It has been bonkers around here.  We spent the last week shooting our first several videos for our new YouTube channel that we are launching in the next month!  Be sure to subscribe!  Somehow during all of that I managed to build my daughter’s bed and finally start transforming her room.  I have 5 kids, and I already did my oldest and youngest daughters’ rooms, and she has been very patiently waiting for me to tackle hers.  I hope she thinks it was worth the wait 🙂  Here is her new DIY Twin Platform Bed and Headboard!

Shanty2Chic DIY Twin Bed

What do you think?  I LOVE IT!  I designed this one with a taller headboard, and love the outcome.  This is for real a very simple build!  I had the whole thing done in a day, and I do think it’s a great first build if you have had the itch to start.  As always, I will walk you through the entire build below, and you can download and print the FREE PLANS for this baby by clicking HERE!

This is a two-part plan.  You first build the bed, and then the headboard.  You can totally use one without the other to fit your needs and space which I also love!

Before building the bed, I ran all of my 2×4 through my table saw to cut off the rounded edge.  This step is completely optional.  I feel like it gives the furniture a more professional look, a little less like you built it out of 2×4 😉

rip sides of 2x4

I started with the bed.   I used my Kreg Jig on both pieces.  Many of you ask which Kreg Jig to start with.  There are many to choose from, and we have used and own most of them.  We totally recommend starting with the K5.  It is larger than some of the other models, but it’s more used friendly, and you will instantly become hooked.  Trust.  You can check it out HERE on Amazon!

I started by making all of my cuts on my miter saw,  and then I made the pocket holes.  The bed is made from 2x boards, so I made 1.5″ pocket holes.

Kreg Jig Pocket Holes

side supports

I used my Ryobi drill to attach the sides of the bed to the feet of the bed with 2.5″ pocket hole screws.  The feet!  I forgot to tell you about those 🙂

We got these from our good friends from Osborne Wood, and you can purchase them HERE! and you can also find them on Amazon HERE!

Osborne Furniture Foot

attach side rails to feet

Next, I attached my side support boards with wood glue and 2″ torx screws.  I used my Ryobi impact driver for this part, but you can use a drill as well!

wood glue

attach side supports

Once I had both sides done like this, I attached my back and front pieces to form the frame of the bed.  I use wood glue and 2.5″pocket hole screws through the pocket holes and into the feet to attach this part.

attach back to sides

The center support board was next.  I used a few small scrap blocks cut to the right size to hold this board in place while I attached it with pocket hole screws.

attach support piece

Your final step on the bed is to attach all of your runners that will hold the mattress.  I used my Ryobi brad nailer to hold each of these in place.  The bed should look like this at this point…

bed shot

Now for the headboard!  I started by making all my cuts for the planks.  These are all the same length, but will get different pocket holes.  Some will get pocket holes on the short ends only, and others will get them on both short ends and down the long sides.  These will all be 3/4″ pocket holes since you are using 1x boards, so be sure to adjust your Kreg Jig before making them!

Kreg Jig K5

board cuts for headboard

boards for headboard

You can see in this picture how you will alternate the boards with the pocket holes when you attach them.

back of headboard assembly

I used 1.25″ pocket hole screws to attach all of the boards on the headboard.  I did all of my planks first.

attach back with pocket hole screws

build the headboard

Next, I attached my 1×2 boards down each side using the same screws.

attach sides of bed

side of headboard

I attached the back support boards with wood glue and 1.25″ finish nails and then attached the top board with pocket hole screws through the support boards and into the top.

add top of headboard

Another shot…

back of headboard

My final step before staining was to cut and add my cove moulding.  This is really simple.  I cut at a 45 degree angle and hold the moulding in place to mark how long I need to cut it.  It just wraps along the top.  I attached this with wood glue and small brad nails.

nail cove molding

Time for stain!  I used a mixture of stains to create this finish.  I love the weathered grey finish by Varathane at Home Depot, but to me it can look a little too blue.  So, I like to mix it.  I added some Early American, about equal part of each.   Just mix it with a stir stick and you’re ready to go!

Weathered Gray Wood Stain

Varathane Wood Stain Early American

Here it is all finished up and in her room!

DIY Twin Bed by Shanty2Chic

Shanty2Chic DIY Twin Bed

DIY Twin Platform Bed by Shanty2Chic

Now for the fun stuff….

The bedding is AMAZING.  I discovered Beddy’s last year when I was redoing my other daughter’s room and I seriously fell in love.  It’s zipper bedding, to make it easy for the kiddos to make the bed.  And, you can’t tell!  I have been amazed how well it holds up to washing and drying too, which I have had to do a lot of with my littlest one.  Check them out!  You will love their products!  You can also find them HERE on Amazon!

The wall decals are from Urban Walls… LOVE.

The H is an MDF piece I found at Michael’s super cheap and painted.  I attached with command strips in case I ever don’t want it there.

The two pink pillows and throw blanket are from Target.

The wall color is Embellished Blue by Sherwin-Williams SW-6749 and the trim color is Antique White by Sherwin-Williams.

The cute little tassel thing above the bed is from Hobby Lobby.

Whew…. I think that does it.

Let me know if you have any questions at all and thanks so much for stopping by!

~Whitney

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83 Comments

  1. It looks great, your post is helping me a lot. I would love to see more about it. Keep sharing and updating us. Such a useful post

  2. I absolutely love this bed! We are thinking about building it but really need a Full/Queen. Can the measurements simply be adjusted to make it bigger it will other adjustments be necessary?

  3. Hello, wondering what color you painted the MDF letter? It is hard to tell in the photo if it is a light color paint/stain, or silver spray paint?

  4. The above article is regarding a twin-sized bed, but the downloadable plans appear to be sized for a queen-sized bed. Is this correct?

    1. It’s a twin! I just made it following exact measurements and it fits my daughters latest twin mattress great. It’s a bit low without boxspring but works great for her as she is just two.

  5. Do you sand after you stain? I tried using the weathered grey stain and it went on like paint, really thick. Am I puting too much on? I tried twice, once with a rag and the other time with a foam brush. Both times it turned out more like grey paint and not weathered at all. I also sanded it with a 220 grit sand paper before and a little after. Any advice would be great.
    Thanks.
    Angie.

  6. This looks great! I love the idea of mixing the weathered gray stain with the american. Have you tried mixing with a darker stain like the walnut? I have been thinking about doing that recently to see how it turns out.
    I also adore the high headboard – it makes it look so cute and classy 🙂
    All my best,
    Kelly