 It has been an action packed year and there are a lot of projects I need to get everyone caught up on! Last winter my wife and I decided to upgrade our bed/mattress to a king-size. Finding a mattress was the easy part, but holy-sticker-shock-batman, the cost of modern rustic king size bed frames was ridiculous! Not only did the cost get me going but the build quality on some of these units was marginal at best. My wife and I shopped around but we ultimately agreed that spending $3000 on a "nice" bed frame wasn't something we were comfortable doing. While money was part of the problem, it was the build quality and fear that the bed frames would creek, groan, or come apart over time. Instead, I opted to fire up Fusion 360 and get to work designing a modern rustic bed frame based on the West Elm Alexa Bed Set for our new king-size mattress. I decided to make the design as accessible to everyone as I could. What I mean by this is I made the following key design decisions:
My bed frame turned out great and I dialed in the construction process along the way. I experimented with different fasteners, assembly techniques, and tools to arrive at a build process that is efficient and economical. After sleeping on the bed frame and getting lots of positive comments from friends and family I decided to make the build plans available to everyone. If you want a bed frame that is a fraction of the cost of commercial options, features better build quality, and will stand the test of time then these plans are for you! I designed the build plans to be as easy and intuitive to use as possible so that you're not wasting time! The bed frame build is divided into subassemblies so that work is focused on specific sections of the bed frame. The subassemblies consist of the frame, footboard, headboard, legs, and final assembly. The plans incorporate a number of user friendly features that make construction straightforward:
 Ready to get Started?
FAQs: Q: What tools do I need? First and foremost, I designed the bed frame so that it could be built with minimal tools. The main ones you’ll need are a miter saw, table saw, jig-saw, drill, and C-clamps. No planers, jointers, or other fancy tools are required. To make matters simple here’s a complete list of the tools you'll need with clickable links to shop so that you can plan accordingly: DISCLAIMER: Some links below may be affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you; if you purchase products from these links, we will earn a small commission.
The bed frame is constructed primarily from solid lumber giving it a timeless appearance and the strength and durability only solid lumber can provide. Standard-size hardwood lumber is used so you can go to just about any big-box store or lumber supplier and get what you need. Other materials such as hardwood panels, plywood, and all of the hardware can be purchased at your local big-box store too, so you won’t have to scour the fringes of the internet to complete your project. The bed frame is broken down into a handful of main components which are all assembled together using real screws, brackets, and fasteners. You won’t find cheap screws, wing nuts, or other gimmicky parts on this bed frame - that crap belongs at Ikea! The net result is a bed frame that you can jump on, have fun on ;) , and move around without fear of it loosening, falling apart, or becoming forever squeaky. Q: What do the build plans include? The build plans are instantly downloadable, interactive, and printable right from your computer or device. The plans include pages of step-by-step instructions, extensive example photos, and all the detailed drawings you need to make construction as streamlined as possible. The build plans themselves are laid out in a way that maximizes efficiency, reduces saw setups, and values your time. Detailed cut lists and layout diagrams are provided so that you’re not left wondering what board to cut or if you’re wasting material. Within the plans you'll also find:
Q: How much building experience do I need to build the bed frame? People with moderate experience operating power tools and following directions. If you love these plans and don't have building experience, ask a skilled friend or family member to help! The most important aspects of the build is your ability to follow directions, make accurate measurements and cuts, as well as pay attention to detail. Q: How much does it cost though to build this bed frame? So let’s talk overall price. Compared to those “nice” expensive bed frames, the total amount you’ll spend building your own bed frame will be a fraction of the cost. The bed frame I built was constructed from solid hickory and I spent right around $750 for everything (and this was in early 2021 when material prices were crazy!). The total you’ll invest will depend largely on the hardwood you select for your build. Need to build uber-cheap? Consider pine. If money is no object, pick an exotic hardwood and you’ll have a showstopper under your mattress. Here's a Wood Species Cost Comparison to make things easy on you:
Q: Where should I buy materials? Most home improvement stores such as Menards, Home Depot, and Lowes will have everything you need. Certain species of hardwood plywood will need to be sourced from a local lumber supplier depending on your area's local availability. Q: How long does the bed frame take to build? Build time varies entirely based on your building experience. However, a good amount of time to budget for is 40hrs. Q: What should I do if I don’t understand part of the instructions? Please reread and review all instructions and drawings. The last thing I want is for you to be completely stuck and not know how to proceed, so if you still need help please send an email to: Paul.Olesen@workshopchronicles.com and I'll get back to you within three business days.
Have more questions before you purchase the build plans? Send me an email at paul.olesen@workshopchronicles.com  
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Paul Olesen💡Engineer + Educator + Designer🛠 
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