Lyds’ No-Sew Upholstered Bed

Cut Panels

From the OSB/Plywood pieces, cut two identical panels as shown above, or as desired for your headboard. TIP: Use the first corner piece that you cut off as a pattern for the other side and for step 2 (below). You will need to use a jigsaw for angled cuts.

Front Panel

From one of the plywood or OSB panels, mark the center as shown above. Use the pattern from step 1 to mark the sides. Carefully cut out with a jigsaw. You will need to use both pieces, so only cut on the line shown above.

Headboard Frame

Build the headboard frame as shown above. You will need to predrill holes in the 4×4 posts 1/2 way through with a bit sized to the heads of your screws. Then predrill the remaining distance with a bit sized to the shaft of your screws. Use wood glue and 3 1/2″ screws for the 4×4 posts. If you have a Kreg Jig™, you can of course just attach the 2x4s to the inside of the 4x4s. Also, for those of you having trouble locating 4x4s – what you can do is build as shown above, but instead of a 4×4, screw a 2×4 to the joists (blue boards). Then add a second 2×4 to the outside of the first 2×4. This will change your leg dimensions slightly, so you will need to increase the length of your joists (blue boards) by 1″.

Plywood

After building the frame, attach the plywood pieces as shown above to the frame. Use 2″ screws and glue.

Step 5

Step 6

Here is Lydia’s bed at this stage. You also might want to paint or stain your legs at this point.

Upholstering Outside of Headboard Frame

Cut a piece of batting, a piece of burlap, and a piece of fabric 5 yards long by approximately 20″ wide (save the scraps for the siderails). The headboard shown above is the front side of the headboard. Staple the burlap snugly over the outside of the headboard, followed by batting, and then followed by the fabric. Take your time at corners, neatly folding the fabric around the corners for a tailored look. Staple to the inside and to the back of the headboard. Trim excess fabric. Make sure you upholster to the bottom of the plywood spacers on the legs.

Center Panel

Start by covering the center panel in burlap, batting (I like to spray glue the batting on) and fabric. Staple to the back side. Then on the back side, attach a 1×4 cleat to the top as shown above. The cleat should overhang 1/2 way on the top (approximately 2″). Use 1″ screws from the back of the cleat so no screws show in your fabric. If you wish to add buttons, drill holes in the center panel as desired and thread a button through, tying the thread off to a staple in the back of the headboard.

Inset Panel

Insert slide the upholstered panel into the upholstered headboard as shown above. Screw the bottom of the panel to the bottom joist in the headboard as shown above.

Step 10

Your headboard should look like the above bed. Now it’s time for the sideboards and footboard.

Bed Frame

Lydia often remarks that it’s not just the bed that she would have had to buy, but also a box spring. And Lydia’s entire bed costs about as much as a box spring alone would have been. Or a bed skirt. This bed does not require a box spring, but if you already have one, no worries. The box spring will just sit on top of the frame.

Bottom Legs

You will need to attach the bottom 4×4 legs to the bed frame. If you have a Kreg Jig, go that route. Otherwise toenail a few 3 1/2″ screws in (screwing at an angle from the leg into the frame) or use brackets like in this post.

Sideboards

Wrap the sideboards in burlap, followed by batting and fabric and neatly staple to the inside of the sideboards. Then screw to the frame as shown above.

Footboard

Just as you did the siderails, wrap the footboard in burlap, batting and fabric, neatly stapling to the inside. Screw the frame to the end board.

Assembly

The bed can be transported into the desired room in two pieces. To assemble, screw from the frame into the headboard as shown above.

Slats

If you live in a humid environment, air circulation is important, so use slats as shown above or a box spring to support your mattress. You can also use plywood, but this is not recommended, as mildew can build up under your mattress. Make sure you screw the slats down.

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.