DIY bed with drawers: installation

Functional, high-quality furniture will be a worthy decoration of any apartment. Those who love a combination of convenience and beauty should adopt a bed with drawers - this product has many sizes and modifications. Before making your final choice, you should pay attention to the design and material of manufacture. In addition, the product must fit harmoniously into the finished interior and not clutter up the room; accordingly, the design and dimensions of bedroom furniture are also important criteria.

Design Features

A bed with drawers is a special category of bedroom furniture with square compartments located at the bottom designed to store bed linen, pillows and blankets. The design of the product is extremely simple: a rectangular base with a hollow bottom and a low back. The main features are convenience and compactness. This model performs several functions. You can sleep on it, relax in a lying or sitting position, store bed linen (or use the space as a toy box).

If low-quality fittings were used in the manufacture of the boxes, the guides quickly fail, and the compartments begin to open and close with difficulty - this is a significant design flaw. However, such a bed has many more advantages:

1. Variety of shapes and sizes.
2. Versatile design to suit any style.
3. Possibility of use for children and adults.
4. Saving space in the room.

The drawers can be located on the same level or one above the other, the height of the furniture depends on this. For children's rooms, the first option is recommended.

A guide on how to assemble it yourself

You will need:

• 2.5x30x199.4 cm (2 pcs.) - side walls.
• 2.5x30x107.3 cm (1 pc.) - bottom.
• 2.5x10x107.3 cm (2 pcs.) - rear jumpers.
• 2.5x5x111.1 cm (1 pc.) - front crossbar.
• 2.5x5x195.6 cm (2 pcs.) - vertical sides
• 2.5×5×31.1 cm (2 pcs.) - finishing of the side walls of the box, the top part.
• 2.5×5×114.9 (1 pc.) - front side of the box, top.
• Plywood 6 mm thick × 102.9 × 191.1 cm (1 pc.) - base.
• 2.5x20x102.9 cm (1 piece) - back wall.
• 2.5x20x139.7 cm (1 piece) - side walls.

To assemble a single bed, consider the instructions that came with it, or read the similar one in the picture:

Preparing parts

It is important to prepare all the constituent elements . If this is an assembled bed, then open the instructions and see which box contains the element you need. This is important so as not to mix up the details and create chaos in the workplace.

Installation of frame and base

Assembling all elements step by step:

1. Create a box frame . Using 50 mm screws and glue, secure the side walls from below.
2. Rear jumpers . Secure the box with crossbars located in its lower and upper parts. Connect the bottom to the side walls. Use 50 mm screws, glue.
3. Front crossbar . Connect the walls of the box with another transverse element; screws and glue are required for fastening.
4. Front side trim . Using 50 mm nails and glue, connect the decorative strips and the front ends of the side walls. The outer edges should be smooth. Attach these slats to the bottom of the drawer and the front crossbar.
5. Finish the sides of the drawer . Attach the decorative strips to the top of the side walls (their top edges should be flush) using 30mm nails and glue.
6. Rear end . Securely secure the back of the box. The ends of the strip 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.
7. Front end . Leaving a 2.5cm overhang at the front and sides, attach the front.

Fixing the headboard

On the headboard and at the base of a single model made of solid wood or chipboard, find threaded bolts, unscrew them, and place each pair near the support from which they will be assembled.

At this stage, start by inserting the bayonet into the head of the frame, guide the screws that are supplied in the kit - they will first be mounted with the supports. The place for the screws must be marked and punched in advance . If not, make a few turns with the drill without screwing them in completely (a couple of turns is enough). The same for the other side, opposite to the one just installed.

At this point you need to install the legs, and then start fixing the headboard. To do this, bolt it on, guide it, then lightly tighten it with a pair of screws at each end.

Attention

It may be difficult to insert the screws into place and tighten them. If a solid wood single sleeper is handmade, the wood may undergo some deformation. It is recommended that you do not tighten the screws until all of them are inserted, then you can begin to tighten the 8 mounting screws, securing the base and headboard.

