Elegance, nobility and luxury of your bedroom - a do-it-yourself metal bed

The key to activity and vigor during the day is a sound and comfortable sleep at night.
For a truly complete vacation, you need to install a spacious and comfortable bed in the bedroom. It can be purchased ready-made in a store, or you can make it yourself from any available materials. In this article we will look at the important points of making a metal bed yourself.

Features of the material

The peculiarity of the metal is its:

• 
  durability;

• resistance to mechanical damage;
• resistance to negative factors;
• aesthetic appearance;
• the ability to give metal any shape and design.

To make a metal bed with your own hands, you need to be able to work with the material , know the intricacies of making furniture items, have patience and have some free time.

Metal furniture pleases users with nobility, luxury and elegance. In addition, these products differ:

• environmental friendliness;
• hygiene;
• light weight;
• fire safety.

Help : metal beds will add special chic and luxury to the bedroom. They are suitable for both classic styles (Provence, country) and modern ones (minimalism, hi-tech).

Conclusion

Now we know how to choose the right bed for the bedroom.

• First, let’s make sure of the strength of its frame and the reliability of the fasteners.
• Only environmentally friendly materials are acceptable, for this we will familiarize ourselves with the certificate.
• A guarantee of assembly and subsequent operation is required.

When choosing a bed, let's lie down on it. If at the same time it does not creak or crack, and we feel free, then the frame and foundation are good. If it’s easy for us to turn over, the mattress is suitable for us (see also the article “Pelmets for the bedroom: models and useful tips for choosing them”).

The video in this article will help us in our selection of a comfortable bed.

Drawing of a double bed

It’s worth starting work by making a drawing. If you understand such subtleties, you can make an individual project for your future bed.

Any metal bed will consist of the following elements :

• frame;
• frames;
• footboards and headboards;
• legs;
• fasteners.

Before you start making a drawing, you need to select:

• bed size . The dimensions of the bed are a purely individual choice. If you are going to make furniture for a child’s room, you should give preference to single-seat products. If you want to make a bed for a married couple, you should choose one-and-a-half or double models;
• mattress . You can purchase it in advance ready-made and then calculate the dimensions of the sleeping place, or you can order an individual production of an orthopedic mattress according to your personal dimensions;
• design . Furniture design is selected depending on the overall interior of the room.

Advice : if you have problems with drawing, you can download a ready-made diagram of a metal product on the Internet.

DIY metal loft bed

Here we show how to make a do-it-yourself loft bed from metal pipes for a children's room. Basic frame and structural fittings are used as support. A great option to maximize space. Under the bed is an ideal place for a table. The two sides of the bed frame are attached to wall studs, so you just need to find support for the corner. Stairs can also serve as structural support. You can see the main fastening details in the gallery with step-by-step photos. Read the full instructions describing the procedure for assembling a loft bed with your own hands on the website.

Photo source: www.youcanman.com/diy-loft-bed-for-boys-room/

Loft bed with metal post

This loft bed option is ideal for a boy.

Featuring a metal stand that can be used as a fireman's pole, a convenient table underneath, and a climbing wall, the industrial style will appeal to any boy. The instructions that you can read on the website do not indicate the exact dimensions for this bed because it is made to fit the specific space and decor of the author's room.

Perhaps this post will serve as inspiration for creating your own loft!

Photo source: simplydesigning.porch.com/industrial-loft-bed-with-rock-wall-and-firemans-pole/

Iron bed designs

Also, before making a bed, you need to decide on the type of its design. It can be:

• Forged Products. They are distinguished by elegance, nobility and luxury.
  Such beds are considered works of art and have artistic value (if the product is made by hot forging). Making forged furniture with your own hands is quite difficult.

  Here you need to have certain skills, tools and you need to be able to work with hot metal. It is easier to make a forged bed using the cold forging method, when the metal does not heat up, but deforms when cold. Such products will not be distinguished by elegance, but will have high technical characteristics;

• welded structures . In this case, you need to be able to work with a welding machine. Products made by welding are more suitable for modern trends, for example, Art Nouveau.

Possible difficulties at work

The process of assembling a bed itself is not difficult for a person who has already worked with metal before. You must have basic skills in cutting and welding metal, drilling holes in it, and fastening bolts. If you do not have such skills, it is better to practice in advance on individual pipes, rehearsing their cutting and welding.

We recommend that you read: How to select, install and correctly use the Mayevsky valve

The fact is that the bed is a three-dimensional structure, all parts of which are easy to assemble separately, but installing them together can create some difficulties. For example, welding the last corner is considered the most difficult step in assembling a frame. At the same time, three corners are already ready, the structure is quite weighty and voluminous.

