Multi-tiered structures and transforming mechanisms always attract attention. Firstly, they look impressive. Secondly, at first glance they seem very convenient and functional. In fact, in reality, this is not always the case. However, sometimes making a podium bed with your own hands with additional cabinets and storage drawers or a sleeping area at the base is quite justified. Especially if the apartment is small, and the task is to make maximum use of every free corner.
A little about the types of podium beds that you can make with your own hands
There is some confusion in the definition of “podium bed”. It is connected with the difference in generally accepted standards for sleeping height.
For Russians, residents of the CIS, Europe and other countries of our continent, it is more common to place a sleeping place at a height of 350-500mm from the floor level.
And purely psychologically, it is easier for “us” to accept a lower standard of a bed when the sleeping place is even lower, at a level of 200-300mm from the floor. Because there is “nothing like that” if you sleep on the floor at all, as, for example, in Asian countries (we’re not just talking about Japan with their mats).
But from American films and TV series you can see that you don’t just have to sit on “their” bed. You literally have to “jump in.” A sleeping height of 500-700mm is quite normal for “them”.
This means that the idea of locating some kind of storage systems under a bed with a height of 500-700mm is also quite workable and is not some special design solution of the “podium” type. As well as the presence of some additional steps on the side and barriers made of racks and shelves to make it more convenient to climb.
Very often such a typical “American” bed is called a podium. And it can only be made according to an individual project with your own hands or to order. Because you won’t find ready-made versions of such oversized beds on sale. But to implement the option even higher, you need to have very high ceilings in the apartment.
It is more correct to call the options for designing a sleeping place with protrusions as podium beds. That is, the sleeping place seems to “lie” on the podium. And it may well be understated at that, without any built-in drawers or other beds underneath.
“We” also call podium beds an option when artificially, due to frame structures made of timber or metal profiles, the floor level is raised to the height of the installation of either the pull-out bed itself or some drawers underneath it. Strictly speaking, a podium of this type is more from the sphere of finishing work, rather than the manufacture of cabinet furniture. Often the podium is designed to emphasize the zoning of a room in a studio apartment. And it is simply a spectacular accent, and is not used as additional storage space.
Thus, you can make a podium bed with your own hands in four types:
- With projections along the edges of the berth to create a “podium” effect.
- With an additional pull-out bed at the base of the podium bed.
- With drawers and other storage space under the base of the podium.
- With the creation of a second level of “floor” for zoning and additional interior decoration.
The last option will not be considered, since, I repeat, it relates more to repair and finishing work. And the site is dedicated specifically to the design and manufacture of furniture.
Features and Benefits
The podium bed combines at least two functions. In its simplest form, furniture is a place for sleeping and storing things, but it can also serve for comfortable work or daytime rest, as a dressing room, and so on. Thanks to the abundance of options, it is used in the bedroom, nursery, living room, and studio apartment. In addition to saving space, such a model can zone a room, expand it visually, and eliminate the need for additional furniture.
There are other advantages of a podium bed:
- convenience - it copes with the main function of a sleeping place perfectly, remaining as comfortable as possible;
- beauty - modern models look very stylish and give the room a harmonious look;
- ease of installation - despite the combination of functions, the traditional design podium bed is easy to assemble.
Although custom-made products can be quite expensive, traditional models usually do not have overly expensive parts. Accordingly, you can always choose a suitable bed according to your budget.
Drawings of podium beds with frames on two or three sides
The design principle can be understood from the photo of the assembly diagram of a bed-podium from ready-made shelving and an orthopedic base (like a DIY idea based on IKEA). Only the grille is not placed on the sides of the racks, but between them.
This is roughly how most versions of podium beds are made from chipboard and are “assembled”. Only the shape and dimensions of the side “panel” change.
The side panel of the podium bed can be “solid”, with protrusions for embedding LED lighting under the base.
Or with built-in drawers.
If you make a podium bed with your own hands in a niche, then you may need a limiting side in front from the same shelving structures. And so that the bed “fits” into a niche from wall to wall or has some kind of design of open sides when located in the corner of a children’s room, various shelves and cabinets, steps with drawers, etc. are often “attached” to it.
It is important to strengthen the base of the podium bed well. After all, people will walk on it, and not just “lie down.” The point load is greater, which means that the sheathing under the base should be more solid. A lattice made of timber under the chipboard base is best suited. Or reinforced slats if an orthopedic base is planned for the bed.
How to make a do-it-yourself podium bed with a pull-out bed
This design solution is especially relevant for small-sized children's rooms designed for two or more children. The “upper” bed of the podium is stationary, and the lower one extends from the base. By the way, such two-tier and three-tier pull-out cribs can be seen in kindergartens.
A drawing of such a pull-out bed from under the base of the podium looks like this.
The limiting stop is the raised side - it clings to the front bar of the body and prevents the sliding part from completely extending beyond the niche. For strictly linear movement, erect support wheels are installed on the sides of the pull-out bed. It is better if the wheels are in a rubberized shell, so as not to spoil the floor covering with them.
In various variations of the do-it-yourself podium bed, the upper tier can form a double bed, and the lower tier can form a single bed, in combination with other roll-out storage systems. Or used in conjunction with another single bed.
The principles when designing and developing a drawing of a podium bed with your own hands with an additional sleeping place will be the same:
- The retractable part rolls out on upright wheel supports. When choosing, be guided by the characteristics of the recommended weight (for example, up to 30 kg) and the type of wheel shell. It is not worth mounting on guides, since there simply cannot be an ideal floor level in such a wide area. And the retractable mechanism will fail very quickly.
