Mission Bed (Twin)

Lay out the panel flat: bottom rail, six slats, top rail, with the 2-1/2" spacer blocks nailed between the slat tops — the gaps between blocks become the Mission piercings. Glue and brad from the BACK so the face stays clean, and cut the final spacer in each row to fit.

Planning pocket holes to the posts? Keep the edge nails away from where the holes will drill — the source's own caution.

Join the panel to the 45" posts — 1-1/2" pocket holes with 2-1/2" screws (hidden; recommended) or 5" screws through the posts' outsides (filled later). Center the 2x6 cap on top with 2-1/2" screws and glue, even overhangs.

Build the footboard the same way on the 32" posts, with one addition: face the top back with the remaining 1x6, because the footboard's back side greets everyone who walks in. The headboard gets away with a plain back; the footboard doesn't.

Screw the 2x4 cleats to the posts with 2-1/2" screws at mattress-support height (the diagram's green blocks are positioning helpers only — they come off). Rest the 2x6 side rails on the cleats, cut to fit your real head-to-footboard span, and screw them home.

Lay the 1x3 slats per your mattress's spacing and fasten. Fill, sand, finish — and do the finishing BEFORE the final bedroom assembly, then test-fit once, disassemble, and carry it up as five flat pieces.