Also on the pages of our website you can learn how to make a headboard yourself, cover it with materials suitable for you, or take a look at master classes on upholstering an old headboard.

Installation and securing of the lifting mechanism

Installation of the lifting mechanism (if it is not a design with a lift already included in the kit) should only be done with the box assembled.

Mass-produced furniture is usually already equipped with an assembled, ready-to-install mechanism , which only needs to be securely installed and correctly secured to the lower frame of the bed.

This process is simple, but very painstaking, requiring attention and accuracy. It is important to correctly, symmetrically place all the parts of the lift, avoid any errors, and check the symmetry for each side.

Attaching the base to a finished lifting mechanism is very difficult to do on your own. You need to find an assistant in advance who will hold the upper part while you fasten the bolts on the folded mechanism.

Additional equipment with drawers

If the bedroom set is of a complex design and is additionally equipped with drawers, the assembly is carried out slightly differently. Boxes for storing bed linen are a useful thing . With them you can solve a number of problems, avoid clutter in the room, and create a suitable place to store seasonal items, pillows, blankets, and shoe boxes.

In modern models, the continuation of the headboard is a bedside table, and for many there are drawers. Their assembly must begin when they are already mounted, then large parts of the base and headboard are fixed, and the legs are installed.

Before you start assembling the drawers, read the instructions, consider all the components, and prepare the tools. Drawers are assembled separately , then a headset is mounted to them to push/pull the structure back. The roller chassis is mounted on the box itself, and the part along which they will move is attached to transverse boards running perpendicular to the base.

Advice

This assembly sequence must be followed, otherwise the single bed with drawers may be assembled incorrectly and will cause a lot of inconvenience.

Variety of models

Beds come with a lifting and sliding mechanism. In the first version, the sleeping bed tilts up, providing access to storage compartments. In the second case, the drawers move forward or backward along aluminum or stainless steel guides.

Compartments can be located at the end of the bed, on one or both sides of the structure, or in a straight line on the side panels of the bed. The number of boxes is one, two or four (if they are located in two horizontal tiers). Boxes equipped with handles are more convenient than models without them.

Model	Description
With multiple backs	Single wooden or metal bed, high sides on two or three sides. Often aimed at children
With extra bed	One part of the bed tilts up and returns to a horizontal position, increasing the size of the bed. The box under the bed fits small
With soft headboard	It is a synthesis of cabinet and upholstered furniture. The headboard is covered with leather, its substitute or upholstery fabric, has a semicircular or rectangular shape
Podium	The sleeping bed is located on a hill, sometimes there are several steps leading up to it
Ottoman bed	A rectangular bed model with drawers, a low back, two sides, visually reminiscent of a sofa

The shape of a bed with a soft headboard or a hard back can be classic rectangular, round or corner. The latter option is suitable for small apartments, as it helps save space. In this case, the bed is located in the shape of the Russian letter G.

If you have pets at home, you should not leave boxes open unless necessary. A cat or small dog can easily climb inside and then not get out again.

Podium Criteria for choosing a bed with a soft headboard, design options

With extra bed

With soft headboard

With multiple backs

Ottoman

Materials

I bought everything needed to make a double bed with drawers with my own hands at a hardware store:

• two sheets of laminated chipboard (MDF) 2440 × 1830 × 30 mm;
• mattress 1600 × 2000 mm;
• one beam 50 × 50 × 1640 mm;
• plastic supports – 6 pcs.;
• furniture handles – 4 pcs.;
• wheel supports – 12 pcs.;
• steel corners measuring 26 × 26 mm – 20 pcs.;
• furniture trim tape – 12 m;
• Euroscrews – 20 pcs.;
• plastic plugs – 20 pcs.;
• screws 20 mm – 30 pcs.;
• Fibreboard 2440 × 1220 mm;
• wooden dowels – 32 pcs.;
• Velcro tape (Velcro) – 2 m;
• PVA glue - tube.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a bed with a large storage box, you should pay attention to its dimensions - the product should not clutter up the space. The cost of furniture largely depends on the material of manufacture; options made from MDF and chipboard are much cheaper than wooden ones. You also need to take into account the purpose of the bed: children's models should be equipped with high sides.

