How to build a king size bed frame

This step by step diy project is about how to build a king size bed frame. If you use the right plans, woodworking techniques and materials, you could enhance the look of the bedroom with a beautiful bed frame. Building your own furniture gives you the opportunity to chose the design, size and finishes that fit you tastes, so you should take up the plunge and dare to create something with your own hands.

From our own experience, we strongly recommend you to buy quality lumber. Choose something like pine boards, as they have a beautiful finish and are resistant to decay. In addition, the wooden boards should be perfectly straight and in a very good condition (no chips, dents, cracks or dents). Design the size of the bed frame and of the wooden components, after deciding what mattress you are going to buy.

There are a couple of woodworking techniques you need to know, before starting the project. Therefore, drill pilot holes trough the wooden components before driving in the screws. In addition, add glue to the joints and align the components at both ends before driving in the screws. Use a spirit level to plumb the headboard and the footboard, as well as to make sure the cleats are horizontal. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 52”, 1 piece of 2×4 – 83 1/2”, 1 piece of 2×6 – 85 1/2” HEADBOARD LEGS & TRIMS
A – 14 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 29”, 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 76 1/2” HEADBOARD PANEL
B – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 25”, 1 piece of 2×4 – 83 1/2”, 1 piece of 2×6 – 85 1/2” FOOTBOARD LEGS & TRIMS
B – 14 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 19”, 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 76 1/2” FOOTBOARD PANEL
C – 2 pieces of 1×10 lumber – 80 1/2” SIDE TRIMS
D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 80 1/2” long, 1 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 76 1/2” long CLEATS
E – 17 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 76 1/2” long SLATS

2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 8 ft
5 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
11 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
25 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
2 pieces of 1×10 lumber – 8 ft
mattress
1 1/4″ screws
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ brad nails
glue, stain

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Adjust the size of the headboard, according to your needs and tastes

Time

One Day

Farmhouse queen size bed plans

Building a king bed

Building a king size bed

Getting a king bed doesn’t have to be necessary an expensive purchase, if you choose to get the job done by yourself. In addition, if you are into furniture with a rustic design, you should find this project useful.

Smart Tip: You should always adjust the size of the bed to your needs and tastes, but you the techniques described below. Always buy the mattress before starting the project.

Building the headboard

The first step of the project is about building the headboard. As you can easily notice in the image, in order to get the job done as a professional, you need to build several components and join them together with screws.

First, build the panel, out of 2×6 and 1×6 boards. You need to lay 14 slats on the ground, making sure there are no gaps between them (cut about 1/2” from the last slats to fit into place).

King bed headboard

Use 1 1/4” nails and a good wood glue to lock the components together in a professional manner. Align the trims with the top and bottom edges of the slats, before driving in the screws. In addition, the corners should be right angled.

Drill pilot holes trough the 4×4 posts and insert 4 1/2” screws into the headboard panel. Attach the header (2×4) and the top trims (2×6) to the headboard with wood screws.

Building the footboard

Continue the woodworking project by building the footboard, using the plans in the image. As we have already highlighted, you need to build the panel first, out of 2×6 and 1×6 lumber. The trims should be flush with the top and bottom edges of the slats.

Footboard

You could adjust the height of the footboard according to your tastes and to the thickness of the mattress.

Installing the side trims

The next step of the project is to attach the sides of the bed frame, as in the image. Use 1×10 lumber to build the trims and lock them to the posts at both ends, by using pocket hole screws. Leave about 6” from the ground to the trims, if you want to get a professional result.

Installing the cleats

Next, attach 2×4 wooden boards to the inside of the frame, as in the image. These cleats will make the frame rigid and support the slats on which the mattress sits. Align the cleats properly, before driving in the 2” screws into the side trims. Place a spirit level on the wooden slats to check if they are perfectly level.

You could adjust the height at which you place the cleats according to your tastes and to the thickness of the mattress.

Fitting the supports slats

In order to support the weight of the mattress properly and to distribute it evenly, you should attach 1×4 slats on top of the cleats, every 1 1/2”. As you can notice in the plans, you have to get even gaps between the slats, so make sure you place a wood block to get consistent results.

How to build a king size bed frame

Last but not least, you have to take care of the final touches. Therefore, you should fill the holes with wood filler and to let the compound dry out for several hours. Smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper along the wood grain and vacuum the residues thoroughly.

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Thank you for reading our article about how to build a king size bed frame and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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