Types of beds with a lifting mechanism: step-by-step manufacturing instructions with drawings and photos

A bed with a lifting mechanism solves one big problem that occurs in standard rooms. This is not enough free space. Often, after installing bed in such rooms there is no space left for other pieces of furniture.

A sleeping place with a lifting mechanism is not just a sunbed, but a large storage space that is located under the mattress. And to get to it, you need to lift the grate. This is why a lifting mechanism is installed.

Design features of beds with a lifting mechanism

Beds of this type are widely available in furniture stores. But they are not cheap. You can make a bed with a lifting mechanism with your own hands, although it is not so easy. The design is not that complicated, but it requires skills in working with a certain type of tool. In addition, it is not easy to connect the lifting part with the stationary part using a mechanism.

Speaking about the design features, several important points should be noted:

1. The lifting mechanism can connect 2 parts of the bed both horizontally and vertically. It all depends on the chosen model.
2. The lifting device is selected based on the dimensions of the bedroom furniture. The larger the bed, the heavier it is. Accordingly, for it it is necessary to buy a more powerful lifting mechanism with a greater load capacity.
3. The higher the height of the bed, the more spacious the storage space under the mattress.
4. A design with legs has a smaller storage space than a design without legs.

Bed sizes

Classification based on the dimensions of the sleeping area:

1. Single or double. This applies to models used by adults. And here the main size is width. For single beds it is 90 cm, for double beds it is 160-180 cm. The length in both cases is 2 m.
2. Adults and children. The width of the last 60-90 cm, the length is chosen taking into account the height of the child, to which 20-50 cm is added. This is for growth.

The height of a bed with a lifting mechanism is limited only by common sense. The minimum is 40 cm.

What mechanisms could be

Manufacturers produce 4 types of lifting devices.

1. Manual. The design does not contain additional energy storage devices that help lift the lounger with mattress. Therefore, it is difficult to carry out this action, especially if the bed is double. It is heavy, and all the load falls on the hands. Children, old people and fragile women cannot cope with such a mechanism. In addition, a heavy mattress with a frame puts a serious load on the lifting device, which is why it quickly breaks down. But this is the cheapest model.
2. Spring-loaded. Here, part of the load is taken on by the installed springs. When lowering the frame with the mattress, they stretch, so a compression force is created. When the lounger is lifted by hand, the springs spontaneously compress, lifting the entire structure with them. But their efforts are not enough to carry out this action on their own. As an assistant, they perform the functions assigned to them.
   When making a bed with a lifting mechanism yourself, you need to choose the right spring device. Its length and hardness are selected taking into account the weight of the mattress and the frame on which it is placed.Structurally, you can change both parameters of the mechanism with your own hands due to the fact that through holes are made on the rods of the device as places for attaching springs. By changing these places, you can increase or decrease the length and stiffness.
3. Gas. The design of the bed lifting mechanism includes a steel cylinder filled with compressed gas. A rod is inserted into it, at the end of which a piston is attached. When the mattress is in a horizontal position, the rod is completely inside the cylinder. With its piston it compresses the gas to the maximum. When lifting the frame, the gas squeezes out the rod with the piston, thereby creating energy that helps to carry out the lifting. This lifting mechanism has a big advantage - it is more efficient than the previous 2. And 2 minuses - high price, the cylinder cannot be repaired. Therefore, the advice is to buy a gas analogue only from well-known manufacturers that guarantee a long service life. Counterfeits don't work for long.
4. Auto. This lift has an electric motor. The mechanism is energy-dependent. The operating principle is based on a device that converts the rotational motion of the motor shaft into translational motion. You can control the mechanism with a button installed on the bed, or remotely using the control panel. It all depends on the chosen model. This option is convenient because you don’t need to put any effort into it. Therefore, it is recommended to install them on large and heavy beds, as well as on children’s beds.

The gas lift cylinder indicates how much force it can produce. This must be taken into account when choosing a model, comparing this indicator with the weight of the lifting part of the bed along with the mattress.

Schemes and drawings

When making a bed with a folding mechanism, the dimensions of the structure are mainly taken into account. The sleeping area will be single or double. From this calculation, you need to sketch out a sketch of the future piece of furniture with exact dimensions on a blank sheet of paper.

