The Master Bed: How We Built It

These are the details on how we built our master bed! 

Ana White at Knock-Off Wood wrote up plans for how to build a Queen-sized Fancy Arched Bed, inspired by the Gustavian Collection by Viva Terra. However, we needed a King-sized bed, so I modified the plans. Here are the details of what we bought and how we built it. If you would like to build the same bed, follow Ana's directions, but this should help with the details of modifying it from a queen to a king. Also, we chose to build a platform installation since we do not have box springs. If you plan to use box springs, the bed frame/platform part will be different from ours.

Shopping List

All boards are 8 ft. except the 1x6s. They can be 6 ft.

13 1x6 boards (We upgraded to white pine boards, as opposed to furring strips)
2 1x3 boards (for headboard)
14 1x3 furring strips (for slats: we did a platform installation)
5 1x2 furring strips (3 for the headboard and two for the slat supports on frame)
3 1x10 boards (for bed frame)
1 1x8 board (for bed frame)
1 2x6 board (for center support)

2" screws (1 box)
1 1/4" screws (2 boxes)
wood glue
wood filler
stain/paint/finish of choice: We used Minwax Dark Walnut stain and Polycrylic in Clear Satin.

Tools We Used
Miter Saw (any saw will do)
Jig Saw (we purchased one for $30, for the occasion)
Drill
Level
Tape Measurer
 Square
Sander
Paint brushes


Cut List

Headboard:
9– 1x6 @ 57 3/4"  (Inner Panel Pieces)
4 – 1x6 @ 47 3/4" (Outer Panel Pieces)
2– 1x3 @ 47 3/4" (Legs)
2– 1x2 @ 10" (Headboard supports. We waited until we had the bed frame and front legs completely built before we made the cut for the back legs legs to make sure it was completely level)
2– 1x2 @ 75" (Headboard Panel support)
1 – 1x2 @ 60" (Headboard Panel Support)


Bed Frame:

2 – 1×10 @ 81 1/2″ (Side Rails)
1 – 1×10 @ 76″ (Foot Rail)
1 – 1×8 @ 76″ (Headboard Rail)
2 – 1×4 @ 17 1/2″ (Outer Leg)
2 – 1x2  @ 80" (Support rails for slats or box spring, depending on preference)
2 – 1×3 @ 8 1/2″ (Inner support leg)

Platform:
1 – 2×6 @ 80″ (Center Support)
14 – 1×3 @ 76″ (Slats if building platform, DO NOT build if you use box springs)

Total Cost: < $200 including the purchase of a jig saw

Building Photos:

Here is what the bed frame and slats looks like before the legs are drilled on.

Installing the legs

It's got legs!!

We laid out the boards for the headboards and then attached 2 -1x2s to hold it together. We then traced our pattern and jig sawed the headboard. After wards, we attached the third 1x2 at the top.

 

This is the finished headboard (the back of it).

 Time to finish! Dmitri knows how to use a paint brush.

We finished the wood by sanding it (using 50 grit, 80 grit, and 120 grit sandpaper in that order). Followed by three applications of Minwax Dark Walnut stain. We applied with a brush and wiped it off with a cloth. We then applied two coats of Mixwax Polycrylic in Clear Satin. Let dry! And then we assembled the whole shebang.

And here it is again:

Yep, I still love it!

Questions? Check out FAQ's here!

Doubts? We are definitely not building experts! We are just two parents and college students on a budget, who don't even like math. This is only our second building project, and it's the first time we have ever used a jig saw. If we can do it, I'm pretty sure anyone can do it. Just go for it!