Dawsen Canopy or Poster Bed - Queen

Take the purchased pencil-post legs and wrap each one with the 1x leg wrap boards, mitering or beveling the top edge for a clean transition to the turned post above. Glue and pin-nail the wraps in place.

Once the legs are wrapped, attach the bottom support rail to each pair of legs, then the top rail if you're including one — some builds skip the top rail on the footboard end for a more open look.

Cut the main headboard rail pieces at the 1/2° angle, marking long point and short point clearly on every cut — at this shallow an angle, a mislabeled board is easy to install backwards without noticing. Assemble the main headboard pieces.

Fill in the side pieces of the headboard, attaching to the leg assemblies with pocket holes.

Fill in the remaining vertical trim pieces with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Attach paneling or plywood to the back of the headboard.

Build the footboard following the same process as the headboard, at a shorter height.

Finish the headboard, footboard, and rails separately before final assembly — it's much easier to move the pieces into the bedroom unassembled than to maneuver one finished frame through a doorway. Assemble with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Attach cleats to the inside of the side rails with 2-1/2" screws to support a box spring. Add a center support post down the middle for additional strength, with an optional center leg tied into it. If skipping a box spring, lay slats across the cleats and center support instead.