Recycled daybed

Go green over the holiday period with this fabulous daybed made entirely from recycled native timber.

Build a recyled daybed

You will need

Equipment:

50mm exterior screws
90mm exterior screws
2 x clamps
Clean cloth
Cordless drill with 3mm drill bit
Electric circular saw
Electric drop saw
Electric sander
Paintbrush
Pencil
Resene Furniture and Decking Oil
Resene Mineral Turpentine
Resene Paint Pot
Sandpaper
Set square
Tape measure

The following lengths of recycled native timber:

135mm x 20mm x 1910mm tongue and groove (x 8)
55mm x 40mm x 1900mm (x 2)
55mm x 40mm x 900mm (x 4)
55mm x 40mm x 800mm (x 3)
100mm x 50mm x 450mm (x 6)
50mm x 10mm x 2000mm straight edge (an offcut of leftover timber was used here)

Top tip: If using untreated timber, avoid placing the daybed directly on to soil as this will cause the base of the legs to rot.

To get the look: Mark painted the background fence with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Sponge.

Here's another idea: Create a similar daybed using 50mm x 50mm treated timber, 100mm x 50mm treated timber, and fence palings or decking.

Handy hint: To keep your daybed looking great and well protected, apply an annual coat of Resene Furniture and Decking Oil each spring.

How to build a daybed from recycled timber

Step 1 Step one
Measure, mark and cut the 55mm x 40mm timber to the lengths listed above and smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 2 Step two
Measure, mark and cut the 100mm x 50mm timber to the lengths listed above and smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 3 Step three
Assemble the two 1900mm lengths of timber and the four 900mm lengths of timber to form a rectangular frame, as shown. Fix securely with 90mm screws, drilling pilot holes first, and use a set square to ensure the joints are all at 90 degrees.

Step 4 Step four
Clamp one of the 450mm lengths of timber into position, as shown, to form the first leg. Use the set square to ensure it’s at 90 degrees in both directions and fix with 90mm screws, drilling pilot holes first. Repeat with the other five legs.

Step 5 Step five
Fit one of the 800mm lengths of timber into position, as shown, to form a support brace between two of the legs – this should be 150mm up from the bottom of each leg. Fix securely in position with 90mm screws, drilling pilot holes first. Repeat with the other two 800mm lengths of timber.

Step 6 Step six
Turn the frame the right way up and fix the first length of tongue and groove into position using 50mm screws, overhanging the edge by approximately 35mm. Once again, drill pilot holes first. In the same way, continue fixing the remaining lengths of tongue and groove into position.

Step 7 Step seven
Clamp both ends of the straight edge to the top of the daybed, as shown, and trim off approximately 35mm of excess tongue and groove, leaving a 5mm overhang. Repeat with the opposite side.

Step 8 Step eight
Sand the entire daybed to smooth any rough surfaces, edges and sharp corners, and then wipe off any sanding residue with a clean cloth.