Hi it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back again with another build project. If you’ve been following along with our build series, you’ve probably noticed a few ‘house’ shaped projects. We have made the cute Playhouse frame for a fun reading nook. A little more recently, the house headboard. The house project that takes the cake is the amazing Bunk Bed Playhouse. When an Australian magazine, Home Life showed off this fun House Frame bed, we had to add it to the collection of ‘house’ shaped tutorials, right!
How to Build a House Frame Twin Bed
Click Here to Get a Free Printable Version of this Building Plan
This bed is designed to fit a twin mattress and box spring 39″ x 75″, with a no box spring option. Here are the overall dimensions of the bed.
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UPDATE: Leigh Anne over at Houseologie built this house bed following our plans and it turned out so amazing! See some of her tips and more pictures of the beautiful finished room here.
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Materials Needed
- 9 – 2″ x 4″ x 8′ boards (actual 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)
- 3 – 2″ x 2″ x 8′ boards (actual 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)
- *5 – 1″ x 4″ x 8′ boards (actual 3/4″ x 3 1/2″)
- *1 1/2″ screws
- 2 1/2″ pocket screws (self tapping)
- 2″ brad nails
- Pendant Light
- wood glue
- wood filler
- sand paper
- Paint and primer or wood stain
- Kreg Jig pocket hole jig
* No box spring option
Cut List
| Quantity | Board Type | Length |
| 4 | 2×4 | 61 5/16″ |
| 4 | 2×4 | 30 1/16″ with angles see diagram |
| 2 | 2×4 | 35 1/2″ |
| 4 | 2×4 | 77″ |
| 3 | 2×2 | 77″ |
| 1 | 2×2 | 11″ see diagram |
| 1 | 2×2 | 7″ see diagram |
| 1 | 2×2 | 5 1/2″ see diagram |
| 5 | 1×4 | 39 1/2″ *no box spring option |
Cut diagram
(Make sure to save your extra wood pieces for crafts like holiday block crafts.)
Step 1
Cut the boards according to the cut list and cut diagram. First we will assemble the front and back house shapes. On the vertical boards, measure and mark 6 1/2″ from the bottom.
To join the boards, we will use pocket holes set for 1 1/2″ material. Apply wood glue to the joints and secure with 2 1/2″ pocket screws as indicated.
Step 2
Drill pocket holes in each end of the 5 – 77″ boards. The 2 lower 77″ boards are mounted 6 1/2″ up from the bottom. Secure with 2 1/2″ pocket screws as indicated. (Don’t use wood glue if you want to disassemble the bed later.)
Drill pilot holes in the 2 – 77″ 2×2 boards in about 4 or 5 places, spaced along the length of the board. Attach the 77″ 2×2’s flush with the bottom of the 77″ 2×4’s. Secure with 2 1/2″ screws. The box spring will sit on this ledge. For added support, use the extra pieces of the 2×2’s and install them on the inside of the front and back 35 1/2″ boards.
For the *No box spring option:
Cut 10 1″ x 4″ x 39 1/2″ boards for bed slats, you may have to trim the length a little to fit. Drill 2 pilot holes in each end of the bed slats. Space the bed slats approximately every 3 7/8″, starting with a space at the top and bottom. Secure the bed slats on the 2″ x 2″ supports with 1 1/2″ screws.
Step 3
Assemble the chimney pieces. Use 2 1/2″ screws and screw from the top down into the vertical pieces. Use brad nails and wood glue, and attach the chimney to the front roof about 13″ down from the peak.
Step 4
Remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to nail holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry. Sand the wood filler and house frame until smooth, finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper. Stain or paint and prime as you like. It looks like the bed in the inspiration picture was whitewashed. For tutorials on whitewashing see Whitewash Planked Ceiling and White Wash vs Dry Brush.
The little details are what make any project. I love the little pendant light hanging from the roof. IKEA carries light cords for $5 that plug into an outlet. They also carry cords with fun colors for $8. Add a pendant cover/shade that fits your decor and you have the cutest House Frame Bed on the block!
Update Feb 2018: Reader Alisha submitted this bed that she built and it is perfectly adorable!
“We followed the plans to a T and everything turned out perfect! Made all of the cuts first, then assembled and it came together very easily. Once built, I finished it with a thin coat OF white chalk paint and some light, lanterns and lace overhead. It is gorgeous and cute and we get tons of compliments on it!”
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More fun kids’ bed ideas:Camping Tent Bed Canopy
Hanging Loft Bed
DIY Daybed Cornice and Canopy
Bunk Bed Cottage Playhouse
Apologies… one more question. We are building this for our granddaughter who lives with her parents. Looks like transporting assembled is impossible so is there a suggestion for primarily building at our home but with minimal final assembly at her home? Suggestions? Thank you!!
I’m so excited to build this! I’ve been looking for a house frame bed plan I like and this looks like the winner! I’m wondering about lowering the support slats to the floor though to make it less of a jump for my 3 year old…has anyone tried that? If not, guess I’ll be the first! Thanks for the plans!
Do you think a trundle would fit under neath it?
It’s possible! It would need to be pretty low with a thin mattress to fit the building plan as it’s written — but the great part about building it yourself is that you could adjust the height of the platform to allow more space for a trundle 🙂