A podium bed is a modern solution for choosing a comfortable place to sleep and relax. How to choose a podium bed. Features of the interior solution when installing a bed. Model options, quality and material of manufacture - you will learn about all this from our article.
Exit bed-podium with a seating area and drawers, built into a niche
The large number of models presented on today's furniture market forces manufacturers to come up with new designs that can attract and interest the buyer. One of the options for a comfortable and convenient sleep is a podium bed. It will be relevant for apartments with a small area, as well as in decorating the interior of a country house, as it can significantly save space.
An excellent solution for the bedroom - a comfortable wooden podium bed by the window
A convenient compact solution in the interior of an apartment - a podium bed
Original bed-podium in the interior of the room
The unusual appearance of the model on an elevated platform is increasingly arousing interest among both young people and older people. Thanks to its unusual design, the podium bed adds zest to the interior and also allows you to significantly save space, leaving free space around it.
Classic podium bed with drawers for a small bedroom
The multifunctionality of the podium allows you not only to store various things in the niches of the bed, but also to use it as a place for games in the nursery, to store bedding and various items, thereby achieving order in the apartment.
Comfortable children's bed-podium for two children with space for games and a pull-out bed
Types of podiums
Each version of the podium bed has individual design features that allow you to choose the right model.
Podium with pull-out bed
The functional design fits perfectly into small rooms and cramped apartments where large families live. The bed built inside the podium will be rolled out only when necessary. Due to the retractable bed, the podium can be used as usefully as a relaxation area with a sofa, a gaming or work segment.
Bed on a monolithic podium
This model is distinguished by a solid podium, which mainly performs decorative functions. Modern designs have some disadvantages in the form of heavy weight, as installation may require the use of concrete. Therefore, such a podium bed is more suitable for the interior of a private home.
The photo shows a monolithic podium frame in white, complemented by a mattress.
Frame podium
Thanks to the construction of a frame podium, it is possible to organize a spacious storage system. Most often, such a podium bed is equipped with shelves, drawers or voluminous niches, allowing you to avoid purchasing an additional wardrobe or chest of drawers.
Wood or metal is used in the manufacture of the frame; a combination of these two materials is also appropriate.
The photo shows a bed on a frame podium made of wood, equipped with built-in storage systems.
Advantages of the model
Built-in high bed with drawer steps and mirrored wardrobe
Thanks to the design solution, the interior of the apartment can change beyond recognition if such a model is installed. The advantages include the following points.
- Separate zoning
. A home divided into conventional zones will look more interesting and unusual due to the open space that is formed due to the absence of boundary contours. An installed podium bed will highlight visual restrictions in the interior in a natural way. - A practical approach
. The installed product will not only add newness to the interior of the apartment, but will also help to carry out several functions at the same time, such as storing objects, a retractable base, and the podium can hide various communications (pipes, electrical sockets). In addition, building a podium is not difficult; it is enough to have ready-made structural parts and connecting them together will not be difficult. - Square footage
. Another advantage of the installation, which allows you to significantly save space for receiving guests or playing for a child. The use of the podium in the design of a children's room, as well as living and sleeping areas, will be especially relevant. - Visual effect
. A room in which a pull-out bed is installed takes on a sophisticated look and a certain mood.
Embedding a bed into a podium is a great way to hide it in the living room interior
Create a drawing
Drawings of the podium bed are drawn up based on exact measurements of the room and the planned dimensions of the mattress. Small rooms are simply covered with a podium into parts with different heights; in other cases, the length of the bed (as well as the dimensions of the drawer with the sleeping bed) is adjusted to the mattress. The width of the furniture varies from 1.2 to 1.5 m for children’s models, 1.7–1.9 m for double models. The height of models with drawers of any type varies between 40–70 cm.
Deviations in the smaller direction are not recommended; in the larger direction, they are permissible when installing the bed in a room with high ceilings and strengthening the strength of the frame.
