• About
  • Contact
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Image Map

Southern Revivals

A DIY, home decor, lifestyle and interior design blog based near Savannah, GA.

  • Home
  • Furniture Makeovers
    • All Furniture Projects
    • Client Files
  • DIY Tutorials
    • Home Improvement
    • Projects
    • Style & Design
  • Crafts
  • Entertaining & Recipes
    • Entertaining & Party Ideas
    • Just Recipes
  • Travel & Life
  • SHOP

DIY Reclaimed Wood Bed – West Elm Inspired | ORC Week 3

Herringbone reclaimed wood bed
It’s week 3 of the One Room Challenge and our project for this week is our West Elm-inspired DIY reclaimed wood bed and even though it doesn’t have a single stick of reclaimed wood, it’s still a stunner. Plus, it’s a stunner for not a lot of money! And also, this challenge is halfway over and I. Am. On. Track.

Sing it with me… 

Woah, we’re half way there 
Woah, livin’ on a prayer 
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear 

pine board bed pieces

It’s easy to be on track when you’ve got an extra designer helping you with all of the decision making. In my case, it’s a cute little 8-year-old who knows what he likes. 

He wanted a bed just like big brother’s DIY midcentury modern platform bed but I assured him we’d come up with some just as awesome and all his own. It took about 2.3 seconds on Pinterest searching for wood beds before he knew exactly what he wanted. 

diy wood bed written plans

It’s hard to believe just eight regular pine boards can become an awesome bed frame.

unfinished diy bed frame

Of course, we’ve still got to add the headboard but the bulk of our work was done pretty quickly.

close up pocket holes unfinished bed frame

As usual, pocket holes save the day and make our job so much easier. This is at the head of our bed where the headboard will attach.

closeup wood bed frame legs

And this is at the foot of our bed. The board on the inside of the frame is where the bed slats will sit.

Herringbone reclaimed wood bed

We chose to add a little clip to our bed legs to give it some extra style. 

stained wood bed frame

Once the glue dried on the frame I applied just one coat of stain. I wanted it to have a bit of a washed out, or bleached, look to give it the appearance of reclaimed wood.

Herringbone wood pattern layout

We cut a piece of plywood to fit into the headboard section of our bed frame and then drew out the angles for each of the wood pieces making up the herringbone pattern. 

attaching wood pieces in herringbone pattern

We cut each piece to length, leaving some excess on the longer pieces to cut off later. I stained all of the pieces using various stain colors, some straight from the can – some mixed, to mimic that aged patina old wood gets.

As soon as the stain dried we glued each piece in place.

trimming wood edges with circular saw

After the glue dried thoroughly, we trimmed off the excess. The raw edges will be hidden by the headboard frame. 

Herringbone reclaimed wood bed

We attached the headboard to the frame, added slat supports, a center leg, and the slats. And we were done!

Herringbone reclaimed wood bed

And we have one happy little boy! He has completely forgotten that he ever wanted an exact copy of big brother’s bed. Next week I’ll be sharing our DIY dresser for his room so I hope you’ll join me for that. And if you’ve come here looking for the plans for this bed, those will be available soon! 

MAKEOVER TIMELINE

  • Week 1 – The Plan (April 4th)
  • Week 2 – The Wall Treatment (April 11th)
  • Week 3 – The DIY Bed (April 18th)
  • Week 4 – The DIY Dresser (April 25th)
  • Week 5 – The Decor (May 2nd)
  • Week 6 – The Reveal (May 9th)

Join me each Thursday from now until May 9th for each new installment to this makeover challenge! Next week, the wall treatment.

More Posts You'll Love!

  • DIY Laundry Room Built Ins | ORC Update Week #5DIY Laundry Room Built Ins | ORC Update Week #5
  • timeshel | Digital Photo Printing + DIY Photo Framestimeshel | Digital Photo Printing + DIY Photo Frames
  • Updating A Vintage Sideboard Buffet with A Pop of ColorUpdating A Vintage Sideboard Buffet with A Pop of Color
  • DIY Triple Galvanized Gooseneck Vanity Light Fixture for under $100DIY Triple Galvanized Gooseneck Vanity Light Fixture for under $100

Filed Under: DIY Tutorials, Instagram, Projects, Southern Revivals 49 Comments

IF YOU LIKED IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT IT IN YOUR INBOX

* indicates required
Email Format
« IKEA Hack DIY Closet System | UPDATE
DIY Modern Farmhouse Dresser – ORC Week 5 »

Comments

  1. Maria says

    at

    Wow! I love the entire makeover! Awesome job! I was wondering–what thickness is the plywood you used for the back of the headboard?

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Thanks, Maria! The plywood is 3/4″.

      Reply
      • Ayse says

        at

        What a beauty !!!!
        How did you attach the inside of the headboard to the frame? Did you just put pocket holes into the plywood and screwed it into the 2X4 frame from the backside?

        Reply
        • jamie says

          at

          Thank you, Ayse! Yes, that exactly what we did. The pocket holes are on the backside of the plywood.

          Reply
      • Amanda says

        at

        What is the thickness of the side boards that you used?

        Reply
        • jamie says

          at

          Hi Amanda,

          Those are 1xs. Hope this helps!

          Reply
    • John B says

      at

      How did you attach the headboard to the frame? This is the part I’m struggling to understand but LOVE your plans and design! Thanks!

