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A chunky farmhouse bed with solid 4x4 posts and plank headboard and footboard panels capped in 2x6 — heavy, timeless, and beginner-friendly joinery.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headboard planks | 7 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 30" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Headboard panel frame Measure and cut to fit the assembled panel. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 38 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Headboard posts | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 54" | 4x4 | ☐ |
| Headboard cleats | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 30" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Headboard top rail Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 45 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Headboard cap | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 47 1/2" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Footboard planks | 7 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Footboard panel frame Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 38 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard posts | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21" | 4x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard cleats | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Footboard top rail Measure and cut to fit. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 45 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard cap | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 47 1/2" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Side rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 80" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Rail cleats | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 8 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Side-rail faces | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 75" | 1x10 | ☐ |
| Slats Measure and cut to fit; space evenly. | 12 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 38 1/2" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x6 board, 8 ft (Pine) Headboard and footboard planks. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x6 board, 4 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 2 each | ☐ |
| 4x4 post, 8 ft (Pine or Fir) The four bed posts. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x2 board, 8 ft (Pine) Panel cleats. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x4 board, 8 ft (Pine or Fir) Panel rails, side rails, rail cleats. | 4 each | ☐ |
| 2x6 board, 8 ft (Pine or Fir) Headboard and footboard caps. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x10 board, 8 ft (Pine) Side-rail faces. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x3 board, 8 ft (Pine) Mattress slats. | 6 each | ☐ |
| 1-1/2" L brackets | 2 each | ☐ |
| 3" straight mending plates | 2 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" and 2-1/2" | 80 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 8 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Pocket Hole Jig, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x6 board, 8 ft, Wood glue
Cut the 1x6 headboard planks and lay them out. Edge-join them — pocket holes and 1-1/4" screws are the clean way if you have a jig, otherwise glue and clamp. Measure the overall width once joined.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood glue
Attach the 1x4 frame to the top and bottom of the panel with 1-1/4" brads and glue, outside edges flush. Check the panel is square by measuring both diagonals and adjusting until they match — a parallelogram panel never seats right against the posts.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 4x4 post, 8 ft, 2x2 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Screw the 2x2 cleats to the inside back edge of the 4x4 posts with 2-1/2" screws, then attach the panel to the cleats with 2-1/2" screws, brads, and glue. (Pocket-hole builders can join the panel straight to the posts and skip the cleats.)
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4 board, 8 ft, 2x6 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Measure and cut the top 2x4 rail to fit and attach it with 2-1/2" screws and glue. Set the 2x6 cap on top of it with even overhangs all around and screw it down. This is what gives the bed its heft.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x6 board, 8 ft, 1x4 board, 8 ft, 4x4 post, 8 ft, 2x4 board, 8 ft, 2x6 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Repeat the panel, post, and cap sequence for the shorter footboard. If you're using cleats to hang the side rails, leave a gap in the cleats as shown to accept the rails in a later step.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4 board, 8 ft, 1x10 board, 8 ft, 1x3 board, 8 ft, 1-1/2" L brackets, 3" straight mending plates, Wood screws, 2" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Screw the 2x4 rail cleats to the 4x4 posts with 2-1/2" screws (the spacer blocks are just setup guides, not fastened). Build the 2x4/1x10 side rails, set them on the cleats, and fasten with glue, brads, plus an L bracket and a straight mending plate at each top corner. Lay the 1x3 slats in evenly and screw down with 2" screws.