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DIY Four Post Canopy Bed

Step-by-step build — 11 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Glue posts together

    • Start by gluing all your Posts together in groups of three.
    • Start by coating one side of a Post board with wood glue and then place a second board on top of it. Coat the top side of the second Post board with wood glue and then place the third Post board on top of that.
    • Clamp together and let dry.
    • Repeat to create three more Posts.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 5
  2. 2Glue sides together

    • Start by gluing all your Side Rails together in groups of two.
    • Start by coating one side of a Side Rail board with wood glue and then place a second Side Rail board on top of it.
    • Clamp together and let dry.
    • Repeat to create one more Side Rail.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 6
  3. 3Glue front/back rails

    • Start by gluing all your Front/Back/Footboard Rails together in groups of two.
    • Start by coating one side of a Rail board with wood glue and then place a second Rail board on top of it.
    • Clamp together and let dry.
    • Repeat to create two more Front/Back/Footboard Rails.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 7
  4. 4Create headboard

    • Drill two pocket holes on each end of the Back Rails.
    • Drill two pocket hole screws on each end of each Headboard piece and three holes along one long side of each. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Back Rail between two Posts, aligned flush with the front of the Posts and 6" from the bottom. Starting above the Back Rail, attach a Headboard between the two back Posts, flush with the front edge.
    • Repeat for the remaining four Headboards.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 8
  5. 5Create footboard

    Drill two pocket holes on each end of the Front and Footboard Rails. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Front Rail between the other two Posts, aligned flush with the back of the Posts and 6" from the bottom. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Footboard Rail directly above the Front Rail.

    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 9
  6. 6Attach side rails

    • Drill two pocket holes on each end of the Side Rails. Using pocket hole screws, attach one Side Rail between a front and back Post, 6" from the bottom, 1 1/4" from the inside of the Posts and 3/4" from the outside of the Posts.
    • Repeat on the other side.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 10
  7. 7Attach upper beams

    Drill two pocket holes in each end of the Upper Side Beams and Upper Front/Back Beams. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Upper Front/Back Beams between their respective posts, 1" down from the top. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Upper Side Beams between their respective posts, 1" down from the top.

    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 11
  8. 8Attach supports/legs

    • Using wood glue and screws, attach the Side Inner Supports to the Side Rails 1" down from the top. Using wood glue and screws, attach the Front/Back Inner Supports to the Front/Back Rails 1"down from the top.
    • Drill two pocket holes in one end of each Leg and both ends of each Center Support. Using pocket hole screws and wood glue, attach three Legs evenly spaced across one of the Center Supports.
    • Repeat for the other. Using pocket hole screws, attach the Center Supports evenly spaced between the Front/Back Inner Supports.
    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 12
  9. 9Attach Slats

    Starting flush along the Back Rail, use screws to attach a Slat to the Side Inner Supports. Use the Kreg Quick Flip to drill a pilot hole in each spot before driving a screw into place. Using a 3 1/2" spacer, continue until all Slats are in place.

    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 13
  10. 10Add mattress

    Slide the mattress into place on top of the Slats and between the Rails. Get a great night sleep!

    DIY Four Post Canopy Bed — step photo 14
  11. 11Enjoy!

    Enjoy your handiwork and tag @CharlestonCrafted on Instagram with a picture!