Do-it-yourself horizontal transformable bed. DIY folding bed built into the closet. Homemade lifting bed “for mere mortals”


Lifting beds, which can be placed in a vertical position after sleep, freeing up space in the room, are very popular today. And there can be a huge variety of models of such beds. This review contains the best of them, and with some skill you can make such a bed with your own hands.

1. Raise bed for small rooms


IN in this example the family installed a lift-up bed in the workshop so that this room could become a guest room if necessary. Depending on your budget, you can use hardwood, plywood, MDF or particle board to build the bed. In this case, plywood was chosen from hardwood PureBond. This one is said to be of high quality construction material does not contain formaldehyde and has an international quality certificate.

2. Cheap option for a raised bed


Spring or piston lifting mechanism can more than double the cost of a raised bed. Therefore, if you want to save money, you will have to accept the fact that you will have to put some effort into opening and closing the bed. It's about about the Lori Wall Kit.

Lori Wall opens and closes manually, because it does not have a mechanism. To help balance the bed, the bottom of the frame has rounded tabs that fold down when closed. Each Lori kit comes with assembly drawings and installation fittings (over 200 hinges, screws, connectors and bolts). Customers can choose two types of bed orientation: vertical or horizontal and three different sizes beds.

3. Homemade lifting bed “for mere mortals”


Many people think that they can build a bed themselves at home. It turns out that there are kits on sale for people with a limited budget and zero experience in construction.

For example, this kit from Murphy Bed Hardware has everything you need to assemble a lift-up bed and a step-by-step assembly diagram.

4. Raising bed for a modern interior


The ad from Katie from Addicted 2 DIY has taken the internet by storm. Katie has created a one-of-a-kind furniture system that includes bookcases And desk. The icing on the cake for this project is the bed. When folded, it resembles a storage cabinet, and no one will even guess that there is a mattress hidden behind it.

5. IKEA lift-up bed


Paul from Renovations and Old Houses built his raised bed using IKEA PAX parts after his wife saw a similar IKEA furniture hack on TV.

His project includes a floor bed frame and spring mechanism. When assembled and installed, this versatile, self-contained unit is a closet with a bed built inside.

6. PAX bed


This is another one homemade bed which was made from parts wardrobe systems PAX IKEA. Norwegian blogger Calvin Gross of Huskverna states that if someone is building a frame block for a full-size mattress, they will need a few things, including two PAX cabinet frames and a pair of LURÖY bed frames.

7. Transformable bed


This economical option DIY Raise Bed by Imgur user Avalon Awaked was made from the SÖDERHAMN series sofa and ottoman from IKEA. To make the assembly process easier, the blogger purchased The Next Bed, a bed frame with a lift mechanism that can be attached to the wall or floor. It's worth keeping in mind that Avalon Awaked created a custom mount for the bed frame to open over the sofa.

8. Basic model of lift-up bed


The next project by David Picciuto from Make Something TV shows how to make the simplest lift-up Murphy bed using Side Mount Deluxe Murphy Bed Hardware from Rockler. Each kit includes assembly instructions.

9. Raising bed for a child


Some people are faced with a situation where they need to “carve out” a place for a schoolchild at home. Martin Wester used leftover pieces from an IKEA Ivar storage system to create a small lift-up bed with built-in shelving in his tiny home office. The most interesting part of this project is that Martin used three plywood shelves to create a bench.

10. Disappearing bed


Many raised beds are free-standing pieces of furniture that are visible on the wall or floor. The bloggers at Junk In the Trunk can tell you how to create a bed that seems to disappear when folded, without the need for an expensive lift mechanism.

11. Accordion bed for tiny spaces


Andrew and Crystal Odom are people who live in a tiny apartment. Since they couldn't fit a traditional pull-up bed in their home, they came up with a similar idea called a roll-up bed. It unfolds like a real accordion.

