Farmhouse Bed for American Girl or 18" Dolls

Difficulty

Starter Projects

Build your own American Girl doll bed to match our Farmhouse Beds, suitable for 18" dolls. This bed is slightly wider than traditional doll beds, to look more like our Farmhouse Beds. Free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

Collections

Farmhouse Beds

Photo by CPEEPLES

American Girl doll beds can be so expensive! Have you thought about building your own? For about $10 you can DIY your own doll bed, and paint or stain it any color you like!

Here's a few DIY photos from our amazing readers:

american girl doll bed

Photo by LBROWN

american girl doll bed

Photo by KROCHELLE

This project has been a reader favorite for over a decade! It's such a fun and easy project with big results!

Our free plans make it simple!

American Girl Doll Bed Tutorial

Dimensions

Dimensions are shown in diagram

Preparation

Shopping List

2×2 (3 feet total)
2 – 1x3s (10 feet total)
1 – 1×2 (8 feet total)
scrap 1/4″ plywood (you could even use sturdy cardboard here)
1 1/4″ self tapping wood screws (SPAX brand or similar) OR brad nails (if you have a brad nailer)
2″ self tapping wood screws (SPAX brand or similar) OR brad nails (if you have a brad nailer)
Wood Glue

Cut List

5 – 1×3 @ 6″ (Headboard Panel)
5 – 1×3 @ 3″ (Footboard Panel)
2 – 2×2 @ 4 1/4″ (Footboard Legs)
2 – 2×2 @ 11″ (Headboard Legs)
2 – 1×2 @ 12 1/2″ (Bottom of Panels)
2 – 1×2 @ 15 1/2″ (Top of Panels)
2 – 1×3 @ 16 1/2″ (Top of Headboard and Footboard)
2 – 1×3 @ 19″ (Siderails) 2 – 1×2 @ 14″ (Bed Frame)

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Panel Line out your panel boards as shown above. Notice how I rested the panel boards on a piece of 3/8″ plywood?

Step 2

That’s so you can easily line up the panel bottom board on center. Mark and predrill holes with a countersink bit into the bottom panel boards.

Step 3

And screw the bottom panel boards to the panel, as shown above. Use glue and 1 1/4″ screws.

Step 4

Legs Now attach the legs to the panel with 2″ screws and glue. Be careful to screw into the panel boards and the bottom.

Step 5

Attach top with the shorter screws or nails and glue.

Step 6

Top of Headboard Finally, screw the top of the headboard to the headboard, centering on the headboard. You only need 2 screws and glue here.

Step 7

See the size compared to the glue? It’s so cute!

Step 8

Footboard Now build the footboard just like the headboard.

Step 9

Here is both my footboard and headboard. I used scraps, and that’s why you see some pink paint on the legs. I’m not a big fan of waste.

Step 10

Frame Now screw the siderails to the frame as shown above. If you have a daughter anything like mine, a third support should be placed in the center. Place more supports if you are using flimsy material (ie cardboard) for the top.

Step 11

Assembly Now simply predrill holes and screw the frame to the headboard and footboard.

Step 12

Platform And just lay plywood on top.

Finishing Instructions

Finish Used

I filled all my holes with wood filler and let dry. Then I sanded with 120 grit sandpaper. Then I brushed on primer and two coats of Antique White by Valspar in Satin.

Project Type

Beds and Bed Frames

Toys

Doll Furniture

Room

Kids and Toys

Style

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Julie (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 01:11

It's gorgeous! My two girls

It's gorgeous! My two girls got American Girl Dolls last year for Christmas and they have been wanting beds for them. I can't wait to make these adorable beds for them for Christmas! Thanks so much for posting this.

Lisa (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 01:35

Ahhhh, I'm so disapointed

Ahhhh, I'm so disapointed that it's a doll's bed because I LOVE that blanket! It actually reminds me of my baby blanket (which I still use)! The whole thing is stinking adorable! Do you have any idea who made the fabrics?

And thanks for the hit about laying out the boards!

Jaime (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 01:52

Ana you read my mind!!!!

Ana you read my mind!!!! I've been trying to figure this out for weeks but I just couldn't get the dimensions small enough to make it look right. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I recently made a miniature quilt too (and was hoping to make the bed to go with it but I'm no furniture design genius like you) it's here on my blog. I'm off to the garage asap! You really are the best.
Jaime

http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-is-for-trip.html

Amber (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 02:09

That is about the cutest

That is about the cutest thing I've ever seen and I am absolutely inspired to make a quilt for my own bed. That is fabulous. I think I'll have to find a friend with a kid in need of a doll bed.

Tsu Dho Nimh (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 02:25