How to Make a Bed Frame

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to make a bed frame.  If you want to lean more about building a bed frame, we recommend you to pat attention to the to the instructions described in the article. There are many designs and plans to choose from when building a bed frame, so make sire you select the right ones for your needs amf budget.

Make sure you invest in high quality materials, such as pressure-treated lumber, cedar, pine or redwood. Take accurate measurements and use a professional saw to get the job done. Always align the components at both ends before drilling the pilot holes and inserting the galvanized screws, in order to prevent the wood from splitting. Use waterproof glue to reinforce the joints. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

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How to Make a Bed Frame

Building-a-bed-frame

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 50″ long, 2 pieces – 17 1/4″ long LEGS
• B – 2 piece of 1×10 lumber – 75 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 38 1/2″ long SLATS
• C – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 78 1/4″ long, 2 pieces – 35 1/2″ long CLEATS
• D – 16 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 38 1/2″ long SLATS
• E – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 38″x38 1/2″ long, 5 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 38 1/2″ long PANEL
• F – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 45 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 47 1/2″ long TRIM

• 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 2 pieces of 1×10 lumber – 10 ft
• 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 11 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 6 ft
• 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x4′
• 2 1/2″ screws
• 1 5/8″ screws
• 1 1/4″ screws
• wood filler
• wood glue
• stain/paint

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Bed frame plans
• Bunk bed plans

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Building a bed frame

Building-the-headboard-frame

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the headboard for the bed frame. Use 4×4 lumber to build the legs for the headboard. Afterwards, attach 2×4 trims to the legs, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the trims before securing them to the legs using 2 1/2″ screws.

Next, attach the top 2×6 trims to the headboard, as described in the image. Align everything with great care leave no gaps between the components.

Fitting the headboard panel

Continue the project by attaching the plywood panel to the headboard. Cut the plywood panel at the right size and smooth the edges by using sandpaper. Drill pocket holes along the edges and secure them to the frame, by using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joint and remove the excess.

Fitting the headboard trims

If you want to enhance the look of the bed frame, we recommend you to fit 1×4 trims to the panel of the headboard. Cu the components at the right size and drill pocket holes at both ends of the slats. Fit the components into place and lock them to the legs by using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Fitting-the-side-rails

Assembling the bed frame is a straight-forward project. Build the footboard legs out of 4×4 lumber. In addition, we recommend you to build the slats out of 1×10 lumber.

Drill pocket holes at both ends of the slats and secure them to the legs using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess, by suing a damp cloth. Check if the corners are square.

Fitting the cleats

The next step of the project is to attach the 2×4 cleats to the interior of the bed frame. Use a spirit level to make sure the cleats are horizontal. Cut the cleats at the right size and secure them to the bed frame by using 2″ screws. Add glue to the joints in order to create a rigid frame.

Fitting the support slats

One of the last steps of the project is to attach the 1×4 support slats to the cleats of the bed frame. Cut the slats at the right size and smooth the edges with sandpaper. Place the slats equally spaced and secure them to the cleats by using 1 1/4″ galvanized screws.

How to make a bed frame

After assembling the wooden bed frame we recommend you to check if the components are locked together properly. Insert the galvanized screws properly, making sure they are at the same level with the wooden surface.

Top Tip: Don’t forget to take a cover the components with paint, if you want to enhance the look of the bed frame and to make it stand out. Use glue to lock the components into place.

This woodworking project was about how to make a bed frame. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects.

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