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Transformer
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To prevent furniture from taking up the entire space of a small apartment, designers come up with designs that combine functionality with a compact arrangement. Most often, the ability to transform is given to a place to sleep. A folding bed that performs several functions looks organically in the interior. When disassembled it is used for its intended purpose, and when assembled it becomes an organic element of the decor.
Design Features
A folding bed is a structure consisting of several elements:
- box;
- transformation mechanism;
- handles for easy lifting and lowering;
- metal retractable legs;
- mattress located on the base;
- straps that secure the bed in an upright position.
Such products are used in inexpensive motels and hostels. In order to increase temporary places, they can be installed in hospitals and kindergartens. Sometimes they are installed in the break rooms of enterprises if employees have to work at night. But the main users of lifting beds are owners of small apartments, for whom every centimeter of space is important.
How to make a transforming bed with your own hands, detailed instructions
The advantages of the product are:
- rational use of space;
- multifunctionality and compact design;
- variety of models and designs;
- no need to make the bed every day;
- ease of folding and unfolding;
- resistance of mechanisms to frequent transformation.
The disadvantages of such furniture include:
- there is a risk of injury due to a malfunction of the lifting system or inattention;
- the need for careful selection of design to match the existing interior;
- reduction of free space when the structure is in a folding position;
- the need to equip additional seats;
- high cost.
If desired, you can make a folding model yourself. Ready-made drawings and assembly diagrams for popular versions of such furniture can be found on thematic resources.
Features and types of sliding beds, placement methods
Scheme for attaching a transforming bed
Transformable bed mechanism
Safety requirements
People often think about how to make a folding bed with their own hands or purchase one so that it meets all the requirements. When choosing, you should be guided by considerations of convenience, functionality, and safety. In order to choose a high-quality, durable and safe design, you must:
- Give preference to the most reliable and easy-to-use configurations.
- Decide on a lifting mechanism - manual or automatic.
- Pay attention to the material from which the frame is made; the most reliable option is metal.
- Check how well the wood is processed; There should be no roughness on the wooden parts.
A manual mechanism is cheaper than an automatic one, but is not suitable for preschoolers, because folding a bed for two children will require some physical effort. The most reliable automation option is a gas lift design. The basis is a pneumatic piston, which moves thanks to gas compressed under high pressure conditions. Even a preschool child can handle unfolding and assembling such a bed.
Modifications of folding beds, popular models and designs
Another interesting option for a children's room is a system of wooden or aluminum (but this metal quickly deforms) slats that hold the mattress in an upright position. To give the structure additional strength, wooden legs are used. Bedding is kept in the same position thanks to durable straps. The lifting mechanism is hidden in the chest of drawers; The cabinet doors should be decorated in the same style as the bed. You can also provide additional lighting (night light or reading lamp).
It should be kept in mind: the simpler the mechanism, the longer the product will last. And, conversely, the more complex the children's beds are, the greater the risk of breakage. Therefore, you should not chase a large number of additional functions, the main thing is ease of use.
If the frame is made of stainless steel, metal furniture corners can be used as fittings. It is better to choose side slabs from durable species; the ideal options are pine and oak. To make the interior look more stylish and elegant, you should choose a model with side shelves for books, photographs and cute trinkets; the U-shaped design will visually increase the height of the walls and ceiling. A small table on the side of the bed will also look interesting. During the day it can be used for games and creative activities.
If furniture costs 15,000 rubles, it is unlikely to last long. There is no need to save when it comes to the health and safety of children, so you should focus on at least this amount.
It is most practical to choose a product that will change in size as the child grows. You can also make a bed yourself at home, using modern models as a basis. A comfortable and functional children's folding bed, if used correctly, will delight the child and his parents for a long time.
Reliable, easy-to-use configuration
Lifting mechanism
Quality of materials
Popular models
The use of transformers involves optimizing a small area. To zone a room in a classic style, folding beds from Italy are used. They are assembled upward, closed with “false” doors and serve as cabinets.
In addition to this common model, there are other product options:
- A bed built into a closet with horizontal or vertical fastening. The basis of the furniture in this case is the facade of the cabinet. The vertical model can be one-, one-and-a-half, or double. Installed in rooms with high ceilings. In the open position, the headboard ends up in the cabinet niche. Horizontal folding beds are made as single or one-and-a-half beds. They are laid out along the wall, so the height of the ceilings does not matter.
- Double beds. Due to the large size and built-in shelves and drawers for things, there is no need to purchase additional bedside tables or shelving.
- Tilt-and-turn models. All folding and turning mechanisms work together. The result is a complex with a vertically reclining bed, drawers and shelves that do not change their position during transformation. Convenient for permanent storage of things.
- Horizontal bed-bed. A folding lift bed is installed along the wall. When assembled, the structure looks like a cabinet.
- Transformer combined with a chest of drawers. It is made on the principle of a bed-side table, only it is more functional due to the presence of drawers at the top and bottom of the niche.
