Holy guacamole. This is a big darn bed. I’m so glad I finally get to reveal it to you!
I have been wanting to build my own bed for years now. I had a beautiful store bought bed prior to this albatross. I loved it, but have always had the itch to create one myself. I ran across my inspiration at a store called Arhaus. The store is full of inspiration… As well as very hefty price tags. The original bed before shipping and tax for them was $3699.00. Nope, that was not a typo. I am happy to say that I built my version for under $400. (Insert happy dance) Check it out… My new DIY King Size Bed Free Plans!
Yah. I love it. A whole lot.
As always, I will walk you through this entire build here (with 42 photos… you have been warned) and you can also download and print the free plans at the bottom of this post!
Let’s get started! I imagine writing this tutorial is going to take longer than actually building the bed, so let’s get a move on.
DIY King Size Bed Free Plans
The posts of this bed are 4×4. These are untreated boards and can be found at both big hardware stores. You won’t be able to cut through a 4×4 without a 12″ miter saw. So, if yours is smaller, you can have the hardware store make these few cuts. You can also use a hand saw with a little elbow grease. Or, upgrade your saw! I use Ridgid’s 12″ sliding compound miter saw, but I am so pumped to try out Ryobi’s new 12″ sliding miter that comes out in a few weeks!
Watch our How to Use a Miter Saw video HERE!
I decided to attach all of the planks before building the actual headboard support so I could get an exact measurement. I used white wood boards to keep the cost down, and I love how rustic they look when stained. I used my Kreg Jig for this entire build. I use the K5, but I also own the K4 and the new Foreman. I love every single one of them for different reasons. If you are looking to invest and get one, I would go for the K5. It’s a small amount more than the K4, but I find that it’s much more user friendly and has lots of upgrades that make it my fav. And, it’s easy enough for a beginner. In fact, I would suggest beginning with a Kreg Jig. They make building much easier.
Watch our How to Use a Kreg Jig Video HERE!
Let me explain how I did the pocket holes on the headboard. This uses 1×6 and 2×6. I didn’t do pocket holes in any of the 2×6. I did most of the planks with 3/4″ pocket holes down one side like this…
When I lined all of my boards up, you can see that on the boards sitting next to the 2×6 boards, I did pocket holes down both sides. This allowed me to attach into the 2×6 as well as the next plank.
Here it all is laid out and you can see where all of the pocket holes were positioned…
Once I had that finished I took the measurement to build the frame that sits behind it. For this I used 2×3 boards and made 1.5″ pocket holes on each end. I used 2.5″ pocket hole screws to attach them to the 4×4 posts. You want the face of the support to sit 1.5″ from the front of the posts. This will allow it to all line up correctly. Once the frame was made, I laid it on the back side of the planks. I used wood glue and 1.25″ finish nails with my Ryobi 16G finish nailer to attach through the frame and into the planks.
Here is the front of it…
Next, you will add trim pieces. These are simple cuts. I measured the space exactly on each one rather than going from the plan. I used wood glue and finish nails through these pieces and into the front of the headboard.
First two lines of planks glued and nailed…
Now for the decorative side pieces. These were simple to make with my jig saw. I started by making just the miter cut on the 2×4 using my miter saw.
I clamped that piece to my workbench and drew out the design per the plan.
Then, I just used my Ryobi 18V jig saw to cut the design out slowly.
Here it is…
Add some glue to the end that will attach to the bed…
And I secured it using my finish nailer with 2″ nails.
Next, you will add the 2×6 boards. These are heavy. I used a good amount of wood glue and 2″ finish nails to attach it in place. I also ran a few wood screws through the back of the headboard after that and into the 2×6 just to be extra safe.
I also added the top board at this point. After glueing and nailing it with 2″ nails, I did add some wood screws through the top and into the headboard just to be extra safe.
See my new Kreg clamps?? I love them. I have 4 and I want 36 🙂 They are like having an extra set of hands around and they are so simple to use.
Headboard finished. Moving onto footboard.
This is basically the exact same build as the headboard with different measurements. I did do everything the same though. Here are some photos to show you…
I did use 1×4 for the supports on the footboard since it wasn’t as large as the headboard. I used my right angle clamp to hold it all in place while I attached using 2.5″ pocket hole screws into the leg.
Here is the frame ready for the planks…
I used wood glue and nails through the back of the supports and into the planks.
Added my trim pieces to the front…
Then my decorative side pieces…
Now the 2×6 runners…
I put the top 2×6 on last before moving to the bed’s side rails.
I used PureBond Plywood for the base of the side rails. I had the guys at Home Depot rip mine to size so I could get it home easy. I used Birch. You will start with two pieces that look like this…
Next, I used wood glue and 1.25″ finish nails to trim these out starting with the top board.
