Decorating the interiors of residential premises is a complex and extremely responsible task. The furnishings should provide maximum comfort for household members and be functional. Particular attention is usually paid to the equipment of the sleeping area. The dimensions of the premises do not always allow the installation of comfortable and roomy beds. In this case, transforming structures come to the aid of the owners. One of the varieties of such structures is a bed built into a closet.
Folding bed built into the closet
Ways to save space when placing beds
When living conditions are cramped due to the size of the living space, a variety of designs come to the rescue, making it possible to unload the space as much as possible.
Built-in bed
If there is a shortage of free space, two-tier systems can be a great help for a family with children. In some cases, it is appropriate to install beds that slide into podiums.
Podium bed
Folding structures are very functional.
The most common models of transforming beds:
- sofa beds;
- tables-beds;
- beds built into wardrobes.
Furniture manufacturers offer many interesting and functional solutions. In one-room apartments, it is often simply impossible to do without installing a sleeping place that can be stored in a closet.
Bed built into wardrobe
Key points when buying a transformable bed
It is advisable to buy beds that retract into the wall as a complete set. This way you can avoid the need to combine the bed with furniture that is already in the room. In the finished headset you only need to select the size.
Before going to the store, you need to take measurements of the room in which the furniture will be installed. You need to know the width of the walls of the room, the dimensions of the area on which the bed will be placed. You should make a plan for installing the cabinet in which the product will be folded. You should find out as much information as possible about the manufacturing plant: how long has it been supplying products to the market, what customer reviews are about it.
Advantages of built-in beds
If previously the assortment of folding beds did not pamper the consumer, and the reliability of the designs did not always live up to expectations, today there are practically no complaints about the performance characteristics of the products.
The structure itself is simple. It consists of only two elements: a wardrobe, which, when the sleeping place is assembled, is no different in appearance from ordinary wardrobe models, and the sleeping place itself. The latter consists of a frame and a lamella support system for the mattress. Also an integral part (one of the most important) is a lifting mechanism, with the help of which the bed can be easily tilted out of the closet and put back after use. Mattresses are usually ordered separately. They should not be thicker than 25 cm so that the piece of furniture can be freely retracted into the niche intended for it. The width of the cabinet corresponds to the size of the bed (if additional compartments for organizing storage systems are not installed). Some models have bed legs.
Model with legs
Often the support is the base part of the structure. Lighting is usually installed inside the cabinets (to make it possible to read before bedtime).
Why built-in structures are interesting:
- they significantly save space;
- with the help of such interior items it is possible to zone the room;
- laying out the bed is very simple; both girls and the younger generation can easily cope with this process;
The bed lifts up easily to free up space
- depending on the model of the structure, storage space can be organized in the closet;
- folded furniture does not interfere with cleaning the room (washing the floor under standing sofas and beds is not an easy task);
- the process of transforming a sleeping place takes a minimum of time (there is no need to lay out or remove bedding, which is secured with special belts);
- The materials and fittings used in the production of products allow bed-wardrobes to harmoniously fit into most residential interiors.
Folding beds built into the closet are indispensable in small apartments
Saving space occupied by furniture is one of the most significant advantages of transformers. During the daytime, the folded sleeping place does not take up space. It is stored in a closet with a depth of only 35...45 cm. In this case, the bedroom can be used as a living room.
The most important advantage of built-in structures is their ergonomics
Many are skeptical about folding structures due to their seeming unreliability. It is safe to say that the mechanisms and materials used in transforming systems make it possible to operate structures without problems for a long time.
A folding bed can be as comfortable as possible. Most often it is equipped with a comfortable orthopedic mattress that guarantees excellent sleep.
An extensive assortment allows you to choose the optimal sleeping option for both adults and children
Installing built-in models helps organize both the main sleeping area for family members and an additional one for guests.
Transformable beds are installed in different rooms. They are used to organize sleeping places in children's rooms and offices (in case the work process is delayed and you have to spend the night there). But mostly they are installed in small bedrooms or in one-room apartments, where it is otherwise impossible to distribute the living space for different purposes. Sometimes such structures can be mounted in halls or loggias (for rare use).
Wardrobe bed on the loggia
If necessary (most often due to the size of the family), you can install not one, but two folding structures along the wall. A rather rare option, but one that has the right to life, is the installation of two horizontal folding structures on top of each other. When unfolded, such a system is a two-tier structure.
Bunk bed
The disadvantages of beds include high requirements for the base to which the structure is attached. There may also be problems with lifting mechanisms caused by manufacturing defects, as well as violation of the rules for using products. The cost of the product also does not relate to its advantages.
Self-installation
A folding bed can be installed by professionals who assemble furniture. But this is usually not cheap, and if the owner has the necessary tools and basic skills, you can install the bed yourself. Assembly instructions are included with each bed purchased by the manufacturer.
