DIY bed ideas + 800 photos, step-by-step instructions

It all starts with an idea. In fact, making a bed with your own hands is not such a problem; there are a lot of instructions, step-by-step photos and videos for this. What is important is that your dream bed matches the functions and aesthetic needs that you have in mind.

Here are several ideas, mainly examples of how to make folding beds with your own hands , which not only save space, but also make your home attractive. For those who like non-standard solutions, there are several options for original designs, from a medieval bed to a robot bed with step-by-step manufacturing instructions. And if you value comfort, you can learn how to make a simple bed pocket to store the remote control, mobile phone and other necessary things.

GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION – ACCORDING TO ANY REQUEST

But how can we make the design universal, i.e. capable of covering plants of any height? To do this, I drilled three holes on each side at the base of the frame (two at the edges and one in the middle) with a drill with a diameter of 7 mm and inserted legs 55 cm long, made of rolled wire with a diameter of 6 mm, into them. For safety, I rounded their ends with sandpaper, bending one of them one at a time in a vice in the shape of the letter “L” (the length of these processes was about 3-5 mm). After that, I inserted the legs into the drilled holes from the inside until they stop and bent them at an angle of 90°.

Now it is enough to lift the clamshell-greenhouse with one hand by the middle of the slats (at this time all the legs themselves go down and take a vertical position), smoothly lower it down onto the bed and press lightly. The legs will go into the ground, and the greenhouse will take the position you need.

Photo 1 shows two such greenhouses without shelters: one of them (the closest one) simply lies on the ground, the other stands on legs (by the way, it is very convenient to attach non-woven material to them with ordinary clothespins). In addition, such legs make it possible to cover plants up to 60 cm high. If I need an even greater height, I use tubes of the required length of any diameter, which I drive into the ground along the border of the bed and insert the legs of the greenhouse into them until they stop.

Well, now about expanding the scope of use of greenhouses. In April, when it is still cold outside, I plant radishes in a greenhouse, put a cot and cover it, depending on the weather, with non-fabric or film (or both at the same time). I grow cabbage seedlings in the same way. It is very convenient to sprout potatoes. The results are excellent. Tomatoes and cucumbers also periodically have a place in portable greenhouses. The technology for growing these crops is a separate topic, and I will devote another letter to it.

Thus, for me, cots are not just greenhouses, but components of an entire technology for growing plants. After all, each of them manages to visit several beds during the summer season (photo 2). Considering that I have two folding beds, I can use them in different configurations. For example, if the length of the bed is 3 m, I place one folding bed and one arc 1 m from it, connecting them with one piece of stretched covering material. If the bed is five meters long, I put two folding beds. If the length of the bed is more than 6 m, then I place both folding beds along its edges, and arcs between them. Everything is fast and very convenient.

Where exactly is the bed?

Bed frame assembly diagram.

This is exactly the question asked by friends who come to visit you for the first time. And all because during the daytime the bed hides in a niche as unnecessary, freeing up a large area for movement. Instead of a niche, you can use a frame in the form of a wooden cabinet, the width of which is several times smaller than that of a wardrobe. This type of folding bed is called a vertical one, since its folding mechanism is provided in a vertical position.

For a single folding bed, which can be placed in a nursery or as an extra bed on the balcony, you can use a horizontal lifting mechanism. This folding bed is located along the wall and can be disguised as a long narrow cabinet.

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Definition with the model and design of the wardrobe bed

The most important advantage of making a transforming bed with your own hands is the ability to choose any of the proposed designs and even create your own.

When making a wardrobe bed, consider the appearance of the room.

First of all, you need to build on the existing style in the room. It is unlikely that it will be possible to combine a wardrobe-bed with a modern design if other furniture is made, for example, in a classic style. The main thing is to maintain the harmony of the living space and not allow radically different styles to mix.

You can draw a bed on a piece of paper.

It’s better if a sketch of the future bed is drawn up at the design stage. And the best option is to find the one you like on the Internet and adapt it as much as possible to your needs. In this case, you can also save a fair amount of personal time, which you can devote to creating designs and designs yourself.

Try to clearly draw a plan for the future wardrobe-bed.

Types of folding bed designs

Today, consumers are offered several options for beds that differ in design. Most often, the bottom surface of the product is the front of the cabinet when folded. There are also models of cabinets that are equipped with folding, sliding or hinged doors.

The bed is built into a wardrobe with hinged doors

In this case, there are no design requirements for the design of the lower part of the bed.

Models are also produced whose height of the unfolded bed allows them to be installed above sofas, which are used for their intended purpose during the day.

Folding bed over the sofa

This design of beds fully helps to combine the use of the room as a bedroom and living room.

Wardrobe beds can be made from solid wood or materials containing wood (MDF and laminated chipboard). The first option has the highest performance characteristics, but at the same time it costs quite a lot. Laminated chipboard is inexpensive, but over time there is a high probability of loosening of the fastening points.

