DIY Waterbed Frame

Cut two 2-by-10-inch boards to 84 inches long to make two of the exterior frame pieces. Make a 1/2-inch notch on the bottom inside edge of the two boards.

Cut two 2-by-10-inch boards to either 50 and 1/8, 62 and 1/8 or 74 and 1/8 inches long to create the other two exterior frame pieces for a single, queen or king frame, respectively. Make a 1/2-inch notch on the bottom inside edge of the two boards.

Stain the boards the desired color. Place two corner brackets against the inside of each corner and secure the brackets with 1/2-inch wood screws. You have now assembled the exterior frame. Set it aside for now.

Cut the 1/2-inch plywood into two 30-inch pieces to make the decking pieces for a queen bed or two 36-inch pieces for a king bed. Leave one piece of standard plywood whole for a single bed.

Cut two 2-by-10-inch boards to 72 inches to create two sides of the pedestal base. Cut two 2-by-10-inch boards to 36, 48 or 60 inches long to create the other two sides of the pedestal base for a single, queen or king bed, respectively. Stain the boards and attach two corner brackets to the interior edge of each corner with 1/2-inch wood screws.

Cut one (single) or two (queen or king) 2-by-10-inch boards to 60 inches long for part of the support pieces. Cut two more support pieces to 24, 36 or 48 inches long for a single, queen or king bed, respectively.

Cut two 2-inch wide and 5-inch deep notches in the long support pieces, at equal distance from the ends. Cut a 2-inch by 5-inch notch in the center of the other two support pieces.

Place the pedestal on the floor where you are assembling the bed, then insert the notches on the support boards into one another and place the supports in the center of the pedestal base. Rest the decking on top and measure the overhang on each side. Center the decking on top of the pedestal.

Place the exterior frame on top of the decking. The routed notches should rest perfectly on top of the decking. Place a total of eight corner brackets against the decking and the interior edge of the exterior frame and secure with 1/2-inch wood screws.