We paired this bed frame with Nathan James upholstered headboard to replicate our favorite Airbnb we stayed at in Telluride. That bed was a $1300 from West Elm. Minus the tools, this bed came in around $500 for everything (including bedding).
Wood: Douglas Fir
Stain: American Walnut
Thank you! My favorite & first is from your mud kitchen! I put in running water!😂 For the GrandLuvs!”
@penny.vanderlugt
Aiden's Clubhouse.
I can't even believe I was able to build this! Everyone thought I was crazy for undertaking such a huge project. I made it a queen size because my son would always sleep in my bed anyways... so I just gave it to him. The bed took 4 weeks because I could only work on it on Saturday afternoons. The first week, I made a frame with cleats on the wall. The second week I built the house and stairs. The third week I built the slide and did some of the painting. Today, I finished painting and trim.
I did modify the plans and merged the plan for the slide into my plan, which was a last minute addition. As such, I had to "measure-and-cut-as-you-go" build this bed. I would highly recommend to anyone considering such a task, don't do that. Make a plan, cut all your wood, paint before assembly, and stick to the plan. My stairs all lift up, and under the top landing there is also a cut out inside Aiden's clubhouse-you can see it behind him in the picture below. Also under the slide is a cut out for storage. I have not done anything with the inside of the clubhouse yet. Someday...
I designed the bed specifically so that I could take it apart if we ever move... we live in an apartment. The stairs/stairwell are only connected to the rest of the bed with a single screw. The other wall is a bit more difficult to remove, but not impossible.
I learned a few things doing this, that I want to share with you all..
1. The Kreg-Jig is the best thing ever.
2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE power tools.
3. 4x4 sheets of MDF are difficult to carry upstairs by myself.
4. I can do anything.
I hope you all like it. This was my son's 4th birthday present and he really loves it.
It isn't finished yet though. The far wall in the room is about 2 ft away from the bed, and I haven't decided what to do with that side of the bed, so it's still plain. I would love some ideas! What do you think?
Sat, 03/10/2012 - 21:56
This is awesome. I love the way the slide goes across the front. It looks so compact and functional.
Sun, 03/11/2012 - 06:30
I did make a couple mistakes with the slide. I made it too narrow. Right now it is 1 foot wide. Next time I would do 1 1/2 feet wide. I also would make the landing at the top bigger. I like the angle of the slide now at 45 degrees, but my son did have to learn how to slide down it without falling foward at the bottom. So, a more well designed slide would be less steep, wider, and with a bigger landing at the top. Another tip... for the top of the stairs, take extra care to make sure they swing straight and are about 1/2 inch less wide than the space so they don't scrape the side of the stairwell walls.
Sun, 03/11/2012 - 06:32
Technically, I did finish the ten dollar ledge above his bed earlier this week, before I completed the bed, but it was all part of the same project! :) The only other thing I've built is 2x4s slapped together to hold aquariums. My other hobby is breeding fish. :)
Mon, 03/12/2012 - 11:29
Yes I actually made a whole frame. Basically just studs - on the walls they are just screwed into studs in the wall, then the other two sides are supported by the walls of the house and a vertical frame piece also. There are two stud slats connected to that, so that bed isn't going anywhere. This is the same method I use for supporting 1500 pound aquariums. I have a bunch of 1x3 slats in there as well...
So, if I want to move the bed, I would remove the side with the stairs (~62 inches)- that whole side is one unit, secured to the frame with one screw, and secured to the other wall by about 5 finish nails and one screw. The longer wall (~85 inches) is secured to the frame by 6 screws.
Queen mattresses are HEAVY. :) I learned that too.
Sun, 01/06/2013 - 08:21
we're making the Playhouse Loft Bed for a queen bed as well. Maybe you can answer a question for me. Are the dimensions to fit a queen size bed as written, or do we need to convert them. A queen mattress is 75 x 80 and it looks like that's what this is made to fit, but I don't wanna find out i'm wrong after I already have that thing hoisted up over my head :) Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Followed Ana’s plans to the inch and I had no issues at all everything fit like a glove. I used knotty pine for all facing boards except for the 2x4 sandwiched second from the top on both head and footboard (used spruce). I used spruce for anything that would be hidden. Glue and #10 fasteners. Instead of screwing the side rail cleats to the foot/headboard post I used 3.5 inch bolts and washers.
A Canadian King is when your dog owns your bed and allows you to sleep in it.
These came together nicely but I definitely advocate the right tool for cutting the curves on the sides. Also, the next time we make them, and we most likely will, I will make the roomy version. The wider size will give us a little more room for a few extra books. All in all the girls are very please with them. I like that they are just above their bed to make night time reading easy and fun. Couldn't have done it without you Ana. Thanks.
We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw. The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify. I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor. I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top. Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker.
This is my first brag post! I modified the base to make benches. I am not super creative or any good at math, so I was super proud :D
I built this book rack using scrap wood and modified plans from the Full Length Plate Rack. It was a really straightforward build, and functions very well as vertical storage that takes up little space. I predrilled, screwed and glued all of the joints, vs. stapling.
