DIY folding double bed. Invisible bed

How to make an invisible bed with your own hands?

Due to a banal lack of space, not everyone can afford such a luxury as a double bed, which occupies almost half of the bedroom. However, a solution has been found - transformable beds that have recently appeared. These beds allow you to free up space during the day and have a good rest at night. After all, during the day we don’t need it at all. And there are such opportunities. For example, put the bed in the closet! Invisible bed. We do it WITH OUR HANDS!

From the Author: I have long thought about building a so-called wardrobe bed. During the day it looks like an ordinary wardrobe, at night it is a full-fledged sleeping bed. The prospect of saving square meters in my two-room apartment contributed to the implementation of the idea, and my hands had been itching for a long time after office work with a drill and screwdriver. Physical work was preceded by mental work: sketches and drawings were drawn, dimensions were checked. And so, after the final sketch of the bed was approved at the family council and the color scheme was selected, the corresponding parts for the future bed were ordered from a company engaged in cutting laminated chipboards.
1. A start has been made.

2. The bed itself was based on an orthopedic base and a mattress from the bed in use at that time with a sleeping area of ​​180 X 200 cm.

3. We remove the so-called lamellas - strips of birch plywood, curved in an arc.

4. Having thought that few furniture legs would be able to adequately support the weight of the future bed, it was decided to install the base of the cabinet on two 40 x 50 mm bars.

5. Mark the seats for the sides of the cabinet.

6. We join the base of the cabinet with its side panels.

7. Attach the top panel.

8. The “skeleton” of the cabinet is ready.

9. We attach the “skeleton” to the main wall of the apartment.

10. Particular attention to this “tool”. All work was carried out in the apartment, there was a lot of shavings. Therefore, it was taken as a rule: if you drill a hole, immediately clean up after yourself.

11. We begin to install the bed frame using the bed lifting mechanism and gas springs.

12. An important unit of the bed - this is where the heaviest loads are.

13. Connecting...

14. Connecting...

15. Strengthening...

A broken bed is not a reason to run to the store, especially if you have beams and screws at home. With the help of simple materials, anyone can make a double bed with their own hands, and personal preferences and wishes will serve as a guide.

The original bed will exactly match the required size, height and weight of the owner, and will also fit perfectly into the overall interior design.

The base is wood

The bed frame can be made of iron or wood. And if the first option requires special skills in working with iron and hard-to-find materials in the form of profile pipes, then every business person will have beams along with the ability to operate a screwdriver and tighten self-tapping screws.

The assembly of such furniture will take no more than 10 days, and only safe and high-quality materials are used: self-tapping screws, sheet plywood, MDF panel, metal corners, PVA glue, beams and dowels.

Some recommendations will help you competently and quickly assemble a strong and stable bed:

• It is better to give preference to a smooth beam on laminated pine about 200 cm long;
• It is recommended to compare the dimensions of the future frame with a pre-purchased mattress;
• To complement the design of the drawers, you should purchase chipboard sheets;
• Self-tapping screws and other fasteners are purchased with a reserve;
• There should be no roughness at the base of the bends of metal corners, indicating poor quality.

Let's start assembling

Once everything you need is ready, you can start assembling the bed. The algorithm below will serve as the diagram for making the components of a bed with your own hands.

Frame and stiffeners

The first step is to make a rectangular frame, each side of which consists of three beams fastened in height. Next, the following manipulations are necessary:

• A beam measuring 4x5 cm is sawn into 4 parts: two 16 cm and two 21 cm, which are laid out on the floor along with the frame and secured with PVA furniture glue.
• The second layer is laid out parallel to the beams, firmly fixed with self-tapping screws on both sides. Periodically it is necessary to check the evenness of the structure with a tape measure or rope. Excess glue that appears should be immediately wiped off with a cloth, not allowing it to dry.
• For the base of the bed, slats with a thickness of at least 3 cm are taken. To enhance the load-carrying capacity, a “stiffening rib” is made in the center, running along the bed and having two supports.

