How to Build a DIY Daybed for $50

This beautiful DIY daybed is budget-friendly and simple enough that even a woodworking beginner can build it. This daybed is perfect if you need another bed or extra seating for any space, indoors or outdoors.

I built this daybed for our big screened in porch. I’ve been crushing on porch swing beds for quite awhile, but sadly our screened porch doesn’t have the right type of ceiling for hanging one. But I still wanted a big, cozy spot for lounging, reading, and even napping, so I decided a regular daybed would also do quite nicely. 

This daybed can be used for an outdoor space like ours, but it’s also perfect for a bedroom, office, or family room. It’s a fairly easy build even if you are newer to woodworking and looks so beautiful when it’s finished.

And at less than $50 in lumber, it’s incredibly budget-friendly! To keep costs down, I used inexpensive framing lumber for my daybed. This is lumber that is typically used for framing walls in houses and it is often not quite as perfect as other lumber which is why it is so inexpensive. When you are choosing your wood, be sure to look for pieces that are straight and free or major knotholes and other blemishes. 

Of course, you could also use higher grade lumber instead, but it will be more expensive.

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The finished daybed fits a standard 38″ x 75″ twin mattress and is 29.75″ tall, 41″ deep, and 80″ long.

Materials

• (14) 2x3s @ 8 ft (framing lumber)
• (1) 2×4 @ 8 ft (framing lumber)
• (1) 2×2 @ 8 ft 
• 1/4″plywood @ 36″ x 73″
• 2.5″ Kreg pocket hole screws
• wood glue
• 2″ screws If your daybed will be used outdoors, it’s a good idea to use exterior screws/deck screws.
• wood filler
• pocket hole plugs (optional)
• sandpaper 
• primer and paint or stain of your choice
• twin mattress

Tools

• miter saw
• drill
• Kreg Jig – I have and love the Kreg R3 – it’s a smaller, less expensive Kreg Jig that is still pretty easy to use. If you are new to woodworking and don’t want to make a big investment, the Kreg Jig mini is the least expensive option.
• nail gun – I have this Ryobi brad nailer. It is easy to use and I love that it doesn’t require an air compressor. If you don’t have a nail gun, a hammer and 2.5″ finishing nails will also work just fine.
• carpenter’s square
• tape measure 
• pencil
• paintbrush – These are my favorite paintbrushes for painting furniture.

1. Cut the wood

Use a miter saw to make the following cuts from 2x3s for the daybed frame:

• 4 @ 28.5″ for the legs
• 4 @ 34.5″ for the side frames
• 2 @ 72″ for the back frame
• 1 @ 75″ for the front
• 8 @ 36.5″ for the slats

Use a miter saw to make the following cut from the 2×2:

• 2 @ 28.5 for the back

2. Assemble the two sides of the daybed

Add two pocket holes with your Kreg Jig to each end of the 34.5″ pieces.

(If you’ve never used a Kreg Jig before, it’s a simple way to make really strong joints for woodworking. I think this tutorial on using a Kreg Jig is helpful if you need some help getting started.)

Use 2.5″ Kreg screws to connect two 34.5″ boards between the two 28.5″ legs. The lower crossbar should be 7.5″ from the bottom of the leg.

That completes the outer frame for one side of the daybed. Repeat for the second side. 

Next we are going to form the Xs for each side. It works best to measure these as you go to make sure your pieces fit well. 

Use a miter saw to cut a 20 degree angle at one end of a 2×3 board that is at least 38″ long.

Set this in place inside one of the frames you made and mark where the second cut needs to be made. Use a miter saw to cut along the mark you made.

Next make the two shorter crosspieces. Cut a 20 degree angle on one end of each. Then fit them in place and mark where the inner side needs to be cut. Make the cut using your miter saw.

Use your Kreg jig to add pocket holes to the outer ends of each crosspiece. Attach these to the frame using wood glue and 2.5″ Kreg screws. I chose to use a small finishing nail to attach the two smaller crosspieces at the center of the X rather than pocket holes for a cleaner look.

3. Assemble the Back of the Daybed

The back is very similar to the two sides.

Add two pocket holes with your Kreg Jig to each end of the 72″ pieces and use 2.5″ Kreg screws to connect them to the two 28.5″ 2×2 legs. Again, the lower bar will be 7.5″ from the bottom of the legs.

Cut a 2×3 at 16″ to form the middle brace. Add a pocket hole to each end of this board and attach it to the center of the back frame using 2.5″ Kreg screws.

