Are you tired of your boring old bed? Ready for a change? Well, why not build a DIY floating bed? It’s the perfect DIY project for anyone who loves woodworking.

People love floating beds for a variety of reasons. Some people find them incredibly comfortable and enjoy the sensation of sleeping in the air. Others appreciate the aesthetic appeal of a floating bed and find it to be a stylish addition to their home décor. And still, others simply enjoy the novelty of sleeping on a bed that seems to defy gravity. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that floating beds are becoming increasingly popular.

Using these plans, you’ll learn how to build a floating bed that is sturdy, stylish, and sure to turn heads. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

What is a Floating Bed?

A floating bed is a type of bed that appears to float above the ground, supported by either a frame or wall-mounted brackets. Floating beds can give the illusion of more space in a room and can be used in a variety of design styles. Floating beds have a modern design and may appeal to those looking to furnish a smaller bedroom space.

If you’re interested in building your own floating bed, there are a few things you’ll need to consider. First, you’ll need to decide on the size of your bed. You’ll also need to choose a material for the frame and mattress, as well as the type of brackets or supports you’ll use. Once you have all of your materials, follow the instructions below to build your own floating bed.

Will a Floating Bed Tip Over?

No, a floating bed will not tip over. The reason is that the weight of the person lying on the bed is evenly distributed. The bed is also designed to be stable and will not wobble.

However, if you have a particularly large or heavy person lying on the bed, it is possible that they could cause the bed to tip over. In this case, it is recommended that you use a bed frame or other support to keep the bed from tipping over.

You also might be interested in DIY Loft Bed with a Desk, or a DIY Bunk Bed.

Download Printable Plans in PDF

Floating Bed for Queen Size Mattress

$9.97

This PDF download includes Cut Diagrams, a List of Supplies, and 3D illustrations with detailed steps to build the project. Measurements are imperial and not metric. Does NOT include SketchUp/CAD files.

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DIY Floating Bed for Queen Size Mattress

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Floating Bed for Queen Size Mattress quantity

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Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size.  See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.

Dimensions

Step 1 – Cut 2×6 Boards for the DIY Floating Bed Frame

For this floating bed, you’ll need two types of wood. First, you will need regular construction lumber to build the frame. Second, you will need premium wood for the side rails, footboard, and headboard. See step 8 for more details. 

The floating bed frame consists of 2×6 and 2×4 construction lumber. When purchasing this lumber at the store, check to ensure the boards are straight and not twisted or bowed. When you use straight lumber, you prevent undesirable gaps between wood joints and connections. 

Take 2×6 lumber and cut one backboard piece to 93 1/2″ in length, two support rails to 79″ in length, and five 57 1/2″ pieces. 

Step 2 – Attach Support Rails 

Next, take one 57 1/2″ board and attach two 79″ support rails on both ends with 2 1/2″ wood screws. 

Step 3 – Connect Remaining 2×6 Boards to Support Rails

Then attach the remaining 57 1/2″ boards with 2 1/2″ wood screws following the dimensions provided in the picture. 

Step 4 – Attach Backboard to Bed’s Frame

Take the 93 1/2″ backboard that you’ve cut in step 1 and mark a 16 1/2″ measurement from both ends. Then attach the backboard to the frame so that you have 16 1/2″ measurements on both sides. See picture. 

Step 5 – Cut Legs for the Frame of the Floating Bed

Even though this is called a floating bed, the floating bed frame sits on legs that are installed further under the bed. Since the legs are hidden, it makes the bed look like it’s floating. But if you stand back or look under the bed, you’ll see the legs. 

To make the legs even more invisible, we will use 1″ thick acrylic plexiglass in the front. The plexiglass is transparent and looks like glass, but it’s made from clear plastic. Most plexiglass is more durable than glass. 

If you choose not to use plexiglass, you could make the front legs using 2×6 boards instead. 

For plexiglass, cut one piece to 38″ x 13 1/2″. If you want to change the height of the bed, you would need to adjust the 13 1/2″ measurement for plexiglass and other 2×6 legs. 

