How to Make a DIY Bed

When you’re decorating your bedroom, you know from the outset that the bed has got to be the focal point - no matter how big or small the room is. Therefore, you need it to be attractive, original and, most importantly of all, eye-catching. It’d help if it’s comfortable to lie on too! The trouble is; those shop bought ones can look so, well, shop bought.

But, think about it. What is a bed? The duvet, sheets and pillows come later. All it is is a frame and a headboard. So, with that in mind, why not make your own? One thing’s for certain; it’ll be cheaper than buying one. And on top of that it will have been brought into existence through your own sweat and blood! No one else will have one like it.

We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed, even more if you’re lucky. So don’t go for the easy option, do it yourself. It’s really not that difficult to do. This guide will get you started, so read on!

Decide What You Want

First things first, what do you want your bed to look like? Design the shape and finish of the bed. The most obvious method is to use wood, but it’s by no means the only option. Look around at some more adventurous ideas like hanging your bed from the ceiling or making it out of cinder blocks.

But even if you’re going to follow convention, there are still lots of decisions to be made. The project could become a two-man, or two-woman job. Have one person to get creative and design the bed and then one person doing the dirty work like putting it together

Preparing Your Materials

Whether you’re using scrap wood or expensive oak, it needs to be properly prepared before you start building. First measure your room, work out how big the bed will be and how much wood you’ll need. Don’t forget the headboard when you’re doing this. All your building materials should be bought from a reputable supplier.

Once you’ve got your wood and have it cut into the correct sized pieces, you should sand down the edges and stain it - depending on the finish you want. You could make it look aged by hitting the wood manually. The same applies to the headboard.

How to Put it Together

Line up your two headboard panels and attach them using deck screws. You could put extra vertical planks between the panels to create more depth to the headboard. For the frame of the bed, fix the different sections together using 1-¼” screws and corner brackets. Make sure it’s lined up correctly before you attach them. It’ll look a mess if you have to go back and change things later on. And don’t forget the wooden slats that go across the bed and support the mattress.

To attach the frame to the headboard, you’ll need heavy duty carriage bolts to support all that weight. When that’s in place, the job should be complete. Remember, this isn’t an exact science, and you can do it how you see fit!