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A bed frame that reads as 'floating' from a recessed 2x4 toekick under the siderails — three joined inner frames, no visible legs, sized here for queen with twin through cal-king dimensions available.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner frame boards, long Queen. Build three identical frames. | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 80" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Inner frame boards, cross | 9 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 5 1/4" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Toekick sides | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 78" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Siderails | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 80" | 1x10, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Toekick front and back | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 53" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Footboard | 1 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 61 1/2" | 1x10, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Headboard legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 46 1/2" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Headboard top | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 61 1/2" | 2x2, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Headboard back panel | 1 | 1/4" × 48" × 60" | 1/4" plywood, full sheet (48" x 96") | ☐ |
| Bed slats | 10 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 60" | 1x4, 5 ft | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft Queen quantity. Inner frames, toekick, headboard legs. | 11 each | ☐ |
| 1x10, 8 ft Siderails. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x10, 6 ft Footboard. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2, 6 ft Headboard top. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood, full sheet (48" x 96") Headboard back panel. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4, 5 ft Bed slats. | 10 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping screws, 3", star drive | 100 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping screws, 2", star drive | 75 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 40 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 3", star drive
Build three identical 2x4 inner frames using 3" self-tapping screws, two per joint.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 3", star drive
Attach the toekick base to two of the frames, flush to the front and side edges, mirrored to each other. Screw every 12" at a slight angle with 3" screws.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1x10, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Attach the 1x10 siderails to the outside of the frame with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails — the siderail is NOT flush on the top edge, only on the other edges, which is what creates the floating gap. Prefinish (paint or stain) the toekick's front edge and the siderail's front and top edges before continuing.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 3", star drive
Prefinish the front edge of the front 2x4. Attach the toekick base boards to the siderails with 3" screws. For extra support, cut and attach corner bracing inside the base frame.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x10, 6 ft, Self-tapping screws, 2", star drive
Prefinish the front, top, and side edges of the footboard. Attach it to the siderails with 2" screws from the inside, being careful not to let screws poke through.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, 2x2, 6 ft, 1/4" plywood, full sheet (48" x 96"), Self-tapping screws, 2", star drive, Brad nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Place the remaining inner frame inside the bed and attach to the toekick base and the footboard. Build and attach the headboard legs, top, and plywood back panel.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x4, 5 ft
Lay the slats across the inner frames and attach. Sand and finish any remaining unfinished surfaces.