12. Wardrobe bed


Anyone can make a DIY raised bed at home by purchasing a kit from Wilding Wall Beds. It comes with everything you need to create functional bed, including pre-cut boards. The wood in the sets is available to choose from: alder, cherry, mahogany, maple or oak.

Anyone who strives to create a truly cozy and ergonomic interior should pay attention to.

If a person lives in small apartment, lack of space becomes a serious problem. Folding bed literally disappears in just a few seconds! By making a wardrobe bed with your own hands, you can solve the issue related to the shortage square meters: expand the children's room, freeing it up for games, turn the guest room into a home office, the living room into a mini-hotel, taking into account the frequent visits of relatives, and the bedroom can become a gym.

About serious and funny

So what's so exciting about the "invisible" bed design? Is this really a bed? Or is it a closet? A huge mattress can be neatly hidden, is it really easy to do? Yes! And the transformer was not invented yesterday, but at least a century ago. According to legend, the inventor of the device, William L. Murphy, lived in one-room apartment in San Francisco. The moral code of those times did not approve of women who dare to enter a man’s bedroom, so the savvy guy turned the bed into a closet and his room into a living room, not forgetting to obtain a patent for the invention in 1900. However, at this very moment, Thomas Jefferson already had his beds hanging on ropes and hooks in the bedroom alcoves. Murphy is said to have married the very girl who inspired him to transform the apartment.

Changing your living space today is seen as a lifestyle choice, and a folding transforming bed solves multi-tasks. Modern versions of various models may have glass, mirrors and beautiful lighting, as well as shelves for computers, televisions and stereo systems. Some apartment owners decorate the walls above the bed with expensive artwork.

A combination of elegance and ergonomics

A convertible folding bed can last up to 60 years! Since the first model, many designs have been created: the bed can be folded horizontally and vertically, be two-tiered and have additional functions. For example, beds with tables and models with sofas are popular.

The vertical version of the bed is considered traditional. Horizontal bed good for narrow rooms and premises with low ceilings, for example, it can be installed in the attic.

After installing the bed-wardrobe, the room turns into:

  • bedroom-office;
  • bedroom-living room;
  • children's bedroom.

When deciding to make an “invisible” bed, you should take a closer look at interesting ideas:

  • The transformer can be supplemented with convenient bookshelves.

  • The horizontally positioned folding bed is easily attached to a low modular furniture.
  • It’s quite an interesting solution when the room is made in Japanese minimalist style and the built-in bed looks like “shoji” walls.

  • A transformer in a teenager's room can become part of a cozy corner cabinet.
  • In a children's room, it is sometimes convenient to make a two-tier wardrobe bed.

  • A transformer can have an unusual look if you make the decor yourself. The retro space is adorable!
  • A bed-wardrobe can appear in an apartment made in any style. For example, with the appropriate design and decor, it will look good in the sophisticated French atmosphere of Provence. Gray sliding doors will add the necessary textural contrast.

What do you need to know?

The transformer, which the simplest drawings give an idea of, consists of 4 key components:

  • lifting mechanism;
  • heavy-duty magnetic clasp that prevents the bed from falling out;
  • bed frames;
  • closet

Any modern mechanism, designed for the wardrobe bed, allows for easy folding.

The lifting system can be:

Spring mechanism. It typically consists of heavy-duty compressed steel springs in the bed frame that make lifting and lowering easy. But after several years of intensive use, the springs need adjustment.

Piston mechanism. Unlike a spring device, pistons are safer, last much longer and break less.

Each mechanism is designed for a certain weight. A pair of metal springs or a piston lift make it easy and safe to place the bed box into the frame. A secure latch will keep the furniture in the closed position.

It is important to remember that the mechanism in creation modern bed Murphy is the most important thing. Installation of equipment will probably be the most time-consuming part of the work. Only correct installation According to the instructions, it guarantees reliable folding. If the mechanism for the bed-wardrobe is purchased in stores furniture fittings, an installation diagram that is easy to understand will definitely be included with the kit.

