A complete overview of folding bed models and how to transform them

The insufficient amount of space in modern apartments forces owners to look for practical furniture with increased functionality. Often you have to combine a bedroom with a study, so a folding bed will fit best into the interior. Using a lifting mechanism, the structure changes position from horizontal to vertical, hiding in the closet for a day. All components are made to order, and the wood and metal elements not only withstand significant weight, but are also resistant to frequent transformation.

Advantages and design features

The folding design consists of a box made in the form of a cabinet with shelves or mezzanines. The sleeping bed is a frame made of MDF, chipboard or natural wood with a width of 38 to 70 cm. The facades can have a mirror surface, be decorated with patterns or photo printing.

There are models with an orthopedic lattice on an aluminum and steel frame or with a base for a mattress. The width of the mattress ranges from 80 to 200 cm. To fix the mattress in a vertical position, the device is supplemented with belts. A lifting or turning mechanism is also installed.

A folding bed will be an excellent choice for a stylish studio apartment or will save space in a bachelor's apartment. A relevant solution is to connect a sleeping area with a wardrobe. In this case, you can use the shelves in the closet to store clothes and use stationary racks at the head of the room.

Benefits of use:

• Smart saving of usable space. At night there is a full-fledged place to sleep with an orthopedic mattress; during the day it is retracted into a special niche;
• In a horizontal position, it occupies an area of ​​2.5 sq. m; when folded, it takes up 1.4x1.9 m;
• Expanding the functional purpose of rooms. A built-in folding bed is placed in the living room and stored in a closet for the day;
• There are horizontal and vertical transformers, which allows you to use them not only for relaxation, but also as a table, cabinet, pouf or sofa;
• The design is attractive when folded and unfolded and becomes an addition to the design solution of the apartment;
• The models operate thanks to safe gas shock absorbers and fold easily without requiring significant physical effort;
• Easier apartment cleaning. Now you don’t need to bend over to remove dust under the furniture - routine work is speeded up without causing any trouble for the housewife;
• In the morning, it is enough to fasten the belts over the bed and hide the bed; there is no need to make or fold bed linen every day;
• A wide selection of folding beds, photos of which are offered by the furniture industry. A few years ago the designs were unknown, but now the most interesting configurations of Transformers are presented;
• Variety of design solutions. The style of the frame will fit into a high-tech interior or turn into a bright detail in a child’s bedroom;
• Installation is possible in any room.

When folded, it becomes part of a closet or wall, and if necessary, it can easily be folded back, turning into a bed. Lifting elements allow the structure to be raised and lowered, and the box becomes a place for storing things. A wall with a folding bed-cabinet is rationally used, where a home library can be compactly placed on shelves and racks.

Advantages and disadvantages

How to position the bed correctly
The main advantage of built-in furniture structures is that they allow you to free up space for free movement around the apartment. The transformable type of furniture has the following advantages:

1. Multifunctionality. The assembled built-in bed can be a closet, a cabinet, or a sofa.
2. The built-in or folding design allows you to hide the sleeping area from prying eyes in a one-room apartment.
3. Such furniture increases the functionality of the room. For example, folding beds installed in the bedroom when assembled make it possible to use the room as a living room, and single beds in the children's room allow you to free up space for games and receiving guests.
4. Various engineering and design solutions make it possible to use built-in furniture in an interior of any stylistic orientation, regardless of whether it is assembled or disassembled.
5. Folding built-in structures are equipped with a special belt fastening system, which allows you not to clean the bed before assembly.
6. Orthopedic and anatomical mattresses can be placed on folding and built-in models.
7. The ability to assemble the bed allows you to better monitor the cleanliness of the room.

The disadvantages of this type of furniture include the following factors:

• High price. Beautiful, high-quality and, most importantly, safe built-in furniture cannot cost as much as simple free-standing furniture. The cost of high-quality and reliable fittings that ensure the operation of the mechanisms plays a large role in pricing. Installing a built-in sleeping area will require changes to the interior, which will cause additional costs.
• A folding double bed can have considerable weight, so it will only be assembled occasionally, for example, before cleaning or receiving guests.
• There is a high probability of injury in case of improper operation or malfunction of assembly mechanisms or spontaneous opening of folding furniture.
• If you plan to install a folding bed in the room, the wall must be properly reinforced. Folding beds are not attached to plasterboard or other temporary partitions.

Model overview

Transformers allow you not only to save useful space in apartments, but also to create zoning of rooms using folding beds from Italy, offered in a wide range in relation to the price range and the quality of materials.

