$15 bed frame

We picked up a free mattress and box spring from Kijiji the other day as we are having relatives over to our new house in a couple of weeks. On it's own, that was ok except the mattress would be to close to the ground and would be very uncomfortable to get into or out of. So I built a bed frame for the box spring to sit on. Here's how I did it.

Step 1 Materials and measurements

Firstly measure your box spring. This isn't particularly important at this stage, but it does make sure you aren't making a mistake when buying materials. The box spring was 53" by 74". I also measured our existing bed to see how far off the ground the top surface of the mattress was, to see what's reasonable. Turns out that's 25". Deduct the height of box spring and mattress means the top of the frame needs to be 10" off the floor.

Next buy your materials. I'm using construction grade 2 by 4s. They look ugly, but that doesn't matter as my wife will tack a skirt round the box spring and frame to make the whole thing look pretty. They are strong enough to build houses from, so they should be able to withstand building made into a bed. You will need:

7 x 2 by 4s
1 box of 3 inch screws (and if you want to, a drill bit to drill pilot holes. I didn't but I'm lazy that way)
1 piece of plyboard big enough to cover the headboard.

Also, you will need
1 1/2 inch drill bit
1 screwdriver. You will probably find a power screwdriver/drill is the way to go.

Comments

[DaboJones]

Thanks for posting this,
I did this one over the weekend - 2 hours (THANK ALL THAT IS HOLY FOR THE SPEED OF A COMPOUND MITRE SAW). I haven't put in a headboard yet, but I'm going to do something a little different with that part.

Thanks again to you and instructables. Now I sleep like an adult, on a mattress on a boxspring on a frame on the floor. 30 inches off the floor, actually. I may have to install a step.

[stormthirst]

You're welcome.

The compound mitre saw is an awesome tool. I only did the headboard like that because I wanted to get something put in place quickly. Once you've got the basics down, you can modify to add the headboard you want, and even a foot board.

Any ideas on what you're intending to do with the headboard? I'd considered using stair parts - two newel posts, a 2x4 at the bottom and a hand rail at the top., with some spindles in between.

[sdavidoff]

Well I am going to give it a run tomorrow. Wish me luck. I am actually going to refinish in a dark Mahogany! Will let you know hoe it all goes.


Thank you, Mr Stormhirst :)


Shani

[gibbon]

I modified your plans for a full size mattress:

[duggerpato]

Is this really $15 though? 2x4's around here are $2.53 per 8 foot board. Ply board can be $5 to 10. box of screws for that many legs, around $6. The wood itself could be $15 give or take. The assembly costs a little more. So technically it's a $15 bed frame, but it probably costs more ;)

I'm just giving you a hard time. It's well done, and I actually needed it to get ideas for how to made a headboard for my kid's bed, so thanks for the help. Good Ible. I gave it a 4.5 star rating. :)

[stormthirst]

I managed to get the 2x4's in a sale at (I think) $1.98 CDN. So I was playing a little fast and loose with the costs.

BTW Tony, the only guest so far to sleep on it says it was very comfortable

[duggerpato]

Like I said, it's a good instructable.

[vincent7520]

Nice job ! …
I like the cat too !: if a cat feels comfortable on a bed it only means it's well done !…

[jmulherin]

this is a great idea!

[Creativeman]

Good job, and excellent instructable!

[MsJaxFla]

I love this bed frame. The only thing I think is lacking is that you did not put the bed on rollers that lock, so when Mystery upchucks under your new bed frame, your wife can move the bed easily to clean such up. Oh yeah and for your wife to tell us how she made the new head board cover. I know how to do it, but everyone does a tadge different and I like to know how others do it quick and easy.

Nice job, and so glad you had good pictures, cause I did not understand your type written instructions..... and I have made a bed frame before myself, by myself. Glad you did this one instead of me, but unfortunately .... I plan to make one more bed frame and head board in my life time , then I am DONE.

Thanks, you have inspired me to do my next one!

[cmetzger]

Very nice. Looks safe and sturdy. And who is the awesomely talented kitteh?

[stormthirst]

The talented Kitty is Mischief. Who regularly reminds us of why we called her that :D

[emorning]

If you wanted to get real fancy I would paint it with some Krylon paint. I think Krylon looks good on raw 2x4s. A coat of dark brown followed by a coat of black would make that thing look like it was from IKEA.

[blkhawk]

A very simple, inexpensive and elegant way to provide quick bedding for people living in poor countries or for quickly replacing lost furniture in a disaster. Thank you for taking the time to post it. Great work!

[stormthirst]

Thanks :)