How to Build a Round Bed
A round bed is an unusual, but by no means unique, piece of furniture. It is rare enough that it's often easier to just build a frame for a round mattress rather than find and buy one in a shop. If you have the tools, this project should take no more than two hours unless you paint or stain the wood.
If you do paint or stain, you should let the frame dry overnight.
Things You Will Need
- Sheet of 3/4 inch plywood
- 4 planks, 1 inch x 12 inch
- 4 beams, 2 inch x 4 inch x 12 inch
- Pencil
- Power saw
- Power drill
- Drill bits
- Screwdriver bits
- Box of 3-inch wood screws
- Sandpaper
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Set your mattress on top of the plywood sheet so that no part of the mattress overlaps the plywood.
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Use a pencil to trace a circle on the plywood around the outline of your mattress.
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Cut the circle out of your plywood along the line you've drawn.
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Cut your 1 inch by 12 inch planks so that they are each three-fourths of the diameter of the circle.
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Sand one face of the plywood. You can sand the other faces if you like, but this will be the only face that's exposed at the end of construction.
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Paint or finish the lumber at this stage, if you wish to paint or finish the frame.
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Connect two 1 inch by 12 inch planks in an L shape by screwing them both into one of your 2 inch by 4 inch beams. The beam should rest in the inside corner of the L, with its edges flush with the edges of the planks. Use two screws per plank, drilled through the plank and into the beam.
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Repeat Step 7 with the other planks and one beam.
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Connect the two Ls using the remaining beams. Screw them in place as you did in Steps 7 and 8.
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Position the frame of planks you've built in the center of the underside of your plywood.
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Trace an outline of the end of each beam with your pencil.
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Drill pilot holes in the center of each beam outline on the underside of your plywood. Drill similar pilot holes an inch deep in the center of the end of each beam. Use a drill bit an eighth of an inch narrower than the diameter of your wood screws.
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Position the plywood on top of the frame, as it will lie when it's in use.
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Drill a screw down through each of the pilot holes, attaching the plywood to the frame.
Tip
For larger mattresses, you may need to use two plywood sheets to make a big enough platform. During Step 1, set the sheets side by side and lay your mattress so the seam runs down the middle.
The Drip Cap
- A round bed is an unusual, but by no means unique, piece of furniture.
- Use a pencil to trace a circle on the plywood around the outline of your mattress.
- Sand one face of the plywood.
- You can sand the other faces if you like, but this will be the only face that's exposed at the end of construction.
- Position the frame of planks you've built in the center of the underside of your plywood.
References
- Gene Brick, Furniture Hobbyist, Hillsboro, OR
- "Black & Decker Complete Guide to Carpentry for Homeowners: Basic Carpentry Skills & Everyday Home Repairs" ;Chris Marshall; 2007
Writer Bio
Beverlee Brick began writing professionally in 2009, contributing to various websites. Prior to this, she wrote curriculum and business papers in four different languages. As a martial arts and group fitness instructor, she has taught exercise classes in North America, Europe and Asia. She holds master's degrees in French literature and education.
Photo Credits
- Asian Love Motel image by Benjamin Huseman from Fotolia.com
- Asian Love Motel image by Benjamin Huseman from Fotolia.com
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