Another challenge is painting the bed. All its sides should look aesthetically pleasing. To do this, you either need to paint each part separately, which will take a lot of time, and then dry all the parts and only then assemble them. Or you can paint the finished structure, but then you will have to protect the slats, if any, as well as the floor, walls and surrounding surfaces from paint.

A beginner in assembling furniture may encounter problems such as a lack of necessary parts, lack of necessary tools, and incorrectly selected dimensions of each part. For example, there is a danger of cutting off a larger section of pipe than necessary. The part will already be damaged.

It is important! It is recommended to buy parts with a reserve of 1-2 pieces. Trim them also with a margin, since after the trimming process comes sanding, which also reduces the size. Before assembly begins, all parts must be adjusted to each other.

Tools and materials

Before making a metal bed with your own hands, you need to evaluate your capabilities, familiarize yourself with the variety of models and types of designs. As a rule, it is quite possible to make most models on your own, even if you are new to this field.

For the workflow you need to prepare the following tools :

• 
  grinder;

• welding machine;
• drill;
• roulette;
• square;
• file;
• metal brush;
• sandpaper;

The following materials will be useful to us:

• sheets of metal;
• rods;
• paints and varnishes;
• primer for metal surfaces;
• tassels.

If you make a forged product using the cold forging method, you will need to add the following tools :

• snail. With its help you can create spiral patterns;
• gnutik. It is necessary for bending metal at different angles;
• flashlight. With its help you can create products that resemble lanterns;
• twister It is intended for twisting rods;
• wave. With its help you can make wave-like patterns.

To make your own metal sleeping bed, you can also use wire and round rolled metal from :

• gland;
• brass;
• become;
• galvanized metal.

Varieties

All metal double beds are divided into two types: forged and stamped. They differ in the manufacturing method, materials used, and cost. What are the features and advantages of each option:

1. Stamped products come off the factory assembly line, that is, they are mass-produced products. For their manufacture, iron is mainly used, and sometimes alloys of brass or copper are used. The structure is assembled from hollow tubes and a profile with a thickness of 1.5 mm. The main advantage of finished products is their lightness, while the weight they can withstand reaches 200 kilograms.
2. Forged beds are made by hand. This is a piece product that is made according to individual or ready-made sketches, often made to order. This method involves high heat treatment of the metal, which adds additional strength to it. Forged products can also easily withstand weights of over 200 kilograms. Each model is unique in its own way, revealing the individual handwriting of the master.

The cost of the product is directly affected by the manufacturing method; it is clear that handmade work is always valued more highly. In addition, the metal used to make the bed is important.

StampedForged

How to make a frame and weld a metal bed?

So, the manufacture of a metal bed is carried out in the following sequence:

1. 
   The footboard and headboard are made . To do this, we take pipes from metal profiles and make blanks from them, according to the existing product diagram.

2. These blanks are then laid out on a flat and smooth surface and fastened with a welding machine . At this stage of the work process, it is necessary to constantly check the evenness of the product with a level.
3. Now we take a channel and an angle grinder and make brackets on which the product frame will be attached.
4. The backrest and frame are connected with a continuous welding seam , at a distance of 35 cm from the floor.
5. Now we prepare the material for the frame . We cut the steel channels into the required dimensions.
6. We connect the channels with corners.
7. We mount the frame . We set the backrests in a vertical position and make markings for installing the frame. We drill the necessary holes in the product. At this point, the main assembly of the bed is complete.
8. Next, we proceed to welding the grating under the mattress .
9. Now we install the backs on the legs and insert the plugs into the open parts of the pipes.

Attention : to give the product a noble appearance, seams and protruding elements must be cut off with a grinder and processed with a grinder.

Advantages and disadvantages of iron models

Like any other material, metal has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Speaking about the advantages of a metal frame, first of all it is worth mentioning that metal beds are as durable and reliable as possible in comparison with models made from other materials. This bed prevents loosening and is as wear-resistant as possible. In addition to wear resistance, we can say that metal has the ability to withstand any load, which is why double beds with a forged frame are so popular.

Metal is a non-flammable material, which means it is as safe as possible for use in an apartment; in addition, this material is absolutely hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly. An additional positive quality of these models is the huge range of design options; you can choose the appropriate design for almost any interior solution.

Today there are many types of metal beds.

