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$70 DIY Panel Bed with

to build a wood bed inspired by Pottery Barn Kids Emmett Bed for just $70! Step by step plans from This beautiful bed features a simple panel design, that goes with most room decors! It's built using solid wood, so you can paint or stain it any color. We LOVE this clean lined design, we love the larger footboard to keep bedding in place, we LOVE everything about this bed! Plans in TWIN and FULL sizes.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with

Specifications

Project typeBeds and Bed Frames
RoomBedroom
StyleChildren's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans
DifficultyBeginner Projects
Estimated cost$50 - $100

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with dimension diagram 1

Shopping List

Shopping List for Twin Size

  • 5 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 4'x4' sheet of 1/2" thick hardwood or sanded plywood
  • 2 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long
  • 1x3 slats or other slat material
  • 1" and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
  • 1" brad nails
  • 2-1/2" self tapping star bit screws or bed brackets for attaching side rails to headboard/footboard
  • 120 grit sandpaper
  • wood glue
  • wood filler
  • Paint or stain

Shopping List for Full Size

  • 6 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 4'x4' sheet of 1/2" thick hardwood or sanded plywood
  • 2 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long
  • 1x3 slats or other slat material, 7 @ 10 feet long
  • 1" and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
  • 1" brad nails
  • 2-1/2" self tapping star bit screws or bed brackets for attaching side rails to headboard/footboard
  • 120 grit sandpaper
  • wood glue
  • wood filler
  • Paint or stain

Cut List

Cut List for Twin Size

  • 2 - 2x4 @ 48" - headboard frame legs
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 35 3/4" - headboard and footboard frame rails
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 22 1/2" - headboard vertical trim
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 16 1/8" - headboard horizontal trim
  • 1 - 1/2" plywood @ 35 3/4" x 22 1/2" - headboard panel
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 21" - footboard legs
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 11" - footboard vertical trim
  • 1 - 1/2" plywood @ 35 3/4" x 11" - footboard panel
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 75" - siderail cleats
  • 2 - 1x8 @ 75" - siderail trim
  • 14 - 1x3 slats @ 38 3/4" or other slat materials

Cut List for Full Size

  • 2 - 2x4 @ 48" - headboard frame legs
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 48" - headboard and footboard frame rails
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 22 1/2" - headboard vertical trim
  • 2 - 1x4 @ 22-3/8" - headboard horizontal trim - measure and cut to fit
  • 1 - 1/2" plywood @ 48" x 22-1/2" - headboard panel
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 21" - footboard legs
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 11" - footboard vertical trim
  • 1 - 1/2" plywood @ 48" x 11" - footboard panel
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 75" - siderail cleats
  • 2 - 1x8 @ 75" - siderail trim
  • 14 - 1x3 slats @ 53-1/2" or other slat materials - measure and cut to fit

Tools

  • measuring tape
  • square
  • pencil
  • safety glasses
  • hearing protection
  • kreg-jig
  • drill
  • circular saw
  • nailer
  • sander
  • countersink drill bit

Step-by-step Instructions

1

Step 1

For the headboard, build the outside frame using 1 1/2" pocket hole setting and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws. 2 screws are recommended per joint. Glue is also recommended.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 1
2

Step 2

Next, add the center piece. We choose to inset this one a tiny bit just for interest, but it's really up to you here. You'll need to attach here with 3/4" pocket hole setting and 1 1/4" pocket holes.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 2
3

Step 3

Add the remaining two pieces to make up the decorative pieces in the headboard.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 3
4

Step 4

Drill 1/2" pocket holes (set for 1/2" thick stock) around the sides of the 1/2" plywood. Then attach with 1" pocket hole screws from back side. Also use 1" nails to attach to center boards with glue.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 4
5

Step 5

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 5
6

Step 6

Now connect the headboards and footboards together with the 2x4 inner side rails. Bolts, 3" screws or bed brackets here. You could also use pocket hole, but remember, these are the main joints that hold the weight of the bed, so you want to make sure this joint is strong. Also, if you have a box spring, you can adjust the width to accommodate the box spring exactly. Just remember that the box spring sits on top of the bed rails. For full size, attach inset from the outside, by 3/4", so once the 1x8 is attached in step 7, the outside edge of the 1x8 matches the outside edges of the bed legs.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 6
7

Step 7

Attach decorative side rails to the inner side rail. You can also attach these to headboard and footboard for added strength.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 7
8

Step 8

Check with your mattress on slat recommendations. When in doubt, add more slats than needed. For heavier loads, 2x4s could be used. Attach slats to the inner side rails.

$70 DIY Panel Bed with — step 8
9

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/70-diy-panel-bed-free-plans-twin-and-full-sizes