Next, I added the smaller boards.
Once I had this trimmed out I used my Kreg Jig to make 1.5″ pocket holes on each end and running down the top of each side rail. I used my K3 mounted to a board to make my pocket holes.
The ends of each side rail should look like this…
I used 2.5″ pocket hole screws to attach the top 2×3 and the side rails.
And here she is ready for stain! I stained everything before getting it inside.
I used a new fav stain color on my bed. It’s called Ash by Varathane and you can find it at Home Depot. It’s not a very dark brown, but where the grain catches the stain it really goes a black tone which I love.
Now putting it together… This was something I did enlist lots of help on. My hubby and his friend moved the headboard in first. Then I cut a few 4×4 scraps to help hold the rails in place while I used 2.5″ pocket hole screws through the pocket holes on the rails and into the legs.
After that I did the same to the footboard. Finally, I cut all of the planks to run under the mattress. These all use a block under them to support the weight of the mattress. I nailed them in place with 2″ finish nails into the runners on the sides.
That’s it! Told you it would take forever 🙂
But… I LOVE IT. I will say… This is not a super advanced build by any means. All of the cuts are straight and many are the same. I would say it is very labor intensive. I was sore for two days after building it… Which really is more a testament to my physical health, but we’ll blame the bed. 😉
I hope you LOVE it as much as I do!
You can download and print the FREE plans by clicking HERE
The bedding was a Valentine’s gift from my hubby. It’s all from Restoration Hardware.
The large metal ampersand magnet board can be found HERE!
The color on the walls is Valspar Homestead Resort Parlor Taupe.
The mirrors are from Hobby Lobby as well as the hooks I used to hang them. Wayfair carries one that is very similar and super cute HERE!
The nightstands are a little sneak peek for next week or so… One isn’t totally finished but you guys will love them!
How well does this hold up if you need to dismantle and move? Can you reuse the same pocket holes without compromising the wood?
The plans for this is super confusing. The things that are labeled 1x2x8’ is actually supposed to be 1×1.5. In a hardware store, things like 2×6 is actually 1.5×5.5 so that is obvious and doesnt need to be cut down to 5.5 in order to fit the 80” length for the headboard. But you cant usually buy a 1×2 so you make it. We made it into an actual 1×2, turns out it made the headboard 1” too long because the instructions are unclear. I think you guys need to go back and edit some things and make it to be the actual exact measurement. Also possibly labeling A-Z pieces because some of the colors are off as well….just the overall instruction is very unclear and for beginners would lead them in the wrong direction…thankfully we were able to figure this out but not until after we put together the headboard to find out it doesnt fit into the frame. Also pocket holes are misleading. We used two different pocket hole drill bits (older version vs new version) and they were different lengths so telling us which size to use ends up messing it up a lot because your pocket hole could be different than ours. Good start to do this but a lot of confusion.
For those who are moving or need easy transport —> we decided to use hinges instead of screwing it together so it comes apart in 4 pieces and the middle we are making a ledge to rest the boards on and use nylon rope across them so they can be easily packed up so nothing is screwed down. This is how a lot of big manufacturers make their beds so its easy to put together
Do you have pictures of how you did the hinges and rope part
Think you’re the only one confused…. 1×2 is how a hardware store labels the product! It’s the same as a 2×4, 2×6 or any others!
Can I simply subtract 16 inches from all width measurements to make this work for a queen size bed? I just want to make sure there are no other issues that I am missing.
matt, did you make the queen version? I really want to make this for my wife. Thanks!
Do you have any plans available for dresser and nightstands to go with this
Hi Matt. Did you ever make the Queen size bed?
I’m in the end stages of making a queen version of this. The instructions show the boards laid out for the headboard and footboard as: a 1×2, (3) 1×6, a 2×6, (6) 1×6, a 2×6, (3) 1×6, a 1×2
I just eliminated 1 1×6 from each section, making my layout as: a 1×2, (2) 1×6, a 2×6, (5) 1×6, a 2×6, (2) 1×6, a 1×2.
I cut my side rails last night, propped them up in place and everything seems to fall into place😁 I’m so excited about making this bed.
How heavy is this bed? Can it fit through a regular door frame? My big hesitation with trying to duplicate this is the fact that we will have to move in a few years…
I love the stain. I have tempurpedic ADJUSTABLE BED. (Also a California king) so it’s very difficult to find a product. Am I able to make this as just a headboard or use measurements and not have the wooden slats? Our bed needs to sit in the frame from tempurpedic and the wooden would just be kinda built around it. Thanks!
My husband is just finishing up this bed!! I’m worried about stain transferring onto bedding…did you use polyurethane?
you absolutely need to put a sealer on top of the stain. I used poly.
