How to Build a Raised Twin-Sized Bed

A sturdy and simple raised twin bed is quite easy to build yourself, especially if you steer clear of more complex joinery like mortise and tenon or biscuit joints. The basic butt joint is all you need for building an attractive and solid twin bed, so even the carpentry-challenged can make a go of it. You can adjust the height of the raised bed by using shorter or longer leg pieces, as it won’t affect the building design.

2 planks of 2-by-12 lumber, 75 inches
2 planks of 1-by-2 lumber, 75 inches
Drill
Wood screws 1 1/2-inch
2 planks of 2-by-12 lumber, 44 inches
Wood glue
Wood screws, 3-inch
4 planks of 2-by-6 lumber, 20 inches
Clamps
Lag bolts, 3-inch
21 planks of 1/2-by-3 lumber, 40 inches
Wood screws, 1-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a plank of 75-inch 2-by-12 lumber flat on your work table. Measure down 4 inches from one long side of the lumber and place a plank of 75-inch 1-by-2 lumber along the 2-by-12 plank at this point. The 2-by-12 lumber is a side rail for the twin bed, the 1-by-2 lumber is a bed slat support.
- 2
  Secure the slat support to the side rail with 1 1/2-inch screws drilled every 5 to 6 inches along the length of the slat support into the side rail. Repeat with another side rail and slat support.
- 3
  Rest the side rails on their 2-inch edges, with the slat supports facing in closest to the rail top, with the side rails positioned with 40 inches between them.
- 4
  Sit two planks of 44-inch 2-by-12 lumber across the ends of the side rails to form a rectangle. The ends of the side rails will make 90-degree corners with the 44-inch planks, and the inner dimension of the rectangle will be 40 by 75 inches.
- 5
  Glue the ends of the side rails to the 44-inch planks. Drill three pilot holes, sized for the shaft of a 3-inch wood screw, through the 44-inch planks into the ends of the side rails, then secure the side rails in place with 3-inch wood screws through the pilot holes. This is the frame for the twin bed.
- 6
  Turn the bed frame over, making the slat supports closest to the ground. Insert a 20-inch plank of 2-by-6 lumber against the inside of the side rail, flush against the corners of the frame, with the lumber flush against the bottom of the slat supports. These are the legs, which will raise the twin bed.
- 7
  Clamp the legs in place against the side rails. Drill five pilot holes, positioned as the five appears on a dice, through the legs into the side rails. Secure the legs to the side rails with 3-inch lag bolts. This leaves the outside of the side rails unmarred by screw holes.
- 8
  Remove the clamps and flip the frame back the right way up, now sitting on the legs.
- 9
  Evenly space 21 bed slats, 1/2 by 3, measuring 40 inches long, across the frame, the ends resting on the slat supports. There should be around 1/2 an inch between each slat.
- 10
  Affix the slats to the slat supports with a 1 inch screw through each end of the slats into the supports planks.

How to Make an Upholstered Headboard With Welts

The Best Orthopedic or Ergonomic Pillow for Side Sleeping

Beds