A simple wooden bed design has a headboard, rails and legs, and very little else. No box, no carving, no fittings that can fail.
People ask for a simple lakdi bed design (lakdi means wood) for second bedrooms, guest rooms and rented flats. These beds let air pass under the mattress and are easy to mop under, which matters in humid weather. Keep your wooden bed design simple and the money goes into better wood instead of hardware.
Each of the 12 pictures gives the size, wood and finish, plus a note for the carpenter. If you want even fewer details in other materials, see our simple bed design page.
Simple Wooden Bed Design on Open Legs
An open frame on four or six legs is the most basic bed a carpenter makes. Air moves under it, the floor is easy to mop, and there is less wood to pay for.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, light melamine
- StorageNone, open legs
One solid board for the headboard, four square legs and plain side rails. Nothing to break, and it suits any room.
Tell your carpenterAsk for 3 x 3 inch legs and a centre support leg under the middle rail for a double bed.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildMango wood, natural PU
- StorageUnder-bed space
Tapered legs make the bed look lighter. You can slide flat storage boxes under it, so you still get some space without a box base.
Tell your carpenterKeep 8 inches of clear height under the rails if you want to store boxes beneath the bed.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildSheesham, walnut matte
- StorageNone, open legs
Six legs spread the weight on a king frame and stop the middle from dipping. The low footboard keeps the quilt from sliding off.
Tell your carpenterOn a king bed ask for two centre legs and a middle rail so the top board stays flat.
Simple Bed Design Wood Headboard Shapes
A headboard does not need carving to look good. Small changes in shape, height or one groove can give a plain bed some character.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildRubberwood, white wash
- StorageNone, open legs
A single soft arch on the headboard is the only detail here. It looks friendly in a guest room or a room for older parents.
Tell your carpenterThe arch should come from one wide board, or two boards joined with dowels, never nails.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, honey polish
- StorageNone, open legs
Two shallow grooves across the headboard break up the flat surface. It is quick work and adds no cost for hardware.
Tell your carpenterGrooves 6 mm deep and 8 mm wide look neat. Sand the inside well before polishing.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildSheesham, dark walnut
- StorageNone, open legs
In a room with a high ceiling, a taller plain board looks right without any decoration. It also protects the wall paint from pillow marks.
Tell your carpenterFix a tall headboard to the bed frame with bolts and also to the wall with two L brackets.
Simple Wooden Double Bed Design for Everyday Rooms
These double beds are what most families order for a second bedroom. They are easy to make, easy to clean and do not crowd the room. More layouts are on our double bed page.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, natural PU
- StorageSide shelf
A small shelf bolted on the left end of the headboard replaces a bedside table. It saves floor space in a 10 x 10 ft room.
Tell your carpenterKeep the shelf top level with the mattress top so you can reach a glass of water lying down.
- SizeDouble 48 x 78 in
- BuildSheesham, teak shade
- StorageNone, open legs
One raised panel in the centre is the classic carpenter touch. It looks neat, and the finish is easy to touch up later.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a solid wood panel that floats in a groove so it can expand in monsoon without cracking.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildMango, matte walnut
- StorageNone, open legs
A slim foot rail ends the bed neatly without a full footboard. Tall people can stretch their feet past it.
Tell your carpenterSet the foot rail 2 inches below the mattress top so it does not press into your ankles.
Simple Lakdi Bed Design for Singles and Guest Rooms
Single beds and guest beds should be light, easy to move and simple to dust. For more single sizes, see our single bed gallery.
- SizeSingle 36 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, clear matte
- StorageNone, open legs
Rounded corners on the rails and headboard mean fewer bumps in a narrow room. Good for a study room, or for a grandparent who wants soft edges.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a 1 inch radius on every outside corner and sand the edges until they feel smooth.
- SizeTwo singles 36 x 72 in
- BuildRubberwood, natural
- StorageNone, open legs
Two singles can stand apart for guests or be pushed together to make a 6 ft wide bed. It is a flexible choice for a spare room.
Tell your carpenterMake both beds exactly the same height so the mattresses sit level when joined.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildMango, light oak shade
- StorageNone, open legs
This frame comes apart with four bolts, so it fits through a narrow door or up a stair. Slats under the mattress keep it ventilated.
Tell your carpenterAsk for steel bed bolts with nut plates at each corner and slats no more than 2 inches apart.
Box or No Box? Pros and Cons of a Plain Frame
Most of these beds skip the storage box. Here is what you gain and what you give up.
| Point | Plain frame on legs | Box bed |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Mop right under the bed | Dust collects at the base edges |
| Air flow | Mattress stays dry in monsoon | Less air under the mattress |
| Weight | Light, easy to move | Heavy |
| Storage | Only flat boxes underneath | Large space for quilts and bags |
| Cost | Lower, less wood | Higher, more board and fittings |
If you need storage after all, see our wooden box bed gallery.
Simple Sizes and Heights
- Single: mattress 36 inches wide (30 and 35 also sold).
- Double: 48 inches wide. Queen: 60. King: 72.
- Length: 72, 75 or 78 inches. Pick 78 if anyone in the house is tall.
- Height: aim for the mattress top at knee level: 20 to 25 inches from the floor suits most adults.
- Headboard: a rise of one or two feet over the mattress is plenty for a simple bed.
Expect the frame to come out 3 or 4 inches larger than the mattress each way. Check your room with the frame size, leaving a 2 ft path on every side you use.
Small Problems in Plain Beds and Easy Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bed wobbles side to side | Add corner brackets inside the frame and tighten the bolts |
| Mattress dips in the middle | Add a centre rail with one or two support legs |
| Legs scratch the tile floor | Fix felt or rubber pads under each leg |
| Headboard knocks the wall | Add two rubber stoppers at the back |
For woods and finishes in more detail, read our wooden bed design guide.
Questions people ask
What is a simple wooden bed design?
It is a plain wooden frame with a headboard, side rails and legs, usually without a storage box or carving. It is quick to build, easy to clean and lasts a long time if the wood is seasoned.
Which wood is good for a simple bed design in wood?
Teak is the longest lasting. Sheesham is strong and dark. Mango wood and rubberwood are lighter and cost less, but they need treatment against termites and borers.
Is a simple wooden double bed design strong enough without a box?
Yes, if it has a centre rail and at least one middle leg. A box adds weight, not strength. Ask for slats or an 18 mm board under the mattress.
How can I keep my wooden bed design simple but still not boring?
Change one thing only: an arched top, two grooves, rounded corners or a two-tone finish. Plain bedding in a strong colour also helps a simple frame stand out.
Can I add storage to a simple bed later?
You can slide low boxes under a bed on legs if there is 8 inches of clear space. Adding a full box later is hard, so decide before the bed is made.
Why is a simple bed cheaper than a box bed?
It uses less wood and no hinges, pistons or drawer channels. There is also less polishing work, which saves labour time.