According to the classification, they are divided into vertical and horizontal devices:

1. Vertical models are classics. They are divided into single, one and a half and double. Suitable for small apartments with high ceilings, in a vertical position they become part of the closet and fit into the interior. The structure is attached to the wall, and a lifting mechanism is installed there. It reclines perpendicular to the body, and then, when raised, retracts into a niche at the top. In one motion, the device slides into the closet, turning the bedroom into a study. The width of the cabinet depends on the client’s preference, and the depth is at least 45 cm. As an option, attach the model to a concrete wall in order to hide it in a plasterboard niche for a day;
2. Horizontal wall beds are only available as single beds, so they are often chosen for children or teenagers. The horizontal arrangement in the cabinet differs in appearance and principle of operation of the mechanism. When unfolded, the berth is located along the wall, and when folded, it rises horizontally. In this case, the height of the ceiling is not important, and the size of the cabinet will be smaller.

A built-in bed is a frame that fits into a wall niche or cabinet. When folded, the bed linen and mattress are secured with straps. Double folding beds combined with a wardrobe are equipped with drawers for clothes, mezzanines, shelves and compartments.

Lift-and-tilt mechanisms are divided into:

• Folding action - with the help of pneumatic springs the bed becomes horizontal, when unfolded it stands on legs;
• Tilt-and-turn action - to facilitate operation, the tilting mechanism is equipped with swivel hinges.

Folding

Wardrobe beds have increased functionality and can replace several pieces of furniture at once. For sleeping, they offer a comfortable single or double bed, which occupies 2-3 square meters of space, and during the day it transforms into a spacious closet.

Advantages of the model:

• There is space for storing things;
• Possibility to install built-in shelves and drawers;
• Lifting beds along with a folding mechanism are designed not only for adults, but also for children;
• Saving money on the purchase of cabinets, bedside tables and shelving;
• Various forms of folding models, the oval modification looks extraordinary;
• The legs of the folding bed rotate 90 degrees when opened.

Tilt&Turn

The bed drawings repeat the structure of the rotating structures, only with other built-in mechanisms. Here, the folding and rotating mechanisms work together, and the entire device is mounted in a niche or cabinet. The device contains not only a reclining bed, but also several shelves that do not change position during transformation.

Usage nuances:

• All the advantages of using lifting models;
• Space saving in small bedrooms;
• Products of this kind are manufactured only after drawing up drawings and agreement with the owners in order to make maximum use of the usable area;
• Books or decorative items are placed on the shelves.

The model will last a long time, is easy to use, fits into any type of interior from classic to modern styles. If there is a problem with the structure, you can find all the parts yourself, and the creaking that appears is eliminated after tightening the bolts and lubricating the connections.

Popular for small rooms are three-in-one models, complemented, in addition to a single or double bed, with storage drawers, a sofa or a table. A complete folding bed can consist of five pieces of furniture, that is, it is additionally equipped with a mirror and upper shelves.

For a comfortable night's rest, the transformer is equipped with legs, and an orthopedic mattress allows the spine to take the correct position. When lifting the model, the legs are hidden in special grooves or turned into a decorative element.

How to create your own furniture masterpiece

First of all, checking the drawing, you need to cut out all the parts from the chipboard using a jigsaw. The resulting furniture parts can be immediately coated with furniture varnish, or this can be done after the assembly is completed. Experienced craftsmen recommend pre-painting, and after completing the assembly, use only polish.

In process and production

Assembly

The parts are ready, now you can connect them together:

First, the cabinet box is assembled. The side, top and bottom parts are connected to each other with self-tapping screws (it is recommended to lubricate the joints with any wood glue to enhance strength). The resulting box in the corners is reinforced with corners. Now you should take care of the height above the floor. A low cabinet height will force the mattress to be anchored too low and the bed will not be very comfortable. The resulting structure is attached to the wall using dowels. The fastening must be as strong as possible, because the frame with the mattress is quite heavy

It is very important that the frame is set strictly at level; misalignment when installed to the wall will cause a malfunction in the operation of the lifting mechanism. If mezzanines or side tables are planned, they are assembled and installed at this stage. The doors are now being installed

This can be done at the final stage, but craftsmen recommend installing them before the lifting mechanism is installed - this makes it easier to tighten the door hardware bolts and adjust the doors to open smoothly. If the furniture has not yet been painted, now you need to varnish it. Next, the bed frame is assembled (you can use a ready-made one from an old bed, making additional sides for it). The frame must have sides, a headboard and provide for the possibility of rigidly securing the mattress. Externally, the frame looks like a box with blank sides, the bottom of which consists of lamellas. The frame is also varnished; folding or retractable legs are installed on it in the foot part.

Installation of the lifting mechanism

The most crucial moment. Extreme precision is required here, otherwise lifting the bed will require significant effort. Before installing the selected lifting device, you must carefully read the attached installation instructions. But there are several general rules for installing all lifts:

• First, the parts of the lift are attached to the surface of the cabinet, and then to the frame. The height of fastening the parts is calculated as follows: subtract the height of the cabinet legs from the height of the bed legs, put the resulting size on the inside of the furniture, and the depth will depend on the thickness of the mattress.
• Do not attach the lift parts to all the screws at once. Beginners may have problems with level installation and will have to rearrange the fasteners. It is recommended to secure the structure onto 4 furniture corners and try folding and unfolding the empty frame several times and closing the doors. If everything works without effort and nothing prevents the doors from closing, then you can tighten the remaining screws.

