Easy Bed Frame for Under $40!

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I can't believe how easy this bed frame was to make, and cheap! 

My daughter bought a new full size mattress without a box spring, she didn't want the height a box spring would add, and she desperately needed storage under her bed. So, Hubs and I set to work to design and build an EASY, sturdy, inexpensive bed frame.

So, right before Hubs had hernia surgery, he designed the bed frame. We made a few tweaks before I got started.  He wasn't going to be able to help me build the frame, so I was on my own. He did supervise and give LOTS of help from the sidelines. He really was a lot of help!

The measurements of the bed were 75"X54". We didn't actually measure the bed. That was what was on the box it came it, I was concerned that it wouldn't fit so I increased the width by and inch. I should have just left it at 54", but oh well....

The supplies I bought were 6 - 2x4x10s, 3 - 2x4x8s and 3 - 2x2x8. That total was 38.31! You can't beat that! The only other thing you need is screws.  I had plenty of those already! I used 2 ½" wood screws. 

I basically cut all of the 10' pieces in half measuring 55".  Those are the slats that go across. The 8' pieces I cut to 75".  Two of them are the sides and one will be a center support down the middle.

Next, I cut one of the 2x2s into 4 legs 13" long. I used my handy dandy Kreg Pocket Hole Jig System, on all of the side boards to attach to the legs. Seriously, this is an invaluable tool! I love this thing! If you don't know what I'm talking about.... Please YouTube it! There are TONS of videos out there explaining the dynamics of this fabulous little tool!

The toughest part of the whole bed was attaching the sides to the legs.  In this humid weather, the boards can warp pretty quickly... They weren't too bad, but just enough to give me a bit of trouble.

But we got this! I placed the Kreg Jig holes close together on the head and foot boards. Then on the two side boards I place them farther apart. That way they won't hit each other going into the leg. Hubby showed me how to use clamps to get them nice tight.

Next, I flipped the frame on its side and held it up with a ladder to put in the slat supports.  I forgot to take a picture of that.... sorry. I just wanted to be able to screw the nails in going down, I don't have as much strength using the drill at an angle.

Here's a close up of the side support installed. This will hold all of the horizontal slats across the bed.

Here is the frame part complete. It's looking good! YAY! Half way there!

It's time for all the slats to go in.  We made them approximately 4½ inches apart.  You can add more if you want, it's up to you. Hubs felt that was plenty for support.

I pre-drilled every screw, I really don't like doing that... so much work, but if you don't want the wood to split, that's what you have to do. So, I set up two drills one with the a drill bit and one with the screw bit. That made it go a lot quicker!!

I used clamps to secure each board from moving and to help with some of the warping.  I even had Hubs stand on a few boards to get them screwed in!

I got them all in! But... after I got them all in, I couldn't flip it over, it was sooo heavy! And....I still needed to install the center support on the underside.

So, I took all of them out except for the head and foot board slats and another one that was a bit of a bear to get in (the one Hubby stood on for me).

Okay, time for the center support.  I flipped it over and laid the center support down the middle. I measured and marked the center of the head and foot board and the center of the 2x4 support board.

I Kreg Jigged the center support to the head and foot board. I actually had Hubs stand on this board too. The slats were pushing on it. This bed is nice and sturdy! 

Okay, now it's time for delivery! My brother came over and helped me load it up into the trailer, I loaded all of the tools and stuff, ready to head down to VA, where my daughter goes to college.

After we unloaded it, my daughter and I sanded the whole thing down. She just wanted the natural wood no stain or paint. We carried it into her room, I screwed in all the slats and it was good to go!

It fit great. It was an inch too wide.... oh well. Not a deal breaker. 😊 We made the bed!

One happy girl!! Now she has storage!

So, yes, you can build a bed frame for under $40!

Blessings!
Lori