All of them can be divided into several classifications:

• For example, all models can be divided by class into economy and luxury models. They will differ in the quality of the material, the method of applying the dye and, of course, the price.
• According to their shape, all models can be divided into standard ones - these are ordinary rectangular models of various sizes, as well as non-standard ones. This type includes models such as round, square or other unusual design solutions.
• By the number of seats, the most common options are: single, double, and king size or triple.
• In addition, the beds can be divided into groups according to the owner. This can be a model for adults, as well as for children. Such beds will differ primarily in size and shape. Children's models, as a rule, are produced with three backs or are also equipped with a fourth for very young children.

• There are models that will become real helpers in small rooms; they can provide a comfortable sleep, but do not take up much space, as they can be transformed into other interior items. So, a folding bed can rise towards the wall and turn into a closet. A pouf bed can easily be transformed from a full bed into a small pouf on which you can sit, and a sofa bed is an ideal folding model that can transform from a seating area into a double full bed. In addition, many models have a roll-out system for storing linen and other things.
• Beds may differ in the material of the base of the niche with the mattress. For example, an orthopedic model most often has a base made of wooden slats - lamellas; there are also models with laminated chipboard, as well as with a metal armored mesh, however, they are becoming increasingly rare. The reinforced model has a metal frame at the base, to which the base for the mattress is attached.
• The design of the bed model can be either consisting of one type of material or combined, for example, with a metal frame and a wooden headboard. In addition, the wooden back can have a carved structure, which will allow the bed to be used in various interiors.

Finishing

To give the bed a noble appearance, finishing is carried out. An anti-corrosion coating is applied to the metal, all seams are cleaned of slag using a metal brush or grinder .

Next, the product is polished and primed. Primer treatment improves the adhesion of paints and varnishes to surfaces. Next, the product is varnished or painted. The choice of paint largely depends on the overall interior.

If the room is designed in a high-tech or minimalist style, you should give preference to monochrome colors. For classic motifs, dark or light shades are more suitable.

Advice : if you are serious about furniture for the bedroom, try making a dressing table, bedside table or changing table. You may also be interested in a wardrobe or beds made of timber, solid wood, pallets, chipboard and boards.

What is a bed base?

The base serves as a support for the mattress. A person’s sleep depends on how well it is chosen. In general, an error in selection affects the strength and performance capabilities of the model, even if the best orthopedic mattress is selected.

Metal, wood or particle boards (chipboards) are used to make the frame or bed base. The standard sizes of a double bed are: width – 1.4–2 m, length – 2–2.2 m. For single models: width – within 0.7–0.9 m, length – 1.9–2 m. Children's beds are made with a sleeping area of ​​0.7 x 1.8 m. Today, it is also not difficult to order furniture from manufacturers, providing your dimensions.

The following types of bases exist:

• in the form of a solid board glued together from sheets of plywood or wooden boards;
• frame with transverse wooden slats of different widths.

Recommended articles on this topic:

• Classic style bedroom: design secrets
• The solid wood bedroom of your dreams: style solutions, photos
• Furniture in light colors: types, features, advantages, photos

Manufacturing slatted bases is more difficult and expensive. Manufacturers use different methods for securing slats. Concave-shaped wooden slats are connected to the frame next to each other in the middle and on the sides. They softly spring and thereby improve the orthopedic qualities of the mattress.

To understand which bed base is better (slats or plywood/chipboard), consider the characteristics of the orthopedic base:

• The materials for such bases are wood and metal. For the frame, MDF is often used, which is reinforced in several places. The upholstery of the headboard is made of natural or eco-leather. The frame to which the lamellas are attached is assembled from metal pipes of round or rectangular cross-section, its diameter is about 15 mm, so it is very strong and reliable.
• The slats are wide (5–12 mm) or narrow (3–4 mm), made of laminated wood and attached 5–7 mm apart to the frame.
• The lamellas are fastened using lath holders, the material for which is rubber, plastic or metal. High-quality fittings securely hold the slats, allowing them to slightly absorb the weight of a person. They are not fixed rigidly, but can bend slightly to create an orthopedic effect.
• More expensive bed models are equipped with plastic pads to increase rigidity.

Typically, approximately 15 wooden slats are used to make the base. Beech is considered the best material for them. The rigidity of the sleeping area depends on the distance between the slats.

Folding table made of profile pipe

There are many versions of this style of table, but you can make it more modern. This table has folding legs made of profile pipe and a top made of solid wood that folds easily. Of course, you can design and build a table to suit your space, so all materials should be tailored to what's available to you. After you look at the step-by-step photos and start planning how to make a folding table from a profile pipe, it is advisable to visit the website of the author of this project (link below) and watch the video.

