I’ve been keeping an eye out for a new bed frame for my son for quite some time. He previously had a bunk bed mattress – from his previous bunk bed – on a metal bed frame. When it came time for an upgrade to a proper mattress, we landed on this foam mattress. That accelerated the need for a bed frame; something that could support a foam mattress without a box spring.
I debated building one but decided that the Fjellse from Ikea for $70 (now $40) was the way to go. However, the night I had planned to make the trip to Ikea to purchase it, a huge thunderstorm rolled in causing me to cancel my trip. The next day, whilst browsing Craigslist I came across the same bed frame for $10. It was missing the hardware and the bed slats, so I managed to bring it home for $8. That thunderstorm saved me $60, praise God!
Then came the hardware debate; I could go to Ikea in hopes of finding the right amount of free hardware, or stop by Home Depot and somehow replace the hardware. I chose the later. Based on the width and depth of the pre-drilled holes, I landed on some hex screws (with the letters ARK on the head). In my opinion, they’re much sturdier than the Ikea hardware would have been.
For the bed slat dilemma I purchased some 1 x 4 furring strips, had them cut to a quarter-inch shorter than the width of the inside of the frame, and fastened them into place with screws.
This room is far from “pinteresting” – I’m looking at you, ratty curtain rods – but it has things my son adores, like his Mario blanket, plenty of books, and his rock collection. Along with a new comfortable bed, what more could a room need?
What all size hex screws did you use? I have the frame and wanted to do the same thing, but wasn’t sure how to judge the size!
I can’t recall the actual size. You ideally want to use some that are as close to but slightly larger than the original holes, this way they will have a tight hold.
Qustions about the hardware: Home Depot or Lowe’s? How many? Total cost? I too have this same frame (from Craigslist) without a single piece of hardware, and the nearest IKEA is over an hour way. Plus without a receipt from IKEA I’m not sure they’ll just sell me a set?
I went to home depot and I can’t recall exactly but it did cost less than $10. I hope this helps!
Found them! For anyone else who needs exactly this problem solved. I spent a few on the phone with a very nice guy at HD who hunted down the part, it is a lag screw, 5/16″ X 2 1/2″, and the SKU is 655058. You didn’t say how many you used but I’m going to pick up 2 dozen and go from there.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-5-16-in-x-2-1-2-in-External-Hex-Hex-Head-Lag-Screw-87436/205026616
That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing that. I only needed 8 bolts since the bed came with some original bolts. I can see a total of 14 from looking at the bed.
I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!