x4 @ 46-1/2" - headboard legs
2 - 4x4 @ 12" - footboard legs
4 - 2x4 @ 76" - headboard/footboard back supports
2 - 2x4 @ 83" - headboard/footboard tops
11 - 1x8 @ 24" - headboard panel boards
11- 1x8 @ 12" - footboard panel boards
2 - 2x8 @ 80"- siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 83-1/2" - cleats and inner support
6 - 2x4 @ 8" - inner support
11 - 1x4 @ 76" - slats

California King (72" x 84")

2 - 4x4 @ 46-1/2" - headboard legs
2 - 4x4 @ 12" - footboard legs
4 - 2x4 @ 72" - headboard/footboard back supports
2 - 2x4 @ 79" - headboard/footboard tops
10 - 1x8 @ 24" - headboard panel boards
10 - 1x8 @ 12" - footboard panel boards
2 - 2x8 @ 84" - siderails
4 - 2x4 @ 87-1/2" - cleats and inner support
6 - 2x4 @ 8" - inner support
11 - 1x4 @ 72" - slats

Tools

General Instructions

For long term durability and more professional results, I recommend using a pocket hole joinery system for wood joints. Here is a video with tips for using a pocket hole jig:

Instructions

Step 1

For the 4 2x4s that are the width of the mattress, drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end.

Also drill 1-1/2" pocket holes facing upward in the top 2x4, to attach the top in next steps.

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

Make sure the top 2x4 has pocket holes facing upward.

Step 2

Attach the tops to the headboard and footboard through the pocket holes drilled in step 1.

Use 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Step 3

Lay the planking pieces out on the headboard and footboard to make sure it all fits. Make any adjustments as necessary.

Start in the center and work outward. For an odd number of panel boards, mark the center of the first panel board and match it to the center marks. For an even number of panel boards, start at the center marks.

Attach planking pieces with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, working from the center outward.

For the end pieces, rip to fit with a tablesaw. Then attach with glue and brad nails.

The headboard and footboard are ready for finish. Fill all nail holes with wood filler and sand well. Apply paint or stain.

Also finish the 2x8 siderail pieces.

Step 4

Drill three 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x8s.

Attach with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Step 5

Build the inner support with 2-1/2" screws (you can use pocket hole screws).

Assemble the bed in the room.

Attach the cleats to the siderails, 1" down form top edge of the siderails.

Attach the center support to the footboard with 2-1/2" screws (you can use pocket hole screws), so the center support is centered on the bed.

Step 6

Lay slats on cleats and center support.

Screw down with 1-1/2" length screws.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Overfill all nail holes with wood filler and let dry.
Sand in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper.
Vacuum all sanding residue off of the bed.

Finish Used

I used one coat of Varathane Sunbleached stain.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames