Building A Pine Twin Bed

Pine beds typically costs upwards of $250. Here is how to build one for less than $100

Pine Twin Bed Complete

Step 1: Plan it

Google sketchup is a great piece of FREE software for do it yourselfers. After going through a few of the tutorials you will be able to design a few basic things. This bed is made for a standard 75" x 39" mattress. it is made 1" bigger all around to accomodate comforters and other linen as well as a railing for a toddler.

win Bed Design Done In Google Sketchup

Step 2: Materials

Here is the lumber you need. You can acquire the lumber and then cut it yourself or you can have the store cut it for you. Both home depot and lowes provide this service for free at some locations and $1 per cut at others.

Lumber:
4 - 4x4 @ 9 inches each
2 - 2x4 @ 76 inches each
5 - 2x4 @ 37 inches each
2 - 1x4 @ 32 inches each
2 - 1x6 @41.5 inches each
1 - 1x8 @ 40 inches
2 - 1x8 @ 76 3/4 inches each
1 - plywood @ 1/2 inch x 40 inch x 76  inch

Screws and Hardware
16 - 1/4" by 4" Lag screws
Box of 50 -  2 inch wood screws
Box of 25 - 4 inch wood screws
2 - mend plates with  1/2 inch wood screws

Tools needed -
3/16 bit drill bit and phillips screwdriver bit
Ratchet kit

Step 3: Building the support frame

Using 4 inch screws attach the 37 inch cross beams to the 76 inch side rails to build a frame that looks like this. Ensure to pre drill holes to prevent the wood from splitting.

Building Support Frame

Step 4: Add the legs

Using 4 inch lag screws attach the 9 inch 4x4 to each corner of the 2x4 frame from the outside of the 2x4 into the 4x4. You will have to predrill through both the 2x4 and 4x4. use a hammer to tap the lag screw to start it off and then use a ratchet to screw it in. Try to sink the lag screw as deep into the 2x4 as possible. After adding the legs you may flip over the bed and it should be very sturdy. essentially this is the entire support and could be a bed in itself...now time to make it look good.

Adding the legs to the frame

Step 5: Add the pine side panels
Using 2 inch screws, screw the 1x8 pine panel onto both sides of the frame and the bottom. Ensure that the panels are level.  Screw from the inside of the 2x4 into the inside of the pine panel so screws won't be visible on the outside.

Add pine side panel

Bed frame with both pine side panels

Step 6: Headboard
The headboard is made with 2 1x4 as the sides and 2 1x6 as the cross boards. They are attached at the back with flat brackets (mend plates) and the 1/2 inch screws. Set The top cross board flush with the top of both 1x4 sides and then a 5 inch space is left between the first and second cross boards. The headboard is then attached to the side 2x4 rail using 3 inch screws.

Pine Twin Bed With Headboard

Step 7: Sealing or Staining
Coat the bed frame in a polyurethane sealant. This will darken up the pine just a bit, but still leave the natural look. If you choose to stain, now is the time to do so.

Step 8: Mattress Support
Lay a piece of plywood cut 76x40 on to the 2x4 frame. this will lie within the pine panels and so cannot be seen. The plywood will provide support for the mattress and distribute the weight across the entire frame. Depending on the type of plywood you use it may splinter easy when cut and not very easy to sand the edges smooth. I wrapped the plywood in fabric to prevent splinters from damaging mattress and little fingers.

Step 9: Mattress
Lay mattress on the plywood and make the bed with linens. If your mattress is not standard size and you used the standard dimensions as listed here, a body pillow between the mattress and the headboard will fill the gap and seem to extend the area of the mattress.

ine Twin Bed Complete

Step 10:Enjoy the fruits of your labour

The fact that you spent alot less than retail for a very very sturdy bed as well as the satisfaction of building this yourself is well worth it. Now its time to show off your pricey bed made for cheap to your friends.