How to Build a Wooden Canopy Bed for Kids

Bed Base

• 1

  Arrange the 71- and 39-inch long planks into a rectangle. The ends of the 71-inch planks should be on the inside edge of the 39-inch planks, forming right angles and creating a rectangle 75 by 39 inches -- standard single bed size.

• 2

  Drill three pilot holes, sized to fit the flat head bolts, through the front of the 39-inch planks into the abutting ends of the 71-inch planks. Bolt the planks together through the pilot holes.

• 3

  Position two of the slats over either end of the bed base, flush with the ends and sides of the frame. Screw these two slats in position before arranging the remaining slats evenly spaced between the original two. Screw the remaining slats in place to complete the bed base.

Bed Posts

• 4

  Miter one 75-inch side of each of the eight 75-by-5-inch planks -- which will become the bed posts -- to 45 degrees.

• 5

  Mate the mitered edges of two planks to create a 90-degree corner. Glue and clamp the corner. Repeat with remaining planks, creating four corner posts. Let dry.

• 6

  Insert a corner bracket into one end of the inside of each post and screw in place so that you now have four posts to add to the bed base.

Adding the Posts

• 7

  Position one post over each of the four corners of the bed base. The corner brackets should be at the top. Ensure each post is vertical and sits flush with the bottom of the bed base before clamping in place.

• 8

  Drill two pilot holes through each side of the four posts into the bed base -- stagger the position of these holes to avoid the bolts already in the base. Bolt the posts onto the base with the flat head bolts before unclamping them.

• 9

  Clamp the 75- and 39-inch planks that are left onto the inside edge of the posts at the top. This will mirror the look of the bed base at the bottom. Bolt down the top planks as you did the posts into the bed base.

• 10

  Paint or varnish the canopy bed as desired. Screw in the decorative brass corners over the top and bottom of the bed corners if desired.