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A clean planked bed from 2x4s and 1x6s — planked headboard and footboard on chunky legs, with a slat platform. Straightforward pocket-hole joinery.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headboard leg blocks | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 31 3/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Headboard planks | 6 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 31 3/4" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Long leg pieces | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 55" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard leg blocks | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 13 3/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard rail | 1 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 31 3/4" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Side rails (1x6) | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 72" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Side rails (2x4) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 72" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Slats Quantity and spacing per your mattress. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 32" | 2x | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x6, 8 ft (Pine) Planked headboard pieces. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x6, 6 ft (Pine) Side rails. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Legs and rails. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Footboard rail. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x material for slats (scrap 2x4/2x6) Slats to mattress specs. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" | 50 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 24 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 6 oz | ☐ |
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: 1x6, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Build the planked headboard with the pocket-hole jig, keeping all pocket holes on the back side so the front face stays clean.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2"
Attach the 2x4 legs to the headboard panel, again keeping fasteners to the back.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, 2x6, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
Build the footboard the same way as the headboard — panel, legs, and the 2x6 rail.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 1x6, 6 ft, 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2"
Attach the side rails to the headboard and footboard. Consider finishing the bed first and moving it into the room before attaching the side rails — a fully assembled bed often won't fit through a door, so building it to knock down at the rails is the smart move.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 2x material for slats (scrap 2x4/2x6), Wood screws, 2"
Place the slats across the rails and screw them down with 2" screws, spacing them per your mattress manufacturer's recommendation. Sand and finish.