Thank you My Green Mattress for sponsoring this post and providing the mattress for review. This post contains affiliate links.
Build a DIY bed frame with these simple steps!
A few months ago we were making plans for transitioning our toddler from a crib to a toddler bed, so we started to look for a bed frame. My husband then had an idea to create a DIY bed frame as he had recently started building a few small things. The Pinterest loving side of me instantly jumped on board! I love adding to our home through projects we make ourselves.
We went with a very simple and basic bed frame. The end result is great! Eventually, my husband wants to paint it and add legs and a possible headboard.
How to Build a DIY Bed Frame
Want to make your own bed frame? Follow these simple steps:
Supplies Needed:
- 4 (2x10s) for the outer frame
- 4 (2x4s) for supports
- 12 (2x8s) for slats
- 4 Brackets
- Screws
Step 1:
Cut 2x10s for the outer frame to the desired length and width.
Step 2:
Cut 2x4s and screw them to the side panels of the bed frame to serve as supports.
Step 3:
Use corner brackets to connect the 2×10 sections of the frame together. The size and type of brackets will vary depending on your preference. Once all brackets are screwed to the frame, use a level to check from side to side.
Step 4:
Next cut slats to connect from side to side and support the mattress within the frame. Screw the slats by starting with small pilot holes to try to protect the slats from splitting. The number of slats will vary depending on the amount of support and the type of mattress used. You do need to make sure that the slats are LESS THAN 3 inches apart to prevent mattress sagging. We recently went in and added a couple of extras!
Step 5:
Add legs, a headboard, and paint the bed frame. We started with the frame on the floor since our daughter is young and will add legs as she gets used to the transition. In the next couple of months, we plan to paint the bed frame white.
You are Finished!
This project took my husband an afternoon to finish. The boys had so much fun helping him work on it. While it may take a little more time to build your own bed frame, there is something so special about turning it into a family project.
Check out these tips for organizing toys without a playroom!
Additional Steps:
Once it is all put together, we were able to put the mattress on it. We were given a twin-sized Pure Echo mattress from My Green Mattress. The story of how My Green Mattress was formed connected right away with me. My Green Mattress was founded by Tim Masters as his daughter, Emily, inspired him to include natural mattresses. After Emily was born, her parents realized she suffered from eczema and allergies. As her parents took her to pediatric dermatologists and did their own research, they found that all-natural products could help alleviate her symptoms. They quickly added all-natural mattresses to their shop and their daughter’s bed.
This story about Tim and his daughter connected with me, because my daughter suffers from eczema and allergies as well. We have been on a journey to figure out the best products for her. It gives me so much peace and joy to know she is sleeping on an all-natural, hypoallergenic mattress.
It arrived via Fed-X all wrapped up. My kids loved seeing how it arrived and could not believe it was a mattress! Once we unwrapped the mattress, it just popped out to form.
As soon as we set it on the bed, my daughter eagerly jumped up onto the bed before I had the sheets even on the bed. She put some of her animals and pillow on the bed and laid there in pure excitement.
We could not be happier with the bed frame and mattress. Claire is loving her “big girl bed” and it has been such a good transition. My husband and I joke that she sleeps on the best mattress in the house! If you are looking for a mattress, check out My Green Mattress, you will not be disappointed!
Have you ever thought about building a bed frame?
Let me know if you try this tutorial and how it works! Sometimes simple is the best way to go!
PIN FOR LATER:
Thank you again for My Green Mattress for sending us the mattress to review. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Read my disclosure policy.
I have ero construction ability at all, but you make it look so easy! This is definitely something I could see myself doing, especially of a guest room! Awesome detailed post.
Thanks Juliette- it is the perfect project for anyone! I was amazed at how smoothly it went.
Love this! My husband is going to be working on this sort of project very soon!
That is great Nicole! I can’t wait to see it!
Awesome! It is always such an accomplishment to build something. I always fantasize about building things, but rarely try to. One day.
It is my husband’s newest hobby and I am a big fan of it! It is amazing what all you can build!
Oh this is perfect! I love this! I need to do this for my little guy. He is about to need to go into a big boy bed and I love how inexpensive this option is.
It is a great route to go! I would much rather spend more on a quality mattress than a fancy bed! Have a great day!
Beds are so expensive! I love the idea of building your own frame and customizing it the way you want.
I know they are, and it is so simple just to make your own. There are a lot of fun headboard ideas out there too!
What a good idea! Then the bed could be customized for the bedroom too.
Yes it definitely can!
This is awesome! We’re getting ready to transition my son, as well, and I know my husband would love to build him a frame- this is perfect!!
Thank you! I hope the transition goes well! Share a pic if you build a frame!
This is so creative. Thanks for the idea! We are hopefully purchasing a house in the next few months and this is great to know!
So exciting! It is fun decorating a house! Enjoy!
This is such a great idea! I am not a huge fan of our bedroom furniture. I got a good deal on it before we got married and it is huge and bulky. I want to get something simple that takes up less space in our small bedroom. This might just be perfect!
Yes, you could make some modifications to make it work perfectly for you!
This is fantastic! I can’t wait to do this.
So fun! I love that the project is simple enough that even the kids could feel like they were able to help out. It’s way more fun when it can be a family project!
Me too! You never know with projects but it is good when they turn out that way!
Such a great idea to build your own frame! So simple too!!
Thank you Danielle!
I love this! We will need another twin bed eventually!
Our boys are in bunk beds now and think it is the best thing ever- hope you have a great weekend!
Do you have a material list for the lumber that you used? I wanna make my daughter a twin bed.
Carolyn, I am so sorry for the delay. This got put in spam. Send me an email hello@kerilynnsnyder.com and I will get that to you!
Hi, I was wondering if you had measurements for a Cal King size bed frame? I’m disabled and need a frame large enough for my mattresses and the two lower support frames that the solid mattress sits on top of. I was hoping to go to my home depot and have the wood cut to specs and screw them together myself. I would appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you
Mary, I have not actually created one for that size. However, it looks like the mattress is this: 76” x 80” x 12”
So I would bring that info into Home Depot and see what they advise.