You will be amazed at just how easy it is to build these cute little farmhouse beds. And how inexpensive! Designed to fit a toddler sized mattress, please read comments as your mattress size may differ and you will need to make slight adjustments for the best fit.
Preparation
10 – 1×2 Boards, 8′ Long (about $1 Each)
1 – 1×3 Board, 8′ Long (about $1.50 Each)
2 – 1×4 Boards, 8′ Long (about $3 Each)
2 – 1×6 Boards, 8′ Long (About $5 Each)
2″ Screws
1 1/4″ Screws
1 1/4″ Nails
Wood Glue
Wood Putty
Sandpap
Cut List for the Headboard
A) 6 – 1×4 @ 18 1/2″ (Center Panel)
B) 2 – 1×3 @ 18 1/2″ (Side Pieces for Center Panel)
C) 1 – 1×2 @ 26″ (Cut to measurement, headboard trim – cut 2 if you do not want a arch)
D) 1 – 1×6 @ 26″ (Cut to measurement, headboard header, use 1×2 if you do not want arch)
E) 2 – 1×2 @ 18 1/2″ (Inside Leg Pieces)
F) 2 – 1×2 @ 30″ (Full Legs)
G) 1 – 1×2 @ 29″ (Top of Panel and Legs)
H) 1- 1×3 @ 30″ (Top of Headboard)
I) 2 – 1×2 @ 6″ (Cut to measure, Inside bottom Leg Pieces)
Cut List for Footboard
J) 6 – 1×4 @ 9″ (Center Panel)
K) 2 – 1×3 @ 9″ (Side Pieces of Center Panel)
L) 2 – 1×2 @ 26″ (Trim for the center panel, cut to measure)
M) 4 – 1×2 @ 15″ (Legs)
N) 1 – 1×2 @ 29″ (Top of the Panel and Legs)
O) 1 – 1×3 @ 30″ (Top of the Footboard)
Bed Frame
P) 2 – 1×6 @ 54 1/2″ ( Side Rails)
Q) 1- 1×6 @ 26″ (Endplate)
R) 2 – 1×2 @ 53 1/2″ (Cleats)
S) 18 – 1×2 @ 26″ (Slats)
Please read comments and be aware that I designed this bed off of crib sized measurements from my daughter's mattress. Your mattress may be of a different size, and you will need to modify the plans to fit your mattress. Many people have done this successfully - please take a second to read comments.
Work on a clean level surface. Check for square after each step. Predrill and countersink your screw holes. Measure and cut all your boards. Use straight lumber. Wear eye and ear protection. Always use glue.
Instructions
Step 1
Headboard Panel. Fasten the center panel boards, shown in green and blue above, to the bottom trim piece, as shown above. I recommend using the 1 1/4″ nails and glue, and fastening from the back into the back side of the bottom trim piece. Measure and cut the bottom trim piece to fit. Then if you are choosing to have an arch, cut out the arch and fasten the header to the center panel. If you do not want an arch, you can use a 1×2 board for the header.
Step 2
Inside Legs. Fasten the inside leg pieces to the sides of the center panel, as shown above. Use the 2″ screws and fasten to the header and the bottom trim, and the side panel piece.
Step 3
Outside Legs. Use the 1 1/4″ nails to fasten the full leg piece to the inside leg piece from step 2. Then use the 2″ nails to fasten the outside leg piece to the header and bottom trim.
Step 4
Top of the Panel and Legs. Use the 2″ nails to fasten the top piece, G, to the headboard. Measure and cut to fit.
Step 5
Step 6
Bottom Leg Pieces. Measure your 1×6 board to make sure it is exactly 5 1/2″ wide. Then use the above diagram to create a notch for the side rails. Use the 1 1/4″ nails and glue.
Step 7
Footboard Panel. Build the footboard panel, shown above, as you built the headboard panel in step 1.
Step 8
Inside Legs. Attach the inside legs using screws to the footboard panel as you did with the headboard panel in step 2.
Step 9
Outer Legs. Fasten the outside legs in place, as you did with the headboard panel. Use 1 1/4″ nails, and 2″ nails where there is more than 2″ of backing.
Step 10
Top of Footboard Panel and Legs. Measure and cut the top of the panel and legs, and fasten in place using the 2″ nails and glue.
Step 11
Top of Footboard. As you did with the headboard, fasten the top piece to the footboard as shown above.
Step 12
Side Rails and End Plate. Begin by fastening the side rails to the end plate using 2″ screws. Then use the 1 1/4″ screws to fasten the end plate to the footboard. Then use the 2″ screws to fasten the siderails to the headboard. The siderails will fit into the opening on the headboard.
Step 13
Cleats. Fasten the cleats to the inside of the siderails, as shown above. Use glue and the 1 1/4″ nails.
Step 14
Slats. As directed above, lay the slats on top of the cleats. Fasten in place with screws.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
Kathy (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:07
I am SO GLAD that I've found
I am SO GLAD that I've found your site! You are amazing! I am always thinking up things that I want my DH, who is a stonemason, not a carpenter, to build. Now I can show him your plans and he will be able to figure it all out! I plan to do a post on my blog about you and link to you, if that's ok?
Blessings.
Tiffany (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:11
thanks for sharing....how
thanks for sharing....how about plans for the oh so cute stand next to the bed??!! ;)
http://stealsdealsandheels.blogspot.com/
Anonymous (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:23
That is beautiful! Actually,
That is beautiful! Actually, EVERYTHING on here is beautiful! -Suzanne
Danielle (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:43
My husband made a toddler bed
My husband made a toddler bed by scaling down your other plans a couple weeks ago. Wish we would have waited for your plans! Probably would have saved us a little time and a lot of trial and error!
Kristin (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:44
I love this! I really like
I love this! I really like how the legs and slats are done. I wish I would have seen this before making my daughter's twin bed. I would have done my legs and slats similar to this instead!!
I second the "oh so cute stand next to the bed" comment. And I think I need one...er...um....my daughter needs one!!!
Leslie (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 09:22
I don't have toddlers but I
I don't have toddlers but I DO have 3 pugs who I think just may have to have their own bed, since they seem to have just about pushed me out of my own. I'm putting this on my "to build" list so that, when I move in 3 months, I can get started. Thanks!
Travis (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 09:54
Looks amazing, I plan on
Looks amazing, I plan on undertaking this project for my daughter. Out of curiosity, what software do you use to draw up your plans?
Bezzant family (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:12
Does this fit a crib
Does this fit a crib mattress?
The Faveros (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:34
I am glad I am not the only
I am glad I am not the only one with a toddler in my bed:) My husband wrote out his own plans after visiting Ikea but I think this would be way easier and for under $50.00 in wood you can beat it - maybe I will make a few for gifts as well:)
Ana White (not verified)
Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:57
Hi Kathy, Thanks you for
Hi Kathy, Thanks you for offering to blog about me - I would be thrilled to be featured on your blog!
That nightstand is cute. I would just buy some turned legs and add some aprons.
I use sketchup for all my plans. It's free!
This bed is designed to fit a standard crib mattress of 26" x 52"
Thanks everyone for commenting. Also, I noticed Ali used 1x3s for her panel trim boards instead of 1x2s. To do this, just cut your trim boards (the 1x2s cut at 26") out of 1x3s.