Our beds are personal retreats from the world. We get to come home, climb under the blankets, and decompress.
While the parts we think of most often are the coziest–blankets, pillows, your oh-so-bouncy mattress–we don’t generally give much thought to what’s underneath. There’s a foundation to the bed frame; a structure that’s as sturdy as it is critical.
And if you’ve looked at the prices for bed frames lately, it might’ve given you pause. Bed frames are such simple things that there’s really no reason to dish out $200+ for a nice wood one. They’re not complicated if you know your way around a saw.
If woodworking is a new venture for you, check out our posts on essential woodworking power tools and essential safety equipment.
If you’re ready to dive in and those fluffy pillows are calling you already, see below for a handy list of some free DIY bed frame plans for you and your new bed.
Here’s the list of DIY bed frame plans covered here:
- Farmhouse Storage Bed
- Easy Platform Bed
- Rustic Bed Frame
- Upholstered Bed
- Poster Bed
- Simple and Cheap Twin Bed
- Simpler Still Pallet Bed
- Sliding Barn Door Loft
- Camp Loft Bed with Stairs
- French Countryside
- Mid Century Daybed
01. DIY Farmhouse Storage Bed with Drawers (Queen)
The Farmhouse style has been a hit in interior design circles for its warmth and laid back feel. Couple that with the way this king bed maximizes space with pull-out drawers, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
This free DIY storage bed plan on Ana White maps out every tool you’ll need (such as a table saw and a nail gun), every cut you’ll make, and even comes with a compiled shopping list to make sure your checklist is complete.
The instructions are thorough with some great step-by-step graphics, but it is marked as an “advanced” DIY project because of the number of cuts and fitting you have to do. If you prefer easier options, read on.
If you’re looking for a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that will complete your decor like nothing else, the Farmhouse Storage Bed is a great choice. See the instructions by clicking on the link above.
Find the complete plans here: Ana White’s Farmhouse Bed
02. Easy Platform DIY Bed Frame
If you’re looking for easy, yet trendy, this plan on Shanty 2 Chic is the way to go. It’s a platform bed, which means the bed frame will sit low to the ground and have a sleek look to it: no busy railings or tooling.
This DIY bed frame is truly minimalist–in style as much as in build. The main tool you’ll need is a standard drill. If you have that and a miter saw to cut your wood, you’re good to go. This style of bed looks exceptionally classy with a dark shade of wood.
Easy, versatile, modern, what more could you ask for?
Find the complete plans here: Shanty2Chic
03. Rustic Bed Frame (Queen Size) by Instructables
Love that Northwoods cabin feel? The rustic style has charmed hearts since before it had a label. We have a rustic bed frame plan that encompasses that natural characteristic you would find in a bed frame built for a log cabin.
Instructables Workshop has provided us with instructions to build your very own. This frame is literally built out of logs harvested from the forest, and it makes for a stunning bed.
Find the complete plans here: Instructables
04. Upholstered DIY Bed Frame Plan
Are you looking for something a little more Pottery Barn? Upholstering your bed frame allows for a clean, plush look. It’s an especially good choice if you hate the way you continuously knock your shins on hard frames.
This upholstered DIY bed frame plan from The Handy Homemaker looks pricey. Still, it’s wallet-friendly, relatively simple to build, and even comes with extra instructions on making an upholstered DIY headboard to match.
Tip: Building one of our free DIY bed frame plans requires cut wood. While you can rely on hardware stores to cut it for you if you have to, we highly recommend getting your own circular saw. It would be a drag to go back to the store to have something recut. Additionally, a circular saw has dozens of home uses and will pay for itself in the future.
Find the complete plans here: The Handy Homemaker
05. DIY Poster Bed
A bed with four solid posts on the corner is a great statement piece when you want the bed to be the bedroom’s focal point. This style of bed is seriously sturdy and will last for years to come. Drape the posts with beading or a fabric canopy or wrap them with lights or natural fibers; even if you choose to leave it plain, it speaks for itself.
Jaime Costiglio has designed an incredible frame for us DIYers. It’s gorgeous and worth a look if you want to build something that’ll really stand out.