Legs and supports

Four supports are needed in each corner. Each leg is made from two pieces of 4x5 cm timber, gluing their seams with PVA, connecting them together with self-tapping screws and attaching them to the main frame. After which the product is turned over and installed on its legs.

Mattress base

The support bars are provided in the bed drawing and, depending on the appropriate option, come in different thicknesses, heights and locations. Most often they are equal to the internal length of the frame and are attached at the level of the second row.

To create an optimal orthopedic base, the slats are fixed at a distance of about 20 mm, fixing them at the edges and in the center with two self-tapping screws in each place. Afterwards, the future bed is left to allow the glue to dry.

Sanding and painting

The final treatment consists of sanding the entire surface and thoroughly washing the product. Before painting, a protective wood primer is applied to the perimeter of the structure, and the bed is painted with high-quality wear-resistant varnish in 3-4 layers.

Modernizing standards

One bed is good, but a children’s bed and a bunk bed are even better, especially since making it with your own hands is as easy as a standard model.

When choosing a suitable scheme, you can experiment with the dimensions and design: make two beds, place a desk, sofa or cabinets on the ground floor.

Experienced and motivated craftsmen will also be interested in another modern and functional model – the podium bed. In this case, you will have to accurately measure all the dimensions of the room and prepare lumber in strict accordance with the required area.

Retractable drawers at the bottom of the bed and side panels hidden by panels are required.

If your soul and body require a new bed, then don’t rush to the store. Making this piece of furniture with your own hands is simple and quick, and the final result will directly depend on individual wishes, taste and space.

DIY bed photo

Note!

At present, as in the past, the housing issue has not yet been completely resolved, especially in large cities, where the cost per square meter of housing is breaking all records. Therefore, a multifunctional room layout, capable of transforming it from a bedroom into a living room, game room, dining room, is now in demand in urban living conditions. Folding beds are installed even by residents who are not constrained by the small size of their apartments. This sleeping place is ideal for accommodating guests and relatives.

Despite this, furniture manufacturers have a very meager range of folding beds. This fact, obviously, can be explained by the fact that such furniture must be produced in conjunction with other interior elements, taking into account the design and layout of a particular room, which is impossible in mass production conditions. As a rule, the installation of folding beds is carried out by small furniture teams working together with interior designers. For these purposes, they use universal designs, the production of which has been mastered by a number of foreign manufacturers.

Types of fasteners

Fastening such structures does not require special skills, it is correctly described in the attached instructions, so the main work when installing a folding bed is binding to a specific layout, built-in furniture, compliance with design proportions and installation instructions. This kind of work can be done with your own hands, without the help of specialists, especially if you already have experience assembling furniture.

When installing structural elements, it is necessary to carefully mark the mounting holes for fasteners to ensure the stability of the bed and facilitate the installation process.

The kit for making a folding bed, along with fasteners and structural elements for mounting the bed frame, often includes gas shock absorbers or, as they are sometimes called, gas lifts.

They facilitate the transformation process so much that even a child can disassemble and assemble such beds. Sometimes, in order to reduce weight, a bed frame structure made of light non-ferrous metals and non-metallic linear springs is chosen.

Which bed to choose

The first step in making a folding bed yourself is to determine its functional purpose. This can be a single or double bed for guests.

And also a transformable bed-sofa in a country house.

This could be a bed built into a wardrobe in a bedroom or children's room.

Then a suitable design is selected. The main elements of a folding bed are a box, a rotating device and a bed. Folding beds can be manufactured in vertical (the bed is folded across the length) and horizontal (along the length of the bed). The second option should be used when making a children's bed, as it requires less effort when tilting.

Self-assembly of the structure

Having chosen the appropriate design kit for a folding bed, they begin to assemble the box, the place where the bed is removed. The box must be securely attached to the wall and floor, otherwise, when assembled, the bed may suddenly fall; when disassembled, the structure of the box may tear off the wall. If the wall in the room is plasterboard, then it is necessary to use long fasteners that will pass through the plasterboard, securing it to the concrete or brick wall.