We needed a sturdy table but didn't want to spend a fortune buying one so decided to take a stab at building one. Our space isn't too large but also wanted the ability to expand the table with leaves if we have a large crowd. I built leaves by cutting notches in the horizontal leg 4x4 and then sliding in/out with 2x2's attached (see pic).
I will say it makes life a whole lot easier learning how to use Sketchup or some other design software. That way you can visualize what it will look like, cuts you need to make especially if you will be deviating from the original post design and don't want to do math in your head (like me).
Working on getting furniture done for my kids. Gives me something to do when they are away on visitation. New furniture from a store is too expensive right now & gives me something to work on to keep my mind off of things.
Modified to fit a Twin XL mattress.
Fri, 04/27/2012 - 13:37
Beautiful job! I love the color. I have memories of being gone for weekends on visits and coming home to a newly decorated "Rainbow Brite" bedroom and my mom assembling a waterbed for me on the kitchen floor (it was the eighties); it felt great to know that my mom was thinking about me while I was gone, your kids will not forget those things.
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 09:48
Hi!, i am new to all of this and would love to make this bed for my daughter, could you share the measurements for the twin version? thanks!
Sat, 06/02/2012 - 03:12
Hi, I like this bed for my son, also looking for the measurements for the twin version.Thanks
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 20:31
I built a similar bed for my niece. I designed the boxes slightly different however. I followed the Twin Farmhouse plan but removed one board from the headboard/footboard panels. This narrows the width to accomodate the storage boxes. http://ana-white.com/2012/03/twinning
Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17
Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!
Sun, 01/17/2016 - 09:17
Hi! I know this question has been posted before and replied to but, for some reason, I can't see the replies so... would anyone mind maybe sharing their converted measurements for a twin sized bed? Thank so much! This will be our first project and I'm sooo nervous!
Fri, 02/05/2016 - 20:20
I made this bed in a twin. The twin mattress is 39x75. That's 21 inches narrower and 5 inches shorter than a queen. So just make the head board, foot board, and slat measurements 21 inches shorter keeping the height the same. The length is five inches shorter but to get three drawer slots the same size I made mine 75 3/4 long. ( 24 1/4 for each drawer slot).
King bed hand made made with 1by4 pine boards
My husband is deployed and I just decided to start building, to keep my mind busy. I built this table & benches, sanded, stained it & had it in my nook in just 6 days!!! I worked on it every night when the kids went to bed. Thank you Ana White!! :) I will be using this site quite a bit to keep me busy!
Tue, 02/25/2014 - 00:56
Thank you for the idea, i am definitetly going to use your design on a future project of mine.
Tue, 02/25/2014 - 00:56
Thank you for the idea, i am definitetly going to use your design on a future project of mine.
This was the second (larger) type project my husband has completed and I got to help this time! We made this for the loving ladies in our lives for Mother's Day. This one is his mom's and we didn't finish it because we don't know if she'll want to stain or just paint it. It was relatively easy!
This was a very simple and fun project!!! One of my favorites!! Plus I learned two new DIY SKILLS......upholstery & tapered legs!!!
I needed additional seating for my dining room table and wanted something a little unusual. When I saw the vintage pew bench, I loved it. After looking at the plans, I determined I could alter the arm height so we could use it at our dining table. Now that we have moved, we no longer need it at our dining table, so it now sits in our entry. It has been a great multifunctional piece.
Mon, 03/24/2014 - 13:25
Thanks Ana! It is a painting. I bought it in South Korea while we were living there.
I may be able to track a canvas down for you, though. You would have to get it stretched...it would be too large to ship. I have a friend who is living there now. ;-)
Tue, 03/25/2014 - 10:15
Thanks for the reply, what a great find. I just had to comment on how striking it is!
Sun, 09/20/2015 - 16:44
What's the new arm height? I'm going to TRY to adapt this to a 60" bench with two drawers, and the lower arms.
The plans were easy to follow.
Hi Ana,
I just want to thank you for sharing your projects. My father is 92 years and was always a "maker." For the last three years he is living with and being cared for by my sister, but while he no longer has use of his basement workshop, he still gets up early each morning and goes to his small work area in her craft room where he does small projects like bird feeders. He had made and given away so many bird feeders that we were searching for another small project he could take on. I came across your Christmas Tree shelf. My husband cuts the pieces to size and then my dad completes the projects. He has made enough to give his six children and 10 grandchildren each one as a keepsake. Pictured is the way one of the grandchildren has recently used the shelf he was given. So thank you for being so generous with your ideas and plans!
Mary Beth Sharp
I found this project on I different site (sorry) but really wanted to make it for our quest bathroom. It was not to difficult and it really helps to finish off our quest bathroom since it was missing a medicine cabinet.
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 09:40
I know that Ry would love it if you would post a brag post on her site, too!
This was my first attempt at making furniture...but it turned out GREAT! My fiance was about to buy a VERY similar dining room set for $1300 before I stopped her and insisted that I could build it myself, finish it to match our kitchen/dining room, and save a TON of money!
Farmhouse table and bench
