Hey friends! I was on the lookout for a magical and inexpensive toddler bed... and tbh I wasn't finding much so I decided to make our own!
Supplies:
4 | 2 x 3-in x 96-in white wood stud(legs of the bed + triangular frame)
3 | 2 x 2-in x 8-ft furring strip (very top canopy connection + mattress support)
3 | 1 x 6-in x 6-ft whitewood board (bed frame)
4 | 1 x 3-in x 8-ft whitewood board (railing)
6 | 1 x 3-in x 8-ft furring strip (mattress support)
Cut list using the supplies above:
*not pictured:
8 | 1 x 3 furring strips (slats for across mattress support 2 | 2 x 2 inner ledge for slats to rest on for mattress support
Step 1: Cut all pieces to size I started by pre-cutting all of my pieces. Most valuable tip here: cut once, MEASURE TWICE. What seams like a lot of cuts is actually a LOT of the same measurements, but precision is key in making this thing sturdy. Check out the cut list and let me know if you have any Qs.
Step 2: Sand Sand all pieces smooth. We can get down in the weeds about what grit to use (which is always recommended for the best/smoothest finish) but I just used what I had on hand... a good ol' 120 grit.
Step 3: Pocked holes
This bed is primarily held together by a bunch of screws and a whole lot of pocked holes. To sum it up, nearly every piece of wood was granted two pocked holes on each end for an easy assembly later. I have a video here to demonstrate how the pocket holes were made. The only exception to this was the top canopy section, where I skipped the pocket holes and simply screwed the angles together.
Step 4: Stain
Wood conditioner first, always! It makes for a better finish. Unless you're like me and completely space (mom brain), then just dive into the stain. I used a combo of Early American, Simply White, and Dark Walnut then finished with a clear coat.
Step 5: Assemble
I did assemble the header and footer of the bed before staining (optional). Then I assembled the rest of the bed in the room so it could fit through the door way. I used pocket screws until I ran out, and then used regular screws---all of which worked great.
Bedding details: I didn't LOVE the corners of the bed exposed (screws and all) so I used fabric to add a fun touch to the bed and completed it with cute string lights. Oh! and I stuck a pool noodle under the fitted sheet as a little bumper :)
I genuinely love how this turned out. It's simple and is the perfect transition bed that'll last for a couple of years until we upgrade to a twin.
And the best part? Our little guy enjoys it *holds back tears. He's actually sleeping a whole lot better in this than the crib, which I totally didn't expect!
Let me know if you give this project a go and what your littles think. This is such a beautiful stage in life, so cheers to soaking it in.
<3 Aubrey