Dimensions

When choosing the size of a bed with drawers for linen, it is worth taking into account the weight and height of the users, as well as the availability of free space in the room - the design should not interfere with access to other furniture. Models with drawers require more space than options without boxes. The side on which the laundry drawers are located cannot be placed close to a wall or door; they must open and close freely.

Frame height options: with sizes up to 1 m (podium bed), 50–60 cm (models for adults), 40 cm (children). Standard dimensions: 80 × 170 cm (single), 120 × 200 cm (single), 170 × 220 cm (for two). Parameters of children's products: 70 × 120 cm.

Double

Children's

Single

One and a half

Manufacturing materials

A bed with a side headboard and drawers can be made from different materials. Furniture made from MDF visually resembles models made from natural raw materials, but quickly deforms when the permissible load is exceeded. The cheapest option is chipboard. Its features are light weight, low strength and short service life. Also, this material is not resistant to moisture. A wooden bed looks impressive, has a long service life, is environmentally friendly and safe for children. The disadvantages are heavy weight and high cost.

Wooden

Chipboard

MDF

Base type

There are different types of bases for beds with drawers. Orthopedic is a frame with flexible slats; a mattress is placed on top of it. Solid - a panel made of wood or chipboard placed on a frame. The disadvantage of this option is that it can sag when the permissible load is exceeded. The armored mesh is an iron grille that is attached to the body with bolts. Such products are not recommended for prolonged sleep. The metal base is a frame divided into two parts, to which wooden slats are attached.

Orthopedic with lamellas

Solid

Armor mesh

Metal with lamellas

Purpose

A bed with a pull-out bed and a laundry box for adults is a high base with a headboard, most often without a backrest. Products for teenagers and primary schoolchildren are modular designs, sometimes two-tier with a staircase leading to the second floor. Furniture for children from 0 to 3 years old is a rectangular frame, surrounded on all sides by sides. The main requirements for such models are safety, convenience, comfort and environmental friendliness.

Beds for children and teenagers often have an unusual shape: a ship, an airplane, a car or a princess house. Similarity to a specific object is usually achieved through painting and the use of applied decorative elements (wheels, windows, propeller, steering wheel).

Children's
Tips for making a headboard with your own hands, installation nuances

For adults

For a teenager

Step-by-step instructions for assembling a bed with drawers

The most important stage in the work is sawing the material into structural parts. For example, if you work with a material such as MDF, then initially all the elements are marked on the surface of the sheet.

Cutting and trimming MDF elements

After applying the markings to the sheet, it is recommended to take control measurements again. It is best to cut using a jigsaw.

All edges of the cut material are sealed with furniture edge tape. The work must be done carefully. After the glue has hardened, remove any excess with a knife.

Housing installation

Using a drill, holes for screws are made in parts such as the headboard, middle, back and side panels. The structure is assembled together using a socket wrench.

Attach the side parts to the corners of the headboard and backrest. Small bars or planks are often used for this. Attach the front and back parts to the slats and screw in the screws.

If the model includes legs, then at this stage they can be attached. Then you should install the sheet under the mattress on dowels.

In order to make a bed with drawers, you first need to assemble the main structure, and the pull-out parts are made separately.

Assembly and installation of boxes

In order to assemble a box under the bed with your own hands, you need to prepare the following structural elements:

• two side walls;
• façade;
• rear end;
• bottom of the box.

You can make several small containers (40 cm or 50 cm wide) instead of one large box. This option will be more durable. The load on the drawer guide wheel supports will be less.

In order for the design of a bed with drawers to be durable, it is worth selectively and carefully choosing the material. Furniture makers recommend using fiberboard and high-quality wheel supports for the bottom of retractable containers.