Detailed sketches of beds are made on paper or electronically, using online editors or furniture design programs. If you have no experience, you should use ready-made drawings, scrupulously observing the specified indents and gaps
It is also very important to purchase materials of a given thickness
If it is necessary to change the length or width of the frame, the dimensions of the retractable elements and external facades are simultaneously adjusted. The intervals between adjacent boxes and the specified gaps must remain unchanged. In particular, the width of the drawer placed under the bed in any case should be 2.5 cm less than the box itself, and the minimum permissible distance from the bottom to the floor is 1 cm.
What types of podium beds are there?
Wooden podium bed in a small bedroom in Scandinavian style
Podiums are distinguished not only by appearance, but also by assembly design and material of manufacture. Let's look at some of them.
With monolithic base
Unusual podium bed with a monolithic base
As a basis, they take a section of living space where, for example, a pull-out bed will be located, a wooden structure (formwork) is installed on it and concrete is added. The finished base is covered with floor covering. The frame of the product is installed on top. The advantage of this design is that it will last for a long time. The downside is a lot of weight. Previously, similar podiums were installed in castles and palaces.
With frame podium
Frame base installed in a niche for a future podium bed
The materials used are lightweight wood or steel structures. You can make them yourself or buy ready-made parts and assemble them. Most of the models on the market today are made in a similar way. All that remains is to choose the model you like and install it in your home.
With retractable base
Pull-out beds for two children from the podium-play area in the children's room
Pull-out beds that can be stored under the base of the frame are also often found in apartments and private houses. The advantage of convenience is the open space of the vacated territory. On the podium you can install a workplace, various equipment, arrange toys and make it a children's corner, etc.
Model options and their place in the interior
The main role when choosing a podium bed model is played by the overall interior of the apartment and the style of the room in which the furniture will be located. There are quite interesting options: a podium with drawers, a loft-style bed and a royal bed with a canopy. It is important that in the interior the bed on the podium does not diverge sharply in color and image from other elements of the room. A product that matches the color of the floor covering of the room itself looks visually better. They will acquire a single image, smoothly transitioning from the floor surface to the podium bed. The following types of models are distinguished:
Bed installed on the surface of the podium
The podium under the bed is made in the form of a monolithic base. The surface of the floor and structure is covered with the same material or may vary in color to highlight the sleeping area. The main task of a monolithic podium is the aesthetic perception of a bed raised above the floor surface. The whole design looks very good in large rooms with high ceilings.
The disadvantage of such models is their heavy weight due to the concrete that is used when pouring the monolith. However, the durability of the structure will be a plus. During the reign of kings, such podiums were installed in majestic castles and palaces.
Bed on a frame podium
It is easy and quick to assemble; the frame is made of wooden beams or metal profiles. There are models with a combination of both. Retractable drawers are installed inside the structure for storing things and various items. When creating such a podium, you will need to pay special attention to spot measurements and calculations for planning compartments and opening drawers inside the structure.
If you plan to manufacture a frame podium, then you need to think about the installation of additional retractable and folding sections in advance. They will help you get rid of bulky chests of drawers and cabinets, and your things will be hidden from prying eyes.
Traditional design
This is the same frame-type podium bed, but without all the additions and improvements in the design. There are no drawers or built-in shelves here. The frame is simply covered with chipboard sheets and carpet, after which it is ready to install the bed. The traditional frame podium is the most accessible due to its low cost.
Balcony type
The podium bed is placed not only in bedrooms, it is compactly arranged on loggias and balconies, despite their small area. To feel comfortable in such places, the outer walls and floor must be insulated, and the glazing must be double, or better yet, triple. A heating system can be installed in the base of the floor. Making a podium for a balcony with your own hands is not very difficult:
- The first thing you need to think about is the future design, make the correct measurements;
- Elements of the podium are cut out of furniture board or plywood according to the measurements taken;
- A frame is assembled, the basis of which is a wide metal corner and is fixed to the walls of the loggia or balcony;
- All furniture panels are attached to the corner. The cover of the podium can be made non-removable, but for greater convenience, it is worth spending a little on lifting mechanisms and you get a podium with a lifting top, inside of which you can put various things and objects;
- A small opening should be made in the lid to lift it.