Decoration

Handles are installed on the cabinet doors and decorative trims are glued. It is recommended to hide the screws on the outer surface under the decorative trim.

The resulting product is coated with polish. After installing the mattress with bedding, it can be used for sleeping.

The tutorial on how to make a bed that folds up against the wall is simple. The most critical stage in it is only the adjustment of the lift parts for its smooth operation, but this can also be dealt with if you follow the installation instructions. But upon completion of the work, you can get significant space savings due to the retractable bed and beautiful furniture in the interior.

For the bedroom

The standard length of folding beds is from 200 to 210 cm. The design is suitable for any apartment with low ceilings, and the width is chosen depending on the future purpose:

1. Single people choose a single model with a width of 0.9-1 m;
2. One-and-a-half will appeal to young families; about 1.8-1.9 m will be required;
3. For double bedrooms you need a lot of space - 2-2.1 m. In small bedrooms, an overall design can be installed if you leave the space free from other furniture.

When choosing a transformer for the bedroom, pay attention to the following features:

• High price category, especially for items made according to special drawings;
• Folding beds are mounted only against a load-bearing wall that can withstand such a load;
• The appearance of psychological discomfort. It seems that in a vertical position the fastenings will deteriorate and the entire structure will collapse down. This opinion is erroneous, because all devices are repeatedly tested for strength, and are securely fixed during installation.

Transformers for the bedroom:

1. Folding - with the help of a built-in mechanism they take a vertical position, and if you grab the bottom edge, they easily take a horizontal position;
2. Tilt-and-turn – the folding bed is complemented by a wardrobe with drawers and shelves. When disassembling, they can be swapped with one click, so there is no need to empty the shelves of things;
3. Combined - they justify the inflated price by functionality; they consist of several pieces of furniture. In addition to the sleeping place, the set includes a table, a sofa and a wardrobe.

Folding structures can perform several additional functions. Before purchasing, you should indicate how to use this model:

• With a folding table or shelf;
• With a sofa or chair;
• With lighting;
• As a wardrobe bed.

Furniture should match the style of the room, without overloading with unnecessary details. If you order a design from a specialized company, all the design features of the model’s facade are taken into account.

Installation of a transformable bed

You can assemble and install the structure yourself by purchasing parts from a furniture store, or you can turn to furniture assemblers for help. The project can be ordered from a specialist. Installation proceeds as follows:

• The floor is covered to protect against damage. You can use fabric or paper.
• The frame is assembled - sides and back, and a double bottom is built in.
• Lay the middle bottom.
• A solid or modular stock is fixed in the grooves and tightened with screws.
• Install the façade wall so that it does not move.
• Assemble the laundry box and attach it to the side wall with screws. After assembly, it is left in the bed.
• The finished structure is installed and secured with bolts.
• They install side bars and a headboard.

If the transformer kit includes additional furniture, this is also assembled. You can do this yourself, but if the configuration is difficult, you should contact a specialist. According to this scheme, a bed is installed in the bedroom, living room, children's room or office.

Folding bed

Bedroom: standard parameters

The standard size of a bed for a bedroom is 180 by 220 cm. But it depends on the needs of the person and his taste. Products are:

• Double. In this case, the length and width are standard sizes. If the bedroom is small, you need to calculate the available space in advance or free up space. For interior design you can use Provence style.
• One and a half. Suitable for a young family.
• Single. Suitable for a person who lives alone.

This design can only be installed against a load-bearing wall.

Living room: original ideas

In this room, a transforming bed is used not because of the size of the apartment, but in order to have more sleeping places for guests. The façade of a structure is often decorated with a photo print or 3D image. This is done in such a way that the bed looks like a wardrobe. A coffee table and a sofa are placed nearby.

Choose a model that combines a bed, a wardrobe and a sofa, and uses the legs of the bed as an additional hanging shelf. During the day the structure is not dismantled, as you can relax on the sofa.

Bed built into a corner wardrobe

Cabinet

For your workspace, you need to choose a classic or office style design, unless you have individual wishes. Outwardly, it is inconspicuous and looks like a closet, so it is ideal for the interior.

Based on its size, it is chosen for one person. Manufacturers usually offer to buy a bed with a built-in table.

Children's or teenager's room

The transformer is ideal for a children's room, because it is loaded with toys, things and books. And the child needs his own free space or play area.

If there are two children in a family, the choice should be a two-level design. This will significantly free up the room and save space. It is also practical to purchase a bed that transforms into a desk and a folding sofa.