That completes the outer frame for the back of the daybed.  

Form the pieces for the two Xs on the back of the daybed the same way we did the sides.

4. Attach the sides to the back

Now it is time to start putting all of the parts together!

Lay the back flat on the ground and line up one of the sides next to it. Mark where you will be drilling holes to attach the side to the back.

Predrill 2 holes straight through the side at the top and two more at the bottom. Use 2″ wood screws to attach the side to the back. (You can also make your 2.5″ Kreg screws work if, like me, you don’t have other screws in the correct size on hand.) 

Repeat for the second side.

5. Assemble the platform of the Daybed

Add two pocket holes with your Kreg Jig to each end of the 75″ 2×3 you cut earlier.

This will form the front of the daybed. Attach it to the two sides with 2.5″ Kreg screws. 

Next you are going to attach the 36.5″ slats you cut earlier. Add two pocket holes to each end of the slats. Then attach them to the frame using 2.5″ Kreg screws. 

Tip: Cutting a couple of supports from scrap wood to hold each slat at the correct height makes this so much easier. Just cut two pieces of wood 8.5″ tall and slip them under the ends of each slat as you attach it.

6. Attach the top trim

Finally, we are going to cut and attach the boards that sit on top of the sides and back of the daybed. This gives the daybed a much more finished look.

Cut one 2×3 80″ long for the back and two 2x4s  38.5″ long for the two sides. Set these in place and make sure they fit well. The back piece should be flush with the daybed frame on the inside, while extending past the back of the daybed. (This is to keep the back comfortable for sitting.)

The armrests should be centered on the sides of the daybed frame and slightly extend past the front of the daybed. Attach these pieces to the daybed frame using a nail gun or a hammer and finishing nails.

7. Add plywood for stability

Finally, you may choose to add a piece of 1/4″ plywood to the bottom of your daybed for added stability if needed. We are not using a box spring on our daybed and our mattress definitely needed just a bit more support. 

If you choose to add a piece of plywood, cut it 36″ x 73″ or just slightly smaller than the twin mattress.

And your daybed is built!

8. Fill the pocket holes and other imperfections

Before painting or staining your daybed, you need to fill in all of the pocket holes as well as any other cracks or holes in your project.

You can buy pocket hole plugs to fill your pocket holes. Pocket hole plugs are solid wood, come in a variety of wood types, and are cut to perfectly fill pocket holes. (And they are surprisingly affordable.)

The other option is to use wood filler to fill your pocket holes. This is the option I went with, mostly because I already had wood filler on hand.

If you are using plugs, you will insert them and then sand them smooth before painting or staining. 

If you are using wood filler, you can apply it with a putty knife or your finger. Allow it to dry completely and then sand it smooth.

Then clean all of the dust from your daybed and you are ready for stain or paint. 

If you are planning to stain your daybed, I recommend using pocket hole plugs rather than wood filler. Even though you can buy stainable wood filler, personally I’ve never been really satisfied with how it looks stained.

9. Paint or stain your daybed

You can choose to either paint or stain your daybed.

I chose to paint my daybed mostly because I am planning to use it outside and exterior paint is an easy, durable finish for outdoor furniture.

If you are painting your daybed, I highly recommend starting with a coat of primer first. Oil-based primer will help seal any knotholes in the wood and prevent bleed-through, especially if you are painting your daybed white or another light color. 

If you are planning to use your daybed outdoors, be sure to use exterior paint. I decided to go with a light gray shade for my daybed. I created a custom color by mixing a few exterior paints I already had on hand. (I love when I can use up some of the paint leftovers in my stash!) 

If you want more info on painting furniture so that your paint furniture really lasts, I’ve got a great guide to painting furniture as well as a post that’s all about painting outdoor furniture.

Once the paint or stain has dried, you can move your mattress into place and enjoy!

The Finished Daybed

Here’s a little sneak peak of the daybed in it’s final spot on our porch and you can see my full budget screened porch makeover here. This is by far my favorite room in our whole house!

basket, similar vintage fan, Stay awhile pillow, painted floor tutorial

For now I’ve made a quick cover for my daybed from an inexpensive canvas drop cloth. And since my daybed is on our porch, I also protected the mattress with a waterproof twin mattress cover that protects all five sides. 

You can also buy a nice cover for your daybed if you prefer. World Market has a great option with a similar look to mine (but way more tailored.) Or you can also buy awesome zippered covers on Etsy in a variety of colors.

And remember, if you want a little more help, you can get detailed pdf build plans here.

Video Tutorial

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