How to Build a Custom Bed Frame

Measure the length of your mattress. Record this measurement. Measure the width of your mattress. Record this measurement.

Cut two of your 2-by-6 boards to equal the measurement of the length of the bed. Cut two more boards to equal the width of the bed.

Paint all of your bed frame boards using latex paint or wood stain. Paint in long, even strokes. Move your foam brush over the board in the same direction as the wood grain. Allow the boards to dry completely.

Frame out your bed by placing your width boards at the top and bottom and the length boards on the right and left. Apply wood glue to the ends of the boards where they form corners. Press the boards together to create your bed frame.

Secure the frame by screwing two wood screws into each corner.

Measure the length of the bed from the inside center of the top board to the inside center of the bottom board. Cut your remaining board to equal this measurement. Apply wood glue to the ends of the boards and fit the board into place as a center support beam. Screw two wood screws through the top beam of the bed frame into the support beam. Repeat on the bottom.

Measure from the center support beam to the inside of the right beam on the bed frame. Cut six pieces of plywood to equal this measurement by 6 inches. Space the boards evenly along the right side of the bed frame. Use wood screws to secure the planks to the center support beam and the right edge of the bed frame.

Repeat Step 7 on the left side. Cut support planks and secure them to the left side of the bed frame.

Measure the width of your bed frame. Cut your remaining plywood sheet to equal this width by 5 feet high. Spray the front of the plywood sheet with spray adhesive.

Unroll your batting face down on a flat work surface. Place the plywood sheet, adhesive side down, on the work surface. Wrap the batting around to the back side. Use the same method you would use to wrap a present. Secure by stapling the batting in place around the perimeter of the back.

Unroll your fabric face down on the work surface. Place the batting-covered plywood face down on the upholstery. Cut the fabric so that it is about 6 inches longer than the plywood on all sides. Wrap the fabric around the back and secure with staples.

Hold the upholstered headboard against the front of the bed frame. Be sure the upholstered side is facing towards the foot of the bed. Screw the headboard in place by screw three screws into the top left corner and three left screws into the top right corner. Be sure to screw through the headboard into the bed frame.