A person who has ever built a cabinet or similar large-scale piece of furniture with their own hands probably has all the skills to integrate a transformer into a wall.

The manufacturing process of the piece of furniture itself includes:

  • creating a cabinet that looks like a frame;
  • bed box to which the legs are attached.

Beds that are hidden in the closet do not have heavy spring mattress structures. Typically, an orthopedic or regular mattress rests on a wooden platform, wire mesh or slats and is secured with elastic straps that hold it in place while the unit is folded vertically.

How to make calculations?

To create a bed, the most attractive option is to use a combination of high-grade plywood and solid wood. As already mentioned, on the sides of the cabinet designed to hide the bed, you can add bookshelves, and in top part halogen lighting must be built into the frames. The faceplate of a structure can look as simple as a sheet of plywood or be as complex as an object antique furniture.

The height of the legs, sides and the height of the part of the mattress protruding above the sides is the total height of the sleeping place, on which the depth of the cabinet structure depends. Typically it is approximately 450 mm ( standard height chair) - sit comfortably.

Taking into account the thickness of the lifting mechanism, simple calculations can be made. If the mechanism has a thickness of 32 mm, then the gaps between the sides of the bed and the sides of the cabinet will be 32 mm on each side. Accordingly, the calculation takes into account the width of the bed, the thickness of the sides of the base, the gaps for installing the mechanism and the thickness of the sides of the cabinet.

The height of the closet depends on the length or width of the bed.

Work order

The biggest obstacle for many people is finding a place to do carpentry work. Therefore, it is worth considering assembling it in a garage or renting a special room for a while.

To make a transformer, you need to prepare the following tools for work:

  • centimeter tape measure;
  • building level, square;
  • electric drill;
  • screwdriver;
  • jigsaw;
  • grinding machine;
  • keys (hex);
  • Screwdriver Set.


In addition, you will need quality materials. Based on the sizes, you need to make a list of them.

A mattress, regular or orthopedic, should be purchased immediately to check the dimensions of the bed frame and cabinet. Pillows are typically stored in a closet or chest of drawers rather than on the mattress when it is hidden.

  • Bed frame assembly

The frame consists of 4 boards of the same height, which will serve as the sides of the bed. It is important to create an even rectangle with 90° corners. The frames are connected using wooden pins coated with glue. After the glue has dried, self-tapping screws and furniture corners are used to finally fasten the sides together. You can nail a rail with a cross-section of 100x50 mm around the perimeter; it will serve as a limiter for the mattress.

The base can be made from a single piece of plywood or, for example, it can be made from planks. There are many options. Important! Sometimes additional stiffeners may be needed. At this stage you can make decoration.

  • Assembling the cabinet frame

The cabinet frame parts are fastened using the same principle as the bed frame parts.

When the bed is folded back, the wardrobe may simply fall to the floor. To avoid this, you need to attach it to load-bearing wall using metal corners. The fasteners are placed as high as possible on the sides. If the folding bed is hidden in the structure of a furniture wall, then the weight of the wall will be a good insurance policy; in the case where the closet is located “apropos” between the ceiling and the floors, theoretically it will not be able to fall.

  • Bed legs

You can make the legs yourself by ensuring they are built in using furniture hinges, or can be purchased together with the mechanism.

  • Installation of mechanisms

The spring or piston mechanism is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Nowadays, the topic of comfortable arrangement of your own home is actively gaining momentum. More compact and stylish sets are beginning to prevail in the furniture solutions market. The reason for this trend is the oversaturation of the market, and accordingly our apartments, with various products, household items and furniture, which are almost crowding out their owners.

A folding bed is a guarantee of savings large quantity free space in the room!

It is not uncommon for your living room or bedroom to not be large enough to accommodate a large dressing table or a wide double bed. But what if you try to combine two or more furniture components in one solution?

Convenient combination of a wardrobe and a bed in a single set.

