7 Custom beds to build for your home

There’s something special about a bed crafted from lumber you milled yourself. Across the Woodland Mills community, sawyers like you are transforming freshly cut logs into stunning, one-of-a-kind beds. From rustic cabin styles to sleek modern designs, each piece carries the story of the wood, the hands that shaped it, and the care put into every joint. Here are 7 beds that might just be the perfect addition to your home.

A Family Effort

Andrew and his father spent time on their farm selecting and cutting white oak, carefully milling it into quarter-sawn lumber on the HM126. Once milled, the wood was left to air-dry in their barn for 1.5 years. When the time came, Andrew transformed the seasoned lumber into a stunning bed with matching nightstands, thoughtfully incorporating red maple drawers. The finished pieces are more than just furniture, they’re a lasting testament to time shared as a family.

Perfect for his Daughter

Craig milled ash on his HM126 to create a special bed for his daughter. While he usually leans towards lighter-colored wood, he embraced her request for a darker stain and added unique details that reflected her personality. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece that perfectly fits her style, showcasing the care he put into making something truly personal.

Is it Too Much?

Justin built a queen bed frame using douglas fir for the headboard and frame, and aspen for the mattress slats - all milled on his HM126. After almost 10 years of refinishing his home, he's noticed that almost every project features a live-edge component (note the window frame beside the bed). When he asked his wife if it was too much, she simply said, "Keep it coming."

To Paint of Not to Paint?

Michael built a charming cabin-style children’s bed from ash lumber he milled himself on his HM122. His family is excited to paint it, but since the wood was only milled 10 months ago, Michael is wondering if the finish will adhere properly. Either way, the result will be a beautiful, personalized piece of furniture that will be enjoyed for years to come.

From Firewood to Furniture

Mike needed a new bed frame, but instead of buying one, he decided to build it himself. On his property, he found a dead cedar that could easily have been chopped for firewood, but he saw potential in it. He milled it on his HM130MAX, planed the lumber, and carefully crafted each piece into a beautiful bed. The result is not only more stunning than anything he could have bought in a store, but also far more cost-effective. Turning a fallen tree into a functional, one-of-a-kind piece of furniture gives Mike the satisfaction of creating something lasting and meaningful, rather than letting it go up in smoke.

Old-School Techniques 

Nathan built an impressive timber-frame bed from ash trees he found lying around on his farm, milling all the lumber himself on his HM126. Using 6x6 posts, 4x6 rails, and 4x4 under framing, he joined everything with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, no structural nails or screws needed. At around 500 lbs, it’s a solid piece of craftsmanship. The trees had been dead for over a decade, so he skipped drying, though he wouldn’t call the wood “green lumber.” The result is a stunning, heavy-duty bed built entirely by hand. 

"This is why I mill"

Thor built a queen bed entirely from Tasmanian oak, milling every piece himself on his HM126. From selecting the perfect logs to carefully cutting and shaping each board, he poured time and skill into every step of the process. Seeing the finished bed - stunning, sturdy, and full of character - is a reminder of why he mills in the first place: to transform raw timber into beautiful, lasting furniture that means more and costs less than anything he could have bought at a store.

Join the Woodland Mills Product Owners & Community for more inspiring projects and ideas from sawyers like you.