Next, decide on additional structural elements. They will be present or not. For example, the storage space will be in the form of drawers or it will just be a common niche. If there are boxes, what size and how many will there be? Because for each you need to purchase fastening and retractable mechanisms. Under each drawer, load-bearing elements are added to the bed structure, to which the retractable devices will be attached.

But the basis of the entire drawing will be the mattress, or rather its dimensions. First choose it, and then form the bed itself around it. You can’t do the latter and then buy a mattress. There is a high probability that something will not match somewhere.

It is better to make a detailed drawing detailing each element. This will not just simplify the assembly process diagram. This is necessary to purchase the required materials and fasteners. In addition, it will become clear which instrument needs to be prepared.

What tools and materials will be needed

Tools you will need:

• a wood hacksaw or a circular saw - the latter cuts smoothly, which is important when making a bed with a lifting mechanism;
• drill with drills;
• screwdriver;
• long steel ruler;
• roulette;
• pencil;
• furniture stapler with metal staples.

From materials:

• a wooden block with a cross-section of 25x50 mm - for assembling a lattice for a mattress;
• laminated chipboard or boards - for assembling the frame of the bed itself;
• plywood 6-8 mm thick - for the bottom of the storage area;
• if a headboard is being built, then you will also have to buy furniture board or laminated chipboard;
• self-tapping screws, confirmations (these are furniture screws), corners and ties;
• decorative tape for finishing chipboard edges;
• upholstery fabric, if provided;
• legs, if they are also planned in the bed design;
• lifting mechanisms.

It is not difficult to cut out all the elements of the bed with your own hands. But it will take a long time. And there is always a high probability that some of the elements will be cut inaccurately or incorrectly. Mistakes in this difficult matter cannot be avoided.

Therefore, advice - cutting boards or chipboards can be ordered from furniture workshops. There, decorative tapes will be professionally glued to the chipboard elements. The same services are offered today by large stores selling furniture or building materials.

Step-by-step creation instructions

Step-by-step instructions for making a bed with a lifting mechanism consists of 4 operations:

1. Assembling the bed base frame. It is he who forms the storage location. Lifting mechanisms will be attached to it and a mattress rack will lie. It is a rectangular design with the dimensions of a bed.
2. Assembling the mattress grid.
3. Installation of lifting mechanisms with fastening to the base frame.
4. Attaching the grille to lifting mechanisms.

The base is assembled first. Essentially, it is a rectangle of boards or sawn sheets of laminated chipboard. If the bed is single, then nothing is added to the design.

If it is a double bed, then you need to install another longitudinal element, which will be an additional support for the sun lounger lattice. Installation location is in the middle of the rectangle.This additional element should be smaller in width than the other main ones (in the design of the bed it will be lower than the others), because the lattice under the mattress is placed so that it does not extend beyond the frame. Its surface should be flush with the edges of the sidewalls.

All frame elements are connected to each other using perforated corners and self-tapping screws. This is the simplest and most reliable way. There are many others that are no less reliable, but many of them require preparation, which takes some time. For example, in order to use furniture bolts for connections, you need to drill holes for them, make grooves for nuts, etc.

You can use a different bed model. Here, one of the load-bearing parts of the structure is the headboard. It can be cut from furniture board, chipboard or plywood. The width of the headboard corresponds to the width of the bed, the height is not limited by anything, only by common sense. Any form can be chosen. It is to the headboard that the sides of the base frame are attached.

The frame is ready, now you need to attach the legs to it, if any are planned. If not, then furniture stands made of plastic or aluminum are attached to the lower edges.

And the last thing related to the assembly of the frame is the installation of bars with a section of 50x50 mm along its perimeter. These are the supports on which the sunbed lattice will be placed. Their installation location is below the upper edges at a distance equal to the thickness of the mattress grid. Fastening method: self-tapping screws.

The next stage is the manufacture of a lattice for the mattress, also known as the lifting part of the bed. There are many options here, but everything is again based on a frame basis.You need to make a rectangular frame with your own hands, the external dimensions of which should be 8-10 mm smaller than the internal dimensions of the assembled frame-base. The grille should fit freely inside the finished frame structure.

A rectangle of wooden blocks with a cross section of 50x50 mm is assembled strictly according to the dimensions from the drawing. The angles that are formed by the bar elements are verified. They must be straight. The connection is made with perforated corners and self-tapping screws.

