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A 2x6 box-frame platform bed on thick round dowel legs, with 45°-cornered rails and a center support keyed to your mattress size — five complete, distinct cut lists, twin through California king.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side rails (twin, 75" bed) Full/queen use 80"; king/Cal king use 80"/84" respectively. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 75" | Pine | ☐ |
| Cleats Match to side rail length for the size being built. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 75" | Pine | ☐ |
| Top and bottom rails (twin, 38" wide) Full: 57"; Queen: 63"; King: 79"; Cal King: 75". | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 41" | Pine | ☐ |
| Angled corner braces Both ends cut at 45°, ends not parallel — long point to long point. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 11 1/2" | Pine | ☐ |
| Center support (twin, 1 needed) Full/queen/king/Cal king need 2, matched to bed length. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 75" | Pine | ☐ |
| Corner legs | 4 | 2" × 2" × 7 1/4" | Round wood dowel | ☐ |
| Center legs (twin, 2 needed) Full/queen need 4; king/Cal king need 6. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 10 1/4" | Pine | ☐ |
| Mattress slats (twin, 12 needed) Full: 8 @ 54"; Queen: 8 @ 60"; King: 12 @ 76"; Cal King: 12 @ 72". | 12 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 38" | Pine | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine, 2x6, 8 ft Quantity for full/queen/king sizes — twin needs only 3. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft Center support and center legs — quantity varies by size, up to 3 for king/California king. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Round wood dowel legs, 2" diameter or larger Cut to 7-1/4" for the corner legs and center legs alike. | 30 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft Mattress slats — quantity scales with bed width. | 8 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Self-tapping screws, 1-1/2" For attaching mattress slats. | 1 box | ☐ |
| Lag screws, 4-1/2" or longer Attaches the leg assemblies to the bed frame. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 6 oz | ☐ |
| Sandpaper, assorted grit | 4 sheet | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pine, 2x6, 8 ft, Pine, 2x2, 8 ft
Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the side rails, positioned within 1" of the top or bottom edge so the cleat you're about to attach doesn't cover them. Glue and screw the 2x2 cleats to the inside face of each side rail with 2-1/2" screws — about one every 8–12". Build two identical side rails.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x6, 8 ft
Attach the top and bottom rails between the two side rails with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws and glue, forming the outer box. Work upside down — it's easier to see the joints this way.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw. Materials: Pine, 2x6, 8 ft, Round wood dowel legs, 2" diameter or larger, Lag screws, 4-1/2" or longer
Set the miter saw to 45° and cut the angled corner braces from a longer scrap 2x6 — cut the small piece off the end of a longer board rather than trying to hold a short offcut steady near the blade. Drill pocket holes as marked, predrill for the leg lag screws, and install a corner leg into each brace with 4" lag screws and glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver
Fit the corner leg assemblies inside the bed frame at each corner and attach through the pocket holes. Add extra 2-1/2" screws through the small angled ends into the 2x6 frame for a stronger joint.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft
Cut the center support(s) to length and drill two pocket holes on each end. Attach a center leg to each end with 2-1/2" screws and glue, then place the assembly inside the bed frame and attach through the pocket holes to the top and bottom rails.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 1-1/2", Sandpaper, assorted grit
Lay the slats across the frame with about a 4" gap between them for most standard mattresses — check your own mattress's support requirements, since some need tighter spacing. Attach each slat with the shorter self-tapping screws.
Sand every surface before moving the frame into the bedroom.