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DIY Basic Twin Bed

Part #3 of the new bedroom furniture set – a DIY Twin Bed! With baby girl arriving in April, we decided to move Weston to a real bed so we don’t have to deal with two cribs. I went back and forth on whether to build a toddler bed or go for the twin. But, in the end, I figured the twin will last much much longer. So I thought I’d at least give it a try. It’s been a bit of a slow-go, but he’s starting to get used to it. Plus, he’s pretty proud of his new big boy bed!

DIY Twin Bed

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You can easily change these plans to fit any size bed. Just google the dimensions for your mattress (or measure) and adjust as necessary. Also, I designed this frame to fit a twin bed and box spring, which sits down inside the frame. If you don’t have a box spring, simply adjust the side rails to hold the mattress where you want it and add extra supports (see Steps 3 & 4).

Enjoy the free plans!

Tools & Supplies:

Lumber:

  • 3 | 1 x 10 @ 8′
  • 2 | 2 x 2 @ 8′
  • 3 | 2 x 4 @ 8′
  • 3 | 1 x 4 @ 8′

Cuts:

  • 2 | 1 x 10 @ 75″ (rails)
  • 1 | 1 x 10 @ 35″ (foot-board)
  • 2 | 2 x 2 @ 75″ (rail supports)
  • 2 | 2 x 4 @ 33″ (headboard legs)
  • 2 | 2 x 4 @ 20″ (foot-board legs)
  • 3 | 2 x 4 @ 35″ (headboard & foot-board)
  • 3 | 1 x 4 @ 35″ (headboard)
  • 3 | 1 x 4 @ 38″ (box spring supports)

Step 1.

Build the foot-board as shown. Use 2 1/2″ pocket holes to attach the top 2 x 4 to the legs. Use 1 1/4″ pocket holes to attach the 1 x 10 to the legs. Position the 1 x 10 so it is flush with the back (mattress side) of the legs.

DIY Twin Bed


Step 2.

Build the headboard as shown. Position the top 2 x 4 flush with the tops of the legs and attach with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. Place the bottom of the lower 2 x 4 three inches from the floor and attach with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws.

DIY Twin Bed

Build the center section of the headboard before attaching it to the legs. I staggered pocket holes along the backs of the 1 x 4s and attached them together with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Once it dried, I used 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws through the ends of the 1 x4s to attach the piece to the legs.

Step 3.

Attach the 2 x 2s to the rails with wood glue and screws. I used 2″ wood screws spaced every 6″ and drilled straight through the 2 x 2 into the rails.

DIY Twin Bed

If you do not have a box spring, this is where you can make changes to adjust where the mattress sits. Simply adjust the 2 x 2 to the desired height. Don’t forget to account for the thickness of the mattress supports that sit on top of the 2 x 2s (next step). Also, if you use the Bed Rail Brackets, make sure to cut the 2x2s about 2″ short to leave room for the brackets on the ends of the rails. They’re about 1″ thick, but double check the measurement with your specific brackets before making cuts.

Step 4.

Once you’ve attached the Bed Rail Brackets, put the bed together.

DIY Twin Bed

If you don’t want to use Bed Rail Brackets, you can always use pocket holes along the ends of the rails to attach the rails to the headboard and foot-board. I decided to use brackets for easy assembly and disassembly. It’s totally up to you, but I really like not having to screw and unscrew the rails every time I move the bed.

To attach these Bed Rail Brackets:

Position the male side flush with the end of the bed rail and attach with screws.

DIY Twin Bed

Position the female side of the bracket so the rails sit 38″ apart.

DIY Twin Bed

Place the slotted side out so you can see the screws once the bed is together.

DIY Twin Bed

Repeat for all four ends of the rails. Once all the brackets are in place, assemble the rails, headboard, and foot-board.

DIY Twin Bed

Place 1 x 4 box spring supports along the rails.

DIY Twin Bed

You can attach the 1 x 4s with screws or finish nails if you want, but I just laid them on top and popped the box spring into place.

If you do not have a box spring, add extra 1x4s (spaced about every 2″) along the rails and attach with finish nails or screws. The 1 x 4s will support the mattress in place of a box spring.

Put the box spring and mattress in place and you’re good to go!

DIY Twin Bed


The span between rails is pretty small for a twin, so it isn’t necessary to add middle support between rails. However, if you adjust the dimensions for a bigger mattress, I would recommend adding a middle support like you typically see on bed frames.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

I’d love to see it if you build from these plans! Tag me on Instagram @bitterrootdiy!

Bitterroot DIY

Thanks for stopping by!

For more project ideas, you can find me on Pinterest. And to stay up to date with the latest shenanigans, follow me on Instagram.


DIY Twin Bed


AJ Fitzpatrick

Wednesday 22nd of April 2020

You used 1x10 for the rails? That was strong enough? Did you mean 2x10?

tylynn_sattler

Monday 27th of April 2020

They're 1x10s and plenty strong.

DOUG GILLES

Saturday 18th of April 2020

What's the recommended pocket hole tool? If I look at Kreg selections there seems to be several styles / sizes available. This is going to be a 4H project for my daughter!

tylynn_sattler

Sunday 19th of April 2020

What a great idea for a 4H project! All of the Kreg pocket hole jigs work great - mostly just depends on your budget and how much you plan to use it. I started with the Kreg mini and did a TON of projects with it. It works well, but is more time consuming since you have to move it and clamp it in position for each hole. But it gets the job done. Another option that's a little nicer, but still budget friendly, is the Kreg K3. It's a step up from the mini, but you still have to line it up and clamp it for each hole. I recently upgraded to the Kreg K5 since I use it almost every day. If you plan to do a lot of projects, I highly recommend it. It's really smooth and fast. It really just comes down to budget and how much you plan to use it. They're all great quality!

1. Kreg Mini - https://amzn.to/34NVziJ 2. Kreg K3 - https://amzn.to/3bjNR2w 3. Kreg K5 - https://amzn.to/2xJYRaC

** Disclosure- I am an affiliate with Amazon so those are affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you buy through those links, but there's no extra cost to you! The only reason I use affiliate links is so I can continue to put plans out for free. I appreciate the support, but you can also purchase any of the jigs at Home Depot.

Good luck with the build!

Thomas

Saturday 18th of April 2020

Brackets did not come with screws can you let us know what you used to attach them? Thanks!

tylynn_sattler

Saturday 18th of April 2020

So glad to hear you built this! I used 1 1/4" Spax wood screws to attach the brackets

Sarah

Wednesday 8th of January 2020

Do you have an estimate on what this project cost to build? Thanks!

tylynn_sattler

Monday 13th of January 2020

I'm not totally sure. It depends on where you are and what lumber your store stocks. It also depends on if you buy nice lumber or just the framing stuff. I just used framing lumber (not the "select" pine stuff).

Paula Madera

Friday 1st of November 2019

This is beautiful. Could you please tell me what color stain did you use. We are almost finished just need to stain it and we really like this stain color.

tylynn_sattler

Saturday 2nd of November 2019

I think I responded to you in an Instagram message, but just in case it was someone else - I mixed some varathane subleached and minwax provincial together. I just kept testing it on scrap wood until I got a good combination. Then I wiped a little bit of classic gray on and off immediately to dull the yellow tone of the pine. Hope that helps! Do a few tests on scrap wood to make sure you like it before you do the whole bed - I've made that mistake before ;)

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