Compact Modern Farmhouse Bed

Difficulty

Intermediate

If you are looking for a small space farmhouse bed with clean lines and solid wood construction (perfect for staining or painting!), this is the one.

Like a frame for your bedding, this beautiful bed is inexpensive and easy to make.

Free step by step plans with photos, video tutorial and diagrams. Plans to fit twin, full, queen, standard king and California king mattress sizes. By Ana-White.com

Slat System - No Box Spring Required

This bed frame includes a slat system, so no box spring needed. The slats allow the mattress to breathe. This is a great way to use up scrap wood too.

free bed frame plans

Clean Lines, Frames Your Pillows and Bedding

Let your bedding set the style, this modern farmhouse bed will be the frame. Easily change out the bedding for seasonal looks and new styles, the classic frame will go with just about any decor.

compact modern farmhouse bed frame plans

About $100-$200 to Build, Depending on Size

For about the cost of a box spring or a bed skirt, you can build your own beautiful, sturdy wood bed frame!

Compact Design, Great for Small Spaces

With the mattress placed on top of the footboard, this saves space in the room.

small space farmhouse bed

Easy to Change Sheets, Designed for Airbnbs

I designed this bed to use in an Airbnb, where changing bedding must be easy. The mattress is easy to change sheets, since it sits on top and there is no footboard.

Paint or Stain Any Color

This bed is all wood - so you can paint or stain it any color. Go for a stained wood look, especially great in a carpeted room or a room with an area rug. Go for painted finish when in a room with a wood patterned floor.

The Long Term Choice - Sturdy, Solid, Repairable and Refinishable

This bed can be a lifetime bed frame, it is very solid and sturdy. It can also be repaired if needed, and refinished with a fresh coat of paint or touched up.

Video Tutorial of Building this Bed

Want to see this bed being built? Here's a quick video showing the process.

Free Plans in All Mattress Sizes

Here's the step by step plans to build this bed frame, in twin, full, queen, standard king and california king sizes.

Pin For Later!

Dimensions

Compact size, well designed for standard pillows, bins and mattress sizes

Preparation

Shopping List

TWIN SHOPPING LIST (38x75)

1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x12 @ 6 feet long
1 - 2x4 @ 4 feet long
2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
1 - 2x6 @ 4 feet long
2 - 2x2 furring strips @ 8 feet long
5 - 1x3 or 1x4 furring strips (bed slats) @ 6 feet long
1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 15)
2-1/2" pocket hole screws (about 20)
Screws or nails for attaching slats, can be 1-1/4" brad nails or similar length screws (about 20)
2-1/2" long screws for attaching cleats to inside siderails, can be Kreg screws or self tapping star bit screws (About 16)

FULL SHOPPING LIST (54x75)

1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x12 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long (cut 75" piece from this board)
1 - 2x4 @ 10 feet long
2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
1 - 2x6 @ 4 feet long
2 - 2x2 furring strips @ 8 feet long
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 furring strips (bed slats) @ 51" long, or use 26" scrap 1x material
1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 20)
2-1/2" pocket hole screws (about 30)
Screws or nails for attaching slats, can be 1-1/4" brad nails or similar length screws (about 20)
2-1/2" long screws for attaching cleats to inside siderails, can be Kreg screws or self tapping star bit screws (About 16)

QUEEN SHOPPING LIST (60x80)

1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x12 @ 10 feet long
1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long (cut 80" piece from this board)
1 - 2x4 @ 10 feet long
3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
2 - 2x2 furring strips @ 8 feet long
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 furring strips (bed slats) @ 57" long, or use 28-1/2" scrap 1x material
1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 25)
2-1/2" pocket hole screws (about 30)
Screws or nails for attaching slats, can be 1-1/4" brad nails or similar length screws (about 25)
2-1/2" long screws for attaching cleats to inside siderails, can be Kreg screws or self tapping star bit screws (About 20)

STANDARD KING SHOPPING LIST (76x80)

1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long
2 - 1x12 @ 6 feet long
3- 2x4 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
2 - 2x2 furring strips @ 8 feet long
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 furring strips (bed slats) @ 73" long, or use 37-1/2" scrap 1x material
1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 25)
2-1/2" pocket hole screws (about 30)
Screws or nails for attaching slats, can be 1-1/4" brad nails or similar length screws (about 25)
2-1/2" long screws for attaching cleats to inside siderails, can be Kreg screws or self tapping star bit screws (About 20)

CALIFORNIA KING SHOPPING LIST (72x84)

1 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long
2 - 1x12 @ 6 feet long
3- 2x4 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long (can be stud length)
2 - 2x2 furring strips @ 8 feet long
11 - 1x3 or 1x4 furring strips (bed slats) @ 69" long, or use 29-1/2" scrap 1x material
1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 25)
2-1/2" pocket hole screws (about 30)
Screws or nails for attaching slats, can be 1-1/4" brad nails or similar length screws (about 25)
2-1/2" long screws for attaching cleats to inside siderails, can be Kreg screws or self tapping star bit screws (About 20)

