61 Easy DIY Bed Frame Ideas You Can Build on a Budget

Last updated on October 18, 2023

These DIY bed frame ideas will help you build your project and save, all the while staying in style. Read on!

Our top choice: DIY Platform Bed Frame

Building your own bed can be a fun and cost-effective DIY way to outfit the bedroom. This approach adds appeal, personal touch, and saves you money. Whether your bedroom is a small cozy retreat or a large luxury suite, it has never been easier to learn the basics of building a stylish, functional piece of furniture. It’s also a great opportunity to consider cheap bed alternatives as well.

How to Build a DIY Bed Frame

Use the basic bed frame plans to follow this process:

  1. Measure the size of the mattress. This usually matches the standard, but since you’re building it yourself, you are free to use custom measurements.
  2. Cut the wood boards to size.
  3. Put the base together using screws and wood glue.
  4. Secure the mattress.
  5. Consider additions, such as the headboard.

But this is not all. There are many different types and styles, and you can build any of them.

DIY King Size Bed Frame

This tutorial gives you all the instructions (plus diagrams) you need to know when you plan the headboard and footboard of your king size. The Ana White also has a number of photos of beds that others have built following this tutorial. Check them out for all the motivation you need.

DIY Queen Size Bed Frame

These are the DIY instructions on how to make a queen size unit with a lovely tongue and groove headboard. The design and plans are simple enough even for beginners to tackle. Check out the article to learn how it’s done.

DIY Platform Bed Frame

platform
Tutorial: mrkate.com

This tutorial is our top choice for a DIY bed frame. First of all, it’s a really great guide on how to build a bed from scratch with plans. The frame is stylish and functional, you can easily customize it too.

The reclaimed wood platform bed provides more open space underneath since it does not feature a box spring unit. This creates more room for a built-in storage system. The tutorial will show you how to build it yourself exactly.

DIY Twin Bed Frame

You can build this twin size with lots of storage for under $200. Follow the tutorial for plans and to see how it’s done.

DIY Bed Frame with Storage

This is quite a unique wooden unit built from IKEA furniture. Check out the tutorial for more details.

DIY Queen Bed Frame with Storage

This raised platform bed has a huge storage space for everything you might need to store in a room. The tutorial is great to follow too.

DIY Pallet Bed Frame

This unit is made of simple pallets put together for a platform. Don’t forget to choose your finish! Read this website to see the complete plans.

DIY Wood Bed Frame

This DIY project requires the use of tongue and groove pattern stock boards. It presents a fascinating opportunity to create a seamless panel that is highly functional and looks compact. You can work your magic to ensure that the groove detail creates a visual illusion of thinner boards. Follow the tutorial for complete instructions.

Cheap DIY Bed Frame

This simple yet gorgeous looking piece of furniture (don’t confuse with the ‘Sleepover’ headboard in the picture) was prepared using pine boards only. The maker used oak for support and mounted the frame on six short hairpin legs. The latter will set you back $70, so if you want, you can use an inexpensive alternative in its place.

DIY Floating Bed Frame with LED Lighting

led lighting
Tutorial: imgur.com

The floating design is dreamy. The idea behind this look is using LED lighting to light up under the platform bed. This results in a look as if the unit is floating. Check out this project.

DIY Full Size Bed Frame

Here’s a replica of a Pottery Barn farmhouse piece in full size. It looks just like the real thing. And it’s relatively easy to build too. Read this website to learn how to do it.

DIY Twin Bed Frame with Storage

Check out how to build this beautiful twin size with big storage drawers. This tutorial has everything you need to do this project.

DIY King Bed Frame with Storage

king size storage
Tutorial: homefixated.com

Simple and easy – that’s what this project is all about. Here’s how you can build your project with storage too.

DIY Bed Frame with Drawers

A well-designed king size can provide the much-needed coziness factor. The unit can be tailor-made to match the theme of your bedroom decor. It provides equal parts comfort, luxurious feel and optimal functional benefits. Follow the tutorial for the instructions.

DIY Storage Bed Frame

A good base with storage is all you might need. This tutorial will give you a good idea for the project.

DIY Bookshelf Bed Frame

This project allows you to build a portable unit from an IKEA bookshelf. You can improvise to get the job done by building two bookshelves and place a slatted base in the middle. Follow the tutorial for complete instructions.

DIY Rustic Bed Frame

This unit is made from oak and white pine boards acquired from Home Depot. The Instructions are detailed enough – from drawing your designs on paper to get the whole job finished one step at a go. We also love the idea of the joined rustic headboard made from reclaimed pallets.