In the front and rear parts, in the side elements, holes for dowels are made using a drill. The latter are placed on wood glue. A groove is made at the bottom of all parts for installing the bottom panel. It is installed with glue. A handle is attached to the front part. The wheel and its mechanism are mounted on the bottom of the side walls.

Bed with drawers assembly

Bed with drawers assembly

Color options

To choose a bed with a backrest and frame in a suitable color, you need to take into account the purpose of the furniture. So, you should not choose a model painted with bright colors for children. They can be irritating, prevent the child from falling asleep, and even cause allergic reactions (if aggressive chemicals were used in the production and processing of the material).

In addition, the product needs to fit organically into the existing interior. The color of the bed should be combined with other furniture, as well as with the decoration of the walls, floor and ceiling. The most popular options:

• classic white;
• sand or beige;
• all shades of gray and brown;
• black.

Author's models of unusual design (for example, a bed with three backs) can be decorated with a plot or ornamental painting. For a children's room, orange, yellow, and protective colors are acceptable. When choosing, you should pay attention to the quality of material processing. If the paint layer is not applied carefully in some places, such a couch is unlikely to last long. Also, the varnish coating should not smell.

Combination with different interior styles

The design of a bed that has a built-in drawer for linen depends on the style in which the bedroom is decorated. The most popular trends at the moment are Provence (country) and classic. The Rococo movement with its luxury and exquisite decor does not lose its relevance.

Style	Suitable shapes and colors	Models	Important nuances
Classic	Rectangular bed; white, sand, beige colors	With shelves at the head, boxes for things under the bed	Minimum decor
Modern	Oval berth; light brown	The modern bed resembles an elegant ottoman in an oriental style	Drawer fronts are decorated with carvings or inlays
Rococo	Round bed with legs; white or cream	High podium	There are a number of steps leading to the bed, which narrow from bottom to top like a pyramid.
Provence	Square shape; yellow, sand	Mini sofa with soft headboard	Back upholstered in tapestry with floral patterns or eco-leather
High tech	Two-tier modular design of a rectangular shape (for example, for two children); grey, black, metallic	Bed on a metal frame with a straight back and an extra bed	Metal decorative elements are actively used

The design of a children's pendulum bed with drawers for things depends on the gender of the child. For a boy, a model that imitates a ship or car, with a wooden or rope ladder leading to the second tier, is suitable. An excellent option for a girl is a product with a canopy and fake windows, imitating the castle of a fairy-tale princess or fairy.

Classical

Modern

Provence

High tech

The best manufacturers

You can make a bed with a drawer with your own hands or purchase ready-made furniture. When choosing, you should pay attention to the characteristic features inherent in the products of a particular brand, this will help to avoid counterfeiting.

IKEA	Low backrest, lifting mechanism, extra bed available
Ormatek	Volumetric drawers on wheels, located in two tiers, a comfortable soft headboard, an anatomical mattress included. Another option is an orthopedic sofa
Toris	Corner sliding model for small apartments, the boxes slide out along guides, the height of the backrest can be adjusted. A solid wood bed is environmentally safe
"Duet"	Spacious rectangular model or roll-out bed, drawers are located on the sides, branded mattress included

Features of leather beds, advantages of natural upholstery

In Russia, the products of the Scandinavian corporation IKEA are very popular. The main advantages are availability and low cost, as well as spacious linen drawers for beds. The company also offers a wide range of compact furniture; many products come with an orthopedic mattress and are suitable for small apartments. All bed models are easy to assemble, disassemble and transport.

IKEA

Ormatek

Toris

Duet

How to make it yourself

You can make a bed with linen drawers yourself using chipboard or MDF panels. Some craftsmen make the fronts of storage boxes from furniture panels. Necessary materials - plywood panels and timber, tools - saw, electric drill and jigsaw, tape measure, set of screwdrivers. You will also need drawings - a side and top view of the base indicating all dimensions. The drawers under the bed are shown separately in the same projections. Step-by-step instructions on how to make a bed with your own hands:

1. Cut out all the parts with a jigsaw.
2. Assemble the base.
3. Install the beam, securing it with self-tapping screws.
4. Glue the drawers together, fixing metal guides in them.

