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The headboard and footboard share the exact same construction — a planked 1x6 panel framed in 1x4 and capped with a 2x4 and 2x6 — with the only real difference being height and a set of cleats on the footboard's back for the side-rail brackets to notch into. Building them as identical processes, just at different heights, is what keeps a piece this large from becoming two separate design problems.
Finish the headboard, footboard, and side rails before final assembly, and bring the pieces into the bedroom to assemble rather than building it fully assembled in a shop — a king bed's footprint won't clear most doorways or stairwells once it's one piece. Mattress slats spaced about 4" apart, screwed directly into the side rails, are what's actually holding the mattress; everything above that is the look of the piece, not its structure.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 4x4, 8 ft | 2 each |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Pine, 1x6, 8 ft | 7 each |
| Pine, 1x4, 8 ft | 4 each |
| Pine, 2x6, 8 ft | 2 each |
| Pine, 1x10 or 2x10, 8 ft | 2 each |
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft | 18 each |
| L brackets, 1-1/2" wings | 2 each |
| Straight brackets, 6" overall | 2 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Self-tapping wood screws, 2-1/2" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
| Sandpaper, assorted grit | 4 sheet |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Headboard legsPine 4x4 | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 54" |
| Headboard cleatsPine 2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 30" |
| Headboard panel boardsPine 1x6 | 14 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 30" |
| Headboard panel framePine 1x4Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 77" |
| Headboard top capPine 2x4Measure and cut to fit. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 84" |
| Headboard top trimPine 2x6Measure and cut to fit; 1" overhang all sides. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 86" |
| Footboard legsPine 4x4 | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21" |
| Footboard cleats, longPine 2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 8" |
| Footboard cleats, shortPine 2x2Notched for the side-rail cleats. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 3" |
| Footboard panel boardsPine 1x6 | 14 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15" |
| Footboard panel framePine 1x4Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 77" |
| Footboard top capPine 2x4Measure and cut to fit. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 84" |
| Footboard top trimPine 2x6Measure and cut to fit; 1" overhang all sides. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 86" |
| Side rail mattress supportsPine 2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 83 1/2" |
| Headboard tie-inPine 2x4Measure and cut to fit. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 77" |
| Center legsPine 2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 12 1/2" |
| Side rail trimPine 1x10 or 2x10 | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 80" |
| Mattress slatsPine 2x4Measure and cut to fit; can substitute 1x4s or ripped plywood. | 11 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 77" |
Buy 36 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
2 boards
18 boards
Attach 2x2 cleats flush to the back of the legs with 2-1/2" screws. Pocket hole users can skip this step and attach the panel frame directly to the legs instead.
Lay out the 1x6 headboard panel boards and measure the overall width. Cut 1x4 frame boards to this measurement. Attach the panel boards to the 1x4s with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails from the back side to hide nail holes, applying glue between each panel board. Check that the panel is square, not a parallelogram.
Attach the panel to the 2x2 cleats with 2-1/2" screws and glue, plus a few 1-1/4" nails through the front side into the cleat where there's no 1x4 backing.
Measure the top overall width and cut a 2x4 to this width. Attach with glue and screws to the top of the headboard. Cut a 2x6 2" longer than the 2x4 and attach with a 1" overhang on all sides, using 2-1/2" screws and glue. This completes the headboard.
Construct the footboard the same way as the headboard, with the addition of notching the shorter 2x2 cleats on the back so the side-rail cleats can notch in. Predrill the shorter 2x2s if they show signs of splitting.
Attach the side rail cleats inside the footboard and to the headboard legs with 2-1/2" screws. This completes the footboard. Consider painting or staining all the pieces now, before final assembly in the bedroom.
Attach the headboard tie-in piece between the side-rail cleats.
Build the center legs, spacing them about a third of the way down the bed's length — this doesn't need to be exact. Attach the center legs inside the bed at this spacing.
Attach the side rails to the side-rail cleats. Brackets are recommended at the top to secure the side rails to the headboard and footboard.
Cut the mattress slats and lay them about 4" apart across the bed. Screw down with 2-1/2" screws.
Sand every surface and finish.
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Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →