How to Build a Poster Bed

An elegant poster bed just oozes comfort and luxury, but they generally come at a hefty price tag. Instead of parting with your hard-earned cash, make yourself a poster bed at a fraction of the cost you would pay for a solid wood, handmade item of similar design. A chic country-style poster bed is achievable for most do-it-yourself builders.

2 planks 62-inch 2-by-10-inch lumber
2 planks 82-inch 2-by-10-inch lumber
Carpenter's square
Drill
Wood screws, 3 inches
4 planks 62-inch 2-by-6-inch lumber
2 planks 82-inch 2-by-3-inch lumber
4 planks 80-inch 2-by-4-inch lumber
Clamps
4-inch bolts and matching nuts
Stepladder
2 planks 70-inch 2-by-3-inch lumber
Wood finish
Paintbrush
2 sheets 3/4-inch plywood, 30 by 40 inches

Instructions

- 1
  Form two planks of 62-inch 2-by-10 lumber and two planks of 82-inch lumber into a frame for the base, which will make a queen poster bed. The ends of the 62-inch lumber should be on the inside of the 82-inch piece, making the corners, and the overall dimensions of the frame, 66-by-82 inches.
- 2
  Verify that the frame has 90-degree corners using the carpenter's square and adjust if necessary. Drill three evenly spaced pilot holes through the 82-inch sides into the ends of the 62-inch planks then secure the frame with 3-inch screws through each pilot hole.
- 3
  Slot four planks of 62-inch 2-by-6 lumber across the 62-inch side of the frame. Move the end two planks so they are touching the ends of the frame, and space the remaining two evenly between the ends. Push all four down so they are even with the bottom edge of the base. Secure using wood screws like you did the base frame. These are support planks for the mattress.
- 4
  Lay a piece of 82-inch 2-by-3 lumber on a 3-inch face for the side of the poster canopy. Set two planks of 2-by-4 lumber measuring 80 inches over each end of the side canopy plank and perpendicular to them. These are two of the poster bed legs. Secure the legs to the side canopy using four wood screws through the leg planks into the canopy plank underneath. Repeat with remaining leg and side canopy planks.
- 5
  Position the leg units upright against the sides of the base, canopy plank up. The outer edges of the legs should be flush with the corners of the base. Have your helper assist in lifting the frame until it is 10 inches off the ground, then clamp the bed base frame to the legs.
- 6
  Verify the bed frame is at right angles to the base with a carpenter's square before bolting the legs to the base using four 4-inch bolts through the legs into the side of the base, secured with the nuts that accompany the bolts.
- 7
  Mount a stepladder and position a piece of 70-inch 2-by-3 lumber across the end of the bed between the bed legs. The end canopy plank will make corners with the ends of the side canopy. Secure the end planks to the legs as you did the side planks. Repeat at the other end of the bed before finishing the bed with the wood finish of your choice.
- 8
  Slot two pieces of 30-by-40-inch 3/4-inch plywood over the top of the support planks in the bed base.

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