Build your very own bed (in a shabby-chic look) – using scaffolding planks

Your new bed made of old scaffolding planks should fit a 1.4 x 2 m mattress once it’s ready. These dimensions match the internal dimensions of the newly built frame. The scaffolding boards need to have a little extra length on the ends so that there’s still enough space to screw the frame together.
In this step, measure the two boards for the long side at 2100 mm and saw them to length with a circular saw. The boards for the short sides need to be sawn to 1410 mm and 1500 mm in length.

Clamp everything together tightly and use a guide rail when cutting – a wooden slat works best for this.

The scaffolding boards will be joined together at the plank hooks later. This means you need to cut out the corresponding slots on the 1500 mm short board.

Use the plank hooks you sawed off in step 1 to mark the exact size of the slots. By laying the plank hooks on the wood, you can determine the exact depth and position and mark them accordingly (image 1).

Then, use a jigsaw to cut the slots into the board (image 2).

Now, clamp the short board with the slots (from step 2) vertically to your workbench. Use the sawn-off plank hooks again to mark the position for the drill holes (image 1).

Then, take a long scaffolding board with plank hooks, tightly clamp it and interlock it with the short board. Using a 10 mm metal drill bit, drill a hole from the top through the wood along the hook and back into the wood (image 2).

Now, use an even longer wood drill bit (at least as long as your screws) to drill the hole deeper into the middle part (image 3).

Then, set the screw (image 4).

Repeat the same steps on all four corners of the foot of the frame (on the left and right side from the bottom and top respectively).

For the next step, put the entire wooden bed frame together in your work area and fix it in place. Since the foot of the frame is already screwed in place, fixing the head in place with G-clamps and ratchet straps is sufficient.

Now, mark the drill holes on the outside of the long board for the head. Measure 70 mm from the top and 25 mm from the side to determine the correct position of the first drill hole (image 1). Mark the corresponding second hole in the lower corner (70 mm from the bottom and 25 mm from the side). Mark the same holes on the other side of the head of the bed.

Then, pre-drill all four holes (image 2).

Unclamp the 1500 mm board for the head. You need two recesses on the inside of both sides to be able to screw it together and tighten the nuts.
Using the holes you drilled in step 4 as a reference point, you can now use a square to determine the respective positions for the recesses (image 1). Then, use a Forstner drill bit to drill a recess of about 40 mm (image 2).

Afterward, clamp the board again and set the four carriage bolts from the outside to join the boards at the head. Use the recesses on the inside to tighten the nuts to the bolts (image 3).

In the last step, you need to mount two squared timbers to support the bed slats. The exact position depends on the thickness of your mattress. So, take a look at it and measure it beforehand.

Once you’ve determined the height, you can clamp the squared timbers to the inside of the long side of the bed. You need to pre-drill four holes on each side and fix the squared timbers in place with wood screws.

If you want, you can mount casters to the bottom four corners – then you can even move your bed whenever you need to. You can also paint the bed your favourite colour, of course, or simply keep the rustic look of the scaffolding boards.

Want more cool DIY furniture in your bedroom? Then this clothing rail made from a branch or nightstand lamp with a copper look could also be suitable projects for you.

We hope you have lots of fun building your new bed – sweet dreams!