A folding bed is not new to the furniture market for a long time. Numerous modifications from different manufacturers filled their niche to capacity. But the price of compactness and technology is by no means small, and besides, all the whims and wishes of the client will not always be taken into account.

This version of a single bed can easily fit even in a very small room.

If you want to protect your wallet from unnecessary expenses and not turn your home into a cluttered warehouse, then a do-it-yourself folding bed is your option.

A bed built into the wall will allow you to save everything wisely and tastefully free space even in a very small room.

Advantages self-assembly such a bed are obvious:

  • reduction in the cost of the product by 2, 3 times in contrast to store-bought analogues;
  • universal design that takes into account all your needs;
  • use of known quality materials.

Options for using a folding bed.

Assembly does not require any special construction or engineering skills from you. You just need to follow all the instructions and have minimal experience in assembling fittings to bring this matter to the final result. Prepare all the necessary tools and drawings for more productive work.

Most often, a folding bed is used together with a spacious wardrobe.

A few general notes:

  • work should be carried out on a flat surface;
  • do not forget about personal safety equipment;
  • at each stage of assembly, check the perpendicularity of the corners using a square;
  • use high-quality, undamaged lumber;
  • start making a bed only after studying the drawings.

Assembly of the bed should be carried out only after a clear study of the drawings.

There are many models of similar transforming beds. But a do-it-yourself folding bed, the drawings of which only you have, is already a unique exclusive and a highlight of your interior. You determine its design yourself, based on the dimensions of the bedroom.

A stylish folding bed will easily fit into any apartment interior

Such furniture is perfectly complemented by various dressing tables, chests of drawers, drawers or ordinary shelves, technologically built into the cabinet design. Behind individual style A variety of decor is responsible - this element is determined last.

The design of the cabinet behind which the folding bed is hidden

The standard configuration of such models involves the following components:

  • cabinet frame;
  • bed base;
  • lifting mechanism;
  • decorative elements.

Even children can disassemble and assemble the folding bed.

The seemingly simple design carries with it a number of strength requirements that will directly affect the geometric appearance of the product. Therefore, based on the size of the bed, the frame of the cabinet is designed and the force of the power device is determined.

Standard parameters of a folding bed

All required dimensions are displayed on drawings - dimensional and assembly. Particularly important is the installation drawing of the power element, which is the most important detail our bed. It is also worth paying attention to the cutting of the panels (if you cut the material yourself) and the display of the main fastening points on the drawings.

Option for a folding bed on the podium

Necessary materials

The material for the cabinet and base can be chosen according to your taste and color, the main thing is to take into account all the loads when determining the thickness of the workpiece. It is recommended to use ordinary chipboard - a material that is not picky to use, which will meet all strength requirements and preserve the durability of your mattress. The following dimensions are based on a single bed.

Single bed built into the wall with plenty of storage space.

So, we will need:

  • 2300x400x25 - 2 pcs., side panels cabinet;
  • 1700x400x25 - 2 pcs., top and bottom panels cabinet;
  • 1700x150x25 - 2 pcs., reinforcing partitions for the frame;
  • 2050x150x25 - 2 pcs., side panels of the bed base;
  • 1620x150x25 - 2 pcs., bottom and headboard for the base of the bed;
  • 1700x2300x15 – front panel;
  • lifting mechanism – 2 pcs. (it is better to purchase it in a specialized store, having previously specified the required force to lift the bed and fix it in the desired position).

An option for reliable fastening, due to which the operation of the folding bed will be much longer and more fruitful.

Required accessories:

  • Euroscrews 5x70 – 30 pcs.;
  • self-tapping screws 4x12;
  • self-tapping screws 4x22;
  • corners 20x20 mm, 10 pcs. (furniture);
  • reinforced corners 60x60, metal;
  • anchor fasteners 10x80 mm;
  • powerful magnetic latch to secure the bed in the raised position;
  • hidden legs for the bed;
  • decorative elements for facade decoration.