Transformer for school: mini-podium.

For children's

A folding bed in a children's room must meet sanitary and hygienic requirements:

• Reliable mechanisms are built into manufacturing;
• Lightweight body design;
• Equipped with a chest of drawers and enclosing bars;
• Use of permanent connections for permanent fastening;
• Natural fabrics for decoration;
• Memorable design.

For a child, the folding bed is supplemented with instructions indicating all the listed characteristics. When ordering, customer suggestions are taken into account, and the age and gender of the future owner are taken into account. The design should include a complex of a folding bed and a convenient place for board games.

Bunk

Parents of two children will like it. Horizontal arrangement will help hide two sleeping places in one closet. Will save the space of the children's room twice. The second tier should not be given to preschoolers; let the older child settle there.

With wardrobe

The design with vertical orientation and reliable fastening is placed in a closet for a day. For a single bed, a narrow cabinet or wardrobe will serve as a niche. The design is produced as a piece of furniture, although in larger bedrooms it can become part of a furniture set.

With desk

Folding designs for schoolchildren are best selected in conjunction with a desk. The acquisition will solve the problem of sleeping space and the lack of space to equip a full-fledged workspace.

Types of folding structures for children's rooms:

• A transformer consisting of a wardrobe with a built-in desk, and at the top there is a sleeping area;
• Bed-table - writing desk, chest of drawers and bed;
• A model with a locker at the top and a folding table at the bottom with a folding single bed; they can be swapped throughout the day;
• Pouf bed - for small rooms, at night it turns into a single bed, during the day it is used as a seat.

Tips for choosing beds

Basic recommendations for selection:

• When purchasing this product, first of all, you need to make sure that it is safe so that the bed does not break during sleep or fall when assembled.
• For a small room, a bed in the wall with a vertical folding mechanism is better.
• When choosing a design for a children's room, you need to pay special attention to the fastening and transformation mechanism. It is better to give preference to gas lift, since, unlike springs, it will not lose its elasticity.
• When choosing a bed support, it is advisable to choose a sleeping place on a solid base, and not on separate legs.

Where can I embed

Folding beds are installed not only in the bedroom, but in the living room or study. In a vertical position, the structure looks like a wardrobe or wall panel. Guests will never guess that behind the mirrored doors is hidden a full-fledged sleeping place with an orthopedic mattress. The design will fit into country, minimalism or hi-tech style.

In the classic version, the Italian folding bed is raised upward using a mechanism and, when folded, performs the function of a wardrobe. Other designs are built on a different principle and have external differences:

• A horizontal folding bed provides for horizontal rather than vertical mounting to the wall. This option is suitable for those who choose a small wardrobe and a single bed;
• Installation of the structure into a recess in the wall;
• When folded, it rises into a chest of drawers or closet using special handles;
• For retractable models, more space is needed - a wardrobe or wardrobe;
• The podium design is rare; it is reserved for the lower cabinet in the bedroom wardrobe.

The bed-wardrobe is securely attached only to a brick or concrete wall (thickness of at least 25 cm) without unevenness. Plasterboard partitions and wooden walls cannot withstand significant loads, so a reclining vertical bed cannot be mounted to them.

Reliable mechanisms

The design consists of shock absorbers, swivel legs, special mechanisms on both sides of the model, a base for the mattress and fastening elements. Legs for a folding bed can be used in vertical and horizontal models; they can be easily stored in a niche or closet.

Furniture for folding beds is selected to suit individual needs and wears out over time and therefore requires regular inspection. The folding beds are equipped with a gas or twisted spring mechanism to make it easier to move the bed into a vertical position, because it, together with the orthopedic mattress, can weigh up to 30 kg.

Gas elevator

Lifting using a gas mechanism extends the service life of the structure; operating such a mount is not difficult. Instead of springs, a gas shock absorber is built in; the manipulations performed are carried out silently, without physical effort. The gas presses on the piston, driving the mechanism by increasing the pressure inside. You will have to pay for comfort, but the device will last a long time and will not require frequent adjustments. Models have been developed with special mechanisms that allow you to move the bed along with bed linen and pillows into the closet by pressing a button.

Manual lifting using loops

Although this option is considered very practical and durable, not everyone can lift a heavy structure. Due to the difficulty of raising and lowering, it is almost never chosen. The presence of shock absorbers and springs is not provided; the model is fixed with latches.

Spring blocks

Thanks to the built-in spring blocks and separate springs, the structure is activated. In relation to the weight of the berth, the springs can be tightened and adjusted at your discretion. It will last a long time if you calculate the loads and ensure that the body does not bend.

There are many configurations of folding beds. They offer a choice from budget models to more expensive ones made from natural wood and durable lifting mechanisms. You can build such a structure yourself, but use reliable materials that can withstand constant loads.

Photo