Learn how to build this DIY King Size Bed with free plans and a step-by-step tutorial! No fancy tools and perfect for beginners!
I have wanted to build my own bed for years. Before this project, I had a beautiful store-bought bed that I truly loved, but I could never shake the desire to create one myself. Eventually, I found the perfect inspiration at a store called Arhaus. The store is filled with stunning furniture and endless ideas, but it also comes with very hefty price tags. The bed that caught my eye was listed at $3,699 before shipping and tax. No, that was not a typo.
However, instead of buying it, I decided to build my own version, and I am thrilled to say I completed it for under $400. That savings alone made the effort worthwhile, and the end result is everything I hoped it would be. Check it out—my new DIY king-size bed with free plans!
To say I love it would be an understatement. I truly couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
As always, I will walk you through this entire build step by step so you can follow along easily. This tutorial includes 42 photos, so you have been warned, and you will also find free downloadable and printable plans at the bottom of the post.
With that said, let’s get started. I have a feeling writing this tutorial will take longer than building the bed itself, so we might as well jump right in.
Table of Contents
DIY King Size Bed Free Plans
Building the Headboard
Step 1: Cutting the Posts
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!
Step 2: Planking the Headboard
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.
Step 3: Headboard Frame
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 the headboard.
Step 4: Headboard Trim
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.
Check it out below!
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.
Creating the Footboard
Step 5: Frame of the 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.
Step 6: Planking the Footboard
I used wood glue and nails through the back of the supports and into the planks.
Step 7: Footboard Trim
Now, add trim pieces to the front.
Then follow with the decorative side pieces.
Finally, add the 2×6 runners.
I put the top 2×6 on last before moving to the bed’s side rails.
King Bed Side Rails
Step 8: Trimming the Plywood Sides
For the base of the side rails, I used PureBond Plywood. 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.
Now, add the smaller boards.
Step 9: Framing the Side Rails
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.
The Finish
Step 10: Staining the Bed
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.
Assembling the DIY Bed
Step 11: Attaching the Side Rails to the Headboard
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.
Step 12: Attaching the Footboard
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!
FREE PRINTABLE PLANS
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!
This is beautiful!
I Just wanted to say one thing about the 4×4 posts though: you absolutely CAN cut them with a 10inch compound miter saw! I do it all the time!
Thank you for all your wonderful building plans! Y’all are such an inspiration and I love this bed!
Thanks Ashley! Some 10” saw can accommodate, but mine couldn’t at all… Just depends on the brand and model 🙂
I am OBSESSED with this frame, but I have a Cal King size bed. Any tips on how to find new dimensions?
Did you use polyurethane after staining?
Most of the time they don’t use polyurethane on indoor projects. They talk about it in one of their other articles. It isn’t necessary, unless you are concerned about water damage or just like the finished feel of it.
If you don’t mind me asking, where did you snag your bedding? I’m looking for something simple pretty like that.
Hello,
Do you have measurements for a queen size? Also, what about drawers for the sides… would be a great idea! 🙂
Did you use a clear sealer over the stain or not? Thanks
what paint colors did you use in the room?
Nice job ladies! Made one for my wife over the last week. One suggestion though is thbe dimensions. If you build to plan then the frame comes out to wide for a standard king mattress. If you remove the 1×2 slats on foot board and head board then you have the right dimensions. Virtually all king mattresses are 75in wide and 80in long. For now we have to have our mattress rotated until I can dismantle and unscrew and remove those slats… Good thing I did not glue those.
tada – wife liked the mirrors so much she got those too 😉
Nice! So this picture is after you fixed it?
No – still living with the king mattress sideways – really does not make it a big deal – the thing is so heavy would be a day exercise to take apart and remove the 1×2 slats on each side and then trim down the long boards… If I do another one will just be more aware of what the end dimensions should be.
I should’ve look at this before building. You are absolutely right!! Siderails are 79″ but the length of a king matress is 80″. Width of frame is 84″ but width on a king matress is only 76″. So since I’ve built the entire thing and am prepping to sand and stain… I guess I have no other choice but to rotate the matress. A bit disappointing since this thing has taken every evening and weekend for the last two weeks to build… 🙁
The length of the side rails are 79″ but there is additional room for the length of the mattress given the onset of the supports on the footboard. There is extra width on the sides of the bed to drop the comforter inside rather than tucking it. This was done intentionally. I have answered this in a few comments. My mattress is a standard king and it fits great:)
*inset
Hi, thank you for your reply. So sorry, I looked but didn’t see any confirmation from y’all on the dimensions being intentional. Also, I emailed so please disregard that 🙂
I appreciate you responding that this is intentional. I have been slaving by myself building this bed, all 135 lbs of me, so this makes me feel so much better!! I’m super excited to stain it!!!
Thank you again.
I love the bed but I want those mirrors! Do you remember where you bought them?????
Oh wow, what color stain did you use here? I love the gorgeous cherry color!!!!
Love this bed, amazing. Is there any way you will be making a dresser to match? I am looking for a master bedroom dresser to make with good instructions and that matches a DIY headboard.
Where is the ceiling fan from?
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?