9 Cheaper DIY Box Spring Alternatives

Last updated on September 11, 2024

Here are several tutorials for creating your own box spring alternative at home, whether you need a full, queen, or twin size.

Building an alternative to a box spring from scratch may seem like a daunting task, but with the help of these tutorials, it is actually quite easy to do. With some careful planning and measuring, anyone can build their own box spring at home.

You will need to have access to woodworking tools and materials, but the end result is definitely worth the effort. These tutorials will walk you through every step of the process so that you can build your very own box spring with ease.

You’ll save money and get a sturdier bed by following these simple steps.

What you need to know first:

These DIY alternatives are not actually spring boxes. By definition, the latter should be an upholstered bed frame containing springs. These options work as the base for the mattress.
You can build an entire bed frame yourself.
2×4 lumber makes a much sturdier base than plywood.
Pallet wood lets you save money on materials.
Do not overlook the box spring cover you’ll need to make also.

How to Build a Box Spring

Tutorial: abutterflyhouse.com

Expected cost: $50

Materials:

1″ x 4″ x 8′ furring strips
2″ x 4″ x 8′ wood
Wood glue and brad nails

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, but it is still doable for most people. It will take some time to cut all of the pieces and then assemble them, but the end result is worth it.

How to Make Box Spring Base

Tutorial: agernrestaurant.com

Expected cost: $50-$100

Materials:

Plywood
2x4s
Construction adhesive
Cordless drill
1 inch hole saw
Jigsaw
Paint or stain
Polyurethane

This project is a bit more difficult than the average DIY project, but it is still doable for most people. You will be making a box spring from plywood.

You will need to purchase some supplies in order to complete this project, but they should be readily available at your local hardware store.

$15 Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Materials:

1×4 lumber
1×6 lumber
2×4 lumber
Plywood
Wood screws
Wood glue
Caster wheels

This project is a bit more difficult than the average bed frame, but it is doable for most people with some basic woodworking skills. It will take some time to cut all of the pieces and then assemble the frame, but it is not overly complicated.

The most important thing is to make sure that all of the pieces are cut correctly and that the frame is level when you attach the legs.

Pallet Wood Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Materials:

Pallet wood
Saw
Hammer
Nails
Paint or stain (optional)

This project is a do-it yourself way to build your own low-cost, low-profile bed frame by recycling pallet wood. It is a simple project that does not require many tools or much time to complete.

DIY Bed Frame with Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Expected cost: $50-$100

Materials:

1×8 lumber
1×10 lumber
1×12 lumber
2×4 lumber
Plywood
Wood screws
Wood glue
Cordless drill
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Sander
Stain or paint (optional)

This project is a easy DIY Wooden Bed Frame Platform made from framing lumber. It requires some cutting and ripping of the lumber, but is otherwise a fairly simple project.

The finished product is a modern bed frame that is sturdy and looks great.

Bed Frame with Box Spring from 2x4s

Tutorial: instructables.com

Materials:

2x4s
1x4s
1x8s
Stain
Polyurethane

This project is a bed frame that is made out of 2x4s, 1x4s, and 1x8s. It is a queen size bed frame that is 28 inches tall.

It took me a total of 12 hours to complete, including stain dry time. This project is not too difficult, but it does require some basic woodworking skills.

Pallet Bed Frame with Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Materials:

4 pallets
saw
hammer
nails
paint or stain (optional)

This project is a simple bed frame made out of pallets. It is a relatively easy project to complete, requiring only basic woodworking skills and tools.

The most difficult part of the project may be finding suitable pallets, depending on your location.

Robust and Inexpensive Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Expected cost: $200-$250

Materials:

plywood
wood

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, as it requires you to have some basic tool experience. However, it is still doable for most people and only takes around 8 hours to complete.

IKEA Bookcase Box Spring

Tutorial: instructables.com

Expected cost: $100-$150

Materials:

2 IKEA bookcases
2x4s (enough to build the frame of the bed)
saw

This project is a simple one that anyone with basic woodworking skills can complete. It should take no more than a few hours to complete.

The most difficult part of this project is cutting the 2x4s to size, but as long as you have a straight edge and a saw, it’s not too difficult. The end result is a sturdy bed frame that can be used with any twin-sized mattress.

This would be perfect for a child’s room or even a guest room.