What is the difference between MDF and laminated chipboard?

Important! Manufacturers do not recommend using 1.6 cm thick chipboard panels to make folding beds.

Built-in bed type

For installation in small apartments, as well as in modern interiors that require maximum openness of space, two types of structures are used:

• vertical;
• horizontal.

In the first case, the owners have the opportunity to organize a full-fledged sleeping place for two adults. Although, if desired, you can also build a single vertical structure into the closet.

Double bed

A horizontally positioned bed allows you to equip an additional storage system in the closet or place, for example, a TV panel above a low cabinet. Such systems are most often used in children's rooms or offices, as well as for organizing an extra bed in case of unexpected guests.

Horizontal bed

How does a folding bed work?

The operating principle of a transforming piece of furniture is quite simple. There are 3 types of lifting mechanism.

Spring is a budget choice. Although springs can withstand a lot of weight and load, they quickly wear out and fail.

The gas mechanism operates on shock absorbers, which makes it more reliable and convenient to use.

In contrast, the stock is also equipped with manual lifting on hinges. Although this mechanism is much simpler to manufacture than the previous two, it is also much more difficult to use. To fold or unfold a sleeping place, you need to put in a lot of effort.

What types of folding beds are there?

Folding sleeping places, or, as they are also called, transformable beds, come in different types. They are selected based on the interior of the house and focusing on taste preferences.

A wall folding lift bed is secured to a concrete or brick surface. It is important that the wall can support a lot of weight, so plasterboard partitions are not suitable for installing the structure.

The body, which looks like a box, completely includes a bed with a mattress and even a bed, which simplifies getting ready for work in the morning. The entire structure is securely fastened with fasteners. If shock absorbers are used in the manufacture, the stock folds easily. Even a child can do this.

Folding furniture is an excellent choice for those who have little space in their apartment. Its mechanism and frame are easy to assemble. Even a novice craftsman can make a folding bed, but it will look presentable. The furniture will fit perfectly into almost any interior.

It is convenient to use folding or folding sleeping places. They appear in the room at the right moment, and at other times they carefully hide. Any housewife will like the fact that transformers, when assembled, do not become dust collectors.

You also need to remember the disadvantages of a folding bed: it is difficult to transport to another place, and it will take a lot of effort to manufacture and assemble. But as a result, you can be sure that the product is made reliably and with high quality.

Step-by-step diagram for assembling a transformer for a small apartment

Preparation

Having decided to turn your furniture into a transformer yourself, you need to think through everything carefully. You should start with:

• create a detailed drawing;
• calibration;
• selection of materials;
• preparation of instruments;
• selection of color and design solutions.

Dimensions

The size of the bed is selected based on the free space of the room. If the room is spacious and bright, you can make a fairly large piece of furniture with a large double bed. For married couples, beds ranging in size from 1600x2000 to 1800x2000 are suitable.

But for children, teenagers and singles, you can opt for products ranging in size from 1200x1900 to 1500x1900.

Advice. For small and cramped rooms, it is better to choose models with a horizontal bed position.

Drawing with dimensions

Sketching is an important part of furniture making. You can do this yourself using a pencil, ruler and paper, or you can order it from a special company, where they will give you an accurate calculation based on the bed-wardrobe model.

Advice. If you are good with a personal computer, you can download a special program for cutting furniture. He will create a competent and accurate drawing of all furniture elements.

If you use the services of professionals or a computer program, with the help of a well-designed drawing it will be easier to assemble the furniture yourself, since there will be no inaccuracies in the drawings. And if you do the calculations yourself, without having skills in this area, you may encounter some difficulties. For example, the dimensions of parts and the like may not match.

Tools and materials

The preparatory stage of assembly includes the preparation of tools and materials. Most often, transformable furniture is made of natural wood or chipboard. As for the array, it has the following qualities:

• naturalness;
• duration;
• resistance to mechanical damage.

Chipboard is:

• 
  durable and reliable;

• cheap;
• packed with interesting textures, textures and colors.

The tools you will need to prepare or purchase are:

• screwdriver;
• drill;
• electric jigsaw;
• roulette;
• furniture screws;
• self-tapping screws;
• Bulgarian;
• hex keys;
• Screwdriver Set;
• folding mechanism and other accessories.

How to make it yourself at home?

Having created a drawing, purchased consumables, and prepared tools, you can begin making furniture.
Some people prefer to make parts with their own hands, using an existing drawing and the necessary power tools. The rest use the services of companies where all the details are cut out. The second option is cheaper.

Once you've cut and trimmed the pieces, all you have to do is drill the holes in the right places and assemble the furniture in the right order.