The podium is ready, all that remains is to put a soft mattress on top, open the balcony wide and enjoy reading books and drinking tea in the fresh air. An excellent design for the podium would be when the balcony block between the room and the balcony is completely removed, and the entrance staircase is made from the side of the room itself. The podium bed that opens into view will be its magnificent continuation.
Retractable
A podium with a pull-out bed is the most acceptable way to save space. If the entire structure in the room is planned for a small child, you need to take into account that the child is developing and his height will increase. Therefore, the bed must be immediately made long, as for an adult.
To avoid scratching the floor surface, special wheels are attached to the base of the bed, on which the sleeping bed extends. It is best to use rubberized wheels rather than plastic ones, which can break and crumble over time with repeated use. Rubber wheels are softer and allow you to roll out the bed silently. It is better to use wheels with high quality rubber, then the furniture will last much longer.
The advantage of such beds is the presence of open space. A work corner or play area for children is arranged on top of the podium. Books, toys, and household appliances can be placed in the cabinets on the upper floor.
How to choose the right material
Soft orange podium bed for a non-standard bedroom
Depending on the purpose for which the podium will be installed, you need to choose the appropriate material. Conventionally, podiums can be divided into the following types:
- for technical use;
- decorative purposes;
- combined type.
Pull-out double bed with sofa and TV located on the podium
A technical box is installed to hide communications in the room, as well as to store things. A decorative box is installed to visually highlight zones. A combined podium is installed when they want to combine some functions at the same time. The retractable base and things are stored in the niche, but sometimes the place is actively used for various purposes (games, work, storage, etc.)
Bright children's bed-podium with a seating area and storage space
Depending on the purpose of the structure, choose the required material. Most often, chipboard, ready-made wooden blocks and furniture panels are used to assemble the podium. The frame of the podium is assembled based on the mass of the weight that will support the beam. The average weight of the platform should not exceed 450-700 kg per square meter of area.
It is not difficult to assemble the product yourself. It is enough to prepare the necessary materials and tools. What is needed for production is given below in the table.
| Product item | Tools | Material |
| Future frame | Self-tapping screws, screwdriver, electric drill | Coverings from MDF, chipboard, metal profile |
| Upper part of the product | Fasteners | Carpet |
| steps | Self-tapping screws, hammer, drill | Wood is used, along with an anti-slip coating. |
| Top facing layer | Self-tapping screws, drill, hammer, glue | Corners, fabric stickers |
DIY podium with a bed made of MDF
Before starting all work, a number of preparatory steps are performed:
- decide on the model;
- prepare materials, tools;
- make a sketch, drawing of the future product based on individual measurements, based on the parameters of the room and load.
Drawing of a podium with a pull-out bed and storage drawers
If you do not have extensive experience in assembling such structures, it is recommended to take a simple example as a basis, which will be described below. Having understood the mechanism of the device and the principle of installation, based on the given master class, you can plan a model according to your dimensions.
MDF for podium structure
In the example given, we assume the production of a podium for a room with standard ceilings (2.5 m). The height of the finished product will be about 45 cm (including the mattress), which, according to the above parameters, is quite comfortable for a person of average height. The sleeping place will be rolled out on caster wheels. The dimensions in the example are conditional; according to your measurements in the store, select materials individually, taking only the construction principle as a basis.
To work you will need:
- MDF board in 2 copies. Choose a thickness of about 19 mm. Length and width – 2070 by 2620 mm;
- timber 40 by 60 mm and 25 m long;
- furniture panel in 2 copies. The size is about 600×3000 mm. Thickness – 22 mm;
- PVA glue;
- furniture varnish;
- furniture casters (wheels) – 2 pcs.;
- screws, dowels.
Tools for work:
- drill;
- screwdriver;
- screwdrivers;
- jigsaw;
- milling machine;
- electric saw;
- roulette;
- clamp;
- Sander;
- sandpaper;
- Ruler and pencil;
- roller and brush.
Minimum set of tools for assembling a bed
A set of some of the tools listed above will not be cheap, so if you are on a budget, ask your friends or acquaintances for some. Renting a tool will also cost less.
