How to Build a Boxspring

Lindsay Fay
by Lindsay Fay
2 Materials
$45
1 Hour
Easy

Whenever I move, I leave the box spring behind because it's bulky and therefore requires me to rent a big truck. But buying new box springs is expensive, so I set out to make one for half the price!

You'll need (17) 1x4 furring strips, and (3) 2x4s. This will probably cost around $45 in total.

I started by making all the cuts with my miter saw as given in the free printable plans.

Then I attached the support 2x4 pieces to the long 1x4 furring strips; 5 support pieces to a furring strip. I used wood glue and brad nails to secure the support pieces in place.

I did this three times, basically make three separate columns.

Then I laid everything out on my bedframe, so that I wouldn't have to carry the box spring upstairs after assembly. I added another support furring strip to each end of the box spring as seen above.

Finally, I glued and nailed the slats on the top of of the columns, evenly spacing the slats along the box spring.

This was super easy to make, and saved me a ton of money on a new box spring. If you think you might make your own, be sure to grab the free printable plans!

Suggested materials:
  • 1x4   (Home Depot)
  • 2x4   (Home Depot)
Lindsay Fay
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Kate Garrett Kate Garrett on Oct 11, 2020

    Lindsay, you built a very nice platform, but a true box spring has spring support, not just slats or panels.


    Perhaps you want to edit the post to reflect that it is a platform to get the nit pickers off your back?


    Btw, next time, your can build your platform in detachable sections (quarters or sixths?). If you do that, you can bolt them together for use, then detatch on moving day. I had a similar platform bed at one point with attached legs so I didn't even need a sperate bedframe. Unfortunately, my husband and I just an upgraded to adjustable bed system for health reasons & we had to get rid of it a month ago.

  • Mercedes Zapien Mercedes Zapien on Oct 12, 2020

    How do I make a headboard with shelves

  • Terre Tulsiak Terre Tulsiak on Nov 09, 2020

    Definitely add a piece of plywood to disperse weight evenly. Did you consider making storage underneath? Just screw in drawer slides.

Comments
Join the conversation
 4 comments
  • William William on Oct 09, 2020

    All you did was build a platform for a mattress. I did the same for my granddaughter. Only I used 1X boards for the sides, center bracing and a sheet of plywood for the top. Lay the mattress on the plywood. Where are the springs!

    • See 1 previous
    • Kate Garrett Kate Garrett on Oct 11, 2020

      How old is "old enough"? I recently turned 41 but have know the difference between a box spring and a platform since I was 17. I had my first platform as a teen, then was back on my 1st hisband's box spring at 21.


      Or are you saying that, going forward, anyone under 30 will never know the difference? My 18 y.o. nephew sure does. He's been on a platform since he was 11, but previously he had a true box spring.


      I suspect that o.p. said something incorrect from ignorance, true. But a lot of people, as consumers or makers, do still educate themselves. Don't give up hope on entire generations.

  • William William on Oct 09, 2020

    Box springs are still being sold. Though they are not needed in all mattress applications.

Next