This stunning (and extra sturdy!) Farmhouse King Bed frame costs just a fraction to build vs buy. It's made of solid wood and you won't need a ton of tools to whip it out. You'll love the step by step diagrams, shopping list and cut list.
We also have Queen Farmhouse Bed Plans, and check out our full room build with this bed and matching nightstands.
The very first real project that I ever tackled all by myself was this EXACT Farmhouse Bed in King size.
I remember being stunned at how well the project turned out. And here we are, over a decade later, and it's still just as beautiful, just as sturdy, and I'm just as stunned.
The farmhouse beds have been built thousands of times and is a reader favorite.
What Wood Do You Use
We use standard off the shelf lumber to build - just framing lumber and common boards. You can of course build with any type of wood, just make sure your material dimensions match dimensional lumber sizes (for example a 2x4 is actually 1-1/2" x 3-1/2").
Matching Nightstands
This bed is quite substantial and deserves matching nightstands. I have put together nightstand plans that are designed to match - so you can get a full bedroom furniture set!
Updated Farmhouse King Bed Plans
We have updated these plans to be easier to build and not require pocket holes. You can still access the old plans here.
If you need a different sized farmhouse bed, check out all our farmhouse bed plans here.
Preparation
2 - 4x4, 8 feet long
1 - 2x2, 8 feet long
7 - 1x6, 8 feet long
4 - 1x4, 8 feet long
2 - 2x6, 8 feet long OR stud length
2 - 1x10 OR 2x10 @ 8 feet long
18* - 2x4, 8 feet long OR stud length
2 small L brackets (1-1/2" wings)
2 straight brackets (6" overall length)
150 - 1-1/4" brad nails
150 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws (try SPAX or similar)
*Includes 11 2x4s for the mattress slats. You can substitute 1x4s, 1x3s, ripped plywood etc for the slats if you have other materials on hand
HEADBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 54" - headboard legs
2 - 2x2 @ 30" - headboard cleats
14 - 1x6 @ 30" - headboard panel
2 - 1x4 @ about 77" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4 @ about 84" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ about 86" - measure and cut to fit
FOOTBOARD CUT LIST
2 - 4x4 @ 21" - footboard legs
2 - 2x2 @ 8" - footboard cleats
2 - 2x2 @ 3" - footboard cleats
14 - 1x6 @ 15" - footboard panel
2 - 1x4 @ about 77" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x4 @ about 84" - measure and cut to fit
1 - 2x6 @ about 86" - measure and cut to fit
MATTRESS SUPPORT FRAME/SIDERAILS
4 - 2x4 @ 83-1/2" - mattress supports
1 - 2x4 @ ~77" - headboard tie in - cut to fit
4 - 2x4 @ 12-1/2" - center legs
2 - 1x10 or 2x10 @ 80"
11 - 2x4 @ ~77" cut to fit - mattress slats
Instructions
Step 1
Attach 2x2 cleats flush to the back of the legs, with 2-1/2" screws
NOTE: Pocket hole users can skip this step
Step 2
Layout the 1x6 headboard panels, and measure the overall width.
Cut 1x4 boards to this measurement.
Attach 1x6 boards to the 1x4s with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails from the back side to hide nail holes.
Make sure you apply glue between the 1x6 boards as you go.
Check to make sure that the panel is constructed square (NOT a parallelogram)
POCKET HOLE USERS: Attach 1x4s to the 4x4 legs with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Then nail the 1x6s to the 1x4s inside the headboard panel.
Step 3
Attach panel to the 2x2 cleats with 2-1/2" screws and glue. Also attach with a few 1-1/4" nails through front side into the 2x2 cleat where there is no 1x4.
POCKET HOLE USERS can skip this step
Step 4
Measure the top overall width. Cut a 2x4 to this width. Attach with glue and screws to top of headboard.
Step 5
Cut a 2x6 2" longer than the 2x4.
Attach with 1" overhang on all sides with 2-1/2" screws and glue.
This completes the headboard build.
Step 6
The footboard is constructed the same as the headboard, with the exception of the 2x2 cleats on the back so that the siderail cleats can notch in.
If you have trouble with your smaller 2x2 splitting try predrilling holes.
Step 7
Finish construction of the footboard exactly as you did the headboard.
Step 8
Attach siderail cleats inside the footboard and to the headboard legs. Use 2-1/2" screws to secure.
This completes the footboard.
Consider painting or staining your footboards and headboards and siderails now - then move all the pieces into the room for final assembly.
Step 9
Attach headboard support piece between the siderail cleats.
