How to build rustic camp style pine bed! Free step by step plans include everything you need to DIY furniture!

Additional Photos

Photo Credits:

Being Brook

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

Handmade by: Sieryn
Handmade by: krisandbert
Handmade by: Christine

About Project

Author Notes:

Can you believe that this bed is made with 2x4s?

Now in fairness, anything Brook touches becomes awesome. This I know. But I still can't help but stare at this beautiful bed!

Brook writes:

To give the wood the aged look I mixed steel wool with vinegar and painted it on with a paintbrush. After it dried I brewed a couple bags of breakfast tea and painted it on. Then I dry brushed on some silver paint in a few spots to give a little added texture and shimmer. The whole bed got a couple coats of polycrylic to protect the finish.

So there you have it. 2x4s, steel wool, vinegar, breakfast tea and some dabs of silver paint. The secret recipe to beautiful rustic simple furniture.

I've shared the step by step plans below, and I hope you take a second to stop over and read Brook's post on building and finishing this bed. Thanks Brook!

And here's the plans!

Dimensions

Dimensions:

Dimensions are shown above.

Materials and Tools

Shopping List:

1/2 sheet - 3/4" thick plywood measuring 4x4 feet
2 – 2x8 @ 8 feet long
2 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
4 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
2 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
2 – 1x2 @ 8 feet long
1x3s for slats or box spring
1 1/4” and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws
1 1/4" finish nails
Wood glue
Finishing Supplies

Tools:

measuring tape

square

pencil

safety glasses

hearing protection

Kreg Jig™

drill

circular saw

nailer

sander

Cut List

Cut List:

2 – 3/4" plywood @ 24” x 37 1/2" (panels)
4 – 1x4 @ 37 1/2" (panel trim)
12 – 1x3 @ 17” (panel trim)
2 – 2x4 @ 48 1/2" (headboard legs)
2 – 2x4 @ 29 1/4" (footboard legs)
2 – 1x3 @ 45 1/2" (top of footboard and
headboard)
2 – 2x8 @ 75” (siderails)
2 – 1x2 @ 75” (cleats)
1x3 @ 39” for slats or use box spring

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Step 1

Go ahead and drill 3/4" pocket holes around side and top edges of both plywood panels. These holes are for attaching legs and top in later steps.

Step 2

Then add the top and bottom trim to fronts. TIP: you can also Kreg Jig the slats (next step) to top and bottom trim before attaching.

Step 3

Attach slats, spaced as shown in diagram.

Step 4

Now for the headboard, attach longer legs.

Step 5

Then add top trim.

Step 6

Footboard is same as headboard, only uses shorter legs. I like simple :)

Step 7

Now let's build those siderails! If you have a boxspring, you probably want the cleat attached at lowest possible position. Without a boxspring - using a slat system - you might wish to attach cleat at highest possible position - 1" down from top edge.

Step 8

Attach siderails to headboard and footboard.

NOTE: For easier assembly/disassembly you can buy special bed hardware for attaching siderails.

Step 9

And finally, add slats or bunkie board or box spring.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions:

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Staining and Finishing Tabletops

Staining Wood Trim

Antique White using Minwax Stain Marker

Not Much >>

What's going on up here in Alaska.

queen size ?

WIll you be doing this in a queen size version?
Also how could you just make the headboard and
attach it to a (free standing) metal frame
for matress and box springs.
Thanks!

posted by sherx2 (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-03-15 13:41

clips

Queen Size

Hi! For a queen size, I'd recommend a few changes. First, I'd like to see the headboard just a little taller. You can do this by just cutting the legs on the headboard longer as shown in the diagram above. This will create a gap between mattress and headboard, no biggie if you are using a box spring. The other option is to make the headboard panel itself taller.

I also made the headers 2x3s to match the overall larger scale of the bed.

I recommend using a box spring to support the mattress. If you must do slats, you will need to add a center support, and most likely, a "5th" leg to the center of the bed.

Hope this all makes sense!

Also siderails are 80" long for a 60x80 queen.

posted by Ana White | on Fri, 2012-03-16 13:27

You mention being able to

You mention being able to purchase special hardware to make assembly/disassmbly easier, but I have no idea what it's called or where to find it. Could someone please provide that information? Thanks!

This bed is awesome, I have changed my mind about which bed I want to build for my husband and I's room several times over now....I'm paralyzed by indecision! ;-)

posted by CGCouture | on Thu, 2012-03-15 13:50

Knockdown hardware

The general term for it is knockdown hardware. In this particular case, you're probably going to be happiest with bed frame brackets, which are sold by Rockler among others. A cross dowel nut might also work, and Tage Frid had a slick little trick he could do with a t-nut, a dowel, and a bolt, so that the hardware was almost completely hidden. The Tage Frid trick is documented in his book on furniture design (book 3 of Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking), if you want to get completely DIY about it.

posted by claydowling | on Thu, 2012-03-15 13:59

knockdown hardware

I used the brackets from Rockler on the Farmhouse Bed I made for my sister. It takes a little work with a hammer/chisel to get them mounted nicely but they work great when they're done! The rails come unhooked on both ends so you can take the bed apart into 4 pieces (headboard, footboard and 2 side rails).

