How to Make a Toddler-Sized Wooden Bed Frame

Cut the wood for the box frame. Use a tape measure to find 55 ½ inches from the end of each 2-by-8 and mark with a pencil. Cut at the location of each pencil mark using a circular saw. With the remaining wood from the 2-by-8's, measure from one end out to 28 inches and mark with a pencil on each piece of wood. Cut at each pencil mark.

Attach the frame pieces together. Use a drill and 2 ½-inch deck screws to secure the 55 ½-inch pieces of wood to the 28-inch pieces of wood to create a rectangular frame. The frame should measure 55 ½ inches in length and 28 inches in width. Use two deck screws at each end when securing.

Measure and mark in 28-inch increments from one end of a 2-by-4 until four 28-inch segments have been measured. Because each 2-by-4 is 96 inches in length, two 2-by-4's will be required for this step. Use a circular saw to cut at each pencil mark. These form the mattress supports.

Attach the mattress supports. Position one 28-inch mattress support inside at each end of the bed frame and attach from the inside with deck screws. Measure 18 inches from each end and insert the third and fourth mattress supports. Drill a shallow hole at the location where the middle supports will be screwed to the frame before securing with deck screws. Make sure the mattress supports are flush with the bottom of the box frame before securing with screws.

Insert a wood plug dabbed with wood filler into each hole to hide the screws.

Cut the corner posts. Measure and mark two 27 ¾-inch pieces and two 20 ½-inch pieces on 2-by-4's. Cut at each pencil mark with a circular saw and sand the edges to remove any rough spots.

Attach the corner posts to the ends of the box frame. Place one 27 ¾-inch corner post on each side of one end of the frame and one 20 ½-inch corner post on each side of the opposite end of the frame. Measure 5 ¾ inches from one end of each corner post and use a pencil to mark the location. Drill a shallow hole at each pencil mark to house a wood plug before using deck screws to attach the post to the frame. Drill a second hole a few inches above the first and attach with a screw.

Insert wood plugs dabbed with wood filler to cover the screw holes.

Cut headboard and footboard pieces. Measure and mark three 31 7/8-inch segments on 2-by-4's. Use a circular saw to cut at each pencil mark. Use sandpaper to sand each piece until smooth.

Attach the headboard and footboard pieces. From the top of the longest corner posts, measure 8 ¼ inches down and mark with a pencil. The top of the lower headboard piece should be even with this mark. Attach with a deck screw to each post, drilling a small hole first for a wood plug. From the top of the same corner posts, measure 2 ¼ inches down and mark with a pencil to find the location of the top of the upper headboard piece. Measure 1 inch down from the top of the shorter corner posts to find the location of the top of the footboard. Attach all boards with deck screws and cover with wood plugs.

Attach the plywood support. Lay plywood inside the frame on top of the mattress supports and secure it with wood screws.

Stain or paint. Apply a latex paint with a paintbrush or finish with a wood stain followed by a polyurethane protective topcoat.