Modern Farmhouse Bed Frame
Build a sturdy solid-wood platform bed with hidden joints and no box spring. cover twin, full, queen, standard king, and California king sizes.
Specifications
| Project type | Beds and Bed Frames |
|---|---|
| Room | Bedroom |
| Style | Farmhouse |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Estimated cost | $100–$150 |
| Build time | One weekend |
Dimensions
Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.
Shopping List
TWIN — mattress 39 x 75 in
2 - 4x4 @ 6 ft
11 - 2x4 @ 8 ft or stud length, including slats
3 - 2x6 @ 8 ft or stud length
5 - 1x6 or tongue-and-groove boards @ 4 ft
1 - 2x2 @ 6 ft
FULL — mattress 54 x 75 in
2 - 4x4 @ 6 ft
5 - 2x4 @ 8 ft or stud length
7 - 2x4 @ 10 ft
4 - 2x6 @ 8 ft or stud length
5 - 1x6 or tongue-and-groove boards @ 54 in
1 - 2x2 @ 6 ft
QUEEN — mattress 60 x 80 in
2 - 4x4 @ 6 ft
6 - 2x4 @ 8 ft or stud length
1 - 2x4 @ 10 ft
5 - 2x4 or 1x4 @ 12 ft for slats
4 - 2x6 @ 8 ft or stud length
5 - 1x6 or tongue-and-groove boards @ 60 in
1 - 2x2 @ 6 ft
STANDARD KING — mattress 76 x 80 in
2 - 4x4 @ 6 ft
8 - 2x4 @ 8 ft or stud length
11 - 2x4 or 1x4 @ 8 ft for slats
4 - 2x6 @ 8 ft or stud length
5 - 1x6 or tongue-and-groove boards @ 76 in
1 - 2x2 @ 6 ft
CALIFORNIA KING — mattress 72 x 84 in
2 - 4x4 @ 6 ft
8 - 2x4 @ 8 ft or stud length
11 - 2x4 or 1x4 @ 8 ft for slats
4 - 2x6 @ 8 ft or stud length
5 - 1x6 or tongue-and-groove boards @ 72 in
1 - 2x2 @ 6 ft
ALL SIZES
2-3/4 in self-tapping screws
1-1/4 in brad nails
2-1/2 in pocket-hole screws
1-1/4 in pocket-hole screws, optional
Wood glue and finishing supplies
Cut List
TWIN — 39 x 75 in mattress
2 - 4x4 @ 52-1/2 in, headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 46 in, headboard top
2 - 2x2 @ 27-1/2 in
5 - 1x6 @ 39 in, headboard planking
1 - 2x6 @ 39 in
2 - 2x4 @ 75 in, siderail tops
2 - 2x6 @ 75 in, siderails
2 - 4x4 @ 14-1/2 in, footboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 39 in, footboard top
1 - 2x6 @ 39 in, footboard base
2 - 2x4 @ 75 in, cleats
11 - 1x4 or 2x4 @ about 41 in, slats cut to fit
FULL — 54 x 75 in mattress
2 - 4x4 @ 52-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 61 in
2 - 2x2 @ 27-1/2 in
5 - 1x6 @ 54 in
1 - 2x6 @ 54 in
2 - 2x4 @ 75 in
2 - 2x6 @ 75 in
2 - 4x4 @ 14-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 54 in
1 - 2x6 @ 54 in
2 - 2x4 @ 75 in, cleats
1 - 2x4 @ about 76 in, center cleat cut to fit
11 - 1x4 or 2x4 @ about 56 in, slats cut to fit
QUEEN — 60 x 80 in mattress
2 - 4x4 @ 52-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 67 in
2 - 2x2 @ 27-1/2 in
5 - 1x6 @ 60 in
1 - 2x6 @ 60 in
2 - 2x4 @ 80 in
2 - 2x6 @ 80 in
2 - 4x4 @ 14-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 60 in
1 - 2x6 @ 60 in
2 - 2x4 @ 80 in, cleats
1 - 2x4 @ about 81 in, center cleat cut to fit
10 - 1x4 or 2x4 @ about 62 in, slats cut to fit
STANDARD KING — 76 x 80 in mattress
2 - 4x4 @ 52-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 83 in
2 - 2x2 @ 27-1/2 in
5 - 1x6 @ 76 in
1 - 2x6 @ 76 in
2 - 2x4 @ 80 in
2 - 2x6 @ 80 in
2 - 4x4 @ 14-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 76 in
1 - 2x6 @ 76 in
2 - 2x4 @ 80 in, cleats
1 - 2x4 @ about 81 in, center cleat cut to fit
11 - 1x4 or 2x4 @ about 82 in, slats cut to fit
CALIFORNIA KING — 72 x 84 in mattress
2 - 4x4 @ 52-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 79 in
2 - 2x2 @ 27-1/2 in
5 - 1x6 @ 72 in
1 - 2x6 @ 72 in
2 - 2x4 @ 84 in
2 - 2x6 @ 84 in
2 - 4x4 @ 14-1/2 in
1 - 2x4 @ 72 in
1 - 2x6 @ 72 in
2 - 2x4 @ 84 in, cleats
1 - 2x4 @ about 85 in, center cleat cut to fit
11 - 1x4 or 2x4 @ about 86 in, slats cut to fit
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Speed square
- Drill
- Impact driver
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Kreg jig
- Nail gun
- Sander
- Clamps
- Level
- Safety glasses
Step-by-step Instructions
Attach the headboard top
Attach the top 2x4 to the headboard legs with 2-3/4 inch self-tapping screws driven through the top.
Add the headboard cleats
Screw the 2x2 cleats to the 4x4 legs with 2-3/4 inch screws and glue. The original diagram shows 1x2; either works, but 2x2 is stronger.
Install the first headboard plank
Attach the first plank to the cleats, top, and legs. Place tongue-and-groove boards groove-side up. Pocket holes are recommended at the legs and top.
Complete the headboard planking
Attach the remaining boards. If they are not tongue-and-groove, join each 1x6 to the previous board with 3/4 inch pocket holes and 1-1/4 inch screws.
Complete the headboard base
Add the lower headboard member according to the selected mattress-size diagram, keeping the panel square.
Build the side rails
Build two side rails by centering and joining a 2x4 to a 2x6 with pocket holes. Drill attachment pocket holes before final assembly.
Build the footboard
Build the footboard using the same rail construction and attach it to the short 4x4 legs.
Attach the side rails
Attach the completed side rails to the headboard and footboard legs with 2-1/2 inch pocket-hole screws or suitable metal bed brackets.
Install mattress-support cleats
Attach the cleats with 2-3/4 inch self-tapping screws. Add a center cleat and support legs for full-size and larger beds; twin beds do not require center support.
Add the slats
Measure and cut the slats to fit, lay them over the cleats and center support, space them evenly, and screw them 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.
Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/modern-farmhouse-bed-frame