- The limiting edge prevents the roll-out part from being “pulled out” from the niche. This is important, since the design is quite heavy, aiming and “getting” back into the designated niche will be problematic.
- The upper tier is necessarily reinforced by a lattice structure made of slats. It is better to use a beam or take a ready-made orthopedic base on a metal base.
Manufacturing materials
In traditional models, the podium is monolithic; it is thought out during the construction of the house or during major renovations. For filling, liquid concrete is used, which is poured into wooden formwork and subsequently masked with a floor covering. The weight of such an elevation is quite impressive, so it is important to correctly calculate the load so that the load-bearing coating can withstand it.
The frame with niches can be made of wooden or metal beams. For additional reinforcement, the sides are reinforced with plywood, MDF or OSB (in rare cases, chipboard with a thickness of at least 15 mm). You can put parquet, laminate or carpet on the top of the podium. A metal frame is heavier than a wooden one, but it is more durable. But wooden podiums are usually associated with a feeling of comfort and coziness. Due to their compactness, compared to a monolithic podium, frames made of metal and wood are more often used for a small bedroom and other small rooms.
A model with chipboard upholstery is not the best solution, since this material is not very resistant to moisture.
timber
Chipboard
Carpet
MDF
Monolithic combined
OSB
Metal base for a podium bed
How to make a do-it-yourself podium bed with drawers and cabinets inside
In fact, you can make a diagram or drawing of a podium bed with drawers by analogy with a regular double bed with drawers. It looks about the same both inside and outside, if you don’t take into account any protruding parts.
Much more interesting are the options when the upper part of the bed is equipped with lifting mechanisms - gas lifts. Then you can even go inside the “podium”.
A do-it-yourself podium bed is designed as a unique, reduced-height dressing room.
The only nuance is the stable, rigidly fixed arrangement of the racks to which the gas lifts are attached. When developing a drawing of a bed-podium of this type, with a lifting base, you should start from the nuances of installing a specific mechanism. And also the dimensions of the base itself.
Dimensions
A compact product is not always convenient for sleeping. Tall and moderately thick mattresses with dimensions of 10–17 cm are the ideal solution. Particular attention is paid to hardness: it should be medium or high.
The widths of flooring products are:
- single – less than 120 cm;
- double – from 140 cm and above.
The length is characterized as follows:
- for preschoolers – 140–190x70–90 cm;
- for adults – 190, 195 and 200 cm.
As for the height, it is also different. If it is an American model, then it is superior to others on the market. The European version is medium in height, and the eastern version is very low, since such dimensions are dictated by the habits of the Japanese. Depending on the filler, this figure can vary from 15 to 50 cm.
The load level is indicated by the manufacturer; you need to choose a mattress based on the following formula: the weight of the sleeper should be 30 kg less than the permissible load.
How to make a podium bed with your own hands step by step
Any project starts with a photo idea. The feasibility of which correlates with the existing free space in the apartment for installation and the desired functionality.
Step-by-step instructions for making a podium bed with your own hands will look like this:
- The free space for installation is measured. Sleeping places are selected for it. Mattresses of standard sizes are cheaper - therefore, whenever possible, the structure is designed for specific dimensions.
- After the position of the berths has been determined, a diagram of the supporting structure with the necessary partitions and rigidity supports is developed. Storage spaces are planned between them - shelves and drawers.
- Based on the design diagram of the bed-podium, the type of material is determined (timber, plywood or OSB sheathing, orthopedic grilles, chipboard). Next, an accurate, scaled drawing of the bed-podium is developed based on the size and thickness of the material, preferably using special software.
- When planning the internal filling of the podium bed with your own hands, try to avoid the formation of “dead” zones. There are many solutions with tilting and lifting mechanisms, don't just focus on drawers.
- Next, based on the drawing, the detailing (list of parts) is calculated, and an estimate is drawn up for the purchase of fittings, fasteners, materials and necessary components.
- If you plan to make a podium bed with your own hands from chipboard, then it is better to order ready-cut parts with PVC edges edging the visible sides. Timber and plywood for built-in models will have to be “cut” yourself, which means you will additionally need a jigsaw, a grinder, sandpaper, and possibly a router. As well as paint and varnish consumables for finishing coating, tools for their application.
- To assemble a podium bed with your own hands, you will need a drill (perforator), a screwdriver with a set of 5.8 mm drills/bits and others (you can read more here), as well as other hand tools.
- First, the base of the bed and separately the pull-out elements and shelving structures are drilled and assembled. Then the mechanisms and other fittings are attached, and the internal contents are installed.
Since the product itself is quite heavy and is often built in from wall to wall, a lot will have to be filed and adjusted to fit right in the apartment. It would be a good idea to enlist the help of an assistant.
Start of assembly
The base of the bed is made of three blocks; the back and sides must be connected at right angles. The central block is the middle of the bed, two parts on the sides will fill the boxes, which will move using roller wheels along the slats. We fasten the headboard of the bed and the side blocks with bolts. We choose nuts to taste, wing nuts or regular ones. The use of a bolted connection allows you to assemble or disassemble the product in any situation. Side panels and cross members can also be made collapsible.
We make holes in the blocks using a drill, insert pins and assemble the blocks. We coat all contacting sides of the blocks with glue, compress them with clamps and leave until the element is completely dry. The shortest central part rests on four square struts. In the two top panels we make recesses according to the size of the transverse rail passing through them.
