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A short-legged twin bed frame with a taller three-rail headboard and a simple two-rail footboard — built top-down on both ends so the spacing lands right without a story stick.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footboard legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Headboard legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 37" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard rails Top and bottom rail. Full size: 54". | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 38" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Headboard rails Top, middle, and bottom rail. Full size: 54". | 3 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 38" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Siderails Twin XL: 81-1/2". | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 76 1/2" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Slat cleats Twin XL: 81-1/2", attached to the inside face of the siderails. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 76 1/2" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Slats Twin XL: cut two additional slats. Full size adds a center support rail with its own leg — not included in this twin cut list. | 8 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 35" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 10 ft Footboard and headboard legs. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 10 ft Headboard/footboard rails and siderails. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 2x2, 8 ft Slat-support cleats. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x4, 6 ft Slats. Add one more board (and four more short screws) for a Twin XL frame. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2" | 50 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-5/8" | 32 each | ☐ |
| Wood stain or paint | 1 qt | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 10 ft, 2x6, 10 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2"
Work from the top down. On a flat, level surface, attach the two footboard legs to the top 2x6 rail with two 2-1/2" screws per end — back edges flush. Use scrap 2x4 blocks as spacers to hold the lower rail at the right height while you attach it with two more screws per end. The scrap block is faster and more consistent than measuring the gap by tape each time.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 10 ft, 2x6, 10 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2"
Repeat the footboard sequence for the headboard, starting at the top rail and working down — but this end gets three rails instead of two, spaced with the same scrap-block method, which is what gives the headboard its taller, more finished profile.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x6, 10 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2", Wood stain or paint
Prefinish the headboard, footboard, and both siderails now — once the frame is assembled in the bedroom there's no good angle to reach the inside corners with a brush.
In the room, attach the siderails to the headboard and footboard legs with the 2-1/2" screws, keeping both ends level as you go. Space screws wide across the joint but stay about 3/4" back from any edge — this lumber splits if a screw lands too close to the end grain. Driving screws at a slight angle adds real holding strength over dead-straight ones.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x2, 8 ft, 1x4, 6 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-5/8"
Screw the 2x2 cleats to the inside face of both siderails with the longer screws, then lay the slats across the cleats and drive two of the shorter 1-5/8" screws through each slat into the cleat below.