How to Make Your Own Queen-Size Bed Slats

Bed slats hold the mattress and box spring in place on the bed frame and are necessary for beds of all sizes, whether twin, full, queen or king. The slats sit just inside the frame on the ledges. A new bed frame typically comes with the slats, but if you purchase a bed frame from a consignment store or privately used, it may be missing the slats. Knowing how to make your own slats comes in handy if you lose or need to replace one.

Tape measure
1-inch by 4-inch boards
Saw
Sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance from one side of the frame to the other with a tape measure. Write down the measurement.
- 2
  Take another measurement approximately 1 foot down to verify no discrepancies exist between the two spots.
- 3
  Purchase 1-inch by 4-inch boards from a lumberyard and cut them approximately ½ inch shorter than your width measurements. A queen bed requires five or six slats.
- 4
  Sand the edges of the slats down to prevent splinters.
- 5
  Place one slat at the top of the frame next to the headboard and space the additional slats approximately 20 inches apart on the frame.

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