We carry out installation in several stages. The first is the installation of the foundation of the entire structure.
- Installation of the frame.
A support structure is assembled along the wall. Make markings for the bed on the floor in advance so that you can assemble the entire support taking into account this location. A timber frame is laid along the contour.
We mount the frame of the podium from timber
To ensure that the frame fits tightly to the wall, remove the baseboard.
Along the perimeter of the proposed podium, pre-prepared vertical posts made of timber are installed on the frame, which will serve as support. The pitch of the racks depends on the load.
Attach the frame to the horizontal posts
The height of the racks must be calculated based on the size of the podium and the thickness of the platform. It is equal to the height of the podium minus the double thickness of the timber.
- Horizontal beams are attached to the vertical supports. You can also strengthen the base by adding additional beams.
- The finished frame is mounted to the wall using dowels. The design must be strong and reliable to support the weight of an adult.
- The frame is covered with MDF board. Compared to chipboard, this is a higher quality material, and the finished podium will look more presentable.
In accordance with the drawing, we cut out the necessary pieces of the slab and screw them to the frame with self-tapping screws
Podium bed made of laminated MDF for a teenage boy's room
- The manufacture of a pull-out bed occurs separately.
Drawing for making a pull-out bed
- Mark the bed on the board and MDF board. You need to cut out the following elements with a jigsaw: the base of the bed, the cover for the podium, the sides from the furniture board. Sand the cut areas.
- The sides are fixed to the floor of the podium. And the flooring is attached to the sides.
- Stiffening ribs are made from 40x60 mm timber and attached to the edges of the flooring.
- Cover the entire structure of the future bed with varnish and only after complete drying can it be installed on the legs.
- We assemble a lattice under the mattress from slats.
- The front of the bed is cut out from the scraps of the slab and attached to the main frame with a screwdriver.
- Casters are screwed to the bottom base of the pull-out bed to provide mobility.
- The steps are cut out of the board and secured with a screwdriver.
Finishing the surface of the podium with linoleum
Additionally, the product can be painted, and the surface of the podium can be finished with laminate, parquet or carpet under the main floor in the room.
Finishing the podium surface with carpet
Before finishing, the entire surface must be thoroughly cleaned and sanded with a machine.
What qualities to look for when choosing
Comfortable bed-podium for a bedroom in a country house
Your interior and the further use of the product depend on how correctly you choose a bed. Please note the following points:
- Material of manufacture. It must be durable and environmentally friendly;
- Structure weight. The finished model should be able to support two adults;
- Product height. Give importance to where the podium is when you stand next to it. An ordinary person should stand up easily and not rest his head on the base of the second tier or on the ceiling;
- If niches are provided, the height of the podium should not exceed 40 cm;
- When the bed is located at a height of more than 40 cm, it is recommended to make steps to make it easy to climb.
How to make the podium not boring?
Demarcation of the sleeping area with lighting devices Source www.icmimaritasarim.com.
Futuristic bed, ultra-modern person Source www.pinterest.com
There are a lot of options on how to make a podium bed not boring, starting from installing a suitable night lamp and ending with arranging niches or shelves for placing souvenirs. Let's look at popular methods using a photo as an example:
- For the high-tech style, the classic cladding option is not suitable. You will have to use futuristic shapes and neutral colors, emphasizing the attitude towards the ultra-modern interior.
Natural materials Source www.lushome.com
Choosing a podium bed for a small bedroom
Full double bed-podium with organized storage spaces
Depending on how you use the sleeping space, installation can be of two types: in a permanent place and as a temporary option with a retractable base.
Standing bed on the podium in the interior
The permanent sleeping area is equipped with a platform with a mattress and all bedding. This option ensures comfortable sleep and correct anatomical position of the body. The bedside frame can be used as a stand for coffee or tea, as well as books and magazines. The comfortable location allows two adults to sit comfortably without embarrassing each other.
Podium with space for studying and working at the top and a pull-out bed for sleeping at the bottom
A temporary option, when after sleep, the base of the frame and all the bedding are pushed into the podium. It is suitable when the apartment has a small area and the bedroom also serves as an office or a place for games (this option is especially relevant in children's bedrooms and rooms).
