How to Build a Post Bed With PVC Pipe

PVC pipes are lightweight yet strong enough to support weight.

In the 1600s, England was familiarized with the idea of a four-post bed. Since the size and comfort of the bed was associated with wealth, the larger post beds became coveted by royalty and the financially elite. Today beds are no longer used to display wealth, but the four-post bed is still an expensive purchase. If you want the look of one without the price tag, make your own using PVC.

Things You'll Need

• Tarp
• 4-way corner joints
• 3-way Tee joints
• 2-inch PVC pipes
• Mattress
• PVC end caps

Instructions

1. Set up your work space in a garage or empty bedroom. You need 6 feet of open space to construct the bed. Purchase PVC pipes, pipe connectors and PVC glue at a home improvement store.The stores will cut PVC for you, saving you from having to cut it yourself. Cover your work space with a tarp to protect it from spilled glue.

2. Place a 4-way corner joint on the end of 14-inch PVC pipe, adjusting the joint so one end points downward. Add a 4-way Tee joint to the end of the PVC pipe. Alternate placing a PVC pipe with a 3-way Tee joint on the end until you have a total of five 14-inch pipes and four 4-way joints. Place a 4-way corner joint on the last 14-inch pipe.

3. Insert a 12-inch PVC pipe into both of the 4-way corner joints. Place a 3-way Tee joint onto the end of the pipe. Alternate adding a 12-inch piece and a 3-way Tee joint until you have eight 12-inch pipes and seven 3-way Tee joints.

4. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 using more pipes. Attach the original set of set of pipes from Steps 1 and 2 with new set of pipes you just created by inserting the open ends of the pipes into the open ends of the corner joints creating a rectangle. Create a second rectangle by repeating all steps.

5. Place one of the rectangles flat on your work surface with the open joints pointed up. Insert a 7-inch PVC pipe into each open joint. Turn the second rectangle upside down and position it over the first rectangle. Insert the upwards facing 8-inch pipes into the open joints on the first rectangle to create the base of the bed.

6. Place your mattress on the bed base.

7. Place a PVC pipe cap on the end of four 60-inch PVC pipes. Insert the other ends of the pipes into the four open 4-way corner joints on the bed to create the posts.

Tips & Warnings

• These plans are for a standard queen mattress. Adjust the measurements accordingly for a mattress of a different size.

• Apply PVC glue to the ends of all pipes before inserting them into the connectors for a more secure connection.

• Insert the ends of each pipe an inch into the connector piece.

• The bedframe will end up slightly larger than your mattress.

• If you have trouble getting the pipes into the connectors, use a rubber mallet to hammer them in.

• If desired, use black PVC pipes or paint the pipes prior to assembly.

References

• The PVC Workshop: How to Cut and Glue PVC Pipe
• Dormia Mattresses: Mattress Dimensions and Bed Sizes by Dormia
• The Four Poster Bed Company: The History of the Four Poster Bed