This project was built and designed by Mark from Gunflint Designs. It’s a clean, sturdy bed frame built with straightforward joinery and minimal materials.
Mark’s approach shows how to make something useful without overcomplicating the process. With a day of focused work and a few tools, this frame comes together quickly and holds up well.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Mark’s channel:
Getting Started with the Lumber
The build begins by milling down rough lumber to create smooth, dimensioned boards. This includes jointing the edges and flattening the faces with a planer.
For the side rails, Mark used a single long cherry board and paired it with shorter offcuts to create a matching second rail. Pocket holes were drilled at both ends, staggered to avoid overlap and provide strong glue joints.
Glue was applied to the end grain before the boards were clamped tightly together. After drying, the seam was refined at the jointer and the whole rail cleaned up with a final pass through the planer.
Constructing the Bed Frame
Mark cut the legs from thicker stock and ripped the side rails to their final widths. A crosscut sled helped ensure precise, square cuts for both the side and end rails.
Pocket holes were drilled into the head and foot rails to join them to the legs. Everything was clamped in place tightly to keep parts aligned during assembly.
To set the correct height of the rails, Mark used a piece of quarter-inch plywood as a spacer. A scrap block held the rail level while he drove in the screws.
Adding Cleats and Brackets
Cleats were glued and nailed along the inside bottom edges of the side rails. These would later support the mattress slats and a center spine.
To reinforce the cleats, screws were added once the glue had dried. Hardware brackets were installed to connect the side rails to the head and foot rails.
Screws with washers were used to create a small amount of play in the joint, making it easier to assemble the bed later. After pre-drilling, the brackets were secured to the rails and legs.
Finishing and Assembly
Inside the side rails, Mark added more cleats using glue and screws. These needed to be flush with the bottom edge to properly support the plywood slats.
Slats were cut from a full sheet of plywood and spaced evenly across the frame. A long center spine was added down the middle, supported by two short legs for extra stability.
Although some of the final footage didn’t make it into the video, Mark mentioned the spine as a critical part of the bed’s overall support. It’s mostly hidden but plays an important structural role.
Surface Finish and Delivery
For the finish, Mark used Odie’s Oil to bring out the natural color of the wood. It wasn’t his first choice due to a mishap with the container, but it gave the frame a nice, subtle sheen.
Once finished, the frame was transported and assembled in his parents’ bedroom. The brackets made the assembly process smooth and repeatable.
The frame was put together by hooking the rails into place, tightening the bolts, and inserting the center spine. After laying out the slats, the mattress was placed on top and the project was complete.
Reflections and Adjustments
During assembly, Mark discovered a misalignment with the legs and had to adapt quickly. He fixed the issue by adding temporary blocks and later cut new legs to match the final design.
It was a simple fix and a good reminder to double-check parts before final glue-ups. Small adjustments like this are common and part of the process.
Want to See the Full Build?
Get Mark’s plans here: https://www.gunflintdesigns.com/product-page/simplebedframeplans.