DIY Under Bed Storage Frame

Build a piece of furniture with ample under-the-bed storage in the mid-century style. It’s a lovely home project with an extensive tutorial.

DIY Toddler Bed Frame

A simple 10-step tutorial for transforming your old crib into a new toddler loft for your little one. See the link to find out how to do it.

DIY Upholstered Bed Frame

Upholstered beds provide the ultimate in comfort and luxury. It comes as no surprise that they are the preferred choice for countless designers. They are suitable for different types of rooms, lifestyles and architecture. You can transform the appeal of even the most modest bedroom. Upholstered beds are known to have a lasting quality.

DIY Raised Bed Frame

Build this raised wood platform on stylish round legs to make your bedroom look classy. And all that without sending a fortune for a new unit.

DIY Floating Bed Frame

This platform king size is designed to give the illusion that it’s floating off the ground. Follow the Ugly Duckling House blog to get the complete plans.

DIY Box Spring Bed Frame

How about repurposing your old box spring and mattress to get a new alternative to a mattress? This is what is done in this project and the finished product looks neat and elegant enough with its wooden legs. And all of this done in a meager budget only! Check the tutorial to learn how.

DIY Pipe Bed Frame

If you don’t want to go for a wooden bed and will instead prefer an industrial/transitional look for your furniture (and also save some pretty bucks in the process), this pipe bed with wooden slats would be ideal for you. Check out the tutorial for details.

DIY Low Bed Frame

This frame is low, simple, and affordable. It costs less than $130 to make, and you don’t need to be a woodworker to do it. Read the tutorial to get the complete guidance.

DIY Mid-Century Modern Bed Frames

A mid-century inspired bed provides a viable way to transform your bedroom at an affordable price. With a wide variety of plans from which to choose, you are surely spoiled for choice. The bed can complement both classic or contemporary decor for an eye-catching appearance. Check out the tutorial if you’re interested in this project.

DIY Modern Bed

modern
Tutorial: juniperhome.com

Modern upholstered platform beds are a fabulous choice for any do-it-yourself bed project. They are synonymous with sleek, contemporary styling. You can build your own bed that blends straight lines and corners to add a contemporary twist to the decor. Check out the tutorial for the full story.

DIY Inclined Bed Frames

As the name implies, this simple plywood bed was made using no more than three tools! Plus it will take you no more than four hours to make the frame and the costs will stay under $70. If you are looking for a quick and inexpensive DIY project, this is it!

DIY Loft Bed Frames

Learn how to build a farmhouse style loft bed. It’s and easy-to-follow tutorial by Jen Woodhouse. This bed fits a Full-Size mattress. Follow the tutorial to get the entire plans.

DIY Japanese Bed Frames

We absolutely adore the neat and minimalist look of this frame. This is a fun design with the attached headboard and the hairpin legs. Check the photos, instructions as well as the video to learn how you can complete this project yourself.

DIY Murphy Bed Frames

You don’t have to give up your office or craft space. Build a gorgeous murphy bed with this helpful tutorial and free plans. Follow the article to find out how to do it.

Slat Bed Frames

Any cedar board king slat bed of similar style and dimensions to those of this bed would set you back $500 or more if you buy it in the market. Yet, the maker completed this awesome project keeping the allover budget under $150! If that is motivation enough, please check this tutorial to find out and follow the instructions.

DIY Bed Frames and Headboard

This wooden bed with powerboard and lights attached to the head of the bed looks professional all the way and yet it was made at about 1/4th of the price of similar bed frames you would get to buy on stores. We especially love the guide for its awesome step-by-step breakdown instructions and anybody that wants to build their own bed can use this tutorial as a primer.

Reclaimed Wood Bed Frames

This project gives you an opportunity to build a sturdy and functional bed without compromising on comfort. The unit makes it easier to incorporate a stylish headboard using reclaimed wood, which adds character to any bedroom. The best part is the project does not cost a fortune. Check out the tutorial for complete details on how to do it.

DIY Floor Bed Frames

This bed lies right on the floor and looks super cool in a suitable décor (such as the one we see in the photo). What we especially like about this project is how simple it is and virtually everybody should be able to make it and in little time, too.

Metal Bed Frames

This one uses walnut plywood to make this awesome bed with welded metal legs. Will fit right in with all wood/chocolate/walnut themed decor. We also like the not so common welded legs idea.

Tall Bed Frames

We like the tall and elegant look of this wood bed and the fact that it can be built quickly and inexpensively. Read through the tutorial and you will find that the frame, apart from looking good, is also sturdy enough.