3d modeling. Usually in any design it all starts with sketches to refine your idea, but since this table is already well established in design, we can go straight to CAD (computer aided design and drafting) to get the dimensions we need. You need a 1350mm long top , 600mm wide and 700mm working height from the ground. So this is actually the only tricky part (where CAD is useful) and it determines how long the legs should be. This will depend on the planned height and the angle of the legs. Here the angle is approximately 12 degrees, and therefore if you want the height to be approximately 700 mm, the length of the legs should be 613 mm.

Then set the height of the lower shelves - here they are at a distance of 100 mm from the floor, and the width is determined by the distance between the corners of the legs. Then mark the dimensions on the materials. The author of the project used 20 mm mild steel and wood approximately 20 mm thick after processing. When starting assembly, start by dividing the profile pipes into parts and cutting them with a grinder.

Then clamp the pieces into position and glue on both sides. You need to make four frames.

Connect the two pairs of frames by welding the hinges on top, and then sand the flat seams with a file. When finished welding, apply 2 coats of clean spray paint. This will be useful for metal in a low humidity area. Basically, this entire process can be replaced with wooden parts instead of metal pipes if you don't have access to welding.

When preparing the wood, use a template to prevent the boards from bending when gluing.

Then prepare the boards. It depends on the condition of the wood, if necessary, cut to size and sand. If you bought ready-made ones, you can start assembling. For ease of gluing, pair the boards first and then glue them all together. Once the glue has dried, cut the top to length. Then sand and treat with Danish oil to highlight the natural texture and create a durable matte finish.

The final step is to install clamps to secure the shelves to the metal trestle frame. The clamps are made from 25mm angle iron. This used four clamps on the outer corners of the shelves, sandwiched between the table and the bottom clamp. The clamps on the underside of the table work a little easier, they simply fit into the slots at the top of the scaffold.

Photo source: www.instructables.com/id/Folding-Sawhorse-Desk/

Sizing

Before starting work, you need to decide on the future dimensions. This requires a clear understanding of where the bed will be and who will sleep in it. In the case of modernizing an apartment or room, you can move away from the usual stereotypes and find a new place for it.

Making an iron bed is a responsible, slow and complex process.

There are standard types of beds: single, double, one-and-a-half. It should be remembered that the sleeping place should be 30 cm longer than the height of the person who is going to sleep in it. Typically the length is 2 m, but can vary from 191 cm to 213 cm.

Some knowledge required.

You also need to consider the width. So, depending on the type, the width will have the following value:

• single - 91cm;
• double – 137 cm;
• one and a half - 99 cm.

You need to start small - get lessons from an experienced blacksmith or ask for help in this matter from a knowledgeable person.

The largest configurations are designed for two people. However, they take up a lot of space in the room. Therefore, before starting work, it is necessary to measure the space allocated for the bed in the room. And also take into account such parameters as space for a bedside table and only space for free movement.

The main difficulty lies in the preparation of components and their processing.

Another important factor is the choice of mattress. When performing work based on established standards, it is necessary to take into account that this must be done to order.

The main thing is a little patience and self-confidence.

Kinds

First, it is worth noting that the appearance, size and materials from which the bed will be made completely depend on the imagination and financial capabilities of the person assembling it. The options are different: from a simple single wooden bed to a large double bed, made in the shape of a spaceship, decorated with various elements. The most common options can be identified.

A simple, most familiar model, chosen by many precisely because of its ease of execution. Four legs, two cross fastenings on the sides, two backs and a slatted bottom. In a word - classic.

The next step in modern bed-making was the equipping of their products with drawers - for storing various things in them, from bed linen to some personal items. Almost any bed can be equipped with drawers, even after its assembly is completed.

Today, transforming beds are gaining great popularity. As you can understand from the name itself, such a bed can be turned into a completely different piece of furniture with a slight movement of the hand. It allows you to save a lot of free space in the apartment.

There are also a lot of transformation options, and here are the main ones:

Wardrobe bed. The frame of such beds is often made of light but durable metals that can not deform under constant loads during sleep, as well as when stored folded. The bed itself is a vertical structure with three walls, built-in drawers and a lifting mechanism on which the frame is installed.

Folding horizontal products can be considered a separate type of bed that you can make with your own hands. Such models differ from transformers in that they do not turn into any separate piece of furniture, but are folded using a special mechanism into a furniture wall, into which almost everything necessary can be additionally built-in.

Floating beds are the rage of modern fashion. They, of course, do not float, but due to the original organization of the elements holding the bed, it seems as if nothing is holding it at all. The decision to make and install such a model in your apartment is quite bold, but at the same time extremely interesting.

There are many different options for decorating the space under the bed. There is lighting, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow and creating the effect of romance and mystery, and various rugs that turn the room into a soft, pleasant room. There are many options, just use your imagination.

