Do you have a bed with a rickety metal frame? Or maybe you keep the mattress directly on the floor and don't have a frame at all? Have you ever thought about getting a nice wooden frame for your bed? It can add a great touch of style to your room and you can get rid of that annoying squeaky scrap metal! Keep in mind, though, that wooden frames aren't cheap. Here's a simple project to build one yourself out of wood for a double bed that you can adjust to any height or size you want!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Standard Queen Size Bed
Step 1. Buy everything you need
Read the “Things You Will Need” section for details. The goal is to build a structure suitable for a 150x200 cm mattress. That said, you need to go to a home improvement store and buy three basic things:
- Specific joints for the sides of the bed.
- Wood.
- Screws for wood.
Step 2. Fit the joints for the bed rails
These tools are essential for forming a rigid connection between the sides and the various parts of the frame. Attach them to the ends of the rails and to the butt legs. Check that each joint is secure and repeat the process for all four corners.
- These joints can sometimes be difficult to find at local hardware stores.
- They are usually sold in groups of 4.
- Instead of joints, you can use 8 long wood lag screws. When tightened, these screws make the bed very solid, they are also much easier to find than the specific joints.
Step 3. Screw the support boards to each side
Make sure you place the screws at a distance of 30 cm from each other. This provides maximum support for the weight of the bed.
Step 4. Create the support blocks
Create a groove in the block and support beam, as shown below. This incision should be centered and sized 3.75x8.75cm. The long side of the incision must be parallel to the long side of the block.
Step 5. Secure a support block in the center of the rafters on the head and footboard sides of the bed (see below)
Step 6. Join each rail to the leg using the joints
Step 7. Insert the beams between the two support blocks
Step 8. Lay the plywood on the beams and support blocks
It should enter the inner area of the frame. Once done, you can put the mattress in the frame.
Step 9. Finished
Enjoy the bed!
Method 2 of 3: Platform Bed
Step 1. Get everything you need
You will need a circular saw, a set of “L” brackets, 7.5cm coated screws, plywood or MDF, and several pieces of wood. For the latter, specifically, buy:
- Two pieces of 5x10x212, 5 cm.
- Five pieces of 5x10x167, 5 cm.
- Eight pieces of 5x10x48, 5 cm.
- Two pieces of 4x10x187, 5 cm.
- Four pieces of 4x30x142, 5 cm.
Step 2. Create a base frame
Use the coated screws to attach butt joints to connect the 187.5cm boards with the 142.5cm boards. You will get a rectangular structure with the dimensions of 150x187.5 cm.
Step 3. Add the sleepers
Insert the remaining 142.5 cm boards inside the rectangle dividing it into three parts, always use the coated screws to secure them in place. Keep this basic structure aside for now.
Step 4. Create the platform frame
Still with butt joints and coated screws, fix the 212.5 cm boards together with two 167.5 cm boards so as to obtain a 175x212.5 cm rectangle.
Step 5. Add the sleepers
Insert the remaining 167.5 cm boards inside the rectangle dividing it into 4 sections. Always use coated screws to secure them in place.
Step 6. Add media
At this point, between the crossbars, you need to insert the 48.5 cm pieces of wood, two for each section. Space them evenly but staggered so that the leftmost and second from the right are roughly the same level and the rightmost is aligned with the second from the left. Screw them well.
Step 7. Reinforce the corners and butt joints
Use the “L” brackets for this job and reinforce the corners of both the base frame and the platform. You can also add brackets on the other internal joints to make them stronger.
Step 8. Add the plywood base
Take your measurements and cut them out plywood to match the dimensions of the platform. In practice, it is a question of covering the structure with two sheets of light wood. Secure it to the bed on the inside crossbeams so that the screws do not show on the outside of the platform.
Step 9. Paint the bed
Sand it and then color it (or use a natural tone stain) as you like.
Step 10. That's it
Place the platform on the base structure and find its final location. You can fix the two sections with appropriately placed "L" brackets. Add the double or queen size mattress!
Method 3 of 3: Raised Single Bed
Step 1. Get the material
You will need two IKEA Expedit model libraries, several meters of Velcro, a saw, coated screws, 24 "L" brackets with their respective screws and axes with the following specifications:
- Four pieces of 5x25x95 cm.
- Six pieces of 5x25x70 cm.
- Four pieces of 2, 5x25x41, 8 cm.
Step 2. Make the bottom blocks
You will use the wooden planks to build two shelves that will support, together with the two Expedit bookcases, the weight of the bed. Create 95x77.5cm box-like structures by joining two 95cm pieces of wood together with two 70cm pieces. Secure each piece with "L" brackets in the center.
Step 3. Add another central crossbar
Now center and pin another 70cm piece of wood in the same way, so that two sections are created in each box. Fix the crossbar with the "L" brackets on each side, both at the upper and lower ends.
Step 4. Add shelves if desired
If you want to have shelves you can easily insert planks of 2, 5x25x41, 8 cm. Arrange them in the position you prefer and then hook them with the “L” brackets, two on each side.
Step 5. Add the bottom to the overhead shelf
Trace the outlines on a sheet of plywood and cut it out with a jigsaw. Finally nail it by hand or with a pneumatic nail gun.
Step 6. Add the feet to the head shelves
You will probably want to add felt pads to prevent them from scratching the floor when you move them. They are inexpensive and there are various types.
Step 7. Color all four bookcases with matching colors
Once the shelves are assembled, you can paint the whole structure the same color. Use a spray paint that can cling to the laminate.
Step 8. Secure the plywood to the shelves
Cut a 95x187.5cm piece of plywood. With the two shelves facing outwards and the Expedit bookcases wedged together, nail the plywood using two nails that penetrate the upper edges of the shelves.
You can glue a non-slip mat (like the ones you put under rugs) on the plywood if you like
Step 9. Modify the Expedit bookcases, if necessary, so that they are flush with the extreme edges of the shelves
Step 10. Add the finishing touches
IKEA offers many accessories for Expedit bookcases. You can add baskets, drawers or even simple doors which are available in many color variations. Enjoy your new bed!
This bed should only be used by a child, as the structure cannot support the weight of an adult
Advice
- If you change the choice of materials for the legs and corners slightly you can build a fantastic canopy bed! Suitable columns with a slightly larger diameter are all you need to turn this frame into something exceptional.
- Sand each rough edge to make the texture smooth.
- Drill pilot holes before screwing the planks together.
- Paint the wood with the colors you like best to give it an even more finished look.