The finished bed is coated with non-toxic furniture varnish. The final stage is the manufacture and installation of the legs; they must be stable. Wheels are also attached to the boxes, on which they will move. If desired, finished furniture can be supplemented with decor.

Plywood panels

Bed base drawing

Cut out parts with a jigsaw

Assemble the bed base

Install timber

Glue the boxes

Finished bed

Build process

Usually even a person without experience can handle the process - the instructions for assembling the bed contain a detailed sequence of steps with illustrations. It is advisable to read it first, and only then move through the stages. This will allow you to roughly understand the scope of work, correctly arrange the elements, and check the meanings of unclear terms.

Causes of bed squeaking, how to fix it and what to do for prevention

There are several main difficulties that may arise:

1. Requires drilling (some models have blind holes for screws).
2. If the bed is lifting, you will have to additionally assemble the mechanism, and this is not an easy task.
3. Lack of markings.

Because of the last point, distortions may appear, so a level and a tape measure will come in handy. For tightening furniture euroscrews, use a hex screwdriver. Confirmats can be dealt with with a screwdriver or an ordinary screwdriver.

It’s easier to assemble a bed with your own hands with an assistant so that he can hold the side elements and help with heavy parts.

Base

They begin to work on the base when the box (frame) is ready. Slats are fixed along its perimeter - from 15 for a bed for one and from 30 for two. The longitudinal bars are attached to the walls of the headboard with screws or self-tapping screws. Next, the transverse parts are installed.

The slats provide orthopedic properties and undergo additional strength testing. Their curved shape allows them to take the weight of the mattress along with the person lying on it without creaking or cracking. In the standard base, instead of them there is a continuous flat surface.

Thanks to their curved shape, the slats provide orthopedic properties of the bed

Some bed models have a solid base

Frame

The assembly of the box on which the mattress is located occurs first. These are usually laminated particle boards, which will require screws for fastening. However, if you have the opportunity to choose a model made of wood, it is better to do so - in addition to lower strength, chipboard has another serious drawback: the boards crumble, so it will not be possible to re-fasten the elements.

To strengthen the frame, you can fasten sheets of chipboard or MDF panels at the bottom.

If it is possible to choose a model made of wood, then it is better to give preference to it than beds made of chipboard

Headboard

Behind the base with slats comes the headboard with drawers (that’s what the side walls are called). In some bed assembly schemes, it is recommended to assemble this element first, since the base takes up a lot of space, and the backrest can be placed against the wall. Usually the mounting points are marked with holes; if not, you will have to drill them yourself.

Eco-friendly timber beds in modern interiors, selection criteria

The drawers and the headboard are connected at right angles, fixed with euroscrews or other fasteners. In rare cases, wooden pins are used, coated with PVA at the fastening points (this is more reliable). Remains of glue must be immediately removed with a dry cloth, then proceed to further work. Now you can connect the drawers and the back.

The drawers are connected at right angles, fixed with euroscrews or other fasteners

Lifting mechanism

Assembling a bed with a lifting mechanism begins with the headboard. Then a central beam is installed to support the base, legs are attached (if any), and slats are laid. Only after all these stages comes the turn of the lifting mechanism.

For a high mattress, the device needs to be lowered slightly, for a low one - vice versa. The lower bar is connected to the drawers with self-tapping screws or euroscrews. Next, guide holes are drilled and the lifts are fixed. Now you can return to installing the base and attach the upper part of the mechanism to the longitudinal parts of the mattress pad.

The process is determined by the type of device:

• mechanical;
• spring;
• on gas cylinders.

In the case of a gas mechanism, the bolts are tightened so that the stock can smoothly lower and fold without tension. For spring mechanisms, the springs are also adjustable so that it is convenient to lift the bed. The last step is to stretch the fabric over the grid and place the mattress.