The last variety worth talking about is hanging beds. They look very beautiful and truly unique, although making such a bed even with your own hands will be easier than other pieces of furniture. The main condition for using this type of sleeping place is the ability to allocate a sufficiently large space for it, since the hanging mechanism tends to swing with a small amplitude.

Manufacturing process

Before you start welding a metal bed, you need to cut the existing materials to length with a grinder in order to have all the parts of the future metal furniture available. If you systematize the manufacturing process, that is, first cut all the materials and then weld them, much less time will be spent on creating a metal bed. The table below shows a diagram for cutting steel elements.

After cutting all the parts made of metal, metal profiles or steel, you can start welding them.

We produce furniture parts

Frame and base

After cutting, the frame and frame are welded. How to make a bed:

1. Cut elements for the frame, that is, steel strips, channels, corners and ready-made brackets are laid out on a horizontal surface;
2. The angle of connection of the parts should be 90 degrees. You can achieve this by checking the diagonals - they must be the same. The aligned parts are welded;
3. Brackets made from channel bars are attached to the frame. To do this, holes are drilled in the frame according to the dimensions of the bracket studs. The diameter of the holes is 9 mm, but it can be manually adjusted to the size of the tenon using a file;
4. Then the legs are welded to the base. Particular attention is paid to their evenness in relation to the floor. When the structure can already be put on its legs, the base for the mattress is welded. You cannot use corrugated sheeting for the base of the mattress - it is too “weak” material. Pre-cut steel strips or sheets are used.

Lay out all the elements on the floor

We connect the frame elements with hardware

Checking the frame for strength

We fasten the legs

Headboards

The headboard is welded separately from a pipe for the stand and cross members. First, the lower cross member is welded to the backrest post, and then the remaining transverse elements. When welding the crossbar and the stand, you should maintain an angle of 90 degrees and ensure that the dimensions of the headboard correspond to the dimensions of the base of the bed. The location of the transverse elements can be varied, but they must ensure reliable fastening of the structure.

The free arrangement of the transverse elements makes it possible not only to strengthen the headboard and add strength to the structure, but also to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the bed. When entering a room, the metal headboard will be the first thing you see, and it is on this part of the bed that it is recommended to add decorative elements or painting. If such a bed is intended for newlyweds, then declarations of love, the names of the couple, or important dates can be written down at the head.

We weld pipes

Be sure to make cross members at 90 degrees

We attach the created headboard to the base

Assembly

When the headboard structure is fully assembled, the metal leg post of the backrest is welded to the base of the bed. When the structure can already be put on its legs, the base for the mattress is welded. After welding is completed, all seams are sanded with a drill with a special attachment or a grinder until the joints are smooth and even. For small parts, you can use coarse sandpaper.

From the remaining materials you can make bearings for the racks. They can be made from steel sheet. The leaf is first cut into strips. The cut edges of the strips are sanded with a file. Then the steel strip is cut to dimensions corresponding to the side cut of the legs and attached to the lower stand. The caps for the upper cross members are made in the same way, but they can be made more beautiful. Instead of steel sheet or strip, you can come up with other ways to make plugs. They can also be used to decorate the bed.

Making a base for a mattress

Grinding the elements

Making bearings for racks

You can use stubs

Preparing for work

If you want to create something unique, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can try to assemble the bed yourself. To do this, you need to prepare consumables, tools, calculate dimensions, and draw a drawing.

Frame of a two-tier hanging bed (Photo: Instagram / loft_proloft)

Materials and tools

List of required tools:

• welding machine with electrodes;
• grinder with metal discs;
• measuring instruments, building level;
• drill with a set of drills;
• file, hammer, pliers;
• different types of sandpaper;
• varnish, paint for metal;
• brushes of different sizes.

Required materials:

• metal corners;
• channels, reinforcement of different sections;
• square profile pipes;
• steel tubes.

Before assembling the shaped structure, the pipes must be bent. To do this, the material is preheated to high temperatures, then bent on special hand-held machines that you can make yourself.

Sizing

The dimensions of a homemade bed should be chosen depending on the dimensions of the mattress. Typical sizes of mattresses that can be found in the store are 190, 195, 200, 205 cm in length. Width: 80, 90, 120, 140, 180, 200 cm.

Double bed (Photo: Instagram / dm_bedroom)

Drawings and diagrams

To accurately calculate the amount of consumables for assembling a homemade metal bed, you need to prepare a drawing. It must indicate:

• length, width, height of the frame;
• main parts;
• connection points.

The drawing helps to more accurately visualize the future structure and present it in conjunction with other interior elements.