The sleeping place has three main structural components, the fastening of which requires special attention. The base, which is fixedly fixed to the wall, must be very strong, since the hinges and the bed are heavy
A fixed base is attached to all surfaces: walls, floor and ceiling. It looks like a hollow niche.
Nuances of self-installation
Installing a transformable bed has some nuances:
- The vertical plane on which the structure is fixed must be very strong, with a thickness of at least 2 bricks. If the wall is plasterboard, the fasteners must be long so that they pass through the plasterboard and the concrete and brick wall to which they will be attached. If the fastening is not done securely, the box may come off the wall at the most inopportune moment and lead to injury to people.
- If the furniture is made of chipboard, it is better to strengthen the base with metal corners or wooden boards. Mainly the vertical pillars of the box are strengthened.
- To securely fasten a bulky structure, you need to ensure that all surfaces are smooth, without distortions. In some cases, before installation, you need to level the floor and walls so that the bed stands securely.
Sometimes they make the built-in stock themselves. If it is not difficult to make the box and the sleeping place itself, then the lifting device must be reliable, and it is advisable to purchase it from the manufacturer. A self-made mechanism is not always reliable, and since the bed structure is heavy, it can cause many injuries if it falls. The structure should be lifted and secured with ease and fixed for the required period of time.
Securing the mattress
The frame for the sleeping place itself can be made independently from metal corners, chipboard or plywood. To prevent the mattress from slipping when the bed is folded, you need to make a small edge along the edge or secure it with slings and belts. The mattress should fit tightly to the frame. If necessary, it should be easy to remove. Materials should be light and durable.
Types of folding bed designs
Today, consumers are offered several options for beds that differ in design. Most often, the bottom surface of the product is the front of the cabinet when folded. There are also models of cabinets that are equipped with folding, sliding or hinged doors.
The bed is built into a wardrobe with hinged doors
In this case, there are no design requirements for the design of the lower part of the bed.
Models are also produced whose height of the unfolded bed allows them to be installed above sofas, which are used for their intended purpose during the day.
Folding bed over the sofa
This design of beds fully helps to combine the use of the room as a bedroom and living room.
Wardrobe beds can be made from solid wood or materials containing wood (MDF and laminated chipboard). The first option has the highest performance characteristics, but at the same time it costs quite a lot. Laminated chipboard is inexpensive, but over time there is a high probability of loosening of the fastening points.
What is the difference between MDF and laminated chipboard?
Important! Manufacturers do not recommend using 1.6 cm thick chipboard panels to make folding beds.
Assembly sequence
This process can be divided into 2 main stages: assembling the frame (cabinet) and making the stock.
Stage 1. Drill the prepared chipboard parts under the confirmations so that the sidewalls are the external parts, and the ends and stiffeners are the internal ones. To do this, holes are drilled in the sidewalls in the plane of the parts with an 8 mm drill, at a distance of 9 mm from the end cuts (for the upper and lower parts) and at the same distance from the rear long side in the places where the stiffeners are attached.
Immediately install the resulting structure in the designated place. Fastening to the wall is carried out using anchor bolts using reinforced corners 60x60 mm. When installing with a level, check the verticality of the structure. Strengthen parts of the lifting mechanism inside the box. Fastening is done using self-tapping screws.
Wardrobe-bed diagram.
Stage 2. The key to successful manufacturing of this part of the structure will be the accurate measurement and adjustment of its parts. The width of the mattress binding must be provided in advance so that its surface is slightly higher than the frame boards.
Assembling the mattress box is carried out according to the same principle as for the cabinet. Holes for confirmations are drilled in the planes of the side boards and at the ends of the head and foot of the bed. The bottom of the box can be made from a furniture facade or laminated chipboard. The lower, reverse side of the bottom will serve as the facade of the wardrobe-bed when assembled. Here you can strengthen a small shelf for souvenirs, handles so that the folding bed can be conveniently unfolded, and decorative fittings that will make the panel resemble the front of a cabinet.
On the outer surfaces of the sidewalls, in marked places, the mating parts of the lifting mechanism should be installed on self-tapping screws. Attach the folding legs according to their design. Connect the parts of the lifting mechanism and place the mattress on the bed.
After this, you need to adjust the bed with a lifting mechanism so that in working condition its legs are on the floor. To do this, the bed with the mattress is placed in the sleeping position. If it does not lower enough and the legs hang without support on the floor, then a board or chipboard of suitable size and weight is additionally reinforced under the mattress so that the folding bed can be folded out completely under its own weight.