Assembling the wardrobe-bed is divided into several stages:

1. First, the cabinet body is assembled, in the middle of which the sleeping area will be hidden. Such a body should consist of: a back wall, a plinth and a shelf for support. All parts must be fastened together with self-tapping screws at a distance of 25 cm from each other. The assembled cabinet body is installed in a previously prepared place.
2. The next step is to place the assembled case in place and attach it to the wall.
3. Now you can begin assembling the bed base. It consists of a frame with slats and its height must clearly correspond to the size of the mattress.
4. Now, having assembled all the other parts of the product, we securely fasten the base to the box using self-tapping screws.
5. We secure the folding mechanism according to the manufacturer's instructions.
6. The final stage of assembly is connecting the body with the remaining elements and installing the facade.

Important. Furniture must be installed on a perfectly flat surface. The base of the bed must strictly correspond to the dimensions of the assembled cabinet frame.

Installation of the facade is the final stage of decorating the wardrobe-bed. It is better to choose blank facades made of chipboard.

After assembly, the transforming wardrobe-bed can be equipped with shelves for books, shelves and other elements.

This is the whole simple process of making a compartment bed with your own hands. Now you need to install the previously purchased mattress and securely fasten it with seat belts.

Important. Under no circumstances should mirrors be used on false doors. Since they are not designed to withstand such loads, they can fail over time.

An old folding bed is a treasure for a craftsman

Metal tubular elements and connections from old folding bed frames can become the basis for many homemade devices. Such frames with worn out canvas are often taken out for

sent to scrap metal or landfill. As a rule, frames are made of duralumin tubes, which can be easily processed with home tools (hacksaw, drills, files, etc.). It is easiest to assemble folding tables, armchairs and chairs from such parts with some modifications. These products are lightweight, take up little space when folded, are convenient for transportation in public transport or in personal cars, are quickly brought into working position and quickly dismantled. It is advisable to use such devices in garden plots and dachas, especially since you may not find the necessary devices in stores, and they are very expensive. The peculiarity of homemade products is that, due to the individual distinctive characteristics and appearance of their devices, as a rule, they are not “privatized” by outsiders, who often penetrate private property, while purchased standard products usually end up with new “owners”.

Using the principles and solutions outlined below, you can assemble with your own hands the useful homemade products you need in your household. It is hardly advisable to copy devices, since something can always be changed and improved. Therefore, you should initially sit and think, design product options on paper, select acceptable technical solutions taking into account the available tools and the possibility of purchasing or ordering some parts externally, and only then begin work.

Types of folding beds

It should be noted that folding beds come in different types:

1. French. The design consists of 3 parts, like an orthopedic lattice. It also includes a mattress and foam rubber, the thickness of which is 6-10 cm. It does not have folding headrests. Such models are usually made of steel.

It should be noted that folding beds come in different types.

2. American. Retracts in two folds and bends in half. This folding bed is equipped with a spring block and a reliable mechanism. The headrests “retract” into the backrest when the folding bed needs to be removed.

This folding bed is equipped with a spring block and a reliable mechanism.

3. Italian. Consists of two parts. The mattress, as a rule, has a width ranging from 14 to 18 cm. This is a bed of increased comfort. The system has an orthopedic grille, belts and a metal mesh.

For self-production, options consisting of two sections are more suitable.

For self-production, options consisting of two sections are more suitable. You just need to purchase the mattress separately. It is fixed using special fasteners or simple Velcro. The last option is more convenient. This bed can withstand a load of up to 150 kg.

You just need to purchase the mattress separately.

Preparing for work

Since the size of the bed and the capabilities of each of us differ, I will not dwell on the volume of purchased timber and will immediately start with preparation. In order to make a comfortable folding bed with my own hands, I took care of the availability of wooden beams and beams, as well as special carpentry tools:

• plane;
• electric jigsaw;
• sandpaper:
• screwdriver and screws for it;
• stain, varnish or any other protective coating.

Next, I secured a sufficient area to complete the work, cut the material to size and began assembling the parts.

Source shopotam.ru

Bed coffee table

Similar in style to modern furniture's convertibles, this folding coffee table incorporates a full-size bed into the design.

If you have a small apartment, this is a unique way to save space so you don't have to buy a separate bed for guests when someone wants to spend the night with you. This coffee table conveniently rolls on casters wherever you need it. It then unfolds into a bed that can accommodate an average-sized adult.

Using a coffee table as a bed is easy. Simply hold the handle, rotate the top 180° and insert the headboard.

The folded coffee table contains everything - mattress, sheets, blanket and pillow. Only you need to sew a mattress from high-density foam rubber. Although foldable futon-style mattresses fit well into this project, for maximum comfort, you can have a custom mattress made for this type of bed. Or you can use a ready-made children's mattress. The bed part is designed to be easy to open and use, as well as fold and store. Either way, this practical design will be useful.

