Were you EXHAUSTED from the last build? Well then, keep your nose to the grind and build this DIY queen sized Monterey bed! As soon as you place that last pocket screw, you can collapse into this huge and perfectly simple beautiful bed. We promise.
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!
$125-$175
- Tape Measure
- Saw – Jig Saw, Circular, Table, or Miter Saw
- Drill
- Multi-Square and Carpenter’s Square
- Sander
- Kreg Jig – if you build frequently, invest in this one.
- Nail Gun – optional
- Router with Patterning bit – or bit set – optional
- 9 – 1×4 at 8′
- 6 – 2×4 at 8’
- 7 – 2×6 at 8’
- 2 – 4×4 at 8’
- 2-1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 2-1/2” Wood Screws
- 1-1/2” Wood Screws
- Countersink Drill Bit
- Pocket Hole Plugs – Paint Grade, Pine, Oak– optional
- Clamps
- Safety Gear
- Wood Filler
- Wood Glue
- Sanding Supplies
- Paste Wax
- Finishing Supplies
- 2 – 4×4 at 3’ 5-3/4” – Headboard Posts
- 6 – 2×6 at 5’ 3-1/2” – Headboard Slats
- 2 – 4×4 at 1’ 2-1/4” – Footboard Posts
- 1 – 2×4 at 5’ 3-1/2” – Footboard Top
- 2 – 2×4 at 6’ 10-1/4” – Side Tops
- 1 – 2×6 at 5’ 3-1/2” – Footboard Bottom
- 2 – 2×6 at 6’ 10-1/4” – Side Bottoms
- 3 – 2×4 at 8-1/4” – Middle Support Bottoms
- 1 – 2×4 at 7’ 1/4” – Middle Support Top
- 2 – 2×4 at 6’ 10-1/4” – Slat Supports
- 12 – 1×4 at 5’ 5” – Slats
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Cut the pieces for the Headboard Slats (shown here in white for contrast) and Headboard Posts. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Headboard Slat pieces. Additionally, drill pocket holes along the bottom long edge of five of the Headboard Slat pieces. Locate the Headboard Slats 1” from the front edge and 1” from the back edge of the Headboard Posts. Assemble the Headboard Slats to the Headboard Posts as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Next, cut the pieces for the Footboard Posts (shown here in white for contrast), Footboard Top and Side Tops. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Footboard Top and Side Top pieces. Assemble the Footboard Top piece and Side Tops to the Footboard Posts as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Flip the Top/Footboard Post Assembly over and attach the Headboard Assembly as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Next, cut the pieces for the Footboard Bottom and the Side Bottoms (shown here in white for contrast). With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Footboard Bottom and Side Bottoms. Locate the Footboard Bottom and Side Bottoms 1” from the front edge and 1” from the back edge of the Posts. Assemble the Footboard Bottom to the Footboard Posts as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Assemble the Side Bottoms to the Footboard Post and Headboard Posts as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws. For additional support, use 2-1/2″ wood screws to secure the Tops to the Bottoms.
Cut the pieces for Middle Support Top and Middle Support Bottoms. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes each end of Middle Support Top and in the top end of the Middle Support Bottoms. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Assemble the Middle Support Assembly (shown here in white for contrast) to the Headboard Assembly/Footboard Assembly as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Cut the pieces for the Slat Supports (shown here in white for contrast). With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Slat Supports. Position the Slat Support 1” from the top and 1” from the bottom of the Side Bottom. Assemble as shown with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Using 2-1/2” wood screws, secure the Slat Supports to the Side Bottoms along the length of the pieces.
Cut the pieces for the Slats (shown here in white for contrast). We reduced the length of the Slats by 1/2” so that they will easily fit into place – if needed, you may reduce the amount further (cut 1 Slat to desired length and fit it before continuing on to other Slats). Do not cut the Slats shorter than 5’ 4-1/2” so that they will still be able to rest on top of the Slat Supports. Position the Slats approximately 3-1/4” apart from one another. The first and last Slats will be spaced approximately 2-1/4” from the Headboard and Footboard Assemblies. Attach the Slats to the Slat Support with glue (omit glue if you want to take this bed apart later to move) and 1-1/2” wood screws. These screws will need to be inserted at an angle through the Slat and into the Slat Support due to the Side Tops. Attach the Slats to the Middle Support Top with 1-1/2” wood screws.