Did the stain transfer to bedding? And did you love the bed?
do you have a queen size bed plans & a dresser?
Beautiful work! I’m planning on building an entire set in this style. Any chance you will be building a dresser?
I’m also interested in a queen size plan for this!!!!!!!!
Me too! Have they posted one?
Me too…I plan to build this.
WOW!!! Amazing. Me and my husband will be building this soon for our room. Great Job!!!
Yeah!! Thanks Mary! Can’t wait to see yours 🙂
Is this for a regular king size mattress and can it be done as a platform bed?
How high on the bed rails do you attach the slat rails?
Love the bed! I have been thinking of building is a new bed for our room but I am struggling roth not having matching dressers. What do you do as far as dressers and other furniture in the room. Try to match it? Go country white? Any suggestions? Thanks!!
That’s a great question Erica… I don’t have a dresser in my room but I know what you mean. Painting is a great option and fun way to split it up if you are unable to match the finish. Another option would be to paint the dresser and add a stained plank top to match the finish on the bed… Just some ideas!
Hi there! What did you use to apply the stain/finish?
I so want to build this! I was going to buy a king bed, but this is better ! I just got done building a castle bed for my daughters , so I know I can do this. I can’t wait for the nightstand ones!
Awesome Kay! Yes you can totally handle this! Sharing the tables soon! 😉
Beautiful bed!!! I sent my friend the link for her husband to check it out. I just have a quick question. Where did you get the mirrors above your bed?? Thank you!
Just saw they are from Hobby Lobby! Oops.
Glad you found it 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your plans on this bed and all the other great items you have built. I bet its an awesome feeling to stand back and say WOW! I built that with my own hands. Thank you Jesus for giving me insight and the ability to use my hands to built and create. Keep up the great work.
You got it Mary! We are so thankful for this blessing that God has given us and even more grateful for the opportunities He has given us to share it all with you guys. Thank you so much for your encouraging words this morning. They mean so much!
Is there anyway you can create a queen size plan for this bed I love it 🙂
Me too. Have they posted one?
I actually finally finished building the queen. I found that if you got rid of three 1×6 planks on the headboard and footboard it fits a queen mattress perfectly. I also didn’t use the 1×2’s either. I worked off this plan and Ana Whites farmhouse bed for measurements.
awesome thanks!
can you post a picture
I have one posted in the readers projects. It has the love canvas over the bed.
Great place to learn how to make it yourself much much cheaper. Just google for ‘woodprix’ website:)
just do it yourself , go to woodprix page and turn your idea to reality.
Do you have a box spring with this bed?
Yes… But you don’t have to!
This may be an incredibly stupid question but how would it be possible to do this with the box spring and still get the same look and height?
Hello, This bed is excellent. Thank you for posting the plans. My wife has given me my Honey-Do for the weekend. However on the plans, at the bottom of page 3, the 1x4x8’s do not have a length cut. Based on the scale of the other cuts it appears to be 79″ or 80″. Can you please clarify?
Thank you for catching that! 80″! I’ll get it fixed and send a pic when you get it finished!
Thank you so much for the prompt response! You are welcome. Glad I could help!
Got the new plan updated this morning if you want to download it now… Thanks again! 🙂
Are the bedside tables a plan here in the website?
They will be! Next week or the one after 🙂
Would you mind giving us a cost break down?
It was under $400 for the lumber… One the 1x boards I did use whitewood to keep the cost down. Hope this helps!
Materials only under $400 but you said very labor intensive so if you add your labor where does that put you is it right up there at the one you first looked at a cost of close to $4000 I know some people have the time on their hands to do as a hobby but to make this and sell it it is a little misleading because labor is not free. Very nice bed. And the cost of your tools has to be taken into consideration.
I built one similar with 6 drawers underneath in about 20 hours. This was the first one I ever made and woodworking is a new hobby for me. If I was making these on a regular basis I am sure I could cut that time down even more. If I sold mine for $1750 I would still be making decent money.
Hi! Could you advise on adding the drawers? I would love to do that.
how did you do your drawers?
I made my own variation of a bed that I Like to Make Stuff made in a YouTube video. I added a three foot deep drawer in between the two sides for shoes
I believe this article is titled DIY, not build and sell for a living.
Does anyone have a plan for the queen bed yet? I see someone says to take away 3 of the 1×6 boards, but what other pieces need adjusted because of this? The whole width adjusts, not just the back panels.
Yes please total for material and labor
WOW! You are right, it is simple. Looking at it you think it is harder. I cannot tell you how much I love this design. GREAT JOB!
Thank you Stephanie! Glad you see that… And thanks for your sweet words!