- Horizontal bed with table. A special feature of the model is the presence of a table under the base of the folding bed, with the help of which the problem of an equipped workplace is solved.
- Two-tier design. Serves to create a compact sleeping area for 2 children. Folds horizontally into one cabinet.
- Wardrobe-bed-sofa. With the help of an original and universal system, when the berth is closed, a sofa for relaxation is obtained. Built into a closet.
To attach a folding bed box, the wall must be flat and more than 0.25 m thick. Plasterboard partitions are not suitable for these purposes.
Horizontal
Double
Bunk
Built-in cabinet
Tilt&Turn
With a chest of drawers
With drawers
With a table
Wardrobe-bed-sofa
Most often, transformers are installed in the bedroom, children's room, and living room. When choosing a model, its performance properties, functionality, and design are taken into account. There are a number of requirements for fittings for folding beds: reliability, compliance with a specific model, accessibility for inspection and replacement.
Products without unnecessary details are suitable for the bedroom - usually built into a closet or mounted in a wall niche. When ordering a bed, you must select the design of the base or false doors to match the cabinet fronts.
When choosing children's sleeping equipment, you should additionally pay attention to permanent connections of fasteners, natural fabrics, lightweight body, the presence of enclosing bars, and a beautiful design. The gender and age of the child are taken into account. For schoolchildren, sets consisting of a folding bed with retractable legs and a table are suitable.
Almost all models of transformers, except for children's ones, are suitable for the living room. A wardrobe-bed-sofa will look especially stylish. The model is practical, as there are places for rest in any position.
For the living room
For children's
For the bedroom
Features of folding sleeping furniture
A folding bed, horizontally oriented, is a functional piece of furniture consisting of a berth, a housing in which the berth is placed, a lifting mechanism, connecting and safety fittings.
The main part of the furniture is the sleeping area. Bed with orthopedic base. Intended to include:
- Frame made of steel profiles;
- Lathing made of curved lamellas;
- support;
- Mattress.
Frame – the base to which the slats are attached. High-strength, made of steel profiles, resistant to corrosion, coated with a protective and decorative composition. Lamels are attached to it - bent-glued slats. They are the ones who first take the load when a person lies down. In certain places, bending slightly, they are responsible for maintaining the health of the spine and for a comfortable and healthy sleep.
Support – for stable, reliable placement of a sleeping place.
The mattress is an elastic, removable part that is placed on a frame of lamellas. May not be included in the package.
Today, it won’t be a problem to buy a horizontal folding bed with everything you need for assembly. The basic fittings of such furniture are lifting mechanisms, gas springs, fasteners, safety elements that protect the box from tipping over when opening.
Mechanisms of transformation and modification
There are modifications with vertical and horizontal mounting. In the first case, the bed occupies almost the entire niche. In the second, there is space left that is used for shelves. Such modifications are easier to fold and disassemble, and the fastenings in them are subject to a more uniform load.
Easy and quick transformation is possible thanks to lifting systems with locks that protect against injury due to accidental malfunction of the structure. Mechanisms are divided into 3 main types:
- Manual - lifting occurs using loops due to the effort applied by a person. There are no shock absorbers; latches are used for fixation. The simplest and most durable option, but its use requires physical strength.
- Spring - using a system of coiled springs and blocks as shock absorbers. They make it easier to move the bed into an upright position. The adjusting screw controls the level of load on the base. After a couple of years, the springs will need to be replaced as they gradually wear out.
- Gas - lift is provided by gas lifts, or gas shock absorbers. The mechanism moves under the pressure created by the action of gas on the piston and takes on the load when the position of the berth changes. When choosing folding lift beds, it is better to give preference to a model with gas lifts, which will allow a person of any size to easily raise and lower the structure.
A popular type of folding beds are remote models controlled by remote control.
Vertical mount
Horizontal
Gas mechanism
Spring
Manual
Varieties
The type of furniture and transformation mechanism are selected depending on the dimensions of the apartment. The length of the room plays a big role. The following bed models are typical for modern interiors:
- Vertical children's furniture (from a wall or chest of drawers, up to two beds). The model should be selected based on the ceiling height.
- Horizontal (there is only a single room).
- Transformer (becomes a module with a table or sofa with a wardrobe, bedside table).
- Two-tier folding model.
- Bed-wardrobe or table, chest of drawers for linen.
Tips for choosing a transformable wardrobe bed, design advantages
If there are two children at home, you can choose a mix design from a combined vertical and horizontal bed. However, this option will take up a little more space compared to other models, so these folding beds are not suitable for a narrow, elongated room.
One of the most convenient models is horizontal, because it is suitable for any room. The vertical version is held in a raised position using durable nylon straps. When the bed reclines, the legs automatically hide in a niche specially designed for them. If the room has a non-standard shape or size, it is better to order a custom-made reclining bed with a preliminary call to a measuring specialist. This will help avoid serious problems during installation.
