Building a Pallet Bed Frame

We decided to get rid of our crappy-ass IKEA (wrought iron) bed frame before we moved. This time, for a more DIY appeal, my wife found hairpin legs for a platform idea. Turned out, after our trip to Home Depot, the platform idea transformed quickly into a pallet frame instead. Since we have a queen size bed, I wanted to make a frame that would be wide enough to eventually accommodate a king size mattress.

Here are some images of the process:

Building out the frame was the first step and key to making sure the cross beams were going to fit flush to the supporting beams. Poplar wood was used during this process.

When we laid out the cross beams, there seemed to be miscalculations. At Home Depot, we rushed this process a bit when we laid out the entire set of beams so we missed the discrepancy.

Each of the cross beams were slightly over the 6 feet mark. Luckily, the circular saw came in very handy to fix the problem.

My wife found the hairpins last year when we originally were inspired to build a frame. These and a lot more cast iron hairpins can be found here.

To help support the frame, we purchased some scrap wood and screwed them into the middle beam. If you notice closely, one of the wooden pegs is about one and a half inches shorter than the other one. That is purposely done to include the clearance needed for the shaggy rug.

And with that, the shaggy rug placed underneath one part of the frame. Otherwise, there would’ve been too much pressure focused on that peg and area causing potential bow and perhaps compromising the integrity of the beam.

The finished pallet bed frame with enough clearance for underneath storage, and future upgrade in mattress size!

If you decide to make/build a frame, my suggestion is to plan ahead. Scout Apartment Therapy and blogs for some ideas on variations of DIY bed frames, head to the local lumber yard to find the wood, draw a plan, measure out the mattress, and consider possible upgrades in the future. Another important key to your decision could be the thought of taking it apart when moving. Your frame can be as permanent as you make it…bolt screws versus dry wall screws. The weight of the frame is worth considering as well.

Good luck to you!

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