Photo source: www.rockler.com/convertible-coffee-table-folding-bed-project

Assembling all bed elements

Step 1: Building the frame of the box.

Using 50mm self-tapping screws and glue, attach the side walls to the bottom.

Step 2: Rear Crossmembers.

Secure the box with crossbars located at the top and bottom of it. Connect the bottom one not only to the side walls, but also to the bottom. Use 50mm screws and glue.

Step 3: Front Crossmember.

Secure the sides of the box with another crossbar located at the top of the front side. To attach it you will need 50 mm screws and glue.

Step 4: Finish the front of the drawer.

Using 50mm nails and glue, attach the decorative strips to the front ends of the side walls. The outer edges should be level. Additionally, attach these strips to the bottom of the drawer and to the front crossbar.

Step 5: Finish the sides of the drawer.

Attach the decorative strips to the top of the side walls (their top edges should be level) using 30mm nails and glue.

Step 6: Finish the top of the front side.

Attach the front top trim strip using 30mm nails and glue. Alignment is carried out along the top edge. Additionally, secure the strip by driving 50 mm nails through its edges into the side walls.

Step 7: Rear of the "ceiling".

Using 50mm nails and glue, secure the back of the drawer 'ceiling'. The ends of the plank should extend evenly beyond the side walls (~2.5 cm), and its rear edge should be flush with the rear edges of the side walls.

Step 8: Front of the "ceiling".

Leaving a 2.5cm overhang at the front and sides, secure the front of the top slab as you did in the previous step.

Step 9: Mattress Box.

Build a mattress box using glue and 50mm screws to connect the back wall of 2.5x20cm boards to the plywood bottom. Then (again using glue and self-tapping screws) attach the side walls of the bed, made from a piece of board cut diagonally, to the plywood bottom and back wall. You can cut out the side walls using a jigsaw or circular saw.

Step 10: Decorating the door.

Think over the layout of the door (the back of the bed) and secure the 6mm thick decorative strips with glue and 15mm flat nails. Dimensions are for the template shown in the picture.

Step 11: Accessories.

Use the hinges to attach the sleeping area (mattress box) to the wall “box” as shown above. In addition, it is necessary to install magnetic latches that will prevent the “door” from falling when the bed is in the raised position. You can also use support hinges to keep the “door” from falling when the bed is unfolded.

Step 12: Finishing.

Fill all nail and screw holes with wood putty and sand the surfaces. If desired, you can paint the structure and/or varnish it.

How to make a folding bed with your own hands: what do you need for work?

A folding bed, carefully made according to all the rules with your own hands,

looks more attractive than the market option. If manufactured according to the rules using high-quality elements, such a bed will last for ten years. In addition, such a piece of furniture will allow you to comfortably accommodate a guest staying overnight.

A folding bed, carefully made according to all the rules with your own hands, looks more attractive than the market version.

A folding bed made by yourself will delight you for many years if all the rules and nuances were taken into account during creation.

If you decide to make such a sleeping structure with your own hands, you need to decide in advance what materials you will use to make it. Metal, solid wood or MDF fiberboards are suitable for this purpose. For those who want to build an economical option, the last option is perfect. They are inexpensive, but they perform well in operation. Structures made from such materials last a long time and look attractive. They have a medium density, so a bed made of them will withstand medium loads. It is easy to work with such raw materials even for an inexperienced craftsman.

In addition, such a piece of furniture will allow you to comfortably accommodate a guest staying overnight.

A do-it-yourself wooden cot is much more profitable than a metal version, since the former is more environmentally friendly and retains heat better. Let's focus on a folding bed made of MDF. For further work you need the following set of tools:

• tape measure;
• circular saw;
• pencil for marking;
• grinding angle;
• drills;
• sandpaper;
• glasses for protection.

If you decide to make such a sleeping structure with your own hands, you need to decide in advance what materials you will use to make it.

When everything is collected, you can start working. Before you make a folding bed yourself, you need to study in advance all the features of such work, as well as the sequence, so that the finished product meets your expectations.

Metal, solid wood or MDF fiberboards are suitable for this purpose.

Such a product can be built for a bedroom or for a room in the country, replacing an old and non-functional sofa.

Pros and cons of a homemade folding bed

An important advantage is the budget cost of the product. You will not have to overpay for a unique design, taxes and duties. Of course, the material also needs to be purchased, but in most cases, this is less of a waste than for a finished product.

A homemade folding bed will be cheaper.

The second advantage is the ability to make furniture according to individual measurements and design. Depending on the skills of the craftsman, the folding bed can be simple and functional or original, with complex decor.

You can make a cot in any color.

And another advantage is the guarantee of the quality of the materials used. There are few disadvantages, and for an experienced master they are completely insignificant. You will have to spend time on manufacturing; you will need a certain set of tools that may not be in the house.