The blog favorite Farmhouse Bed, now in California King! This bed plan is a must read, as the construction is a tad different to accommodate no 4x4 posts and an easier method of joining the siderails with the headboard. Special thanks to JME Blog for their marvelous photos!
Preparation
9 – 1×8 boards, 8′ Long
1 – 1×3 board, 8′ Long
2 – 2×6 board, 8′ Long or Stud Length (doesn’t matter)
13 – 2×4 boards, 8′ Long or Stud Length (doesn’t matter, you may need more or less depending on if you have a box spring or not)
3″ self tapping wood screws
2 1/2″ self tapping wood screws
2″ self tapping wood screws
1 1/4″ nails for a brad nailer
Headboard
- 4 – 1×4 @ 72 1/2″ (Panel Trim)
- 2 – 1×3 @ 30″ (Ends of the Panel)
- 9 – 1×8 @ 30″ (Main boards in the Panel)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 34 1/2″ (Inner Leg for Headboard)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 54″ (Outer Leg for Headboard)
- 1 – 2×4 @ 78 1/2″ (Top of Legs and Panel for Headboard)
- 1 – 2×6 @ 80 1/2″ (Top of Headboard)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 10″ (Bottom Leg Piece for Headboard)
Footboard
- 4 – 1×4 @ 72 1/2″ (Panel Trim)
- 2 – 1×3 @ 15″ (Ends of Panel)
- 9 – 1×8 @ 15″ (Main Boards in the Panel)
- 4 – 2×4 @ 21″ (Legs)
- 1 – 2×4 @ 78 1/2″ (Top of Legs and Panel for Headboard)
- 1 – 1×6 @ 80 1/2″ (Top of Headboard)
Siderails and Frame
- 2 – 2×10 @ 87 1/2″ (Siderails)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 88 1/2″ (Side Cleats)
- 8 – 2×4 @ 69 1/2″ (Joists, you can use less if you have a box spring, may need more if your mattress is flimsy or you choose not to add plywood to top)
- Optional plywood on top of joists
Instructions
Step 1
Front of Headboard Panel. Lay out the panel pieces on a clean level surface. Take a measurement of the total length and cut your trim boards to this measurement (approximately 78 1/2″). Then fasten the trim pieces to the panel as shown above. Use the 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Attach from the back to hide your nail holes.
Step 2
Back of Headboard Panel. In the same manner as step 1, fasten the back trim pieces to the headboard. This is shown above. Use glue and 2″ nails. This will be the back of the headboard, as your nail holes are showing.
Step 3
Inner Leg. Predrill and countersink your screws, attaching the inner leg to the headboard panel as shown above. Use glue and the 3″ screws.
Step 4
Outer Leg. Fasten the outer leg to the inner leg, using the 3″ screws and glue. Again, use the countersink bit. Keep top and outside edges flush.
Step 5
Step 6
Bottom Leg Piece for Headboard. Use the 2″ screws and glue to attach the bottom leg piece. Countersink your screws. You may need to shorten or lengthen the bottom leg piece, depending on the thickness of your side rails. Take a measurement of your side rails before cutting this piece.
Step 7
Footboard. Except for the changes in the legs as shown above, the footboard will be assembled just like the headboard. The footboard leg pieces are identical in size and there is not bottom leg piece.
Step 8
Siderails and Frame. Begin by building the frame using 3″ screws and glue. The above joists are shown spaced every 12″. You may need to add more if you are not using a box spring (standard maximum slat spacings is 6″), and you could possibly get away with less if you have a good box spring. Remember, king beds often have 2 box springs.
After you have built the frame, attach the side rails to the frame. Keep the front edges flush. The bottom edge of the frame will overhang the siderails by 5/8″. Please note that you can adjust the height of the frame to suit your needs, higher for no boxspring, lower to accomodate a box spring.
Step 9
Attaching the siderails to the Headboard. You will only need a few screws on each side rail to attach the siderails to the frame because the bottom leg piece holds the weight. Predrill and countersink your screws, using 2 1/2″ screws. Do not use glue here.
Step 10
Attaching to the Footboard. Fasten the bottom frame joists directly to the footboard panel as shown here. Use the 2″ screws, but no glue.
Comments
Rachel (not verified)
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 14:55
Is it okay if I tell you I
Is it okay if I tell you I LOVE you??? LOL I have been looking for this exact bed!!!!!! I'm sooo excited, thank you thank you!!
You are no less of a wife or mother for eating off paper plates!
Ana White (not verified)
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 15:36
This bed can be easily
This bed can be easily assembled and disassembled. Just use screws and no glue when you connect the frame to the headboard and footboard. Even retail beds often just have predrilled holes to connect the frames to the headboard.
Amanda (not verified)
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 06:11
Is there a quick reduction in
Is there a quick reduction in some lengths to modify this plan for a traditional King size rather than a California?
Marisa (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 14:12
Hey Ana! I love your blog, i
Hey Ana!
I love your blog, i just discovered it recently! It's amazing and i already have several projects in mind! Thanks so much for all of your hard work on this!
Just one quick question, I'm having my hubby help me make this bed, w/ the modifications for the California King size, and I didn't see the 1x4's on the shopping list.. i've looked at teh other plans and some say 8 or some say 7.. So how many should i Buy? Thanks so much again!! :)
llegue (not verified)
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 06:14
I love it! Do you have the
I love it! Do you have the dimensions for a queen?
Becky Jean (not verified)
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 21:19
There are Four beds in my
There are Four beds in my house and not a one with a headboard or footboard. Would it be weird if we all had matching beds? I love it, thanks for the great job!!!
Becky Jean (not verified)
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 21:21
oh yeah, and go for the
oh yeah, and go for the paper plates because you are conserving water :)
Melinda (not verified)
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 07:41
I made my farmhouse bed this
I made my farmhouse bed this weekend!!(ok, my dad and husband helped a little!) Yeah! Now I want to paint it that antique black you have in the picture but I bought paint and did a practice block and it looks horrible! HELP!! How do I get that look!?
Scott SS (not verified)
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 19:11
I'm so excited to make this
I'm so excited to make this bed. It's my first project and I have a few questions.
We have a Cal-King and it's a latex bed without box springs. I'm trying to figure out the height the bed will need to be to avoid having a gap below the headboard, and if we should make the footboard and/or headboard taller. I also wanted to make sure that 2x4 slats would be a good idea, since I'm about 240lbs. the bed is for my wife and I, with the heavier latex bed. I'd appreciate any extra tips. I've been getting used to the new site and combing through it looking for any other tips. I couldn't find the modification that someone did to make the footboard taller...
Thanks again! You're an inspiration!
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 06:42
Hi Scott, my husband is over
Hi Scott, my husband is over 200 pounds and we have this bed in a king, so 78" wide x 80" long. We've had our bed for quite a few years, and it's still as sturdy as every! What I did with my bed is build frame with 2x6s (shown in the queen sized plans) and then topped it with plywood. BUT this method doesn't allow your mattress to breathe, and if you live in a humid climate, can cause mold growth. So that is why I recommend the slats. The most foolproof way of adding extra support to the center would be to add a third cleat down the center, and then a fifth leg in the very middle of the bed. You will never have an issue with support if you got that route. Good luck with your bed - and making the footboard taller would just be a matter of adding a specific number (for example 6 to make your footboard 6" taller) to the legs and the panel boards. Super easy. Ana