      Reply
      • jamie says

        at

        Hi John,
        The angled pieces are attached to a 3/4″ plywood. There are pocket holes in the back of that plywood which screw straight into the 2×4 frame. Does that make sense? Hopefully, this is helpful!

        Reply
  2. Sherri Kelly says

    at

    Could you provide a better picture of the plans. I LOVE this bed. It is sooo beautiful and I must make for myself!!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Sherri,
      These aren’t the plans. Just pics as I went along. I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Michael Lee says

    at

    Hello,
    Is there any way to get a material list and cuts?
    Thanks,
    michael

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Amber says

    at

    Hi there! Do you know an estimate on when the plans will be posted? Thanks!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Meghan says

    at

    Can’t wait for the plans for this bed! I would love to make this for my guest room!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Thank you, Meghan!
      I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Britnie says

    at

    What stain color did you use for the main body?

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      I believe I used Early American but don’t hold me to that! When it comes to stain I do a lot of playing around because I almost never like the straight-out-of-the-can color.

      Reply
  7. Christina says

    at

    Where did you find the rug??! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Rugs USA online!

      Reply
  8. Hunter says

    at

    Do you remember which stains you used? I know you said you mixed some, but still curious!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Gosh, I’m not sure I remember exactly but I’m almost positive I used Minwax brand in a gray, black, Provincial, and Early American. I might also have used Special Walnut but I mixed a lot of them as I went along. Layering some colors and wiping back down others until I liked it. Sorry I can’t be more helpful that regard.

      Reply
  9. Marie says

    at

    Love this bed, can I get the plans?!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Marie says

    at

    Love this bed! Any chance you can post the plans for it?

    Marie

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed it will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Lisa says

    at

    Hi Jamie, where can I find the plans for this bed? Am I completely missing it? Thanks!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      That’s my fault. I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    at

    There are no dates on your website so I’m not certain whether these are old posts or current. Are you planning to post the plan for this bed? It is exactly what I am wanting to create for my son’s room.

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Jennifer,

      That’s my fault. I haven’t posted the plans yet because when I did I wanted to offer them in various sizes to accommodate different size beds. What I came to realize is that once I change the width of the bed I will also change the angle of the headboard pieces. At the moment, I am working on the plans for the full size only with the other sizes to follow in the future. I hope you’ll check back with me soon. Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Tiffany says

    at

    Hi! Did you ever get around to posting he plans for this bed? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      We are working on the remainder of several plans right now and hope to make those available in the very near future. Thanks so much for your interest!

      Reply
  14. Ashley says

    at

    How do you stain the wood pieces without the stain leaking into the other pieces??

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Ashley,
      They were all stained individually and then installed after they dried! 😉

      Reply
  15. C says

    at

    Love this bed, just what we are looking for. For the meantime, can you post plans for a queen sized frame with the headboard but without the herringbone cuts? The decorative boards can be added later? Would love to get the frame started!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi there!
      That’s part of what we’re working on, getting measurements for additional bed sizes. Since this is a full-size bed we need to make sure we adjust all the measurements accordingly, not just the angled cuts. We look to have those completed soon!

      Reply
  16. Demelis says

    at

    Where did you get the rug? Beautiful job!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Thank you! It’s from Rugs USA online.

      Reply
  17. Jessica says

    at

    Did you coat the herringbone design with anything after staining it?

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Yes! It’s sealed. You can use a poly, wax, or sealant of your choice.

      Reply
  18. Tiffany says

    at

    Can you just tell me what size of material you used for the bed frame? Are the legs 2×4’s and the outside is 1x?? Thanks

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Tiffany,

      Yes, we used 2x4s and 1s. There’s a great pic in the post where the wood is all side by side that illustrates this well. Hope this is helpful!

      Reply
  19. Sam says

    at

    What is the paint color on the bottom wall?!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Sam,

      More info on the wall treatment can be found in this post: https://www.southernrevivals.com/diy-accent-wall/ The color is Black by Benjamin Moore.

      Reply
  20. Ali says

    at

    Looks amazing! I know you mentioned using only one coat of stain for the frame, what color did you use I’m having the toughest time finding a brown that isn’t too yellow!! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Thank you! I have the HARDEST time finding a stain color I like! My top three Minwax colors are Early American, Provincial, and Special Walnut. I used Special Walnut on the frame of this bed. But I always test out the color before deciding and I almost always wipe on and immediately wipe down when applying. Hope that’s helpful!

      Reply
  21. Amy says

    at

    Did you cut and sand the legs of the bed with the clip in them? Or were you able to buy them that way?

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      We clipped and sanded them ourselves!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Cat Tree Play Tower on the Cheap | Southern Revivals says:
    at

    […] I mean, there’s no better time than when you’re adding the finishing touches to the rest of your house to occupy your cats with their own tree. That way they aren’t digging their claws into your favorite pouf or scratching at your newly built bed. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me

Image Map

 

Popular Posts

Vintage Entertainment Center Turned Spectacular Play Kitchen
Faux Driftwood Paint Finish Tutorial

MORE FROM SOUTHERN REVIVALS

Pottery Barn Inspired Dresser Makeover

Pottery Barn Inspired Dresser Makeover

Growing an Herb & Veggie Garden in 3 Easy Steps

DIY Halloween Masquerade Mask

DIY Halloween Masquerade Mask

When A Grasshopper is Trying to Tell You Something

DIY Birch Log Candlestick Holders

DIY Birch Log Candle Stick Holders

Southern Revivals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2025 · Southern Revivals · Log in