Find the complete plans here: Jaime Costiglio
06. Simple and Cheap Twin Bed
Need something quick and easy for the kids? Or a last-minute guest room? This plan from Jen Woodhouse is one of the easiest plans available and is quoted to cost only $30. Can’t get any simpler than that. This plan also requires minimal cutting, if any. You could get away building this frame with only a drill.
There isn’t much flash with this build. It’s very minimal and is only a base stand for a twin mattress. Though, if you truly don’t want anything over-the-top, and prefer the bedspread or other furniture to be the central focus of the room, that is precisely what this plan will do for you.
Find the complete plans here: Jen Woodhouse’s Twin Platform Bed
07. DIY Twin Bed From Wood Pallets
Didn’t think we could get any simpler than the easy twin bed? Oh, we can. This pallet bed is the ultimate thrifty option on our list of free DIY bed frame plans. This bed is made with two pallets. They were stained and set up on wheels, so you can’t at all tell that you might’ve gotten them for free. If you’re short on time or cash, you could even skip the wheels.
Couple Jones has provided us with a perfect option for someone who just needs a temporary fix.
Find the complete plans here: Couple Jones
08. DIY Sliding Barn Door Loft Bed
We’re going to go directly from our simplest bed to one of our most ornate. This bed–the Sliding Barn Door Loft Bed–is incredible. It’s another installment by Jen Woodhouse.
This is a bed that your kid will talk about for the rest of their lives. They’ll tell their own kids what a fantastic bed they had. It’s a place to build priceless memories of friendship and imagination. The seating area beneath is an added bonus as you get more space to work with in your kid’s room and your kid has more room to play.
The Sliding Barn Door Loft is one of the most breathtaking builds on our list of free DIY bed frame plans. It’ll even stun your guests. Build something like this; build something to cherish.
Find the complete plans here: Jen Woodhouse
Some more creative ideas for your kids: DIY Tree House Plans for kids
09. Camp Loft Bed with Stairs
If you like the look of number 8 but don’t want to undertake such an intricate project, the Camp Loft Bed is a great alternative choice. It’s the perfect height for kids and only costs about $100-150 to make. The design isn’t overpowering, so you don’t need to worry about matching it with any certain decor.
Ana White does a fantastic job laying out the blueprints for her projects. Every step is broken down, precisely measured, easy to follow, and limits the possibilities for mistakes by including lots of details. This is a plan you can trust to be sturdy and a design you know your kids will adore.
Find the complete plans here: Ana White’s Camp Loft Bed
Here are some more projects your kids will love: DIY Playhouse Plans For Kids
10. French Countryside Bed Frame
This king size bed frame by The Accent Piece is called only a “Wooden Bed,” but it’s so romantic and traditional that it calls to mind images of a quaint, Provincial village overlooking a vineyard.
What’s great about it is that it’s made from scrap boards set up in a row and cut with a jigsaw into a particular wave design. It doesn’t look anything like scrap. It looks like something that belongs in a travel catalog.
Extra bonus: there’s tons of space beneath this bed for storage.
Find the complete plans here: The Accent Piece
11. DIY Mid Century Daybed
A daybed is a versatile option that can double as a couch. It’s a lovely option for a bedroom, a four seasons room, porch, sitting room, or office. It’s also a great way to spice up a twin bed that’s grown a bit dull.
This DIY bed frame plan by The Handmade Home is a basic plan that’s still got a lot of styles. It’s made out of plywood and there isn’t too much fitting and cutting; however, you will need to use a table saw to make the grooves and a detail sander to smooth the posts.
It’s a bed frame that will look nice, not too busy, as it is, and has the perfect amount of room to set up throw pillows. Daybeds are a prime choice for a bed that doesn’t just look like a bed but looks like an inviting place to lounge.
Find the complete plans here: The Handmade Home
Final Thoughts on Making Bed Frame
The variety on this list of free DIY bed frame plans promises that at least one of them is right for you. All of the plans can be adjusted for different mattress sizes.
Any bed frame you build yourself will outlast one that you would’ve paid more for from a store. DIY Bed frames should last a lifetime just as much as they should nourish a sleepy heart.
If you’re really digging the woodworking plans here, don’t forget to look into our other projects, such as these simple woodworking projects for beginners. It’s a great place to start, or continue, your woodworking fun.
