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$100 DIY Four Poster Bed

  • Oct 5, 2020
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 15, 2025

As summer was winding down I was feeling the urge to simultaneously cozy things up and also simplify in our master bedroom. I'd been dreaming of a four poster bed and how I might be able to DIY one and save us some money (okay - let's be honest; it wasn't happening unless I made it myself). And it seemed like the perfect time to give it a try with the changing of the season.



Cozy bedroom with a four-poster bed, white bedding, and plant. Sunlit room with a patterned rug. Text: Tutorial Video: DIY Four Poster Bed.

Here's what the previous headboard looked like:


A diy headboard made of simple rustic boards with a shelf for books

That headboard was the easiest $100 DIY ever and we loved how it made the room feel more finished for a few years while we waited to pull it all together. The boards were just screwed into the studs in the wall so taking it down was a breeze, and I will save those boards for a project in the boys' room so they don't go to waste. Then I filled the holes in the wall, sanded, and refreshed the paint to get ready for our new four poster bed.



The base of the previous bed had been a frame we'd purchased off of Amazon and I planned on incorporating that into the four poster bed design to save money and time. With just a handful of select pine boards and a free Saturday I was able to create this:


the completed diy bed styled in the room

Guys, I'm in love! Our room feels so light and airy and I keep finding excuses to come up here and work, (I guess you could say this is my new office). I also love to relax and watch a show with the kids here - it's the best 'seat' in the house.


I've made a video to show how it looked as it was coming together and included links to where you can find certain items in the description of that video. Click the image below to get there. You can adjust the measurements to your own bed/bedframe but here is a basic shopping list.


SHOPPING LIST

-4, 2x2x8's for the posts

-4, 1x3x8's for the top rails (trimmed to your bed length and width)

-4, 1x6x8's for the bottom rails (trimmed to your bed length and width)

If you don't own a saw you can have them cut it all at the store to your preferred length. I left the posts taller because I didn't want the top rail to interfere with our line of sight to the television on the opposite wall. Our ceilings are tall, so it doesn't feel disproportionate.

-pocket screws

-Kreg jig (this is how I assemble most of our furniture DIY's)

-1/4 " plywood piece for a headboard (I measured the width of our California king and attached it 52" high -but you can make it higher or lower depending on what you find esthetically pleasing.)

-2" roll of foam (I found mine at Walmart for $15)

-staple gun

-fabric of your choice

-spray adhesive

-metal bedframe (If you choose to build the bed to hold weight, you will need chunkier boards and support rails under the mattress. You can refer to my DIY platform bed video on how to do that, if you prefer to take that route - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcwBlRhRKtw )



Here it is! I hope you enjoy this simple DIY!

DIY bed Tutorial, four poster bed
(click image to view tutorial)

Until next time....


127 Comments


Sandra Scott
Sandra Scott
6 days ago

Such a creative and budget-friendly DIY project! Transforming a bedroom with a stylish four-poster bed using simple materials is really inspiring. Projects like this show how a little creativity can make a space feel warm and inviting perfect for relaxing after a long day, maybe even while enjoying something simple and comforting like MAP sandwiches.

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Yummy egg noodles
Yummy egg noodles
7 days ago

This DIY project is such a creative and budget-friendly way to completely transform a bedroom space with just a few pine boards and a free weekend. Just like a Vietnamese Chinese restaurant combines simple ingredients to create something impressive and inviting, this four-poster bed shows how thoughtful design and smart planning can turn basic materials into a beautiful centerpiece.

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John Lafleur
John Lafleur
7 days ago

Such a creative and budget-friendly project it’s amazing how a few pine boards can completely transform a bedroom into something light and elegant! Just like New Orleans guided tours reveal the charm and character behind historic spaces, this DIY shows how thoughtful design can turn a simple room into something truly special.

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Frank Morris
Frank Morris
Feb 27

Love this DIY project! The $100 four-poster bed looks amazing and really transforms the room into a cozy, airy space. It’s inspiring to see how smart choices and quality materials can make a big difference even on a budget. At Patriot Shutters and Blinds, we also believe in combining smart design with quality materials to elevate any space, so this really resonates with us. Great tutorial and ideas!

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Jason James
Jason James
Feb 24

What a creative and budget-friendly bedroom upgrade! The transformation from the rustic headboard to the four poster frame makes the space feel much more finished and serene. I enjoy seeing DIY decor content like this it’s the same kind of inspiring interior storytelling often featured by an interior design web design agency Chicago. Lovely result.

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Laura of The Simple Farmhouse, posed for a portrait in a ruined stone archway overlooking the Italian countryside

Meet Laura

Hi!  I'm Laura - a pastor's wife who homeschooled our five children (all of whom are nearly grown now!), and who curated our home as an avid thrifter and DIY-er.  I love to share how I've created a modern European farmhouse aesthetic on a budget, with spaces that feel comfortable, timeless and unfussy.

A house should feel lived-in and well-loved.  And keeping home shouldn't break the bank, because there are wild and wonderful experiences to be shared out there in the world with your loved ones.  In these pages, I am happy to share how we've travelled the world and saved on our journeys, and lived an adventure outside our home as well as in it.  I hope you feel inspired to linger here a while with me.

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