Step 10
Build the center legs - space the legs about 1/3 the way down - you don't have to be exact here.
Step 11
Attach the center legs inside the bed, splitting the spacing by about 1/3
Step 12
Attach siderails to the siderail cleats.
We recommend using brackets to attach siderails at the top to the headboard and footboard.
POCKET HOLE USERS: Drill a pocket hole at the top and attach.
Step 13
Cut slats and lay about 4" apart in the bed.
Screw down with 2-1/2" screws.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
mike g (not verified)
Sat, 10/27/2012 - 04:44
80"
If you put your rails on the inside of the posts you bring the dimensions down to 77". Leaving only 1/2" clearance on each side.
The fit will depend on your joinery. Bedbolts will give you the 80", installing the rails on the inside of your post will give you the 76" I keep hearing about. How has this not been addressed?
Have fun
-Mike G
kongk
Tue, 05/21/2013 - 05:35
Thanks for this article very
Thanks for this article very helpful. thanks.
Bowflex 552
mvanmeg
Mon, 02/03/2014 - 13:29
Farmhouse bed
Spoke to the folks at the lumber yard and they recommended tongue and groove lumber for the panel. It is 1X6 dimension but has the nice v joint, not flat. I'm looking forward to giving that a try. For those of you struggling to find the 1X lumber - that might work for you. It is a Home Hardware building centre.
usafhughes
Wed, 06/25/2014 - 20:40
regular plans
Can someone please send me the plans for the regular way 76 inches wide 80 inches long.... jessihughes1990@gmail.com...THANKS! I love this bed but me and my husband are both tall and need it the other way.
Greglujan
Sun, 07/27/2014 - 09:34
Shopping list
I think the shopping list above is off. You need more 1x8.
Otherwise, love the plans! Simple and easy to follow.
Home Design
Sun, 08/03/2014 - 21:26
Bedroom Ideas
I Love This Bed ideas, this bed can make a comfortable when slept on this bed
hpu2002
Thu, 10/30/2014 - 18:56
Ana I love your plans. I
Ana I love your plans. I have built a coffee table, farmhouse table, and now this bed. I noticed in the comments that several people would like the regular dimensions for a standard king.
Here is what I did:
First of all. Yes instead of 4 1X8's you will need 5 I cut 9 1x8 boards at 30'' for the head board pannel pieces. I cut 9 1 x 8 pieces at 15 '' for the foot board. NOTE: instead of using 1x3's at the ends of thepannel pieces. I cut 2 1x6 boards at 30'' and 2 at 15'' to replace those. That way it off sets the 4 inches for the head board and foot board to make it 76'' instead of 80''.
The rest of it was pretty easy: I just took off 4 inches on the long items ie:
Instead of the panel trim pieces "4 1x4 at 80'' I made them 76 inches
For the bottom header inseat of 87'' i made it 83'' (headboard and foot board"
For the top header instead of 89'' i made it 85'' (headboard and foot board)
I hope this is not confusing. I also used 2x4's at roughly 72 inches and then some begboard as a "box spring and support" for my 12 inch memory foam mattress. I will upload a pic when I can.
Dave
hpu2002
Thu, 10/30/2014 - 18:59
I forgot to tell about the
I forgot to tell about the side boards. I used 2x12's at 82'' (to add a little room) and used lag bolts to screw them it at 1 inch on each leg.
mikepattenson
Tue, 05/26/2015 - 16:10
After the yard, the next
After the yard, the next thing we focused on was our bed. We’ve always dreamed of having a bed big enough for us to each spread out in without touching each other. Romantic, I know, but I’m sorry… our bodies radiate heat. I surfed the internet and pinned bed frames I liked but kept coming back to the same Pottery Barn King Bed. Being the cheapos we are, we didn’t exactly want to pay for the oh-so-trendy $1,600 name-brand bed I had my eye on.
I started searching DIY projects on Pinterest and came across a DIY Pottery Barn Farmhouse Bed – PERFECT!
We decided to add a few inches to the height of the head board and foot board because I wanted our bedding to fall just below the foot board, not the other way around. We had a saw, a drill, and some wood glue…that’s it. No saw horses, no clamps, no nail gun or compressor. We’re not experts, we’re cheap, remember? We made do using our boat trailer as a sawhorse… Creative!
Now if you're like me who are having a hard time looking for woodworking plan for a project, I highly suggest to DOWNLOAD your own collection for future use..CHECK the link below for reference.
picinichml
Sun, 06/07/2015 - 20:51
Cal king measurements
Hi, this is a beautiful bed! We've got a Cal. King mattress and I would like to know if there are plans for that.