When installing a home-made bed, the main attention should be paid to securely fastening the box to the wall. You should not skimp on fasteners, since when using a mechanism with gas springs, the force of their compression can tear out a box that is not firmly installed and lead to injury to a person on the stock
Built-in bed type
For installation in small apartments, as well as in modern interiors that require maximum openness of space, two types of structures are used:
- vertical;
- horizontal.
In the first case, the owners have the opportunity to organize a full-fledged sleeping place for two adults. Although, if desired, you can also build a single vertical structure into the closet.
Double bed
A horizontally positioned bed allows you to equip an additional storage system in the closet or place, for example, a TV panel above a low cabinet. Such systems are most often used in children's rooms or offices, as well as for organizing an extra bed in case of unexpected guests.
Horizontal bed
Type of mechanism
To ensure that the bed can be easily disassembled and stored in a closet, several types of lifting and folding mechanisms are installed.
Depending on their financial capabilities and preferences, customers can be offered three device options:
- mechanical, reminiscent in principle of operation of the mechanism for folding shelves on a train (they are rarely used);
- spring ones, which perform well during operation, but their service life is limited;
- the most modern systems with gas shock absorbers, allowing the transformation process to be carried out as silently and smoothly as possible.
It is recommended to select the force of gas lifts based on the proposed table.
Gas lift power for horizontal beds
Gas lift power for vertical beds
Bed dimensions
The folding bed model is selected depending on who will sleep on it. Married couples, children and teenagers, people of different builds and heights will need different designs.
Varieties of transforming structures of different sizes:
- single: 800…900 x 1900…2000 mm;
- one-and-a-half: 1200 x 1900...2000 mm;
- double: 1600…2200 x 2000 mm.
Single vertical bed-wardrobe
For small children, a sleeping place with dimensions of 700 x 1500 mm is enough. The height of the ceilings allows you to place beds in closets designed for tall people. The length of such structures can vary between 2000...2200 mm.
Multifunctional wardrobe-bed 6 in 1 with mirror, lighting, assembled shelf
Factory model options
The range of products offered by manufacturers allows you to choose the right design depending on your living conditions, family composition and personal preferences.
Table. Design options for wardrobe beds.
| Model | Description |
Single built-in bed | This design allows one person to sleep comfortably. The width of the bed is 700 or 800 mm, the length is 1900 or 2000 mm. In the upper part of the closet you can place, for example, bedding sets. The remaining space on the side is also used for storing things. The customer is offered a large selection of color solutions. If desired, you can order a mirror facade. The sleeping place is equipped with an orthopedic grill. |
3 in 1 design | This design combines a wardrobe with storage systems for things, equipment or books, a comfortable sleeping place for two people and a sofa that can be used after folding the bed. This option will fit perfectly into the interior of a living room or studio apartment. The structure is equipped with lighting (overhead and bedside), as well as USB sockets. The storage system is made from laminated chipboard. For upholstery of the sofa, you can choose several fabric options (flock, velor, jacquard, eco-leather, etc. The choice of colors for the facade is extensive. The package includes fittings: gas lifts, ball guides, shock absorbers and hinges. |
Children's folding bed | A special feature of this design is the ability to use the folded piece of furniture as a table. This design is convenient for placement in a children's room, giving the younger generation the opportunity not only to rest comfortably at night, but also to do business during the daytime. The pneumatic folding system allows you to transform the bed with ease and without noise. |
Drawings of beds built into the closet
Design and individual components
Folding bed mechanism diagram
Transformation mechanism
Transformable bed-wardrobe
Double lift bed
Video - Wardrobe-bed. Detailed examination of the frame
Design Features
When choosing upholstered furniture for your own needs, a person strives to get a practical, functional, durable, aesthetic product. The transforming bed has all these qualities. It, like standard models, consists of two main elements: a frame and a mattress.
However, it has some design features that depend on the specific type:
- Legs. The unfolded bed rests on special folding legs that can withstand heavy loads. They are intended for both overweight people and married couples. When folded they are not visible.
- Lifting mechanism. There are spring, gas, and hinged options.
- Box (cabinet). A special element into which the structure is built
- Belts. Used to secure bed linen and mattresses.
- False doors with handles. Decorative element depicting the front of a cabinet.
- Lamel system for supporting the mattress.
Based on the type of transformation mechanism used, the following options can be distinguished:
- Rolling out. These are the most compact models, they consist of folding sections, and when folded they are reduced to three times their size.
- Reclining. When not unfolded, they represent the front part of the cabinet. Lifting is carried out thanks to pneumatic springs.
- Swivel and tilt. Movement occurs due to rotary joints.
- Combined. They perform several useful functions at the same time.
Based on functionality, the following types are distinguished:
- used solely to save space, for example, a standard wardrobe-bed hidden behind the facade;
- multifunctional products that allow one area in the house to be used for different purposes, for example, a sofa bed, a bed-table.
