7 Simple Headboards and Bed Frames You Can Build on Your Own

Building a DIY Queen bed frame and headboard was one of my first DIY projects years ago.   It was the project that put a bug in me to create a home I love with my own two hands.  Since then, I have come across many ideas and plans for how to build a bed frame and headboard, so I thought I’d gather them for you here in one post!

I will talk about and include plans and ideas for floating beds, platform beds, farmhouse style, loft, built in bunk beds, wood plank beds, daybeds, and lift storage beds.  Plus, plans to make any size DIY bed frame or headboard – toddler (montessori), twin, double, queen, and king. So many great ideas and plans to make your own bed frame and headboard!

Types of beds you can build on your own

Like I mentioned above, there are a variety of plans out there for you to choose from when it comes to building a bed.  There are PDF plans for just headboards, and PDF plans for just the frame. Some examples I will cover in this post are floating beds, platform beds, farmhouse style, wood plank headboards, loft beds, built in bunk beds, daybeds, and lift storage beds.  I will also include plans and dimensions for all sizes – toddler (montessori), twin, double, queen, and king. 

diy floating bed frame
buy this floating bed here

1. Floating Beds

Building a floating bed frame is a great place to start out if you are beginning your woodworking or building journey.  The cuts are basic and you will have a beautiful, functional bed built in very little time.  Once completed, a floating bed from gives the appearance that the bed is hovering above the ground, since you typically can’t see the legs or base from eye level.  Sarah from the Ugly Duckling House has an awesome tutorial to make your own floating bed frame DIY. 

Bed against wall
Tutorial found here

2. Platform Beds

Platform beds are very similar to floating beds, in that the look is very similar, however it doesn’t give the “floating” look.  The frame is essentially the base for the mattress, so no box spring is needed.  This is the type of frame I built here.

Q: What color comforter goes with brown headboard?

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A: I have always loved a white comforter and white euro shams against a brown headboard to make it pop.  You can bring it brown tones with throw pillows like this one, this one, or this one to tie in the brown.

buy this modern farmhouse bed here

3. MODERN FARMHOUSE BED FRAME AND HEADBOARDS

DIY Modern Farmhouse bed frames and headboards have been so popular and for good reason.  You can fairly easily create the farmhouse look with wood off the shelf from big box stores.  So, the ease of building these is why they are many people’s first attempts at building a bed frame and headboard.  I love the look of this farmhouse bed from Shanty 2 Chic for a DIY Modern Full Size Bed. For another farmhouse style project, check out this DIY wood plank sliding barn door.

buy this wood plank headboard here

4. WOOD PLANK HEADBOARDS

DIY Modern Farmhouse bed frames and headboards If you’re looking to build just a headboard to attach to an existing frame, a wood plank headboard is great place to start.  That’s where I started! I remember being amazed at how quickly it came together. 

buy this bunk bed here

5. BUNK BEDS

Perfect for when you need to create a space to sleep more people, a bunk bed would be a fun build to solve this problem.   You can find a tutorial for how to build a DIY bunk bed ladder here, find out how to make built in bunk beds here, and more bunk bed building plans here.

buy this lift storage bed here

6. LIFT STORAGE BEDS

Perfect for when you need to create a space to sleep If you need extra storage for a small bedroom or home, a lift storage bed would be a great option.  These types of beds create an easy and effective way to access the storage space under the bed.  While building one will require a little extra steps to follow the plans, the outcome with be functional and effective.  A great solution!  Plans to make a lift storage bed can be found here, and here. Hardware for a lift storage bed is found here.

This is the exact daybed we have in our office

7. DAYBEDS

Perfect for when you need to create a space to sleep If you need extra storage for a small bedroom or home, a lift storage bed would be a great option.  These types of Since daybeds double as both a sofa and a bed, they are a great option for an office or guest room (I have one in my office!).  We use it often when we have guests in town, but my kids also use it daily to lounge on when they are reading for homework.  I have always loved this DIY Cane daybed from Christine at Honey Built Home and would love to tackle it in the future.

How to Build Specific Sized Bed Frames and Headboards

TODDLER (MONTESSORI), TWIN, DOUBLE, QUEEN, AND KING

Maybe you are looking for options for different sizes of beds.  I’ve rounded up a few tutorials for 5 different sizes of beds that show how to make your own bed frame and headboards. First up: toddler sized (also known as Montessori) bed frame!

Toddler bed can be found here.

1. DIY TODDLER BED (AKA MONTESSORI BED)

Perfect for when you need to create a space to sleep. If Switching from a crib to a toddler bed is a fun time for the kid – and it can be extra special when they get to have a new handmade bed!  I love this DIY Montessori Floor House Bed from Rain and Pine because it’s like a fun playhouse, but also low enough that it wouldn’t be a problem if the child fell out of bed.

Twin bed can be found here.

2. DIY TWIN BED

A twin bed can be a great option for your first attempt at building a bed due to the size.  Start small first! You can find a great tutorial for a Rustic Barnwood Twin Bed Plan here and this one (can be converted to a king bed!)

Double (full) bed can be found here.

3. DIY FULL BED FRAME AND HEADBOARD

If you have a kid room or maybe a guest bedroom that has a double bed (aka full bed), building your own double bed could be a great option.  This is a great tutorial from Addicted 2 DIY for a Pottery Barn Inspired double bed.

Queen Canopy bed can be found here.

4. QUEEN BED FRAME AND HEADBOARD DIY

The first bed I built was a queen bed and I loved how quickly it came together.  I was also able to use wood pieces that were destined for the dump, so I loved being able to up-cycle that wood and create the reclaimed headboard look.  You can find another great tutorial here for a rustic modern queen bed (for $100!) and a DIY modern farmhouse queen bed here.

Upholstered King bed can be found here.

5. KING BED FRAME AND HEADBOARD DIY

Last but not least – the King bed!   King beds can be pricey, just because of the size, so DIYing your own is a great idea.  I love the tutorials found here and here. (both from the super talented Christine at Honey Built Home!)

Perhaps you have an idea of DIY bed plans and want to come up with your own.  It’s helpful to have standard bed dimensions as a starting point, so I outlined standard bed mattress sizes below as a starting point for you.

Q: What are the standard bed mattress sizes and dimensions in the US in inches?

California King

King

Queen

Full

Twin XL

Twin

Crib

72″ X 84″

76″ X 80″

60″ X 80″

54″ X 75″

39″ X 80″

39″ X 75″

27″ X 52″

So there you have it!  Tons of ideas, tutorials, and plans to DIY your own bed frame or headboard.  I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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