How to Make a Victorian Rope Bed

Lay planks of 76 inch lumber (bed frame sides) on top of each other and two planks of 40 inch lumber (bed frame ends) on top of each other.

Measure and mark every 5 inches along the sides and ends of the bed frame planks. Drill a 1/2 inch diameter hole through the lumber planks at each 5-inch mark, centered. The sides and ends should now have a hole in the middle of the plank every 5 inches along.

Form the sides and end planks into a rectangular box for the bed frame of a twin-size rope bed. Drill three countersunk pilot holes sized to fit 2 5/8 inch screws through the sides of the 76-inch planks into the ends of the 40-inch planks and screw together with 2 5/8 inch screws.

Place four planks of 2-by-4 lumber measuring 50 inches (the bed legs) upright on the outside of the sides of the bed frame, flush with the corners. Have your helper assist you to lift the bed frame 15 inches from the ground and clamp it to the legs at this height. Use a level to ensure the frame is straight.

Drill four pilot holes sized for 3-inch bolts through each leg into the side of the frame then secure the legs to the frame with 3-inch bolts. The ends of the legs will protrude around 27 inches above the bed frame, giving a poster-bed feel.

Tie a knot in the end of a length of 1/4 inch-thick strong rope an insert it the knot-free end into the top left hole of the side of bed frame. Stretch the rope across the frame to the hole on the opposite side and thread it through, then go down the frame to the next hole, which will be the second hole down on the top right hand side.

Thread the rope through the second hole down on the top right and stretch it across the bed frame and through the second hole down on the top left. Repeat along the length of bed frame. Pull the rope very tight then and tie it off on the last hole.

Tie a knot in the end of a new length of rope and thread the knot-free end through the top left hole on the top end of the bed frame. Weave the rope under the first rope it crosses, over the next, then under-over-under all the ropes until it comes to the end of the bed. Pull the rope tight, insert it through the bottom left hole on the end of the frame, then across to the second-left hole, through it and back the other way in the opposite under-over-under pattern to the first hole.

Repeat until the all the holes on the ends of the frame are used and you have a woven rope bed frame to put a mattress on. Tie off the end of the rope on the last hole on the top.