How to Build a Wooden Queen Size Bed Frame

It's possible to spend more than a thousand dollars on a queen-sized bed frame, and that's for a simple frame with medium-to-high quality wood. A truly ornate frame can double that. However, if you have a weekend to spare you can build a simple wooden frame that will support your bed with clean, attractive lines. This project is well within the abilities of even novice woodworkers, provided you give yourself plenty of time to do it slowly and methodically, getting each step right.

Things You'll Need

• 4 beams, 2 inches by 10 inches by 27 inches
• 4 beams, 2 inches by 10 by 80 inches
• 2 plywood boards, 3/4 inches by 60 inches by 40 inches
• Power saw
• Power drill with screwdriver bits
• Box of 3-inch wood screws
• Box of 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• Sandpaper
• Painter's putty
• Paint or wood stain

Instructions

Prepare the Lumber

1. Cut your lumber to the specified directions. If you're not comfortable cutting long lines precisely, your lumber yard can do it for you.

2. Sand all faces of your lumber using rough-grit sandpaper. Sand again using fine grit paper.

3. Apply one coat of paint to all exposed surfaces. Allow to dry.

Frame Assembly

1. Arrange two short beams and two long beams in a rectangular frame, resting on their narrow edges, so the short beams sit inside the long beems. Connect them with two 3-inch wood screws in each corner. Drive the screws using your power drill, through the faces of the long beams and into the ends of the short beams.

2. Repeat step one to build a second rectangular frame using the remaining beams.

3. Place the two frames next to each other, long sides touching. This will form a 60-inch by 80-inch frame.

4. Lay the two plywood sheets on top of the frame, running perpendicular to the long sides of the frames. Screw them in place using your power drill and 1 1/2-inch screws. Drive one screw in each corner of the plywood, and one at the midpoint of each edge.

Finishing Touches

1. Cover each screw head with a dab of painter's putty. Wipe off excess, then allow to dry.

2. Go over the finished frame. Remove any loose splinters and sand over any divots or dings created during construction. Sand down any protruding painter's putty during this step.

3. Apply a second coat of paint to all exposed surfaces of lumber. Note that your mattress will cover the faces of the plywood sheets, so you can decide whether you need to paint that surface or not.

References

• "Step by Step Basic Carpentry"; Ben Allen; 1997