Not all people have spacious apartments that can accommodate a large bed, a wardrobe, and other necessary pieces of furniture. Often, a double bed takes up almost all the free space in the bedroom, so it is impossible to place other furniture there. Of course, this option will not please anyone, so some people strive to make a bed with their own hands, which will be compact, comfortable, and unique. Owners of small apartments usually choose folding beds that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Let's find out how to make such a design with your own hands.
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Benefits of a DIY Bed
Before deciding to make a folding bed yourself, you should consider the advantages and features of such a design:
- the piece of furniture will have the desired shape and dimensions that will fit the dimensions of the room;
- you will independently monitor the quality of the elements used and the assembly;
- this option is much cheaper than buying a finished product;
- a self-made folding bed can be placed anywhere;
- The construction does not require items that are difficult to find on sale.
When we buy furniture in a store, it is difficult for us to assess how high-quality and reliable it is. For this reason, it is more reliable to build it yourself using high-quality materials. This is only possible if you have the appropriate knowledge and skills.
Types of folding beds
It should be noted that there are different types of folding beds:
- French. The design consists of 3 parts similar to an orthopedic grid. 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.
2. American. It is folded in two and folded in half. This type of folding bed is equipped with a spring block and a reliable mechanism. The headrests "go" into the back when the folding bed needs to be removed.
3. Italian. Consists of two folds. The mattress, as a rule, has a width of 14 to 18 cm. This is a bed of increased comfort. The system has an orthopedic grid, belts and a metal mesh.
For self-production, options consisting of two sections are more suitable. It is enough to buy a mattress separately. It is fixed with special fasteners or simple Velcro. The latter option is more convenient. Such a bed will withstand a load of up to 150 kg.
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 version. 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 who stays overnight.
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 latter option is perfect. They are inexpensive, but they show themselves well in operation. Structures made of such materials serve for a long time and look attractive. They have an average density, so a bed made of them will withstand average loads. Even an inexperienced craftsman can easily work with such raw materials.
A folding bed made of wood with your own hands is much more profitable than a metal version, since the former is more environmentally friendly and retains heat better. Let's stop at a folding bed made of MDF. For further work, you will need the following set of tools:
- tape measure;
- circular saw;
- with a marking pencil;
- grinding corner;
- drills;
- sandpaper;
- glasses for protection.
When everything is assembled, you can start working. Before making a folding bed yourself, you need to study all the features of such work in advance, as well as the sequence, so that the finished product meets expectations.
More about the technique of making a folding bed
So, you need to start making a folding bed with your own hands from drawings. After all, a folding bed with your own hands, the drawings of which are not drawn up or prepared incorrectly, will be unsuitable for full use. First, make calculations, and then proceed to assembling the structure. The sequence of actions here is as follows.
- The materials you will first need are two support boards that correspond to the length of the mattress.
- Depending on its dimensions, it is necessary to cut out boards of the corresponding length. These are the future "sides". Note that the crossbars should be somewhat longer than the width of the mattress. They need to be connected to the load-bearing ones using self-tapping screws.
- Then you need to connect the back wall.
- Next, a shelf is made where the base is attached. The shelf must be secured inside the box using supports.
- After that, you need to make a box for the mattress with your own hands. This will be a frame with approximate dimensions of 100x1450x1980 mm. It will need to be attached in the middle of the bottom. For manufacturing, you will need 2 side and 2 end boards. In advance, you need to make folds using self-tapping screws. After that, the frame is assembled and the bottom is nailed from a sheet of plywood.
After all the above operations performed with your own hands, you can start making supports. When moving the bed apart, it is necessary to put supports from a bar with a cross-section of 40 by 100 mm. Using the prepared loops, the supports must be attached to the bottom. Next, you need to let the parts dry well. The folding/unfolding mechanism is chosen at your personal discretion.
At the final stage, it is advisable to decorate the product, since "bare" it will not look as attractive as desired. For this purpose, you can use blinds that can cover the timber supports. You can also make sliding supports. This is an alternative option.
It is recommended to use a decorative bolt for the best fixation of the bed in the closed position. In this way, you can protect yourself from the arbitrary unfolding of the bed, because it is dangerous and uncomfortable to sleep on such a bed. In view of this feature, it is necessary to take care in advance that the folding/unfolding mechanism works properly.
Often those who build a bed with their own hands from materials such as MDF worry about the fact that when unfolded, the bed linen and mattress will slide off. You need to stock up on 30 mm wide straps on both sides for fixing. Before lifting the bed, you should fasten the Velcro.
If desired, a ready-made folding bed made with your own hands can be originally painted or decorated with decorative items. It is only important that the bed matches the interior design. If the room is in a minimalist style, then the folding bed should also contain elements of this style.
As you can see, making a bed for sleeping with your own hands is not as difficult as it may seem. A folding bed made with your own hands will please you for many years if all the rules and nuances were taken into account during its creation.
Such a product can be made for a bedroom or a room in the country, replacing an old and non-functional sofa. The main thing is to approach the work responsibly and follow the sequence of actions. Then you will be able to make a durable, strong product. If desired, you can use ready-made sketches, which make it much easier and more convenient to build a bed. The most important thing is that the structure fits freely in the room, looks functional, presentable.
VIDEO: Homemade Folding Bed – 1
50 photo ideas on how to make a folding bed with your own hands
I would make one for myself, but I don't know whether to buy plywood slats or whatever they are called, installed crosswise. Maybe you can give me the address.
Very informative information. Everything is clearly presented. If you want to make a folding bed yourself, then this article is for you.