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Simple Daybed

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Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 00:47
Difficulty
Intermediate
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This simple sturdy daybed can provide a solid sleeping space for your children or in your guest room. Featuring a classic slatted design, expect this bed to be very very sturdy, but also big and heavy.

Collections
Simple Bedroom Collection
Dimensions
Fits twin sized mattress

Preparation

Shopping List

In addition to the supplies needed for the Simple Bed, you will also need: 

2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet or stud length 
2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet 
2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet 
2 - 1x3 @ 8 feet 
3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet 
 1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet or stud length
Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
paint brush
Cut List

1 – 2×6 @ 74 1/2″ (Shown in blue above) 

3 – 1×6@ 74 1/2″ (Shown in purple above) 
26 – 1×3 @ 5 1/2″ (Shown in white, spacers between the slats) 
12 – 1×4 @ 20 1/2″ (Rails, shown in green above) 
1 – 2×4 @ 81 1/2″ (Top of Bed, shown in white above) 
1 – 2×2 @ 75 3/4″ (Cleat for mattress supports, shown in white above) 
1 – 2×6 @ 74 1/2″ 
1 – 2×2 @ 75 3/4″
Cutting Instructions

This cut list is in addition to the two footboards required by the simple bed (see step 1).

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Level

Instructions

Step 1

You will need to construct 2 footboards from the Simple Bed Plans. The only modifications you will need to make to the footboards is in the top piece, the 2×4 that finishes to top of the footboard. Cut this board at 42″ keep the front side flush with the front leg post. On the back side, keep the end edge of the 2×4 even with the end edge of the center panel of the footboard. This is shown above.
Review the plans for the Simple Bed here. You will first need to build (2) footboards, as directed in the plans for the Simple Bed.

Step 2

Next construct the back panel in the same manner as you constructed the center panel for the footboards. Take not of the differences shown above. Make sure you leave a 3 1/2″ overhang on either end of the 2×4 top piece.

Step 3

Construct the front rail piece, as shown above. You will need

1 – 2×6 @ 74 1/2″
1 – 2×2 @ 75 3/4″

Leave a 5/8″ overhang on either end of the 2×2. Keep bottom edges flush. Attach this piece to the footboards by first screwing through the 2×2 into the corner posts (make sure you predrill first. Then predrill and screw through the outside of the legs into the end edges of the 2×6.

The bottom edge of the side rail will sit 10 1/2″ up, or even with the bottom edge of the footboard center panel.

Step 4

Fasten with screws the back panel to the side panels. This is shown above. Use long screws and predrill before screwing.

Project Type
Daybed
Beds and Bed Frames
Room
Bedroom
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Ladybug A. (not verified)

Sun, 12/27/2009 - 10:06

I Love your projects they are so great. I just stumbled on your page a week a ago and I am so amazed, I have fallen in love with your work. I was looking over some of your project and although you seem to have a long list of things in the works I was wondering if you could try and work in the Anderson bed from PB kids, I am trying to update my daughters room from toddler to big girl and I love this bed, it would be much appreciated

Lizzy.Post (not verified)

Sun, 01/17/2010 - 16:12

OMG!! I just came across your blog about an hour ago and I have already planned to make at least 3 different pieces!! I love the simple bed and was wondering if maybe you had a toddler bed version of it??? My little one will be 2 in 10days and i am ready to ditch the crib, but dont want to take up space in her room with a twin. Or maybe a bed rail for the twin??

Ana White (not verified)

Sun, 01/17/2010 - 19:40

Hi Lizzy, there is plans for the guardrail (very very easy plans) located in with the simple bunk bed plans.

I do have toddler bed plans on the radar, but it could be awhile.

Thanks for stopping by!
Ana

Patrina (not verified)

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 06:56

Hi Ana,

I love all your plans, just wondering if there is a way to make this bed with solid ends and back.

Just found your blog this morning and i have plans to make a few of these items.

LouAnn (not verified)

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 11:18

SWEET! I totally want to make this for our office/extra bedroom. I was just going to throw it in there on a trundle frame - but this looks amazing. and will look so much nicer in the room - thank you!!!

Anonymous (not verified)

Sun, 02/21/2010 - 20:14

Thanks Ana for all of the inspiration. I am in the middle of making this but I wanted to let you know that the cut list has a 2x4 listed as 74 1/2 inches-but the diagram shows that same piece as 81 1/2 inches-the diagram has the correct measurements (I learned this the hard way).
I was also wondering what you used to attach the 2x6 to the back center panal-using the 2 inch nails just does not seem sturdy enough.

Ana White (not verified)

Sun, 02/21/2010 - 21:22

thanks for coming back to let me know about this error in the cut list. I did correct it. I would perhaps try longer screws, this will strengthen things up considerably. thanks again, Ana

Gen (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 20:00

Hi Ana,
Quick question on the daybed. In the plans for the 2 footboards (Im done with these) the rails are listed at 21.5 inches. But in the cut list for the back panel the rails are listed at 20.5. I just wanted to make sure this was intentional because HD is cutting my wood.
Also I am modifying the bed to fit a twin trundle. so I am adding 2.5 inches to all the long rails. Hopefully I calculated correctly.

Ana White (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 20:27

Hmmmm, I see both listed at 20 1/2" for the rails on both the daybed and the simple bed. I could be missing something. Regardless, you will need to make the back of the daybed exactly like you made the footboards so they match up, so if the rails you made were 21 1/2" on the footboards, you should cut this length for the back of the daybed.