2-3 bars are installed inside along the frame. They will give the structure rigidity and strength. Now boards with a section of 25x100 mm are placed on top of the resulting structure in increments of 15-20 cm. Instead, plywood 8 mm thick can be laid.

Now you need to check whether the lifting part of the bed will fit freely into the stationary one. You need to put the grille inside the base frame. If this action does not cause any difficulties, then you can proceed to installing lifting mechanisms.

They are first attached to the stationary part. The installation location depends on the type of bed being manufactured. If it is single, then lifting devices can be mounted next to the headboard. If there is a double bed, then closer to the middle of the structure. Fastening is done to the sidewalls.

Lifting mechanisms should not be secured with self-tapping screws. They simply won't withstand heavy loads. Therefore, it is better to use bolts for which through holes must be drilled. This is done like this:

• apply the mounting bar of the lifting mechanism to the side of the bed;
• through the mounting holes with a simple pencil they are placed on the last mark;
• holes are drilled along them;
• the folding device is again applied to the installation site and secured to the side with a bolted connection;
• The bolt head should be on the outside, the nut and washer on the inside, it is better to use bolts with a rounded or flat head.

Now you need to place a grid under the mattress on top of the base frame and lifting mechanisms. From below, through the upper mounting strips of the folding devices on the grille frame, marks are made with a pencil. The latter is removed, and through holes are made according to the marks on it. It is again laid at the installation site and attached to the lifting devices using a bolted connection. The bolts must be installed so that their heads are on top, nuts and washers are on the bottom.

Manufacturers of furniture lifting mechanisms clearly and in detail describe in the instructions supplied with them how to install these devices. The installation diagram is described, as well as the dimensions of the indents for the holes. If you strictly follow these instructions, then assembling the bed will not be problematic.

Before screwing the grille to the folding products, it is recommended to experiment. Screw it temporarily but securely, for example, with wire. Then lift the lifting part of the bed and make sure that everything works, the elements do not touch each other, and the lifting height is required. You must make sure that there is even enough lift to unlock the folding part. Because when the mattress lattice is raised to the maximum, it is blocked by the latches on the lifting mechanisms. To unlock it, you have to lift it up.

The last operation is to lay the plywood sheet at the very bottom of the bed structure. The plywood will form the bottom of the storage area. It can be attached to the underside of the base frame. You can punch bars along the lower edges, like under a grate. Only use timber with a cross section of 20x20 mm.If the bed is double, then 2 plywood sheets are laid. They will be separated by a longitudinal jumper.

At this point, the assembly of the bed with a lifting mechanism can be considered complete. All that remains is to decorate. If the assembly is carried out using laminated chipboard, then finishing is not necessary. If boards, chipboard or plywood were used, then all wood finishing technologies can be applied here: painting, varnishing, staining, fabric upholstery, stencils, etc.

Where is the best place to install a bed with a lifting mechanism?

There are no strict conditions that regulate the installation location. You just need to understand that the folding model will occupy a certain space in height. This is when the lifting part of the bed will be raised. And if it is installed in the attic, where the roof slopes form the walls of the room, then you should not install it under the slopes. The raised part will rest against them, which will prevent the bed from opening completely. The same situation will arise if you install a bed under the stairs.

The same applies to areas near the wall. It is better not to place the bed against the wall. There is a high probability that over time, play will appear in the fasteners, which will lead to displacement of the elements relative to each other. This means that the folding part will at some point begin to touch the surface of the wall.

It is better to place a bed with a lifting mechanism where there is a lot of free space. And even in small rooms its installation location is in the middle. It can be against the wall, but the headboard should be there. If the design uses drawers, then it must be installed so that these drawers can be freely opened completely.

In fact, a bed structure with a folding grate under the mattress is an ideal piece of furniture.Essentially, this is a bed-wardrobe that occupies one small area and performs 2 functions: a place for sleeping and storage. It is not recommended to store heavy objects in it. Plywood installed underneath may not withstand heavy loads. It obviously won't crack or break, it just might separate from the frame.

Anyone who has already tried to assemble such a bed model with their own hands - please respond. Write in the comments what materials they were made from, what lifting mechanisms they used, were there any difficulties or not? Save the article to your bookmarks so that useful information is available at any time.