You can choose the option of legs for a folding bed that will suit you best.

Necessary tool

  • roulette;
  • angle with measuring ruler;
  • level, half a meter long;
  • pencil;
  • fine sandpaper;
  • adjustable wrench;
  • perforator with a minimum drill diameter of 10 mm;
  • wood drills 5 and 8 mm;
  • screwdriver;
  • protective glasses;
  • jigsaw

The folding bed can easily be transformed into a comfortable sofa.

Step 1: Assembling the frame and power elements boxes

Before starting assembly, level the walls and floor - maximum deviations should not exceed 5 mm per meter of length. The process begins with making the box. Since the side panels are overhead parts, they are drilled into a plane with a diameter of 8 mm.

Drawing of a single folding bed

The remaining elements of the box are internal, and accordingly they are drilled into the end. The entire box is tightened with Euroscrews. To absorb the load that occurs when raising and lowering the bed, two stiffening ribs will be sufficient. They should be located at a distance of 700 mm from the base and top. There is also an option with built-in shelves inside the cabinet body, which can also act as reinforcing elements. Having carefully marked and installed the fixed parts of the lifting device on the side panels, do not forget to check the structure for mutual perpendicularity.

If making a folding bed with your own hands turns out to be difficult for you, then at any time you can order this custom-made furniture option.

Step 2: Bed Base Assembly Step

When designing a closet, they usually take into account the size of the bed, which, in turn, depends on the dimensions of the mattress. Using corners and 4x22 screws, we assemble two side walls and two backs into one frame. We fasten the front panel with 4x12 self-tapping screws to the furniture corners.

Choose high-quality materials for your folding bed that will provide it with a stylish appearance.

There is one important nuance in this matter- You need to start fastening the wall at 4 corners, and only then, aligning it on all sides, fix it completely. Thus, possible distortion is eliminated. At the headboard, having previously marked it, secure the reciprocal movable part of the lifting mechanism. To secure the mattress to the bed, use strong straps.

Folding transformable bed that turns into a sofa.

Step 3: the stage of installing the box and securing the power mechanism

We install the box on a flat floor or on wooden blocks. At the location where the frame is installed, cut off the plinth. The box should only be secured to a strong concrete wall. The rotation axis of the mechanism and the upper horizontal are selected as the base. Here we use only reinforced corners and anchor bolts, since the main forces will be perceived in these places.

Wood is often used as a material for making a folding bed

The connection between the box and the bed occurs by joining the mating parts power device. For proper operation design, namely its fixation in any position, it is recommended to use a power mechanism based on a gas spring.

Simple DIY folding bed design.

At this stage, the work is almost complete, and you can be proud of such an achievement as a DIY bed. The folding system is installed and functions perfectly. Secure the mattress with strong straps.

Small children's folding bed, easily converts into work area with a comfortable table.

The final stage is decoration

The facade of the final product is often decorated with false doors - an overhead element that is part of the decoration, onto which handles are attached. Do not use mirrors in such beds under any circumstances, as they are not designed for such loads and may soon crack.

Even the simplest folding bed design can fit into any room interior.

This will also affect the weight of the structure being lifted, which may affect the durability of the mechanism. Don't forget to install the legs in advance drilled holes and magnetic latches. Now the work is completed, and the new decoration of your interior is completely ready for your relaxation.

A single folding bed can be installed in the front room, and no one outside will even think about its presence, since it will be disguised as a closet.

VIDEO: How to make a folding bed with your own hands

In the world modern technologies, when in small area I want to fit everything I have purchased into my apartment; transformable beds are starting to become popular. Let's look at how to make a transforming bed in step by step lesson with your own hands.

We make an unusual transforming bed with our own hands: types of beds

The transformable bed is great solution when you need to combine several interior items into one design. This model is especially popular in small apartments. There are several main options for transforming a bed: wardrobe, desk, chest of drawers, sofa.