After installing the box, a bed is made, having carefully studied the complete set of connecting elements and assembly instructions.

To make the bed of folding beds, solid wood or laminated chipboard is usually used. The first option is a more reliable, environmentally friendly and lightweight material for the bed. Its only drawback is its higher cost. The geometric dimensions of the bed are determined by the selected mattress. Having cut the material, sawed it, marked the fastening points, they proceed to assembly. During installation, you should carefully check the reliability of all connections and perform additional gluing of structures, because during operation the folding bed will be constantly subjected to mechanical stress.

The last stage of collection is the installation of gas elevators, blockers for spontaneous reclining of the bed, and securing the mattress using special belts. Upon completion of this work, you can begin testing the mechanism. First of all, check for the absence of distortions and jamming during the process of folding and unfolding the bed. If there is noticeable resistance to the transformation mechanism, adjustments and adjustments are made to the installation elements. There is no need to rely on the expression “it will develop”; most likely, the mechanism will “loose” and “break” over time, thereby complicating further adjustment work. You should also check that there are no gaps in the legs of the unfolded, unloaded bed relative to the floor, if any, and make additional spacers. Before starting operation and thereafter, it is periodically necessary to lubricate the moving joints with grease or other thick oils. To increase the service life of the folding bed, it is necessary to constantly check the condition of the fastening elements and, if necessary, replace them.

Dear readers, if you have any questions, please ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)

If you want to properly use the space in the room, then you should get a folding bed. It will not take up much space, and if necessary, can instantly transform into a place to sleep or relax. In this article we will take a closer look at how to make a folding bed with your own hands. Such furniture will easily fit into a modern interior.

Types of folding beds

There are two types:

Vertical. The berth is placed perpendicular to the wall. This type is suitable for everyone, regardless of age and height. There are single, one and a half and double beds. Usually such beds are disguised as a tall wardrobe.

Horizontal. The bed is located along the wall. This furniture model is more suitable for young children, children or people of short stature. Usually there are single rooms. They disguise the bed as a shelf or chest of drawers.

Advantages and disadvantages of lifting beds

The main advantages are:

The upholstery does not collect dust;

Doesn't take up enough space, you can save space in the room;

The furniture is completely inconspicuous when assembled; the frame is made in the form of a shelf, chest of drawers or cabinet.

Unfortunately, there are also shortcomings. It is impossible to move the bed to another place. This is because it is attached to a frame that is firmly attached to the wall and floor. If you want to make a bed without the help of others, then you will need a lot of physical effort, a lot of free time and at least a little experience in assembling furniture.

Preparing for the assembly process

Let's look at several features of the implementation of this modern idea. First, choose what kind of bed you want to make - horizontal or vertical. Decide on the material later. Fortunately, the modern construction market offers a large selection of options. You can take natural wood, chipboard or MDF.

The main thing is to pay attention to the technical properties. The material must be environmentally friendly, reliable and strong. It’s also worth choosing the tools for the job. If you don’t have an electric drill, a screwdriver, a screwdriver, a hammer, a saw, various drills, self-tapping screws, and screws at home, then it’s worth purchasing all of this. You will need them during work.

Vertical folding bed (we make it ourselves)

So, you got your hands on the materials and tools and sketched out your future furniture project. Now it’s worth deciding on the place where you will install the folding bed with your own hands. Drawings of the frame should be placed on the wall and the locations of its attachment should be indicated.

The furniture design includes a box, a berth and a ready-made lifting mechanism for a folding bed. Make a box in the form of a cabinet from natural wood with your own hands. Its size is calculated depending on the size of the bed. The main elements of the box are the stubborn shelf, baseboard, back wall, vertical and horizontal walls.