Minimalist Bed Frames

This again sits right on the floor and is ideal for all minimalist décors. This would also be right for fitting in relatively smaller spaces. Check out the tutorial to learn how to make this pine wood beam bed all by yourself.

Four Poster Bed Frames

Also known as the bed of kings, the poster bed adds a classic touch to any bedroom. These units come with four vertical columns that are positioned on each corner. The columns support an upper panel (usually rectangular in shape) or a tester. In many cases, the panel or tester feature rails that are designed to pull curtains around the bed. Refer to this tutorial if you wish to build this bed at home.

DIY California King Bed Frames

A gorgeous mid-century modern bed that is affordable and easy-to-build. It was built for a California King size but could be adjusted to any size. Follow this website to find out how it’s done.

Industrial Bed Frames

This is a pretty simple industrial design, but it’s that much easier to build. Apply the wood stain of your choice to get the look you want. Read the article to find out how to do it.

Twin XL Bed Frames

twin xl
Tutorial: www.ryobitools.com

There is only so much you can do with your Twin XL. You can outfit it with the most beautiful comforter set and fluff it up with pillows, but that doesn’t help the fact that it sits low to the ground and takes up some valuable floor space. Follow the article to get the full details and instructions.

Dresser Bed Frames

How to build a faux dresser murphy bed on a budget. It’s a great home decor feature too. See this website to learn how it’s done.

Trundle Bed Frames

As with most projects, you can build your trundle from pallets too. This project uses this material to create rolling furniture. Follow this website to learn how to do it.

Tufted Bed Frames

This one uses pine boards and wood legs to prepare the frame. We like the upholstered bed idea, although you may drop it if you want. Follow this part one tutorial to find how to make the frame itself and if you’ll like to upholster, you may check the part two of the guide.

Memory Foam Bed Frames

This project will have you build a bed frame for a memory foam mattress. The mattress provides a wide range of health benefits. It incorporates special technology that allows it to conform to your bodyline. The technology was introduced by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The units are manufactured using a special material that is sensitive to temperature. This DIY project requires high resiliency (HR) foam.

Plywood Bed Frames

This is a nice platform bed to build and it takes only two sheets of plywood. Check out the tutorial and you will see how it’s done.

Pull Out Bed Frames

Need a pull out bed for extra sleeping space? It’s a cheap project that can be done in one day. See the tutorial to learn how it’s done.

Canopy Bed Frames

This impressive platform bed in a nice rustic wood finish and posts that can be used to create a canopy can be made for under $200. It’s an amazing project idea all in all.

Sturdy Bed Frames

Platform beds eliminate the need for box springs and make sturdy beds. Instead, they feature a built-in base that incorporates a solid panel or a slat support system. You can choose a light or bolder finishing for this project. Lighter finishes like sand, natural and maple infuse an interesting splash of color. Check out the tutorial to see how to build this platform bed.

Bookcase Bed Frames

This bed is an IKEA hack and is prepared by ingeniously repurposing a set of tall and doorless IKEA kitchen cabinets – and yet one would hard be hard put to believe it looking at the finished product, right? Please check out the tutorial to find how you can do this by yourself.

IKEA Bed Hack

Here’s another great platform bed idea with extra storage featuring an IKEA bed hack. It’s perfect for any small room or apartment.

2×4 Bed Frames

This platform is so simple as it can be made from 2x4s and 2x8s. Forget complicating plans and cuts. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

Barnwood Bed Frames

Build this fun Barnwood twin DIY bed for as little as free. This rustic chevron bed plan utilizes reclaimed lumber as the primary building material. Follow the article to see how to do it.

PVC Frame

You can build a frame from PVC and it will be sturdy enough. Check out this website to get the complete details and instructions.

Milk Crate Bed

Things you can do with milk crates. And to top it off, such a frame can even be used with an air mattress. Check out the article to get the full guidance and instructions.

Collapsible Bed

On the move? Check out this solution that folds down into manageable bits. Read the link for the entire plans and instructions.

Log Bed

Some falled trees can find new life in sustainable furniture. It’s a classic rustic design. Read the link to see how it’s done.

House Shaped Bed

Build a unique kids bed in the shape of a house frame. Your kids will adore this DIY bed. Read the article to see the entire details and instructions.

Wood Crate Bed

Wood crates can be used to create a simple DIY bed with ample storage. Such a simple project to tackle. Check out this website for the entire details and instructions.

Recap

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