Build a Rustic Outdoor Bed

Making a rustic outdoor bed is not only a lot of fun, but it adds a great deal of character to any bedroom. It is easy to complete the task. Here is a step by step guide to constructing your rustic wood bed.

Step 1 - Find Your Wood

Go out into the woods and start to look for timber and wood. Birch is really pretty for an outdoor bed. Gather all sorts of different sizes and lengths. Bring them back to your workshop.

Step 2 - Prepare Your Workshop

Clear your work area completely. Put down a protective mat or drop cloth to make it easier to clean up after you have finished building the rustic bed.

Step 3 - Clean and Debug Your Wood

Use pesticides to remove any lingering bugs that may be on your wood. Spray the wood with a soft soapy water solution. Make sure the wood is completely dry before you begin to put it together.

Step 4 - Sketch Out Your Bed

Sketch your bed frame. If you have an old bed frame, you can use it as a sizing guide. You should make notes of what length and widths you will need for your bed frame. Also, make a note of how high you need the bed frame to be.

Step 5 - Cut Your Wood

Cut the twigs and logs to size.

Make four vertical pieces—two for the headboard and two for the foot board.

Then cut the main horizontal piece for both the headboard and the footboard.

Next cut small horizontal pieces that will stick from end to end on both the headboard and the footboard.

Step 6 - Drill Holes

For each of your twigs and framed-out pieces, drill holes where you will add in the screws and assemble your bed frame. These holes will make it easy for your screws to attach and fix to the pieces of your bed frame.

Step 7 - Screw and Hammer Nails

Add screws where you need to have main support portions. Add nails or finishing nails in the areas or the positions that do not require a great deal of support. Use wood glue in areas where you need some extra support or if you need a tack before you add in nails and screws.

Step 8 - Fill in the Holes

Fill in the holes with wood filler. Allow the wood filler to dry completely.

Step 9 - Sand the Holes

Sand down the extra wood filler so you have a smooth surface. If you are using a wood material like birch, do not sand too much because you do not want to take too much of the birch wood finish off.

Step 10 - Stain and Paint

Stain and paint the wood, if necessary. If you are using a natural wood material or natural wood from the trees, then do not stain and paint. Leave completely natural.