Here are the approximate characteristics of the box:

The depth of the frame is equal to the thickness of the mattress plus 32 cm;

The width of the box corresponds to the width of the mattress plus 16 cm;

The height of the frame is equal to the length of the mattress.

The wall to which the frame will be attached must be concrete or brick. The parts are fixed with screws at a distance of 25 cm.

The sleeping area consists of side boards, a backrest, a slatted base, a headboard and a mattress. The latter is secured with special straps. The bed and the box are connected to each other using a lifting mechanism. We recommend using a ready-made one with a gas spring. It will allow you to fix the structure in any position that is comfortable for you. So we made our own folding bed!

It is worth adding some details so that when folded it imitates a closet. For example, install shelves along the edges where you can place books, photos or souvenirs. Make cabinets at the bottom where bed linen will be stored. If you take into account all these tips, then it will not be difficult for you to assemble such furniture without the help of others.

Horizontal folding bed, assembled with your own hands

The design of this idea has the same main elements: a box, a bed and a lifting mechanism. The size of the frame that will hide the bed, in our case, will have a depth of 41 cm, length - 200 cm, height - 112 cm. The characteristics may be different, everything depends on the size of your mattress.

For the headboard, choose a 1.9 cm wide chipboard. Treat it with stain in advance. For the frame you will need 5.5 meters of timber. To assemble the bed, you will need the following components:

Four facing chipboards for side (1080x394x19 mm) and internal parts (1080x265x19 mm);

Two chipboards for the bed cover (2020x400x19 mm) and shelves (1010x400x19 mm);

Two chipboards for the bottom of the bed (1982x390x19 mm) and shelves (972x390x19 mm);

Two shelves for decorating a chest of drawers (980x310x19 mm);

Two bed rails (2000 mm);

Cornice (2020x992x19 mm).

We secure all elements with screws. The furniture is assembled in the same way as a vertical bed. Attach 13 cm long side rails along the perimeter of the frame so that the mattress does not move.

The price of this furniture in the showroom is very high, so a folding bed made with your own hands is a pressing project. After all, self-assembly and installation will cost much less.

Nowadays, buying a home is the main problem that young people face when starting their families. Of course, everyone dreams of a spacious apartment, in which there will be enough space to lie on the sofa and sit in an armchair. However, not everyone can afford apartments that fit this description. And many people buy “small families” with a very small area. A do-it-yourself folding bed is exactly what you can use to save your square meters.

Vertical folding bed

Advantages and disadvantages of folding beds

As you can already understand, thanks to a folding bed you can save a lot of your personal space. Its main priorities are the following indicators:

• takes up little space;
• does not collect dust on its upholstery, which can cause allergies;
• when assembled, it is absolutely invisible, since the frame is made in the form of a cabinet.

However, before you ask the question: “how to make a folding bed?”, you also need to know about its disadvantages.

Unfortunately, they exist. The main disadvantage is that such a bed will be impossible to rearrange or move at any time. This is due to the fact that the bed itself is attached to the frame, and it, in turn, is securely attached to the wall, floor and even ceiling. In addition, self-assembly requires a lot of physical and mental effort, preparation time and minimal experience working with furniture. But still, if you implement this idea, then in the end you and your family will be happy.

Types of folding beds and materials for their manufacture

Since you have decided to install a folding bed at home, it will be useful for you to know that they come in two types:

• The bed is longitudinally folding. Usually disguised as a tall cabinet and folded up. This type of bed is suitable for adults, since it will be very difficult for a child to physically lift such a mass.
• Cross-folding bed. It resembles a shelf in a train carriage and disguises itself as a shelf for books or photographs. This bed is most often made as a single bed and is very suitable for children.

Horizontal folding bed

They can be made of wood or metal. For a horizontal folding bed with your own hands, it will be very convenient to use the armored part, attaching it to a metal frame.

How to make a folding bed yourself?