Just be sure you start making the holes for the hooks to slide into with the bracket mounted right side up. I made that mistake and couldn't figure out why the hooks weren't sliding in. Turns out that they were resting on the mounting screw because I put the bracket on upside down! Easy fix but I sure did feel stupid!

posted by Carrie Wittenberg (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-03-16 10:05

We have built two beds of our

We have built two beds of our own design, using some of Ana's as a starting point. We use deck hardware to put the side rails on so then you can unscrew it to take it apart for moving. It's about $20.

posted by Sara Jayne (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-03-16 12:51

Love this!

I was thinking I would just make my girls matching headboards for their beds, but now I'm thinking I might make them matching beds instead! Love this bed! :)

I'm sure I can figure out how to alter it for a king single bed, I'll just measure the mattresses that we already have and adjust the sizes of the wood to fit.

posted by Rachel Harwood (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-03-15 20:03

It looks great!

And if you have the time and material to make a Kentwood shelf as well and put it in the corner, you have a real hit!

posted by Donna @ EdibleCreations (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-03-16 09:47

King Dimensions

I think the work you are doing is great and very inspirational. I have been looking for project ideas for a king size bed. Will you be positing dimensions for this project or is there already a place they can be found for a king?

posted by Michael Brooking (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-03-16 15:52

Thanks Ana !! As always you

Thanks Ana !!

As always you rawk !

posted by sherx2 (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-03-17 01:23

Katie Daisy! I love her

Katie Daisy! I love her artwork!!!

posted by birdsandsoap | on Sun, 2012-03-18 02:30

Toddler size?

I love this bed and can't wait to make it for my son. Can this be made in toddler size?

posted by tcsal (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-03-22 21:40

I love the bedding in the

I love the bedding in the picture, the gray and white comforter, with the green quilt underneath! I've been looking for something similar for quite some time, where did you find the bedding?

posted by Angela Stallings (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-03-25 11:01

Bedding

The green quilt is a cheap one from Target. It was $25 or so for the sham and quilt. I think it is the Target Brand. The striped duvet was $20 and is also from Target. It's the room essentials brand (if I remember correctly!)

The quilt I've had for a year or two and it washes up really well and hasn't faded or frayed at all.

posted by Brook @ BeingBrook (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-03-29 17:31

Full/Double dimensions

Great design. I am going to attempt this on my own, but I have a question: do you have any suggestions on scaling the plan for a full/double bed? I gather that the width of head/footboard are approx. 6.5 inches wider than the width of the mattress, but I'm at a loss as to how to adjust leg lenth, etc. Any advice would be really appreciated.

posted by Walter (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-04-18 01:27

posted by Walter (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-04-18 01:28

Full / Double Size

I really love this design! However, I was wondering if you had a full / double version?
I have 4 teenage boys and they share rooms. Therefore, I was looking at building a full/double size loft with this design and then this same design for the full/double size bed below cabin style. Do you have any suggestions / plans? Also, I would need to install knockdown hardware for when we move...any suggestions? Thank you!!!

posted by mggarrett | on Thu, 2012-04-26 21:08

Paint for Bentwood bedframe

I was wondering if you could provide suggestions for repainting a bed with similar board patterns to the color(s) of the bedframe you have constructed. How do you create that two tone effect? What colors were used? Technique?
My bedframe currectly is two toned but in a Lighter color.

Obviously, I'm a newbie! Thanks for any help you can provide.

posted by Marci (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-06-06 15:50

Trundle?

I would love to make this bed but with a trundle. I have two boys and a smalll room. Any idea if this could be done? Would love some input. Thanks!!

posted by candyfdz | on Wed, 2012-06-27 14:45

Headboard only

I really want to make this for my boys' room, but it's a small room and would be overwhelming as is, so I want to make a headboard only. This would be my first project, and I'm nervous about trying to dissect the wood needed and cut list for just a headboard. Would it be possible to post supplies needed and a cut list to just make a twin headboard, please? Thanks!!!

posted by Lindsay (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-06-28 10:57

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Getting Started

Plan Catalog

Other Stuff >>

Kentwood Bed

Additional Photos

Handmade from this plan >>

About Project

Dimensions

Materials and Tools

Cut List

General Instructions

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Finishing Instructions

May I Suggest a Finish?

Twin, Beds, Bedroom, Kids and Toys, Teens, Beginner, $50 - $100, Children's

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