Vertical
Horizontal
Transformer
Bunk
Bed-table
Dimensions
The dimensions of the structure depend on the purpose of the product. If the space allows, spouses should take a double model or at least a one-and-a-half-bed model. A single bed or a single bed will suit a single person or teenager. For a child - a single room.
Standard bed sizes are shown below.
Bed type | Length, m | Width, m |
Double | 1,8–2 | 1,8–2 |
One and a half | 1,9–2 | 1,2–1,6 |
Single | 1,8–2 | 0,7–1 |
The children's bed has dimensions appropriate to the child's age.
Age, years | Length, m | Width, m |
0–3 | 1,2 | 0,6 |
4–7 | 1,4 | 0,7 |
8–12 | 1,6 | 0,8 |
13–14 | 1,8 | 0,9 |
The height of the beds in the folded position depends on the modification.
Purpose of the bed | Vertical mounting, m | Horizontal mounting, m |
Beds for adults | From 1.8 to 2 | From 0.7 to 2 |
Children's beds | From 1.2 to 1.8 | From 0.6 to 0.9 |
Before choosing a bed, it is recommended to carefully study the input data, add the size of the protruding part of the frame to the specified height, and compare it with the parameters of the room in which the structure will be installed.
Single
One and a half
Double
Manufacturing materials
Folding structures are made of durable, ergonomic, moisture-resistant materials. Suitable for frame production:
- Tree. It is characterized by high strength. Refers to environmentally friendly materials. Wood has a lot of weight, so the folding bed is equipped with a reliable lifting mechanism and mounted to the wall. If the processing technology of the workpiece was not followed during manufacturing, the furniture may warp or squeak.
- Wood boards. The most common and affordable option. They consist of wood processing waste impregnated with formaldehyde resins. Lamination protects the board from dampness and the environment from harmful fumes. A bed made of wood board can withstand loads for only a few years.
- Metal. The most durable and environmentally neutral type of material. The beds can withstand large amounts of weight and last for many years. Models are equipped with a spring or gas shock absorber. Fastening elements, mechanisms, and fittings for folding beds are also made from metal.
The best quality beds are those combined from different materials. For example, the base is made of wood board, reinforced with metal corners. Or the side parts are made of wood, and all the mechanisms are made of heavy-duty anti-corrosion metal.
For the manufacture of bed bases the following is used:
- solid sheet of plywood or wooden boards;
- metal grilles coated with polymer paint;
- slats of various widths forming a lattice for an orthopedic mattress.
For subsequent convenience of relaxation and support of a person’s health, before purchasing a mattress, it is recommended to lie on it without outer clothing in a sleeping position, twist and trust your feelings. The dimensions and thickness of the selected model must correspond to the parameters of the frame, that is, the bed is purchased first.
Metal
Wood boards
Tree
From metal gratings
From sheet plywood
Slats of various thicknesses
Product design
The choice of bed model and its design is an individual decision. You can follow the general rules:
- the design fits into the interior of the room;
- the color matches the main color scheme of the room;
- The design of children's models is distinguished by the presence of colorful, clear drawings.
Popular designs for rooms made in different styles:
- Lovers of the classics will appreciate calm colors - beige, gray, pistachio, olive or discreet geometric shapes. The use of such tones in wardrobes with a folding bed allows you to select bright accents in the form of paintings, books, and decorative items.
- Adherents of minimalism will find multifunctional models that do not require additional design elements.
- For the high-tech direction, contrasts and straight lines are important. The basis of the style is a combination of black and white colors. To emphasize the contrast, colored geometric details are used in the headboard or footboard.
- Art Deco models are designer items with a unique combination of materials. The features of this style are ostentatious luxury, decor with curves, emphasis on the head of the bed - the upholstery is usually made of original fabrics.
A folding bed is the optimal solution for a small room. The furniture combines functionality and attractive appearance. A wide range of models allows you to choose the appropriate option for any interior design.
High tech
Minimalism
Classic
Art Deco
Accommodation options
There are many ways to hide a bed. During the day, being in the folded position, it will not impede passage to other furniture or take up free space. The following space saving methods are commonly used:
- Hide the folding structural element in the closet.
- Place it in a specially created niche with roll-out cabinets.
- Hide it in the linen chest of drawers.
- Just lift it up.
Features and types of corner sofa bed, selection criteria
One of the best options is a vertical bed combined with a wardrobe. If there is one child in the family, you can choose a model that combines the functions of a bed and a table. This option helps solve the problem of preparing homework without purchasing special school furniture. A tabletop with a bright pattern is attached to the reverse side of the stock, which in itself can become an original interior decor.
If you decide to place a structure with folding beds in the living room, you should give preference to a roll-out model on wheels. In this case, during the day the bed is hidden in a closet or furniture set; in the evening it rolls out and unfolds.
It should be borne in mind that all the models mentioned above are single and do not differ in large sizes. Also, folding beds do not come with safety bumpers, so they are not suitable for children under three years of age.