First, you need to decide on the place where the bed will be installed. Next, you should make a drawing and markings on the wall. On the markings it is necessary to highlight the dimensions and clearly indicate the places where the frame is attached. The bed on which adults will sleep must have a length of at least 190 centimeters, a width of about a meter and a frame height of 2 meters, since its lower part will serve as decor.

To build the frame, you will need blocks of dense wood, which will need to be fastened and installed in the place indicated in the drawing. When connecting the frame to the wall, be sure to use dowels. This is necessary in order to give the fastening more strength.

The lifting mechanism must be installed at the point where the bed connects to the fixed frame. You can use gas or coil springs as lifts.

Legs must be installed on the opposite side of the bed. They need to be attached to the bed using self-tapping screws, which are pre-lubricated with glue for greater reliability.

Bed decor

Here our folding bed is ready. All that remains is to decorate it, since when folded it should imitate a closet.

Alternatively, you can install shelves on the sides on which books, souvenirs or family photos will be placed. At the bottom of the bed you can make cabinets in which to store bed linen. You can attach handles to the back of the bed, identical to the handles on the cabinets.

As a result, we get a wonderful bed that we made with our own hands. We saved space in the room and also decorated it. In addition, self-installation cost us much less than buying exactly the same bed in a furniture store.

BED CABINET CASE

The basis of the cabinet for a built-in bed (Fig. 1) is a box of boards (pine) with a cross-section of 40×300 mm. The back wall of the folding bed closet is made of fairly thick plywood, secured to the wall and supporting the entire structure of the folding bed closet.

To prevent the bed from being visible when folded, folding shutters are used - such doors of different sizes can be purchased in the store.

Before you begin assembling the cabinet, prepare boards for the side walls with a length of 2230 mm, as well as blanks for the base and top crossbar with a length of -1700 mm.

This will ensure there are sufficient gaps inside the box on both sides between the cabinet walls and the bed. Determine exactly how much space is needed for the doors and hinges you have chosen and, based on this, adjust the dimensions of the cabinet body and saw the base board and top rail to size.

At the ends of the side walls, you need to select quarters according to the thickness of the base and top crossbar, as well as for the back wall.

Having assembled and glued the frame of the wardrobe-bed, make a shelf (Fig. 2) measuring 40x175x1600 mm, supporting the bed in the stowed position. Then attach the shelf from the inside to the base of the cabinet on three 40 mm thick supports so that its upper plane is at a height of 200 mm from the floor (Fig. 3).

For beauty, the lintel can be trimmed on top with decorative slats connected by a mustache.

BED MATTRESS BOX

The mattress box (a kind of lodgement) consists of a frame with dimensions of 100x1450x1980 mm and a plywood bottom attached to it with total dimensions of 20x1410x1940 mm (in two parts). To make it, take two side and two end walls with a length of 1980 and 1410 mm, respectively.

Make folds at the bottom ends of the side walls. Then, using glue and screws, assemble the frame, nailing the plywood bottom underneath.

Rice. 2. Longitudinal section of the cabinet.

Rice. 3. Cabinet design.

From pine timber with a cross-section of 40×100 mm, assemble two bed supports (Fig. 4) and attach them with hinges from below to the cradle so that approximately 150 mm remains to its edges. After finishing the exterior, let the assembly dry and attach it to the cabinet body with three wide (75 mm) hinges.

FOLDING BED LOWERING MECHANISM

To make it easier to raise and lower the bed, spring mechanisms are often used, similar to those used in sofa beds (they can be purchased in the store). The proposed version provides a cable mechanism with pulleys and brackets made of steel strips 25 mm wide and 75-100 mm long.

Rice. 4. Lodgment

BED BUILT INTO A CLOSET: FINAL WORK

Shutters with blinds are perfect for a bed closet; in addition, when closed, they provide natural ventilation. If the doors (at least 2000 mm high) turn out to be slightly shorter than the cabinet, then install a threshold from below, across its body (see Fig. 2).

To fix the bed in the retracted position, one latch attached externally to the bottom is enough.

Attach four 25 mm wide nylon straps to the inside of the sides of the bed with two screws with half-round heads and decorative washers, which will hold the mattress and bedding when the bed is folded.

Sew Velcro or D-rings to the ends of the ribbons.

After final assembly of the cabinet, if desired, the outside can be finished with veneer and varnished.

The problem of most modern families is the lack of living space. In small rooms it is necessary to place a set of furniture necessary for life, and few people think that making a folding bed instead of a usual sofa can significantly save space and increase sleep comfort.

Of course, you can go to the nearest furniture store, but why spend money on something that you can easily assemble yourself? A folding bed can be made with your own hands without any particular difficulties; it is enough just to have some experience in handling tools, and components and fittings are sold in construction markets and in specialized stores in large quantities.

Of course, Copperfield is a master of performing tricks, but he is not the only one who can make large objects disappear. Each owner can feel like a magician and sorcerer by making a folding bed.

First of all, you need to decide on the type of structure. The bed can be vertical or horizontal. The first design is better suited for adults who need more space for comfortable sleep. During the day it can be hidden in a niche or in a special closet. The second design is well suited for children, since it is easier to prepare for sleep and can take up very little space along the wall while the child is small. Such beds are most often disguised as a shelf, chest of drawers or soft upholstery, which is convenient to rest your back on when playing on the floor.

Do you need a bed like this?

Like any other piece of furniture, a folding bed has its positive and negative sides. The advantages of the design include: saving space, effort and time for the housewife (when assembled, the upholstery collects less dust) and aesthetics (a bulky sleeping place, when assembled, is disguised as a closet or chest of drawers).

The disadvantages include the fact that it is difficult to move the bed to another place. The fittings securely attach the box to the wall or floor. In addition, manufacturing takes some time and effort.

Design elements

The most important element of any sleeping place is the mattress. It is precisely in order not to torment your back with uncomfortable sofas that people most often start building folding beds. Making a good mattress with your own hands is an impossible task. You will have to buy this element, and it is best to order the orthopedic version from a good manufacturer. There is no point in saving on a mattress, since your performance and health depend on comfortable sleep.

The bed for laying the mattress is an element that should match your height and weight. The fittings must also be selected taking into account the load.

An important element is the folding mechanism. The safety of use and effort when assembling and disassembling the bed depend on its quality. There are several types of folding mechanisms:

• spring;
• mechanical;
• mechanism on gas shock absorbers.

Manufacturing process of a folding bed

Step No. 1. Making a box

Depending on the type of structure chosen, a box is made to mask the frame. For this, a strong concrete wall must be chosen; no partitions are suitable for such purposes. For making the box, chipboard sheets are suitable, for vertical walls - 2.5 cm thick, the horizontal wall can be thinner - 1.5–2 cm thick.

When making box drawings, it is necessary to take into account not only the dimensions of the bed, but also the height of the mattress and the thickness of the backrest.

Step #2. Frame making

To make the frame, you will need two side boards, a set of slats or chipboard sheets for a flat sleeping surface of the headboard. You can secure the mattress to the bed with strong straps; the remaining parts are secured with mounting angles. Accessories for making the frame are sold in specialized stores. A sample list of frame parts looks like this:

• longitudinal bars of the required length with a thickness and height of 50 mm - 2 pcs.;
• cross bars – 2 pcs.;
• chipboard strips for side walls – 2 pcs.;
• chipboard strips for cross walls – 2 pcs.;
• legs – 2 pcs.;
• stop for the axis of rotation.

The necessary accessories are dowels, screws, bolts, washers and nuts, aluminum tubes. The use of dowels requires precisely matching drilling of various parts, so sometimes other fittings are used instead - metal corners for fastening. A set of these simple devices will allow you to make a high-quality folding bed frame. For stability, the legs are connected by a metal rod; both horizontal and vertical structures benefit from this.