How to Assemble a Daybed with Pop Up Trundle | A Step-By-Step Build

When you open the box, you’ll find two separate furniture projects in one: the daybed frame and the trundle unit that tucks beneath it. The process is straightforward but order matters. Building the main daybed first, then assembling the trundle separately, keeps the heavy lifting manageable and prevents the frames from getting tangled in your living room. Here’s how to work through it methodically.

Get Ready: Unbox, Organize, and Protect the Floor

Start by clearing a space and laying down cardboard or a soft blanket to protect the frames and your floor. Open every box and lay out all the parts against the parts list. Separate the daybed hardware from the trundle hardware into labeled piles. Find the tools you’ll need — usually a Phillips-head screwdriver and an Allen wrench, both often included.

Check for orientation marks. Several manufacturer manuals, including the DHP Oddny and Locky instructions, print arrows or stickers on the metal frames. Take a moment to match those marks to the diagrams before you start tightening anything.

Build the Daybed Frame First

Attach the side rails to the headboard or back panel and the footboard or front panel using the supplied bolts or screws. A critical detail runs through nearly every official manual: do not fully tighten the bolts at this point. The Sisters Log Furniture guide spells it out in step 5, and the Pottery Barn Savannah instructions do the same — leave the frame slightly loose until it’s squared up.

Once the four sides are connected and aligned, install the slats or the slat roll across the frame. Secure them as directed, then go back and fully tighten all the frame bolts. A frame that’s straightened and then locked down is sturdier and won’t wobble later. If your manual recommends a second person for lifting or aligning large panels, take that advice — it prevents both scratches and strain.

Assemble the Trundle Separately

Now build the trundle unit on its own. Attach the side and end rails, then install the wheels or casters and any support bars exactly as the diagram shows. These casters are load-bearing — they carry the weight of the trundle and mattress every time it rolls out. Install them in the correct orientation, matching the printed marks, so the trundle moves smoothly and the pop-up mechanism sits correctly.

Next, install the trundle slats. Skipping this step or leaving slats loose compromises mattress support, so seat each slat firmly. Some models, like the Living Spaces trundle, have you attach a drawer face to the box using the specified wrench, bolt, and washer. If your model has one, follow that sequence before moving on.

This is also when you’ll find instructions printed directly on the trundle mechanism itself. Check for a small sticker or label on the lift assembly — the DHP Locky manual references a “trundle upright” and the Dorel Home documents both include the step “Attach the Trundle to the Daybed.” Follow any model-specific directions printed there, since hardware varies by SKU.

Slide It Under and Test the Pop-Up

Set the finished trundle in the pop-up position and verify the lift mechanism or upright leg assemblies orient correctly. Then slide the trundle underneath the daybed. When you engage the pop-up, the raised trundle should sit flush with the daybed’s sleeping surface — not higher, not lower. Some manuals specify this flush alignment explicitly. If it’s off, check whether you reversed a caster or leg.

Work the mechanism a few times before you commit to final assembly. The trundle should roll out smoothly and lock into the raised position without resistance. Once everything aligns and moves correctly, do a final round of tightening on all bolts and confirm the whole unit is stable. The bed isn’t ready to use until every connection is snug.

If you’re still comparing options before buying, our tested roundup of the best daybed with a pop-up trundle covers the top models and what to look for in each. The IKEA HEMNES assembly guide also demonstrates the loose-then-tight approach that keeps daybed frames square and stable.