DIY 2X4 Furniture Frame Bed

The majority of beds need a frame that a mattress can sit on. Many times, a basic frame comes with the purchase of a mattress. However, these are usually metal pieces designed to be hidden from view. Instead of using the generic bed frame, you might consider building a frame yourself out of a 2 x 4. This frame will provide stability to your mattresses and a nice piece for your bedroom.

Things You'll Need

• Four pieces 2 x 4, 24 inches long
• Two pieces 2 x 4, 39 inches long
• Two pieces 2 x 4, 67 inches long
• Two pieces 2 x 4, 35 inches long
• Three inch wood screws
• Five inch wood screws
• Drill with screwdriver bit
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Place the two pieces of 39 inch long 2 x 4 and the two pieces of the 67 inch 2 x 4 on a flat surface with the 4 inch sides resting on the building area. Place the pieces in a rectangular frame with the longer pieces in between the shorter pieces. The rectangle should measure 39 inches by 75 inches. Screw the rectangular frame together by driving two 5 inch wood screws placed in a horizontal line through the shorter pieces into the ends of the longer pieces.

2. Measure two feet from either end along one of the longer pieces and make a mark with the pencil. Place a piece of 35 inch long 2 x 4 inside the frame at these marks with the 4 inch side facing down. These are cross beams for the mattress and box spring. Screw the cross beams into the frame by driving two 5 inch wood screws through the frame and into the ends of the cross beams on either side.

3. Measure 10 1/2 inches from one end of the 24 inch long 2 x 4 pieces and make a mark. These pieces are the leg pieces and will be screwed into the frame. Place a leg piece at each corner of the frame on the 75 inch side so the bottom of the frame is at the 10 1/2-inch marks. Screw the legs to the frame by driving two 3 inch wood screws through the legs and into the frame.

Tips & Warnings

• This plan is for a twin size bed. If you need a bigger frame, simply cut your 2 x 4 frame to match the dimensions of the mattress size. The head and foot pieces will be the mattress and the side pieces will be the mattress length minus 8 inches.

• If you are building a bigger bed frame, you will need to place leg supports under the cross beams to support the extra weight. Simply cut 10 1/2 inch pieces of 2 x 4 and screw them into the center of the cross beams. Without these pieces, the bed may collapse under the weight

References

• Woodgears: Twin Bed Plan
• Sleepy's Bed: Mattress Sizes