How to Convert a Bed for an Ottoman Frame

Break down the bed frame into its separate parts, so you are left with a stack of 2-by-8 pieces of lumber and four 4-by-4 posts. You will need to remove all screws with a screwdriver; use an adjustable wrench to remove all bolts, and a hammer claw or pry bar to remove all nails. If there are wheels on the bed, remove those as well.

Cut two 2-by-8 pieces of lumber to 21.75 inches in length, and two 2-by-8 pieces of lumber to 18.75 inches in length.

Screw the 2-by-8 pieces of lumber together to form a rectangle, with the longer pieces of 2-by-8 extending to the the corners of the rectangle, and the shorter pieces sandwiched between the longer pieces. Use 2-inch wood screws to screw the longer pieces to the smaller pieces, with two screws at each corner. You may need to drill pilot holes for the screws.

Cut the four 4-by-4 posts to 12 inches long. Stand the 4-by-4 posts in the wooden frame, at the corners. Attach the posts to the inside of the frame with 2-inch wood screws. Insert two screws, one on top and one on bottom, into each side of the posts that touch the wood frame.

Flip the frame over so that the post legs are holding the frame up. Check the frame with a level. If the frame wobbles because the legs are not completely even, sand the higher side until all sides match.

Cut three 2-by-8 boards to 21.75 inches long. Lay the boards side by side, so their ends are flush, on the floor. Lay two straight brackets across each seam between boards, so that there is one straight bracket near each end. The straight brackets should be more or less centered over each seam. Screw the straight brackets into the 2-by-8 boards. Use 1/2-inch wood screws to do this. This is the lid of the ottoman. Do not attach the lid to the ottoman until the fabric has been installed on the frame and the lid.