Cut List

TWIN CUT LIST (38x75)

2 - 4x4 @ 44-1/2" - headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 38" - headboard top
2 - 1x12 @ 31" - headboard panel
2 - 4x4 @ 13-1/2" - footboard legs
2 - 2x6 @ 71-1/2" - siderails
1 - 2x6 @ 31" - footboard
2 - 2x2 @ 71-1/2" - cleats
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ 35" - slats

FULL CUT LIST (54x75)

2 - 4x4 @ 44-1/2" - headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 54" - headboard top
2 - 1x12 @ 47" - headboard panel
1 - 2x4 @ 47" - headboard base support
2 - 4x4 @ 13-1/2" - footboard legs
2 - 2x6 @ 71-1/2" - siderails
1 - 2x6 @ 47" - footboard
2 - 2x2 @ 71-1/2" - cleats
1 - 2x4 @ 75" - center cleat
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ 51" - slats

QUEEN CUT LIST (60x80)

2 - 4x4 @ 44-1/2" - headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 60" - headboard top
2 - 1x12 @ 53" - headboard panel
1 - 2x4 @ 53" - headboard base support
2 - 4x4 @ 13-1/2" - footboard legs
2 - 2x6 @ 76-1/2" - siderails
1 - 2x6 @ 53" - footboard
2 - 2x2 @ 76-1/2" - cleats
1 - 2x4 @ 80" - center cleat
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ 57" - slats

STANDARD KING CUT LIST (76x80)

2 - 4x4 @ 44-1/2" - headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 76" - headboard top
2 - 1x12 @ 69" - headboard panel
1 - 2x4 @ 69" - headboard base support
2 - 4x4 @ 13-1/2" - footboard legs
2 - 2x6 @ 76-1/2" - siderails
1 - 2x6 @ 69" - footboard
2 - 2x2 @ 76-1/2" - cleats
1 - 2x4 @ 80" - center cleat
10 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ 73" - slats

CALIFORNIA KING CUT LIST (72x84)

2 - 4x4 @ 44-1/2" - headboard legs
1 - 2x4 @ 72" - headboard top
2 - 1x12 @ 65" - headboard panel
1 - 2x4 @ 65" - headboard base support
2 - 4x4 @ 13-1/2" - footboard legs
2 - 2x6 @ 80-1/2" - siderails
1 - 2x6 @ 65" - footboard
2 - 2x2 @ 80-1/2" - cleats
1 - 2x4 @ 84" - center cleat
11 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ 69" - slats

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

HEADBOARD

Set Kreg Jig to 3/4" setting.
Drill pocket holes on ends and top edge of both 1x12 boards, on 3/4" setting.
Attach first 1x12 to the 4x4 legs, set up 1-1/2", using 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Then attach second 1x12 to the first 1x12 and the 4x4 legs.
Next, add the top 2x4, attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Additional screws from top are recommended.
Set Kreg Jig to 1-1/2" setting.
Drill two pocket holes on each end of the 2x4 lower support.
Attach with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws to the 4x4 legs, set up 1-1/2" as shown in diagram.

NOTE: The base 2x4 is not required for twin sized bed frames.

Step 2

SIDERAILS AND FOOTBOARD

Drill three 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x6 boards.

Attach to the 4x4 legs, flush to the outside edges.

TIP: A scrap wood block placed under the headboard attachment point can assist with assembly.

Step 3

MATTRESS SUPPORT CLEATS

To support the slats, cleats need to be attached inside the bed frame.

Measure down 1" from siderails and attach the 2x2 cleats, with screws every 8-12". You can use 2-1/2" kreg screws, or you can use 2-1/2" self tapping star bit screws.

Attach the center 2x4, matching the headboard 2x4 but set down 1" from the footboard 2x4. Attach with two 1-1/2" pocket holes per end, with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Center legs can be cut (cut slightly shorter), but do not add until final assembly. Floors can be uneven, so you want to place the leg(s) in the room.

Step 4

SLATS

Add slats to the tops of the cleats and nail down with 1-1/4" brad nails, or alternatively, screws between 1-1/4" and 2" long. You can use Kreg Screws, but they are expensive.

If you have scrap material, you can use half slats, alternating as done in the video.

All slats should be 3/4" thick.

Try to keep opening less than 4", or as recommended by the mattress manufacturer.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Since there are no exposed fasteners, no holes to fill.
Sand with 120 grit sandpaper, working in the direction of the wood grain.
Vacuum all sanding residue off.
A good sanding will result in a more professional looking product.

Finish Used

I used two coats of semigloss white paint (off the shelf).
I do a final sanding of 220 after the last coat is dry, and sometimes in between.

For a stain, simply follow the stain manufacturers instructions. Clear coat can be added, but it is not a tabletop, so is not required.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames