Double Twin Bed Frame

We bought two twin xl mattresses because our sleeping needs are different. I made two wooden frames and connected them together to create a king-size bed. You could make only one twin bed frame with this instructable by reducing the number of pieces by half, if that is all you need. Note that the measurements are for the twin xl size which is a little longer than the regualr twin bed.

Bedframe

two sheets 3/4 inch plywood

eight 2 x 3 x 8 boards

Screws - 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 1/2 inch

three feet 5/8 inch dowel

six feet 2 x 2 of good quality wood

eight corner braces

12 furniture sliders

Headboard

one 2 x 4 x 8

one 30 inch wide slab door

Foam to cover headboard

Fabric

This project is for a king-sized bed which is two twin xl beds put together. Each one ends up being 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. I calculated to make each twin frame one inch wider and one inch longer to allow for some play.

If you are making a single frame, just half the number of pieces.

Cut four pieces of 2 x 3 79 1/2 inches long.

Cut eight pieces of 2 x 3 34 1/2 inches long.

Screw the cross pieces in with two 3 1/2 inch screws each, spacing them evenly along the longer pieces.

Use 1 inch screws to attach the corner braces in each corner.

Note: If you are in a humid climate, you might want to use slats instead of plywood as it will breath better.

Cut the plywood the exact size of the frame: 37 1/2 inches wide and 79 1/2 inches long. Screw it onto the frame with one inch screws.

From the leftover plywood, cut four pieces 4 inches wide and 37 1/2 inches long and four pieces 4 inches wide and 81 inches long.

Start six 2 inch screws in pairs along the inside of each long 2 x 3 and six 2 inch screws in pairs along the inside of each short 2 x 3.

Paint or cover the side pieces with cloth.

Attach the short side pieces so that they are flush with the plywood on top and flush with the 2 x 3 on the sides.

Attach the long side pieces so that they are flush with the plywood on top and flush with the short side pieces on the sides.

I had some 1 x 4 cherry so I ripped that in half and glued it together to make 2 x 2's for the legs. Any 2 x 2 will do. This project has them five inches long which gives a clearance of a little over four inches. Adjust the height if you wish. Typically, you want the bed top about 25 inches high.

Cut 12 pieces of 2 x 2 into five inch lenghts.

If you want a taper, make a jig with a five inch cutout that goes in 1/4 inch at the widest part. Cut two side and then widen the jig to 1/2 inch at the widest part and cut the other two sides.

Sand and stain the legs.

Turn the frame bottom up and drill 5/8 inch holes 1 1/2 inches deep into the 2 x 3, four inches from each end and in the middle.

Measure the exact middle of the top of the legs and drill 5/8 inch holes 1 1/2 inches deep.

Cut the dowels into twelve 3 inch pieces.

Put glue on them. Hammer them into the bed frame and then hammer the legs onto the dowels that are sticking up. Attach a furniture slider to the bottom of each leg.

Flip the bed back upright. Put the plywood back on.

Cut the door into two pieces, 34 inches wide. The cut end will be empty. Cut a filler piece. Glue and nail it into the two empty ends so the it is flush with the cut.

Cut the 2 x 4's into four pieces. The height of the frame plus the thickness of your mattress plus the width of your door will be the length of the 2 x 4's.

Cut out a notch in the 2 x 4 that is 1 3/8 inches deep (the thickness of the door) and one inch wide so there is 2 1/2 inches left of the 2 x 4. Make another identical post. Make two mirror image posts for the other side of the headboard. Attach the 2 x 4's to the door pieces.

Cut pieces of foam so that they go from the top of the headboard to where your mattress starts. Cover the foam and headboard with fabric and staple the fabric to the headboard, maintaining tightness.

Attach the headboard to the bedframe.