Next, take 2×6 lumber and cut nine leg pieces to 13 1/2″. 

Step 6 – Attach the Legs to the Floating Bed Frame

The plexiglass will need to be attached to the second 2×6 frame board from the front. Before driving in the screws, predrill the pilot holes in plexiglass to prevent it from splitting or cracking.

Find the center of the plexiglass and the 2×6 board and attach it using 2″ screws. Ensure that the top of the 2×6 frame is flush with the plexiglass leg. 

Now take three of the 2×6 legs and attach them to the backboard frame with 2 1/2″ wood screws. The middle leg will go in the center, and the other two further out from the center. If you want the bed to be more stable, you will need to attach legs closer to the outside edges. 

The remaining six leg pieces will need to be attached in the center of the bed frame to the 2×6 frame boards. These middle legs will keep the bed from sagging. 

Step 7 – Cut and Attach Mattress Slat Boards

For the mattress slats, you have a few options to choose from. You could use 2×4 or 1×4 boards or 3/4″ plywood. All of these options will work, depending on the price. If plywood is cheaper, then use plywood. But for this tutorial, we’ll use 2×4 lumber. The only disadvantage of using 2x4s is that it will make this bed much heavier.  

Take 2×4 lumber and cut 11 mattress slat boards to 80 1/2″ in length. Then spread them out on top of the bed, having a 2″ gap between them. Attach these mattress support boards to the frame with 2 1/2″ wood screws. 

Step 8 – Cut Side Rails and Footboard for the DIY Floating Bed

Now that you’re done with the frame, it’s time to cut and install side rails, footboard, and headboard. Since these boards will be exposed, you will need to select good premium 2×10 wood that will show the characteristics of this bed. If you want a rustic look, you could potentially use regular 2×10 construction lumber and modify it to make it look rustic. 

Once you find the wood you like, cut two side rails to 80 1/2″ in length and one footboard to 63 1/2″ in length. 

The two 80 1/2″ long pieces need a notch cut out on one end to sit over the backboard. Using a skill saw cut out the notches following the dimensions provided in the picture. 

Step 9 – Attach Siderails and Footboard to the Frame

Now attach the 80 1/2″ rails to the left and right side of the bed. Then attach the footboard to the front of the bed. When attaching these boards, drive in the screws from inside the frame. You don’t want your premium wood to have screws visible in the front. 

Step 10 – Join the Headboard Pieces Together

Cut three 2×10 boards to 95″ in length for the headboards using a similar wood type as the side rails. Then, take 2×6 lumber and cut two pieces to 24″ in length. 

Place the headboards on the floor facing down side by side. Then place the 24″ pieces over the headboards and attach them together with 2 1/2″ wood screws. See picture

Step 11 – Attach Headboard to the Frame

Now attach the backboard to the bed frame using 2 1/2″ wood screws. Drive in the screw from the back of the bed. 

Step 12 – Install Diagonal Boards for Shelves Support

The final part that needs to be built is the two shelves on the left and right sides. 

Take 2×6 lumber and cut two shelf support boards to 21 1/4″ with a 45-degree bevel cut on both ends. Then attach it to the bed diagonally from the backboard of the frame to the side rail using 2 1/2″ wood screws.  

Step 13 – Attach the Shelf Boards to the Floating Bed

Before cutting the two shelf covers, you will need to decide whether they will be painted or stained. If you’re planning to paint it, you could use cabinet-grade plywood or MDF boards. But if you’re staining the wood, you’ll need to use more presentable wood than just plywood. 

For a shelf that is being painted, cut two top boards to 15 3/4″ x 17 1/4″, then two front boards to 15 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. And the last two side pieces to 16 1/2″ x 5 1/2″.

Finally, attach the shelf pieces together using a nail gun with brad nails. You could use pocket holes to assemble the shelf if you have a Kreg Jig. 

Now that you are done with the DIY Floating Bed, you could install LED lights under the bed to make it look like it’s floating. The lighting makes the bed look awesome at night.