Everyone chooses the model that fully satisfies his requirements. The principle of operation of the bed is based on the similarity of the sofa mechanism: with the help of special fasteners it is possible to fix it in a certain position.

Wardrobe bed.

The most common model is the bed-wardrobe. Depending on the position of the bed when folded, two types of this furniture can be distinguished: horizontal and vertical.

The cabinet of this design can be real or imitation. The main components of this type of bed: a box, a sleeping place, which can be single or double, and a lifting mechanism.

You can make a bed-wardrobe with your own hands, if you have one required material and tools.

Before you start work, you should make sure you have full list necessary tools, which will be collected sufficient quantity: level, square, jigsaw (preferably electric) with a wood saw, screwdriver, tape measure and pencil, electric drill with drills, hammer drill and pliers.

The first thing that will be needed at the beginning of work is drawings. They are performed independently, adhering to certain principles:

  • The type of transformation has been carefully thought out. The sketch shows furniture in general view and set the overall dimensions
  • Based on the created sketch, it is made general drawing, which displays all the details
  • Each part is considered and drawn separately, indicating all dimensions. By doing of this paragraph, the width of the material used should also be taken into account
  • The joints of the parts are carefully calculated, and the thickness must be taken into account PVC tapes for gluing edges
  • All design details must be more than 5cm
Assembling the bed.

The very first step in making a transformer will be purchasing or manufacturing on our own grounds. Before you start doing the work, you need to buy a mattress that will determine the size of the bed. To make a base with your own hands, you will need a laminated chipboard. The required parts are cut out of it. In a vertical bed, the base is also the front of the cabinet, so it can be made from fragments that differ in texture and color.

It is not recommended to cut chipboard at home, so it is better to contact specialized enterprises. If you still have to trim some parts, then in order to avoid chipping, you need to use a jigsaw at maximum speed.

You should buy shock-absorbing bent special plates, which are called “lamellas”; a frame of the appropriate size is also purchased with them. All this is put together and installed on the bars.

Then the bed is assembled using a screwdriver and a confirmat, which is hidden under a plastic plug. Iron corners should be used, which guarantee durability and strength. A 4cm x 4cm beam is attached to the side walls of the berth, which serves as a support for the structure made of lamellas.

The next step is to secure the mattresses and fasteners that will prevent the bed from opening spontaneously.

Wall mounting.

The wall to which the structure will be attached must be durable. After this, you can assemble the box, which can be equipped with additional shelves if desired. Then we give preference to one of the types lifting mechanism: purchased, from garage curtains or with electric drive. The hinge is attached to sleeping place and the box, followed by checking the lifting mechanism, the function of which is to easily lift the bed and fix it in one position.

You will also need shock absorbers and a counterweight system, which should be carefully selected. The base of the cabinet is attached to the wall, the bed is raised, and at this time the facade is decorated with various fittings and elements. You can safely use a homemade interior element. The photo clearly demonstrates one of the decor options for the wardrobe-bed:

The process of making a bed-table and other variations follows the same principle. The children's transformable bed differs from the adult transformable bed because it is not built-in. On the contrary, all elements are built into its design.
Video selection on the topic of the article

In conclusion, we would like to invite you to familiarize yourself with the videos that were selected on the topic of this article. In them you can learn some of the subtleties of the process of making transformable furniture, as well as get inspired by ideas.

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. Such beds allow you to free up space in daytime and have a good night's rest. 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 implementation of the idea was facilitated by the prospect of saving square meters in its two-room apartment, and my hands had been itching for a long time after office work using a drill and screwdriver. Physical work preceded by mental work: sketches and drawings were drawn, dimensions were checked. And so, after approval at the family council of the final sketch of the bed and choice color range, in a company engaged in we will open the chipboard, the corresponding parts for the future bed were ordered.
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. Marking seats under 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. Special attention– 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...