Criteria for choosing a bed with a soft headboard, design options

Spring

Gas

Additional equipment

Sometimes the bed has additional elements - shelves at the head or drawers for bedding. There are other options - for example, instead of legs, you can install wheels to move the structure to the side for cleaning. Plus, it looks more airy this way. In cribs you can often find an adjustable frame that allows you to fit mattresses of different sizes. And cradles usually have a pendulum for swinging.

It is better to install drawers only when it is clear that the bed is assembled smoothly. Otherwise, a distortion will form.

It is better to install drawers after the bed has been assembled and installed

Final stage

When everything is ready, the final assembly stage begins. A base is placed on the box and secured with fittings. The process is best done from the bottom up. It is important to ensure the symmetry of the lifting elements in the assembled bed - this way it will last longer.

The last stage is checking the quality of fastening, final tightening of self-tapping screws. The accuracy of horizontals and angles and the correctness of proportions are assessed. If all is well, you can move on to decorative parts and fittings.

After the purchase, the owners are faced with the question of how to assemble the bed. Contrary to fears, simple steps are enough for this: study the instructions in advance, prepare the necessary tools and space, follow the plan. The main thing is to double-check at the end that all parts are installed smoothly, and that the fastenings are securely tightened and will not come apart under pressure.

After the bed is assembled, all that remains is to tighten the fasteners and check the correct proportions

Assembly Features

To assemble a bed with drawers for linen yourself, you need to strictly follow the instructions, this will help avoid unnecessary waste of time and effort. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

1. Mount the base - to do this you need to connect the frames to the headboard.
2. Secure the back.
3. Assemble and secure the ribs.
4. Place a block for the mattress pad on the frame.

Self-tapping screws can be used as fastenings. If the bed has an orthopedic base, the frame is mounted without slats. After this, the base is connected to the body. Bolts and screws are tightened when the main part of the bed assembly is completed. The scheme is simple even for a novice master.

It is more convenient to assemble a bed with drawers with an assistant. The installation instructions are kept after completion of work. In order not to lose the fittings, you should pre-allocate a separate container for each type of fastener. When the furniture is ready for use, you need to check its stability.

The main thing when working independently is to take the correct measurements; the ease of use of the finished product depends on them. It is most convenient to take and record the necessary parameters and dimensions together.

Drawers attached to bedroom furniture are a great way to make efficient use of space. This model is equally suitable for adults and children of all ages. Extra storage space is best used for toys, bedding or clothes.

Mount the base

Secure the backrest

Installation of bed drawers

Drawing of a children's bed-podium.

You must first install a wooden beam around the perimeter of the podium. For fastening from above, boards are used, their thickness is 22 mm. Such boards act as outer panels and crossbars for the bed. For internal parts, it is better to use chipboard sheets rather than boards.

The assembly of the frame, which will be used to install the mattress, is carried out first by installing 47 * 27 mm bars. They are mounted in a horizontal position. Special support bars are already placed on top of them. When installing, it must be taken into account that the load must be distributed evenly. 2 bars must be placed at the edges and 1 in the center; they must be secured with self-tapping screws.

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For the walls under the drawers, you need to use boards, their thickness is 16 mm. For the bottom, plywood is used, the thickness of which is 10 mm. The boxes must be made in such a way that they completely occupy the entire space under the podium and leave no gaps or voids.

Assembling the drawers for drawers is done as follows:

1. First you need to assemble the side and rear walls, for which glue, wooden dowels and screws are used. At the lower inner edge it is necessary to make special grooves with a thickness equal to the thickness of the bottom plywood. The cuts are not made completely, but so that the bottom does not fall out during use. If it is not possible to choose such grooves, then the bottom can simply be nailed to the walls and back using furniture nails, and further strengthened with screws.
2. After this, the facades are attached, to which handles are screwed on the outside for opening the drawers.
3. If guides for movement are used, then it is necessary to immediately fasten one part of them to the side walls of the boxes, and the second to the inside of the podium frame.
4. After assembly, you need to check the reliability of all fasteners.