High podium with space for studying and playing and with pull-out children's beds
Mattress on a podium instead of a bed: advantages and disadvantages
As you already understood, not only a bed, but also one mattress is installed on a raised platform. In terms of aesthetics, this option is no different from what we are used to, and in some cases it is even superior. For example, there are no sharp edges (sides) that are easy to hit with your knee.
Harmony with panoramic windows Source mir-dizajna.ru
Bed on a podium in a child's bedroom Source www.houzz.com
Installing a mattress instead of a podium bed will be a smart decision when arranging a children's room: allow the child to jump and jump on the bed without fear of breaking it - the design of the pedestal is solid. The downside of the installation is the likelihood of falling in your sleep. This method is not suitable for small children.
It is not advisable to use it in homes where there are elderly or sick people. In this case, a number of nuances should be taken into account:
- Correspondence or proximity of the height of the surface of the sleeping place to the standard indicator: at least 50 cm.
- The width of the base should not exceed the size of the mattress by more than 10 cm. If these dimensions are observed, an elderly person will still be able to get out of bed with his feet immediately on the floor. Modern interpretations of podium beds are predominantly larger than a given size.
Unity preserved with the help of floor and windows Source decouvrirlendroitdudecor.blogspot.com
A mattress on a podium instead of a bed is an interesting option, suitable for young, physically healthy people. Before you start developing a project, think about how you feel about squats and lifting from a position where your tailbone is almost at the level of your heels. If this does not create problems for you, feel free to start implementing your plans.
Healthy! It is possible to make a podium bed with your own hands with minimal skills. It may be enough to place 1 sheet of chipboard in a horizontal plane. Place it on the legs and secure additional support on all sides. The base is ready. Finish it with flooring and buy a mattress.
What style is suitable for the interior
DIY podium bed for a children's room
Depending on what style predominates in your apartment, be guided by a suitable podium based on the color scheme and form of manufacture. It is important to consider how the bed will visually look in relation to the style of the room. It should be noted that select the color of the box based on the floor covering. Together they are perceived as a single whole. There is a smooth visual transition from the floor surface to the podium bed.
Large luxurious bed located on a podium with storage space
Benefits and Features
A podium is also a way to zone space – say, in a studio apartment. This option increases the functionality of using the space of the room and looks original, fitting into any interior.
This type of furniture is not typical. It is made according to an individual sketch for a specific interior. The elevation is mounted on a frame supplemented with load-bearing elements. This design solution has a number of advantages:
- multifunctional - it is both a sleeping place at night and a place for work, gymnastics, receiving guests, etc. during the day;
- the ability to hide the storage system or utilities;
- the ability to be built into narrow spaces and niches where standard furniture will not fit;
- the ability to visually correct the incorrect geometry of a room (leveling long narrow rooms, rounding one of the corners of a square room, etc.);
- health benefits - even with a mattress, the surface remains quite hard and smooth, which has a beneficial effect on the spine;
- safety for active children - you don’t have to worry about falling on the podium bed;
- a sleeping place raised above the floor will be warmer than one located on the floor.
The podium is also suitable for yoga - its flat, hard surface is ideal for this. And if the height is sufficient, you can arrange a wardrobe in it.
It is worth remembering that installing a podium in a room means reducing the room by about half. This makes the podium bed a dubious option for small apartments. If the ceiling height is low, it is also worth thinking carefully about the arrangement of the structure. In this case, a small height podium will look good.
What is special about podium beds and how to apply them in the interior
Bed on a high podium for an unusual stylish interior design
The main advantage is its special structure, which allows it to be used multifunctionally. Modern developers offer a wide selection with various mechanisms and functions, including pull-out beds. The main feature is the ability to save space and store items.
White furniture for a teenage girl's bedroom with a podium bed
The freed up space can be used at your discretion, this is especially appreciated in small apartments and small rooms. The selected podium bed for your apartment will become not only a place for comfortable rest and sleep, but also an original accent and highlight in the interior.
Built-in guest bed for small living room
