Morris Upholstered Bed — California King

Screw the 2x6 side and end rails together into a simple rectangular box sized to your California king mattress footprint. Check it square with a diagonal measurement before moving on — everything about how the finished bed sits references off this box.

Attach the plywood skirting to the outside faces of the platform box with 2" screws or a nailer. You can upholster the skirting in place after it's on the frame, or upholster the panels separately first — either works, and there should be enough clearance to do it in place if you'd rather not pre-upholster.

Install the corner brackets at each foot location and thread on the decorative feet.

Cut the center panel and the two tapered wing panels from plywood. Taper each wing from 17" at the panel's outer edge down to 12" where it meets the center panel, using a straightedge or a batten to mark a smooth taper line before cutting.

Working one panel at a time, spray adhesive onto the plywood face and press foam onto it, trimming flush to the panel edges. Lay batting over the foam, then your fabric, and staple to the back of the panel — pull taut from the center of each edge outward, working opposite sides against each other, not corner to corner, to avoid puckers.

Join the two upholstered wing panels to the center panel using the standard mending brackets on the back, angling the wings forward slightly for the classic Morris-chair wing profile. Screw or bolt the brackets tight enough that the joint doesn't flex when you push on the wings.

Attach the assembled headboard to the platform box, then add slats across the platform (72" long, spaced per your mattress maker's recommendation) if you're not using a box spring.